Experiment 6 Student’s Manual

American International University – Bangladesh (AIUB)

Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
EEE 1204: Electrical Circuits 1 (DC) Laboratory

Title: Study of Superposition Theorem

Introduction:
The purpose of this experiment is to:
 Investigate the application of the superposition theorem to different circuits having
multiple DC sources in terms of both voltage, current and power measurement
measurements.
Theory and Methodology:
i) 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 → v 1

i2 → v 2

The above two expressions state that a device, if excited by a current i 1 will produce a response v 1
. Similarly, an excitation current i 2 will cause a response v 2. Then according to the concept of
Superposition theorem:
(i ¿ ¿ 1+i 2)→(v ¿ ¿ 1+ v 2) ¿ ¿

That is, with an excitation current of(i ¿ ¿ 1+i 2)¿, the device will produce a response(v ¿ ¿ 1+ v 2)¿.
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
 all the remaining current sources are being replaced by open circuits.

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 Experiment 6 Student’s Manual

Action Plan:
 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).
 To deactivate a voltage source, replace it with a short circuit, and to deactivate a current
source, replace it with an open circuit.
 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.
Apparatus:
1. Trainer Board
2. Digital Multimeter
3. DC Source
4. Resistors
5. Connecting Wires
Precautions:
• It should be checked whether all the apparatus is working fine or not.
• The circuit should be implemented carefully where necessary.
•While the DC source is being connected, make sure it is not shorted while being placed in the
trainer board.
•The DC source should not be switched on while the circuit is being implemented in the trainer
board.
•While voltage is being measured, the Digital multimeter should be placed in parallel across the
elements of the circuit where the voltage is to be measured; the multimeter should be in
voltmeter mode.
•While current is being measured, the Digital multimeter should be placed in series with the
branch of the circuit where the current is to be measured; the multimeter should be in ammeter
mode.
•A shorting wire across source E2 should not be simply placed. This will overload the power
supply.

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 Experiment 6 Student’s Manual

Circuit Diagram:

Figure 1 Figure 2

Experimental Procedure:
1. Let the circuit be connected as shown in figure 1. The voltage across node A of the circuit
should be measured. Have the voltage source E1 set to zero, leaving the other unaltered, and let
the voltage across R4 be calculated. The voltage source E1 should be replaced to its original
position, E2 should be set to zero, and the voltage across R4 calculated. Table 1 should be filled
with the necessary calculations.
2. As shown in figure 2, the circuit should be connected. The current through resistor R2 of the
circuit should be measured. Have the voltage source E1 set to zero, leaving the other unaltered,
and let the voltage across R4 be calculated. The voltage source E1 should be replaced to its
original position, E2 set to zero, and the voltage across R4 should be calculated. Table 2 should
be filled with the necessary calculations.
3. The power received by resistor R2 of the circuit should be measured. With the voltage source
E1 set to zero, leaving the other unchanged, the power received by resistor R2 should be
calculated. After replacing the voltage source E1 to its original position and setting E2 to zero,
the power received by resistor R2 should again be calculated. Table 3 should be filled with the
necessary calculations.

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 Experiment 6 Student’s Manual

Simulation and Measurement:

Fig: V2 (Considering both E1 and E2)

Fig: V2 (Considering E2)

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 Experiment 6 Student’s Manual

Fig: V2 (Considering E1)

Fig:IR2 (Considering both E1 and E2)

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 Experiment 6 Student’s Manual

Fig:IR2 (Considering E1)

Fig:IR2 (Considering E2)

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 Experiment 6 Student’s Manual

Data Table:
Table-1 (For Figure 1):
Value of Resistors: R1 = 5.56 KΩ, R2 = 2.15 KΩ, R3 = 3.23 KΩ.
Value of Voltage Sources: E1 = 7V, E2 = 5V.

VA (Considering both
Source VA (Considering E1) VA (Considering E2)
E1 and E2)

Measured Values 3.76 1.3 2.46

Calculated Values 3.74 1.31 2.43
Simulated Values 3.755 1.32 2.43

3.76−3.74
V A (Considering both E 1∧E 2)% of error= × 100 %
3.76
¿ 0.005 %
1.3−1.31
V A (Considering E 1) % of error= ×100 %
1.3
¿ 0.00 7 %
2.46−2.43
V A (Considering E 2) % of error = × 100 %
2.46
¿ 0.0 1 %
Table-2 (For Figure 2):
Value of Resistors: R1 = 5.56 KΩ, R2 = 1.48 KΩ, R3 = 2.15 KΩ, R4 = 3.23 KΩ, R5 = 3.23 KΩ.
Value of Voltage Sources: E1 = 7 V, E2 = 5 V.

IR2 (Considering both

Source IR2 (Considering E1) IR2 (Considering E2)
E1 and E2)

Measured Values 1.24 0.2mA 1.44mA

Calculated Values 1.24 0.23 1.47
Simulated Values 0.48 1.12 1.6

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 Experiment 6 Student’s Manual

1.24−1.2 4
I R 2(Considering both E 1∧E 2)% of error= ×100 %
1.24
¿0%

0.2−0.23
I R 2(Considering E 1)% of error = × 100 %
0.2
¿ 0. 15 %

1.44−1.47
I R 2(Considering E 2)% of error = ×100 %
1.44
¿ 0.0 2 %

Table-3 (For Figure 2):

PR2 (Considering
PR2 (Considering PR2 (Considering PR2 (Considering
Source E1) + PR2
both E1 and E2) E1) E2)
(Considering E2)
Measured Values 2.28 0.06 3.07 3.13
Calculated
3.30 0.08 3.19 3.36
Values
Simulated
1.9 1.4 3.8 5.2
Values
2.28−3.3
P R 2(Considering both E 1∧E 2) % of error = × 100 %
2.28
¿ 44 %
0. 06−0.08
P R 2(Considering E 1)% of error= ×100 %
0.06
¿ 0. 33 %
3.07−3.19
P R 2(Considering E 2)% of error= ×100 %
3.07
¿ 0. 04 %
3.13−3.36
P R 2(Considering E 1)+ P R 2(Considering E 2)% of error= ×100 %
3.13
¿ 0.07 %

Report Questions:
Show brief calculation here to fill up the data tables 1, 2, and 3.
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 Experiment 6 Student’s Manual

Discussion:
In electrical engineering, the Superposition Theorem is a useful technique that makes
complicated circuit analysis easier. By breaking down a circuit into more manageable
components and taking into account the impact of each independent source separately,
engineers may effectively examine circuit behavior without becoming bogged down by
complexity.
In this experiment, we used a real-world circuit configuration to apply the Superposition
Theorem. We were able to determine the impact of each source separately by shutting off all
except one and monitoring the response (voltage or current). Every independent source in the
circuit underwent this procedure once more. The reaction resulting from each source
functioning independently was then added up to determine the overall response.
The Superposition Theorem's validity was validated by the experimental results.
When all sources were active at once, the measured response of the circuit nearly matched the
overall response that was produced by adding together all of the individual responses. This
indicates that the Superposition Theorem offers a precise and trustworthy way to examine the
behavior of circuits, even those with several independent sources.
The experiment further clarified for us the significance of linearity in electrical circuits. The
linearity principle, which asserts that a linear circuit's reaction to a combination of inputs is
equal to the total of its responses to each individual input, is the foundation of the
Superposition Theorem. In electrical engineering, this idea is important and is necessary for
using methods like the Superposition Theorem.
Conclusion:
To sum up, the investigation into the Superposition Theorem experiment yielded significant
understandings regarding electrical circuit analysis. We proved the theorem's usefulness in
streamlining circuit analysis and comprehending intricate circuit behavior by applying it to a
real-world circuit configuration. The experiment clarified the significance of linearity in
electrical engineering and improved our knowledge of linear circuits.
The information gathered from this experiment can be used in the future for a variety of
engineering tasks, such as the design and study of communication, power, and electrical
circuits. An essential tool for engineers to solve intricate circuit issues quickly and precisely is
the superposition theorem.
All things considered, the experiment met its goals and gave participants practical experience
to supplement their theoretical understanding of electrical circuit analysis. It established a
strong framework for additional research into circuit analysis methods and their useful use in
actual engineering settings.
Reference:

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 Experiment 6 Student’s Manual

[1] Robert L. Boylestad, “Introductory Circuit Analysis”, 13th Edition, Prentice Hall, New
York.

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