NAME: Abdul-Hamid Opeoluwa Arowona

MATRIC NUMBER: D.E. STUDENT

GROUP NUMBER: 9
INSTRUCTOR’S NAME: DR. NORBERT EDOMAH
DATE: Monday, November 27th, 2023

EXPERIMENTAL VERIFICATION OF SUPERPOSITION

THEOREM

Introduction
The Superposition Theorem is a fundamental principle in electrical circuit analysis that
simplifies the process of solving complex linear circuits. It is particularly useful in circuits
with multiple sources, enabling the determination of individual currents and voltages by
considering each source separately and then summing their effects.
Statement of the Superposition Theorem:
The Superposition Theorem states that in a network of linear resistances containing more
than one generator (or source of e.m.f), the current which flows at any point is the sum of all
the currents which would flow at that point if each generator were considered separately
and all the other generators replaced for the time being by resistances equal to their internal
resistances.
Steps to Apply the Superposition Theorem:
1. Turn Off All Independent Sources Except One:

• Set all voltage sources to zero (replace with short circuits).

• Set all current sources to zero (replace with open circuits).
• Leave only one independent source active.
2. Analyse the Circuit:

• Use circuit analysis techniques (such as Kirchhoff's laws, Ohm's law, etc.) to
determine the desired currents or voltages in the circuit with only one source active.
3. Repeat for Each Source:

• Repeat steps 1 and 2 for each independent source in the circuit.

4. Combine Responses:

• Sum the individual responses obtained for each source to find the total response in
the circuit.
The Superposition Theorem is a powerful tool for simplifying circuit analysis, especially in
circuits with multiple sources. It allows engineers and analysts to break down complex
problems into more manageable parts, solving for individual source contributions and then
combining them to obtain the overall circuit response. This method is widely used in
electronic circuit design and troubleshooting.

Aim
The aim of this experiment is to measure and calculate the current in each branch of a
series–parallel circuit and to experimentally verify the superposition theorem.

Materials:
• Breadboard
• A set of resistors (56Ω, 51Ω, 100Ω)
• Digital Multimeter
• Variable DC Power Supply
• Jumper wires
• Digital trainer kit

Figure 1. Circuit with 2 sources.

Figure 2. Circuit with only the 10V source.

 Figure 3. Circuit with only the 15V source.

Procedure
The circuit in Figure 1 was constructed on the breadboard which was connected to the
trainer kit. The input voltage was 10V and 15V. The digital multimeter was used to measure
and verify the resistance of each resistor. The identified and measured resistance values
were recorded in Table 1. The multimeter was then configured to measure current. The
multimeter was used to measure the currents IA, IB, IC. The values were recorded in Table 1.
The circuit in figure 2 was constructed by removing the 15V source from the original circuit
and replacing it with a short. The multimeter was used to measure the currents I1, I2 and I3.
The values were recorded in Table 2.
The 15V source was returned and the 10V source was replaced with a short to construct the
circuit in figure 3. The multimeter was then used to measure the currents I4, I5 and I6. The
values were recorded in Table 2. The theoretical values of currents I4, I5 and I6 were
calculated and recorded in Table 2.
The figures 2 and 3 were superimposed in order the facilitate the calculation of the algebraic
sum of the currents in each branch. The calculated values were recorded in Table 3.

Results

Table 1. Resistor values.

R1(Ω) R2(Ω) R3(Ω) IA(mA) IB(mA) IC(mA)

56 51 100 -51.7 116.6 186.8

Table 2. Currents Values.

Currents I1(mA) I2(mA) I3(mA) I4(mA) I5(mA) I6(mA)

Measured 52.3 71.3 41.6 159.8 114.2 105.7
Calculated 53 73 40 163 110 110
% Error 1.3% 2.3% 4.0% 2.0% 3.8% 3.9%
 Table 3. Branched Currents.

Currents IA = I1 – I6 (mA) IB = I4 – I3 (mA) IC = I2 + I5 (mA)

Measured -53.4 118.2 184.5
Calculated -57 123 183
% Error 6.3% 3.9% 1.4%

Answers to Questions
1. The Superposition theorem states that a circuit with multiple power sources can be analysed
by evaluating only one power source at a time. Then, the component voltages and currents
are added algebraically to determine the circuit response with all power sources in effect.
2. The percentage error for the measured and calculated current values IA, IB and IC in
Table 3 ranged from 1.4% - 6.3% which can be said to be relatively small. This error
may be due to the resistance of the jumper cables used in the connection of the
circuit as it creates more resistance in the circuit hence allowing less current to flow
through them.
3. The current values IA, IB and IC in Tables 1 and 3 align. The approximately equal values
indicate that the Superposition Theorem is verified.
4. The principle of superposition can be applied in a circuit that has more than two
sources.

Discussion

The primary aim of this experiment was to demonstrate and verify the Superposition
Theorem in electrical circuits using a breadboard setup. The experiment involved analyzing
the individual contributions of multiple voltage sources to the total circuit response. The
obtained results were then compared with theoretical expectations derived from the
Superposition Theorem.
The successful verification of the Superposition Theorem was evident in the close alignment
between the theoretical values and experimentally measured values as seen in Table 3. By
isolating each voltage source and observing its impact on the circuit individually, the
experiment demonstrated that the total circuit response is indeed the sum of the responses
induced by each source independently.
Comparing the results of this experiment with findings from other research on the
Superposition Theorem reveals a consistent confirmation of this fundamental principle. The
observed outcomes align with established principles in circuit analysis, demonstrating the
universal applicability of the Superposition Theorem across different circuit configurations.
The close correspondence between theoretical predictions and experimental measurements
is consistent with the broader understanding in the field.
While the experiment demonstrated success, potential sources of error may include
inaccuracies in resistor values due to tolerance and the quality of electrical connections on
the breadboard.

Conclusion

It can be concluded that Superposition theorem is verified as the currents IA, IB and IC of the
original circuit figure a, are gotten by superimposing the currents I1 - I6 (with respect to their
directions as shown in figures b and c) and the calculated values are approximately equal to
the
In conclusion, this experiment successfully verified the Superposition Theorem, providing a
practical demonstration of its validity in real-world circuits. The theorem is verified as the
currents IA, IB and IC of the original circuit in figure 1 are gotten by superimposing the
currents I1 - I6 (with respect to their directions as shown in figures 2 and 3) and the
calculated values are approximately equal to the measured values.

References

Kuphaldt, T. R. (2022, November 10). Superposition Theorem. DC Network Analysis |

Electronics Textbook. https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/textbook/direct-current/chpt-
10/superposition-theorem/

B. (2020, December 9). Superposition Theorem. Circuit Globe. https://circuitglobe.com/what-

is-superposition-theorem.html

Technology, E. (2022, September 30). Superposition Theorem – Circuit Analysis with
Solved Example. ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY.
https://www.electricaltechnology.org/2021/05/superposition-theorem.html

Superposition theorem. (2023, June 27). Wikipedia.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superposition_theorem
Appendices

𝑉 = 𝐼𝑅
𝑅𝑡
𝑉𝑖 = 𝑉𝑡 ( )
𝑅𝑖
𝑅𝑡
𝐼𝑖 = 𝐼𝑡 ( )
𝑅𝑖

∑ 𝐼𝑖𝑛 = ∑ 𝐼𝑜𝑢𝑡

∑ 𝑉𝑖 = 0

IA = 23 x R1/(R1+R2) = 23 X (56/56+51)
IB = 1.75 X (470/570)
IC = 10 X (51/107)

Measured

IA = I1 – I6 = 52.3 – 105.7 = -53.4(mA)

IB = I4 – I3 = 159.8 – 41.6 = 118.2(mA)
IC = I2 + I5 = 71.3 + 114.2 = 184.5(mA)
Calculated
IA = I1 – I6 = 53 – 110 = -57(mA)
IB = I4 – I3 = 163 – 40 = 123(mA)
IC = I2 + I5 = 73 + 110 = 183(mA)