Experiment 6 Lab Manual

American International University- Bangladesh

Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
EEE1202: Electrical Circuits 1 Laboratory

Title: Study of Superposition Theorem and Reciprocity Theorem.

Introduction:
The first part of this experiment is the study of Superposition theorem. This theorem states that
in a linear bilateral multi-source DC circuit, the current through or voltage across any particular
element may be determined by considering the contribution of each source independently, with
the remaining sources replaced with their internal resistance. The contributions are then
summed, paying attention to polarities, to find the total value. Superposition cannot in general
be applied to non-linear circuits or to non-linear functions such as power. The second part of
this experiment is the study of Reciprocity theorem.

The objective of this exercise is to-

1. Investigate the application of the superposition theorem to different circuits having
multiple DC sources in terms of both voltage, current and power measurement
measurements.
2. Study and verification of Reciprocity theorem.

Theory and Methodology:

Part A: Superposition Theorem

The principle of superposition is applicable only for linear systems. The concept of
superposition can be explained mathematically by the following excitation (𝑖) and
response (𝑣) principle:
𝑖1 → 𝑣1
𝑖2 → 𝑣2
The above two expressions state that a device, if excited by a current 𝑖1 will produce a
response 𝑣1 . Similarly, an excitation current 𝑖2 will cause a response 𝑣2 . Then according to the
concept of Superposition theorem
(𝑖1 + 𝑖2 ) → (𝑣1 + 𝑣2 )
That is, with an excitation current of (𝑖1 + 𝑖2 ), the device will produce a response (𝑣1 + 𝑣2 ).

The principle of superposition has the ability to reduce a complicated problem to several easier
problems each containing only a single independent source.
Superposition theorem states that,
In any linear circuit containing multiple independent sources, the current or voltage at any
point in the network may be calculated as algebraic sum of the individual contributions of
each source acting alone.

When determining the contribution due to a particular independent source, we

disable/deactivate all the remaining independent sources as per the following ways:
✓ all the remaining voltage sources are being replaced by individual short circuits and
✓ all the remaining current sources are being replaced by open circuits.
Also, it is important to note that if a dependent source is present; it must remain active
(unaltered) during the process of superposition.

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 Experiment 6 Lab Manual
Action Plan:
i. In a circuit comprising of many independent sources, only one source is allowed to be
active in the circuit, the rest are deactivated (turned off).
ii. To deactivate a voltage source, replace it with a short circuit, and to deactivate a current
source, replace it with an open circuit.
iii. The response obtained by applying each source, one at a time, are then added
algebraically to obtain a solution.

Limitations:
Superposition is a fundamental property of linear equations and therefore, can be applied to
any effect that is linearly related to the cause. That is, we want to point out that, superposition
principle applies only to the current and voltage in a linear circuit but it cannot be used to
determine power which is a non-linear function.

Part B: Reciprocity Theorem

The Reciprocity theorem states that if an emf E in one branch of a reciprocal network produces
a current I in another, then the emf E is moved from the first to the second branch, it will cause
the same current in the first branch, where the emf has been replaced by a short circuit.
In other words, the location of the voltage source and the resulting current may be interchanged
without a change in current. The theorem requires that the polarity of the voltage source has
the same correspondence with the direction of the branch current in each position.

Figure 6.1
In the representative network of Figure 6.1(a), the current I due to the voltage source E was
determined. If the position of each is inter-changed as shown in Figure 6.1(b), the current I will
be the same value as indicated in the Figure 6.1(a).

Pre-Lab Homework:
Use PSpice/Multisim and reference book for solving the following problems. Students
must present the simulation results to the instructor before the start of this experiment.
Problem # 1: Find the voltage 𝑉𝑜𝑢𝑡 of the circuit in Figure 6.2 using superposition theorem.

Figure 6.2

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 Experiment 6 Lab Manual
Problem # 2: Find the current through the 6Ω resistor using the principle of superposition for
the circuit as shown in Figure 6.3.

Figure 6.3
Apparatus:
1. Trainer board
2. Digital multimeter
3. DC sources
4. Resistors : 4.7kΩ, 6.8kΩ, 10kΩ, 22kΩ, 33kΩ [1 pc each]
5. Connecting wires

Precautions:
To consider the effect of one voltage source the other must be replaced with a wire (short
circuit). Simply switching off the connection does not give the correct circuit configuration.
Sometimes the ammeters do not work properly so to determine current take the voltage drop
across the resistor and divide by the resistance value to obtain the current passing through that
particular element or branch. Always mention the units when taking the readings or doing the
calculations.

Experimental Procedures:
Part A: Verification of Superposition Theorem
Voltage Application

Figure 6.4

1. Consider the dual supply circuit of Figure 6.4 using E1 = 10 volts, E2 = 15 volts, R1 = 4.7k,
R2 = 6.8k and R3 = 10k. To find the voltage at node A (with respect to ground),
superposition may be used. First consider source E1 by assuming that E2 is replaced with
its internal resistance (a short). Determine the voltage at node A using standard series-
parallel techniques and record it in Table 6.1. Make sure to indicate the polarity. Repeat the
process using E2 while E1 is being replaced by a short circuit. Finally, sum these two
voltages and record in Table 6.1.

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 Experiment 6 Lab Manual
Table 6.1
Independent Measured VA (T) VA (E) Deviation
Sources value of
resistances (Theoretical) (Experimental) [VA (T) - VA (E)]
E1 only R1 =

E2 only R2 =

E1 & E2 R3 =

2. To verify the superposition theorem, the process may be implemented directly by

measuring the contributions. Build the circuit of Figure 6.4 with the values specified in step
1, however, replace E2 with a short.
Do not simply place a shorting wire across source E2. This will overload the power
supply.

3. Measure the voltage at node A and record in Table 6.1. Be sure to note the polarity.

4. Remove the shorting wire and insert source E2. Also, replace source E1 with a short.
Measure the voltage at node A and record in Table 6.1. Be sure to note the polarity.

5. Remove the shorting wire and re-insert source E1. Both sources should now be in the
circuit. Measure the voltage at node A and record in Table 6.1. Be sure to note the polarity.
Determine and record the deviations between theory and experimental results.

Current and Power Application

Figure 6.5

1. Consider the dual supply circuit of Figure 6.5 using E1 = 10 volts, E2 = 15 volts, R1 = 4.7k,
R2 = 6.8k, R3 = 10k, R4 = 2.2k and R5 = 10k. To find the current through R4 flowing from
node A to B, Superposition may be used. Each source is again treated independently with
the remaining sources replaced with their internal resistances. Calculate the current through
R4 first considering E1 and then considering E2. Sum these results and record the three
values in Table 6.2.

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 Experiment 6 Lab Manual
Table 6.2
Independent Measured value IR4 (T) IR4 (E) Deviation
Sources of resistances
(Theoretical) (Experimental) [IR4 (T) - IR4 (E)]
E1 only R1, R2 & R3
(as per table 6.1)
E2 only
R4 =

E1 & E2 R5 =

2. Assemble the circuit of Figure 6.5 using the values specified. Replace source E2 with a
short and measure the current through R4. Be sure to note the direction of flow and record
the result in Table 6.2.

3. Replace the short with source E2 and swap source E1 with a short. Measure the current
through R4. Be sure to note the direction of flow and record the result in Table 6.2.

4. Remove the shorting wire and re-insert source E1. Both sources should now be in the
circuit. Measure the current through R4 and record in Table 6.2. Be sure to note the
direction. Determine and record the deviations between theory and experimental results.

5. Power is not a linear function as it is proportional to the square of either voltage or current.
Consequently, superposition should not yield an accurate result when applied directly to
power. Based on the measured currents in Table 6.2, calculate the power in R4 using E1-
only and E2-only and record the values in Table 6.3. Adding these two powers yields the
power as predicted by superposition. Determine this value and record it in Table 6.3. The
true power in R4 may be determined from the total measured current flowing through it.
Using the experimental current measured when both E1 and E2 were active (Table 6.2),
determine the power in R4 and record it in Table 6.3.

Table 6.3
PR4
Source
(True power of R4 resistor)
E1 only
E2 only
E1 + E2
(addition of last two results)
E1 and E2
(Voltages applied simultaneously)

Part B: Verification of Reciprocity Theorem

1) Construct the circuit as shown in Figure 6.6.

2) Then measure the current 𝐼𝐶𝐷 flowing from terminal C to terminal D keeping the source
E between terminal A & B.
3) Move the source E in between terminals D & C and then measure the current flowing
from terminal B to terminal A.
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 Experiment 6 Lab Manual

Figure 6.6

4) Repeat steps 2 & 3 for randomly selected three different values of RL.
5) Record the current readings in table 6.4

Table 6.4
𝐼𝐶𝐷
Position of variable resistor 𝐼𝐵𝐴
(when source E is placed
RL (4.7 kΩ) (when source E is placed
between terminals A &
(randomly selected) between terminals D & C)
B)
Position 1

Position 2

Position 3

Discussion:

Discuss about the experimental results of part A & B.

Questions with answers for report writing:

1. Determine whether or not the two theorems were accepted.

2. Discuss any mistakes you might have made while conducting the investigation.
3. Describe ways the study could have been improved.

Reference(s):

1. Robert L. Boylestad, ”Introductory Circuit Analysis”, Prentice Hall, 12th Edition, New
York, 2010, ISBN 9780137146666.

Teaching tips:

1. If there might be any problem measuring current, ask students to measure the voltage
𝑉
across that component and the corresponding resistances, and use 𝑅 relation to find the
current.

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