Circuit Analysis Study Guide - Cheat-Sheet
Circuit Analysis Study Guide - Cheat-Sheet
Chapter 3 Mesh Analysis: Uses KVL to find unknown "Mesh Currents" (only
Nodal Analysis: Focuses on current flowing into and out of each node applies in planar circuits).
using KCL. Because V=I/R, we are actually going to find the node Steps for Mesh Analysis:
voltages in the end (v1, v2, v3, etc.). 1. Assign mesh currents to meshes
Steps for Nodal Analysis: 2. Apply KVL to each of the meshes (loops)
1. Identify nodes in the circuit (use coloring method if necessary) 3. Solve the resulting equations to get the mesh currents
2. Apply KCL at each node (except for the ground node) Tips:
3. Solve the KCL equations using a matrix to find the unknown The mesh currents use KVL calculated CLOCKWISE around the
node voltages. mesh/loop.
Tips: If the mesh current goes WITH the Voltage sorce (from --> (- +)
IF there is a voltage source between two nonreference nodes -->), then the voltage source should be negative in the KVL
(v1 and v2), that becomes a supernode. Treat the supernode as equation.
1 node, and write a constraint equation using KCL (current If the mesh current goes AGAINST the Voltage source (from -->
coming in = current flowing out, AND voltage amount = v1-v2, (+ -) -->), then the voltage source should be positive in the KVL
using the + on the Vs as the positive node voltage and - on the equation.
Vs as the negative node voltage). IF there is a resistor bordering two meshes, make the 1st mesh
If there is a voltage source (Vs) between a nonreference node current you are working on positive and the bordering mesh
(V1) and a reference node (Ground), do [(Vs-V1)/resistance] current negative.
If there is a Voltage Source (Vs) right next to a nonreference If there is a current source isolated to a mesh, that mesh
node (v1) and it looks like it is the same voltage, it probably is! current = the current source.
Do Nodal Analysis If the circuit contains: If there is a current source bordering two meshes, that is
Many elements in parallel classified as a SUPERMESH. For the constraint equation, use
Current Sources the mesh currents bordering the current source and their
Supernodes direction to determine which is positive and which is negative.
Circuits with fewer Nodes than meshes If a mesh current is going the same direction as the current
If the Node Voltage is what is being solved for source, then it is positive in the constraint equation. If a mesh
Non-Planar Circuits current is going against the current source, then it is negative in
the constraint equation.
After the constraint equation is written for the SUPERMESH,
you then REMOVE (create an open circuit) the wire containing
the current source and resistor it is attached to. Then, apply
KVL on the remaining Mesh, using I1 and I2 accordingly
(whatever resistors applied to I1 before the supermesh branch
was removed, still applies to I1, and vice versa for I2).
Do Mesh Analysis if the circuit contains:
Many elements in series
Voltage sources
Supermeshes
A circuit with fewer meshes than nodes
If a branch/mesh current is what is being solved for
Chapter 4 Superposition: If there are two or more independent sources there are Three ways to
Linearity: As Voltage goes up, Current goes up solve for the circuit parameters: Nodal Analysis, Mesh Analysis, Superposition
proportionally. The response of a circuit to a sum of Superposition Principle states that the voltage/Current through an element in a
sources will be the sum of the individual responses linear circuit is the total sum of the voltages/currents through that element
from each source separately. due to each independent source acting alone.
Linearity: Steps for Superposition:
V=iR 1. Turn off all independent sources except one source. Find the output (voltage or
k(iR) = k(V) current) due to that active source using techniques in Chapter 2/3
V= (i1 + i2)R = (i1)R + (i2)R = V1 + V2 2. Repeat step 1 for each of the other independent sources
3. Find the total contribution (voltage or current) by adding all the contributions
(voltages or currents) due to each independent source.
Tips for Superposition:
To remove a current source, replace it with an open circuit (i=0).
To remove a voltage source, replace it with a short circuit (v=0).
Source Transformation: Replacing a Voltage source (Vs) in series Thevenin's Theorem (Thevenin Equivalents): When you have one
with a resistor R by a current source (Is) in parallel with a resistor R, variable element that you are trying to analyze, called the load.
or vice versa. Thevenin Voltage (Vth/Voc)= Open Circuit Voltage (R=infinite)
Vs = Is*R Thevenin Resistance (Rth)= Resistance looking into terminals a
Is = Vs/R and b with all independent sources turned off.
The current source is directed towards the positive terminal Thevenin Current (Ith/In/Isc) = Vth/Rth = Ith
of the voltage source Use a voltage source in series with a resistance to replace
Source Transformation is not possible when R=0 or R=∞ complicated linear circuits
It is possible for the result of this analysis to end up with a negative
resistance. This implies the circuit is supplying power. This is reasonable
with dependent sources
Norton's Theorem (Norton Equivalents): Similar to Thevenin’s Norton vs. Thevenin
theorem, Norton’s theorem states that a linear two terminal circuit
may be replaced with an equivalent circuit containing a resistor and
a current source.
Norton Current (In)= Short Circuit Current (Isc)
Norton Resistance (Rn) = Thevenin Resistance (Rth)
Norton Voltage (Vn) = [Vn = In * Rn]
The Norton Current (In) is found by short circuiting the
circuit's terminals and measuring the resulting current.
Norton current is related to Thevenin voltage and resistance
by source transformation: In = Vth/Rth
Chapter 5 Concepts
Non-inverting Op-Amp (Ideal)
5 Terminals found on all Op-amps: Ideal Op-Amp Rules apply
a. Inverting input
b. Non-inverting input Vo = Vi * [1 + (Rf/R1)]
c. Output
d. Positive and negative power supplies
Output voltage of an op-amp can be found using the following equation: Vo = A*Vd = A*(V+-V-)
o A is the Open Loop Gain, which is different from the closed loop gain.
Feedback: The output of the op-amp is fed back to the inverting terminal, giving the op-amp
"Negative Feedback".
Voltage Saturation: The output voltage of the op-amp cannot exceed the input voltages. Therefore,
when an output voltage should exceed the possible voltage range, the output remains at either the
minimum or maximum supply voltage.
Ideal Op-Amps:
o Infinite Open Loop Gain (A) Voltage Follower (Ideal, non-inverting op-amp)
o Infinite Input Resistance (Ri) Vi = Vo
o Zero output Resistance (Ro)
o Zero input current to the inverting/noninverting terminals (Io)
o Output current is NOT zero
Input voltages on the inverting/noninverting terminals are equal
Inverting Op-amp (ideal) Equivalent circuit:
Ideal Op-Amp Rules apply
Vo = (-Rf/R1)*Vi
Instrumentation Amplifier
Summing Op-Amp
-Places 2 non-inverting amplifiers before the
Uses the inverting amplifier and several inputs (each with their
difference amplifier to increase the impedance
own resistor), the summing amplifier can be used to create a
of the difference amplifier
simple digital to analog converter (DAC).
I1 = [(V1-Va)/R1]
I2 = [(V2-Va)/R2]
I3 = [(V3-Va)/R3]
Ia = I1 + I2 + I3
Ia = [(Va-Vo)/Rf]
Vo = - [(Rf/R1)*V1 + (Rf/R2)*V2 + (Rf/R3)*V3]
Difference Amplifier
-Vo is proportional to the difference between the two inputs.
-Va = Vb due to negative feedback.
o Capacitor Properties:
When the voltage is NOT changing (constant), the current through the
capacitor is zero (open circuit at DC conditions).
Voltage on the capacitor plates CAN NOT change instantaneously.
If the voltage on the capacitor does not equal the applied voltage, charge
will flow until the cap reaches the applied voltage.
Parallel Capacitors: Act like series resistors, or like conductance values.
C1 + C2 + C3 = Ceq
Series Capacitors: Act like Parallel Resistors, or like conductance values. o Inductor Properties:
[(1/C1) + (1/C2) + (1/C3)]^-1 = Ceq
If the current across an inductor is NOT changing (constant), the voltage
across an inductor is zero (short circuit at DC conditions).
The current through an inductor CAN NOT change instantaneously.
Series Inductors: Just like series resistors. L1 + L2 + L3 = Leq
Parallel Inductors: Just like parallel resistors. [(1/L1) + (1/L2) + (1/L3)]^-
1 = Leq
Time constant (the speed at which the voltage drops to 1/e of the
initial voltage): Once V(t) is found, current can be found:
i(t) =
RL Circuits
o Source Free RL Circuits
Current cannot change instantaneously
We are looking for the current through the inductor
Therefore, we must determine its value as a function of time
The key to working with this type of situation is:
Initial current passing through the inductor at t=0:
Start with the initial voltage across the capacitor and the time I(0) = 0
constant RC.
With these two items, the voltage as a function of time can be As the inductor begins to release energy into the system, the natural
known. response starts to occur:
From the voltage, the current can be known by using the
resistance and Ohm’s law.
The resistance of the circuit is often the Thevenin equivalent Time constant:
resistance.
Singularity Functions:
Unit Step Function
o Step Response of RL Circuits
Steady-state current through an inductor:
The switching time can be shifted to
t=to by:
Current cannot change instantaneously through an inductor:
i(0+) = I(0-) = Io
Complete response of current through an inductor:
Chapter 8 Concepts Parallel RLC Circuits:
Second-order Circuits (RLC circuits) All the same equations as series RLC, except:
o Start by getting initial conditions I(0) and dI(0)/dt (for parallel RLC Change I(t) --> V(t)
circuits, V(0) and dV(0)/dt):
Capacitor: Open Circuit at long-term conditions. Voltage
cannot change abruptly
V(0-) = V(0+) = Vo
Inductor: Short Circuit at long-term conditions. Current
Vs = V(∞)
cannot change abruptly.
Change:
i(0-) = I(0+) = Io
o Figure out which damping case the circuit will require, solve
characteristic eqn. for roots, apply them in correct formula, solve for I
or V:
Damping Responses:
Series RLC Circuits:
Overdamped
Overdamp
ed (the
roots are
real and
negative)
Critically
Damped
(roots are
real and
equal) Critically
Damped
Underdam
ped (roots
are
complex)
Underdamp
o Solutions to characteristic equation: ed
Chapter 11
Instantaneous Power: (1/2)VmIm[cos(ɸv - ɸi)+cos(2ωt + ɸv + ɸi)]
o The rate at which an element absorbs power, or the power at any instant in time
o 1st cosine is constant power, 2nd cosine is sinusoidal power
Average Power:
o (1/2)VmImcos(ɸv - ɸi)
o ***Average power absorbed by an inductor and capacitor is zero watts.***
o Average power is also:
For periodic current:
For DC Current:
Apparent power
o The product of RMS voltage and current will be called apparent power.
√
|S| = |VRMS||IRMS| = P2+ Q 2
Power Factor
o P/S = cos(ɸv - ɸi) --> cos-1(P/S) = Power Factor Ratio (between 0 and 1)
P = Real Power
S = Apparent power
Real Power (P) = Apparent Power (S) * Power Factor (PF)
Power Factor = cos(ɸv - ɸi)
Adding a capacitor
o To mitigate the inductive aspect of the load, a capacitor is added in parallel with the load.
o With the same supplied voltage, the current draw is less by adding the capacitor.
Qc P ( tanθ 1−tanθ 2)
o C= =
ωV 2rms ωV 2rms