Fundamentals of Electric Circuits

DC Circuits

Chapter 3. Methods of Analysis

3.1. Introduction
3.2. Nodal analysis
3.3. Mesh analysis
3.4. Nodal versus mesh analysis
 FUNDAMENTALS OF ELECTRIC CIRCUITS – DC Circuits

3.1. Introduction
+ In chapter 2:
o Geometric configuration of electric circuits (branch, node, loop/mesh)
o Basic laws: Ohm’s law and Kirchhoff’s laws  circuit analysis
o Some circuit transformation rules

+ In this chapter:  develop 2 powerful techniques for circuit analysis based on KCL and KVL
o Nodal analysis  based on KCL
o Mesh analysis  based on KVL

+ With the 2 techniques

o Solve a set of equations to obtain the required values of current or voltage
o Almost types of electric circuit can be analyzed
 FUNDAMENTALS OF ELECTRIC CIRCUITS – DC Circuits

3.2. Nodal analysis

+ Using node voltage as the circuit variables for analyzing circuits (node – voltage method)

+ Objective: reduces the number of equations

3.2.1. Nodal analysis without voltage source

Assuming that circuits with n nodes do not contain voltage source
o Select a node as the reference node (ground, v = 0)

o Assign voltages v1, v2, … vn-1 to the remaining n-1 nodes  all voltages are referenced to the reference node

o Apply KCL to each of the n-1 non-reference nodes. Use Ohm’s law to express the branch currents in terms of
node voltages

o Solve the resulting simultaneous equations to obtain the unknown node voltages
 FUNDAMENTALS OF ELECTRIC CIRCUITS – DC Circuits

3.2. Nodal analysis I2

3.2.1. Nodal analysis without voltage source
i2
v1 R2 v2
Example 1: Find the currents in this circuit
R1 R3
o Choose node 0 as a reference node (v0 = 0), assign voltage of node 1 and node i3
I1 i1
2 with v1 and v2 , i1, i2, and i3 as the currents on R1, R2, R3 0
o Apply KCL for node 1 and 2: I 1 -I 2  i 1  i2
I 2  i3 - i 2

o Apply Ohm’s law to express the currents in term of node voltages

v1 - v0 v1 - v2 v2 - v0
i1   G1v1 i2   G2 (v1 - v2 ) i3   G3v2
R1 R2 R3
 I1  I2  G1 v1  G2 (v1 - v2 ) (G1  G2 )v1 - G2 v2  I1 - I2
 
 2 I  G (v
2 1 - v2 )  G v
3 2  -G2v1  (G2  G3 )v2  I 2
 FUNDAMENTALS OF ELECTRIC CIRCUITS – DC Circuits

3.2. Nodal analysis

3.2.1. Nodal analysis without voltage source
I2
Example 1: Find the currents in this circuit

o Solve this set of equations to obtain the node voltages v1, v2 i2

v1 R2 v2

 G1  G2 -G2   v1   I1 - I 2  R1 R3
      i1 i3
 -G 2 G 2  G 3  2
v  2 
I I1
0

o Finally, calculate the currents in circuit

i2  v1 - v2
v1
i1  i3  v2
R1 R2 R3
 FUNDAMENTALS OF ELECTRIC CIRCUITS – DC Circuits

3.2. Nodal analysis

3.2.1. Nodal analysis without voltage source 1 v1 R2 6Ω v2 2
1A 4A
Example 2: Find the currents in this circuit i1 R1 i2 i
3
R3
2Ω
Choose node 0 as reference node I1 7Ω I2
Apply KCL to each non-reference node (node 1 and 2): I1  i1  i2 0

i2  i3  I 2
Apply Ohm law to branches
v -v v2
i2  1 2  G2 v1 - v2 
v1 i3   G3v2
i1   G1v1
R1 R2 R3

 G1 - G2 v1 - G2 v2  I1
Obtain set of equations
 0,667v1 - 0,167v2  1  v1  -2V
    
-
 2 1
G v  G2  G v
3 2  - I 2  - 0,167 v1  0,31v 2  -4 v2  -14V
Calculate currents through resistors in circuit v1 v1 - v2 v2
i1   -1A i2   2A 3
i   -2 A
R1 R2 R3
 FUNDAMENTALS OF ELECTRIC CIRCUITS – DC Circuits

3.2. Nodal analysis

R4 2Ω
3.2.1. Nodal analysis without voltage source i4

Example 3: Find the voltages at the three non-reference 1 v1 R1 3Ω 2 v2 4ix 3

nodes in this circuit v3
i1 ix
i3
o Choose node 0 ~ reference node, node 1 ~ v1, node 2 ~ v2, node 3 ~ v3 R2 R3
10A 4Ω 6Ω
 i1  i4  I1 I1
 0
o Set of KCL equations for node 1, 2 and 3
i1  4ix  ix
i  4i  i
4 x 3

o Apply Ohm law, we have i1  G1 v1 - v2 , ix  G2 v2 , i3  G3v3 , i4  G4 v1 - v3 

 5 1 1
o Substitute to set of KCL   v - v - v3  10
 G1  G4 v1 - G1v2 - G4 v3  I1  v1  80V
1 2
6 3 2
equations and solve it to obtain  
 - G1v1  G1 - 3G2 v2  0
1 5
v1, v2, v3   - v1 - v2  0  v2  -64V
- G v  4G v  G  G v  0  3 12  v  156V
 4 1 2 2 3 4 3 1
- v v  v 0 2  3
  2 1 2
3
3
 FUNDAMENTALS OF ELECTRIC CIRCUITS – DC Circuits

3.2. Nodal analysis R4 4Ω

3.2.2. Nodal analysis with voltage sources i4
5V
R1 2Ω v2
+ Voltage source connects between reference node v1 v3
and non-reference node: i1
10V R2 R3
Voltage of non-reference node = voltage source 8Ω 6Ω
i2 i3
+ Voltage source connects between 2 non-reference nodes
 form a super-node

Super-node is formed by enclosing a (dependent or independent) voltage source

connected between two non-reference nodes and any elements connected in parallel with it

+ To analyze circuit  applying the same three steps presented in 3.2.1, except the super-node
 FUNDAMENTALS OF ELECTRIC CIRCUITS – DC Circuits

3.2. Nodal analysis R4 4Ω

3.2.2. Nodal analysis with voltage sources i4
5V
+ For example: R1 2Ω v2
v1 v3
v1 - v2 v1 - v3 v2 v3
KCL at super-node: i1  i 4  i2  i 3     i1
R1 R4 R2 R3 10V R2 R3
and: v2 - v3  5V  i2
8Ω
i3
6Ω

 v1  10V  v1  10V
 
We have a set of equations and its solution :  v2 - v3  5V  v2  9.2V
5 5 v  4.2V
 v2  v3  7.5  3
8 12
+ Note:
o The voltage source inside the super-node provides a constraint equation needed to solve for the node voltages
o A super-node has no voltage of its own
o A super-node requires the application of both KCL and KVL
 FUNDAMENTALS OF ELECTRIC CIRCUITS – DC Circuits

3.2. Nodal analysis

3.2.2. Nodal analysis with voltage sources
R3
+ Example 1: find the voltage node in this circuit using nodal analysis 10Ω
2V
Super-node includes the 2V source node 1, node 2 and R3 v1 v2
i1 i2
Apply KCL to the super-node: 2A
R1
v1 v2 R2
2  i1  i 2 7 2   7  2v1  v2  -20 2Ω 4Ω
7A
R1 R2
Apply KVL to the super-node: v2  v1  2

 v1  -7.33V
Solve the set of 2 equations:

v2  -5.33V
 FUNDAMENTALS OF ELECTRIC CIRCUITS – DC Circuits

3.2. Nodal analysis

3.2.2. Nodal analysis with voltage sources 3V
v1 R1 v2 v3
i1 4Ω i2 i3 i4
+ Example 2: find the voltage nodes and the currents in this circuit
using nodal analysis 7V R2 R3 R4
3Ω 2Ω 6Ω
Super-node includes the 3V source, node 2, node 3
Apply the KCL and KVL to the super-node

 v1 - v2 v2 v3 v3
 R R R R  v1  7V
 1 2 3 4

 v1  7  v2  -0.2V
 v3  v2  3  v  2.8V
  3

v1 - v2
Apply Ohm’s law to get the currents i1   1.8 A i2  G2 v2  -0.067 A i3  G3v3  1.4 A
R1
i4  G4 v3  0.467 A
 FUNDAMENTALS OF ELECTRIC CIRCUITS – DC Circuits

3.2. Nodal analysis

3.2.2. Nodal analysis with voltage sources R5 3Ω
i5 + vx -
+ Example 3: find the node voltages in this circuit using nodal
20V
analysis v2 R2 6Ω v3 3vx
+ - v4
v1 i2 i3
Super-node 1: Node 1 + node 2
i1  i5  i2  10 5v1  v2 - v3 - 2v4  60 R1 R3 R4
2Ω 4Ω
 1Ω
v1 v1 - v4 v3 - v2 10 v1  20  v2 i1 10A i4
  
2 3 6
 6v1 - v3 - 2v4  80
Super-node 2: Node 3 + node 4
v1 - v4 v3 - v2 v3
i 5  i 2  i3  i 4     v4  4v1  2v2 - 5v3 -16v4  0
3 6 4
v3  3vx  v4  3(v1 - v4 )  v4  3v1 - v3 - 2v4  0 4v1  2v2 - 5v3 -16v4  0  6v1 - 5v3 - 16v4  40
3v1 - v3 - 2v4  0
 FUNDAMENTALS OF ELECTRIC CIRCUITS – DC Circuits

3.2. Nodal analysis

3.2.2. Nodal analysis with voltage sources R5 3Ω
i5 + vx -
+ Example 3: find the node voltages in this circuit using nodal
20V
analysis v2 R2 6Ω v3 3vx
 3v1 - v3 - 2v4  0 v1 i3
+ - v4
We have a set of equations  i2
 6v1 - v3 - 2v4  80 R1 R3 R4
6v - 5v - 16v  40 2Ω 4Ω
 1 3 4
i1 10A i4
1Ω

Using Cramer’s rule to calculate node voltages

3 -1 -2 0 -1 -2 3 0 -2
 6 -1 - 2  -18 1  80 -1 - 2  -480  3  6 80 - 2  -3120
6 - 5 - 16 40 - 5 - 16 6 40 - 16

3 -1
1 4
0 v1   26.67V v4   -46.67V
 
4  6 - 1 80  840
 v2  v1 - 20  6.67V
6 - 5 40 v3  3  173.33V

 FUNDAMENTALS OF ELECTRIC CIRCUITS – DC Circuits

3.2. Nodal analysis R4 6Ω

3.2.2. Nodal analysis with voltage sources
i4
10V 5i1
+ Example 4: find the node voltages and the branch currents in v1 v2 v3
- +
this circuit using nodal analysis i1 i2 i3

R1 R2 R3
Super-node consists of 10V source, 5i1 dependent source, and R4
2Ω 4Ω 3Ω
v1 v2 v3
We have i1  i2  i3  0    0
2 4 3
v 1 - v2  10
v3  5i1  v2  5v1  2v2 - 2v3  0
Solve the set of KCL and KVL equations at super node to get node voltages:  v1  3.043V

v2  -6.956V
 v  0.652V
 3
v1 v v v -v
And branch currents: i1   1.522 A; i2  2  -1.739 A; i3  3  0.217 A; i2  1 3  0.399 A
R1 R2 R3 R4
 FUNDAMENTALS OF ELECTRIC CIRCUITS – DC Circuits

3.2. Nodal analysis

3.2.3. Nodal analysis by inspection
In case:
If a circuit with only independent current sources has N non-reference nodes  the node-voltage equations can be
written in terms of the conductance as

 G11 G12 ... G1N   v1   i1 


 G21 G22 ... G2N   v2   i2 
  Gv  i
          
    
 GN1 GN 2 ... GNN  vN  iN 
where:
o Gkk : Sum of the conductances connected to node k
o Gkj = Gjk : Negative of the sum of the conductances directly connecting nodes k and j, k ≠ j.

o vk : Unknown voltage at node k.

o ik : Sum of all independent current sources directly connected to node k, with currents entering the node
treated as positive.
 FUNDAMENTALS OF ELECTRIC CIRCUITS – DC Circuits

3.2. Nodal analysis 2A

3.2.3. Nodal analysis by inspection
R7 1Ω
+ Example 5: write the node voltage matrix
equations for this circuit v1 R2 5Ω v2 R3 8Ω v3 R5 8Ω v4

 G11 G12 G13 G14   v1   i1  R1 R4 R6

     10Ω 4Ω 2Ω
 G21 G22 G23 G24  v2  i2  1A
 3A 4A
 G31 G32 G33 G34   v3   i3 
    
 G41 G42 G43 G44  v4  i 4 
where
1 1 1 1 1
G 11    0.3S G22     1.325S G13  G31  0
R1 R2 R2 R3 R7

1 1 1 1 1 1
G33     0.5S G44     1.625S G14  G41  0
R3 R4 R5 R5 R6 R7
 FUNDAMENTALS OF ELECTRIC CIRCUITS – DC Circuits

3.2. Nodal analysis

3.2.3. Nodal analysis by inspection 2A

+ Example 5: write the node voltage matrix R7 1Ω

equations for this circuit
v1 R2 5Ω v2 R3 8Ω v3 R5 8Ω v4
 G11 G12 G13 G14   v1   i1 
    
 G21 G22 G23 G24  v2  i2  R1 R4 R6
 10Ω 4Ω 2Ω
 G31 G32 G33 G34   v3   i3  3A 1A 4A
    
 G41 G42 G43 G44  v4  i 4 

1 1
G12  G21  -  -0.2 S G32  G23  -  -0.125S
R2 R3
1
G34  G43  -
1
 -0.125S G42  G24  -  -1S
R5 R7
 FUNDAMENTALS OF ELECTRIC CIRCUITS – DC Circuits

3.2. Nodal analysis

2A
3.2.3. Nodal analysis by inspection
R7 1Ω
+ Example 5: write the node voltage matrix
equations for this circuit
v1 R2 5Ω v2 R3 8Ω v3 R5 8Ω v4
 G11 G12 G13 G14   v1   i1 
     R1 R4 R6
 G21 G22 G23 G24  v2  i2 
 10Ω 1A
4Ω 2Ω
 G31 G32 G33 G34   v3   i3  3A 4A
    
 G41 G42 G43 G44  v4  i 4 
Sum of current sources at node 1, 2, 3 and 4: i1  3 A i2  -1 - 2  -3 A i3  0 A i4  2  4  6 A
So we have node voltage matrix equations:  0.3 - 0.2 0 0   v1   3 
- 0.2 1.325 - 0.125 - 1  v  - 3
  2    
 0 - 0.125 0.5 - 0.125 v3   0 
    
 0 - 1 - 0.125 1.625  v4   6 
 FUNDAMENTALS OF ELECTRIC CIRCUITS – DC Circuits

3.2. Nodal analysis

R3 1Ω v3 R4 4Ω v4
3.2.3. Nodal analysis by inspection
+ Example 6: write the node voltage matrix 1A
equations for this circuit
v1 R2 5Ω R5
From 4 non-reference
 G11 G12 G13 G14   v1   i1  v2
2Ω
nodes, we can write      3A
 G21 G22 G23 G24  v2  i2  R1
 10Ω
2A
 G31 G32 G33 G34   v3   i3 
    
 G41 G42 G43 G44  v4  i 4 
where

G11  1  1  1  1.3S  1  0.2S  G32  0

R1 R2 R3
G22
R2 G23 G14  G41  0

G33  1  1  1.25S G44  1  1  0.75S G24  G 42  0

R3 R4 R4 R5
 FUNDAMENTALS OF ELECTRIC CIRCUITS – DC Circuits

3.2. Nodal analysis

R3 1Ω v3 R4 4Ω v4
3.2.3. Nodal analysis by inspection
+ Example 6: write the node voltage matrix 1A
equations for this circuit
v1 R2 5Ω R5
From 4 non-reference
 G11 G12 G13 G14   v1   i1  v2
2Ω
nodes, we can write      3A
 G21 G22 G23 G24  v2  i2  R1
 10Ω
2A
 G31 G32 G33 G34   v3   i3 
    
 G41 G42 G43 G44  v4  i 4 
where

G12  G21  - 1  -0.2S G13  G31  - 1  -1S i1  0

R2 R3
i 2  1 2  3A

G34  G43  - 1  -0.25S i3  -1A

R4
i 4  3A
 FUNDAMENTALS OF ELECTRIC CIRCUITS – DC Circuits

3.2. Nodal analysis

R3 1Ω v3 R4 4Ω v4
3.2.3. Nodal analysis by inspection
+ Example 6: write the node voltage matrix 1A
equations for this circuit
v1 R2 5Ω R5
From 4 non-reference
 G11 G12 G13 G14   v1   i1  v2
2Ω
nodes, we can write      3A
 G21 G22 G23 G24  v2  i2  R1
 10Ω
2A
 G31 G32 G33 G34   v3   i3 
    
 G41 G42 G43 G44  v4  i 4 
Finally, the matrix equations is

 1.3 - 0,2 -1 0   v1   0 
- 0.2 0.2 0 0  v   3 
  2    
 -1 0 1.25 - 0.25 v3  - 1
    
 0 0 - 0.25 0.75  v4   3 
 FUNDAMENTALS OF ELECTRIC CIRCUITS – DC Circuits

3.3. Mesh analysis

+ Mesh analysis provides another general procedure for analyzing circuits  using mesh current as the
circuit variables (loop analysis or mesh current method)

+ Objective: reduces the number of equations

+ Mesh: loop that does not contain any other loop within

+ Apply KVL to find unknown currents

+ Only applicable to a planar circuit

 FUNDAMENTALS OF ELECTRIC CIRCUITS – DC Circuits

3.3. Mesh analysis

I1 R1 b I2 R2
+ An example to introduce mesh and mesh current a I3 c

Meshes: abefa, and bcdeb (abcdefa is not a mesh) R3 V2

V1 i1 i2
Mesh current  Current through a mesh (i1 and i2)
f e d

+ Step to determine mesh currents and element currents

o Assign mesh current i1, i2, …, in to the n meshes in a given circuit

o Apply KVL to each of the n meshes (using Ohm’s law to express the voltages in terms of
the mesh currents)

o Solve the resulting n equations to get the mesh currents

o Calculate current through each element: sum of the mesh currents through it,
(including current sources)
 FUNDAMENTALS OF ELECTRIC CIRCUITS – DC Circuits

3.3. Mesh analysis

3.3.1. Mesh analysis without current sources I1 R1 b I2 R2
a I3 c
+ For example: find branch currents in the given circuit using
mesh current method R3 V2
V1 i1 i2
+ Apply KVL to mesh I, II:
f e d
 R1  R3 i1 - R3i2  V1  R1  R3 - R3   i1   V1 
  -R  
- R3i1  R2  R3 i2  -V2  3 R2  R3  i2  - V2 
 

+ Calculate the current through circuit elements I1  i1 , I 2  i2 , I 3  i1 - i2

+ Note:
o A circuit having n nodes, b branches, and l independent loops (mesh)
l  b- n1

o Branch currents are different from the mesh currents unless the mesh is isolated
 FUNDAMENTALS OF ELECTRIC CIRCUITS – DC Circuits

3.3. Mesh analysis

R1 5Ω R3 6Ω
3.3.1. Mesh analysis without current sources I3
I1 I2
+ Example 1: find the branch current I1, I2, I3 in the given circuit R3
using mesh current method 10Ω
15V i1 R4
i2
4Ω
10V
Apply KVL to 2 meshes: -15 5i1 10(i1 - i2 ) 10  0
6i 2  4i2 10(i 2 - i1 ) -10  0
Calculate mesh currents:
 3i1 - 2i2  1 i1  1A
 
i1 - 2i2  -1 i2  1A
Calculate branch (element) currents:
I1  i1  1A
I 2  i2  1A
I 3  i1 - i2  0 A
 FUNDAMENTALS OF ELECTRIC CIRCUITS – DC Circuits

3.3. Mesh analysis

I1 I0 I2
3.3.1. Mesh analysis without current sources
R1 R4
i2
+ Example 2: find the current I0, in the given circuit using mesh 10Ω 24Ω
current method
24V
15V R3 4Ω
Apply KVL to 3 meshes: i1

-24 R1 (i1 - i 2 )  R2 (i1 - i3 )  0  11i1 - 5i 2 - 6i3  12 R2

i3 +
12Ω -
4i0
R4i2  R3(i 2 - i3 ) R1(i2 - i1 )  0  -5i1 19i2 - 2i3  0
4I0 R2(i3 - i1 )  R3(i3 - i 2 )  0  -i1 - i 2  2i3  0
I0  i1 - i2
Solve the set of mesh equations to calculate I0:

 11i1 - 5i2 - 6i3  12 i1  2.25 A

 
- 5i1  19i2 - 2i3  0  i2  0.75 A  I0  i1 - i2 = 1.5A
 - i - i  2i  0  i  1.5 A
 1 2 3  3
 FUNDAMENTALS OF ELECTRIC CIRCUITS – DC Circuits

3.3. Mesh analysis R4 6Ω

3.3.1. Mesh analysis without current sources
i3
+ Example 3: find the current I0, in the given circuit using mesh
I0 R1 4Ω R3 8Ω
current method
Apply KVL to 3 meshes:
20V R2 -
-20 R1(i1 - i3 )  R2(i1 - i 2 )  0  6i1 - 2i 2 - 4i3  20 i1 2Ω
i2 +
10i0
R2(i 2 - i1 )  R3(i 2 - i3 ) -10i0  0  -2i1  10i 2 - 18i3  0
I0  i3
R1(i3 - i1 )  R3(i3 - i2 )  R4i3  0  -4i1 -8i 2 18i3  0
Solve the set of mesh equations to calculate I0:

 6i1 - 2i2 - 4i3  20  i1  -3.21A

   I0  -5A
- 2i1  10i2 - 18i3  0  i2  -9.64 A
 - 4i - 8i  18i  0  i  -5 A
 1 2 3  3
 FUNDAMENTALS OF ELECTRIC CIRCUITS – DC Circuits

3.3. Mesh analysis

R1 4Ω R3 3Ω
3.3.2. Mesh analysis with current sources

+ The presence of the current sources  reduces the number of 10V R2

i1 i
equations in the mesh analysis 6Ω 2
5A
+ Two cases:
o Current source exists only in one mesh  mesh current = current source
o Current source exists between two meshes  create a super-mesh by excluding the current
source and any elements connected in series with it
A super-mesh results when two meshes have a (dependent or independent) current source in common

+ For the given circuit: Current source exists only in one mesh
4i1  6(i1 - i2 )  10 i  -2A (one equation)
 1
 i2  -5A i2  -5A
 FUNDAMENTALS OF ELECTRIC CIRCUITS – DC Circuits

R1 6Ω R3 10Ω
3.3. Mesh analysis
3.3.2. Mesh analysis with current sources
R2
+ Example 1: find branch currents using mesh current method 2Ω
20V i2 R4
i1 4Ω
A current source 6A between two mesh  super mesh 6A
Apply KVL to the super-mesh:

-20 R1i1 R3i 2  R4i 2  0  6i1 14i 2  20

I1 0 I2
Apply KCL to node 0: I 2  I1  6 i 1  I1 i 2  I2  i 2  i1  6
R1 6Ω R3 10Ω
Note:
o Current source in the super-mesh provides the constraint
equation to solve for the mesh currents
i2 R4
o Super mesh has no current of its own 20V i 4Ω
1

o Super mesh requires the using of both KVL and KCL

 FUNDAMENTALS OF ELECTRIC CIRCUITS – DC Circuits

3.3. Mesh analysis

R2 2Ω
3.3.2. Mesh analysis with current sources
+ Example 2: find the current i1, i4 in the given circuit using i1 i1
mesh current method 5A R3 4Ω R5 2Ω
P
Apply KVL to the super mesh in blue dash-line: i2 i0
3i0
R1 i2 i3 R4 i4 10V
R2i1  R3 i3  R 4(i3 - i 4 )  R1i 2  0  i1  3i 2  6i3 - 4i 4  0 6Ω 8Ω

Apply KCL to node P: i 2  i1  5

i2 Q i 3
Apply KCL to node Q: i 2  i3  3i0 i 0  -i4  i2  i3 - 3i 4
Apply KVL to mesh IV: R5 i 4 R4 (i 4 -i3 ) 10  0 5i 4 - 4 i3  -5
We have a set of 4 equations to calculate 4 mesh currents: i1  3i2  6i3 - 4i4  0 i1  -7.5 A
 - i1  i2  5 i  -2.5 A
 
 2
 i2 - i3  3i4  0  i3  3.93 A
 - 4i3  5i4  -5 i4  2.14 A
 FUNDAMENTALS OF ELECTRIC CIRCUITS – DC Circuits

3.3. Mesh analysis

3.3.2. Mesh analysis with current sources
R2 i3 R4
+ Example 3: find the current i1, i2, i3 in the given circuit using 2Ω 2Ω
mesh current method
R3 4Ω
Apply KVL to super mesh:
i1
-6 R2 (i1 - i3 )  R3 (i2 - i3 )  R5 i 2  0  2i1 12i 2 - 6i3  6 6V 3A

Apply KCL to node A: i1 - i 2  3 i2

R5
Apply KVL to mesh III: R2(i3 - i1 )  R3(i3 - i 2 )  R4i3  0  -2i1 - 4i 2  8i3  0 8Ω
R1
We have a set of 3 equations to calculate 3 mesh currents: 1Ω

 2i1  12i2 - 6i3  6  i1  3.47 A A

 
 i1 - i2  3  i2  0.47 A Branch currents ?
- 2i - 4i  8i  0  i  1.11A
 1 2 3 3
 FUNDAMENTALS OF ELECTRIC CIRCUITS – DC Circuits

3.3. Mesh analysis

3.3.3. Mesh analysis by inspection
+ If a circuit (with only independent voltage sources) has N meshes, the mesh current equations can
be expressed in terms of the resistances as

 R11 R12 ... R1N   i1   v1 

    
R
 21 R ... R2N   i 2   v2 
22
  Ri  v
         
    
 RN1 RN 2 ... RNN  iN  vN 
where:
o Rkk : Sum of the resistances in mesh k.
o Rkj = Rjk : Negative of the sum of the resistances in common with meshes k and j, k ≠ j.
o ik : Unknown mesh current for mesh k in the clockwise direction.
o vk : Sum taken clockwise of all independent voltage sources in mesh k, with voltage rise treated as positive.
 FUNDAMENTALS OF ELECTRIC CIRCUITS – DC Circuits

3.3. Mesh analysis R10 5Ω

3.3.3. Mesh analysis by inspection i1
4V
+ Example 4: write the mesh current equations R6 2Ω R8 2Ω

5 meshes in matrix form:

R5
 R11 R12 R13 R14 R15   i 1   v1  2Ω
     i2 R7 R9

 R21 R22 R23 R24 R25  i2  v2  4Ω 3Ω

10V i3
 R31 R32 R33 R34 R35   i3    v3 
     R2 1Ω R4 1Ω
 R41 R42 R43 R44 R45  i 4  v4  12V

 R51 R52 R53 R54 R55  i5   v5  R1 i4 R3 i5 6V

4Ω 3Ω
where:

R11  R6  R8  R10  9 R22  R2  R4  R5  R6  R7  10

R33  R7  R8  R9  9 R44  R1  R2  R3  8 R55  R3  R4  4
 FUNDAMENTALS OF ELECTRIC CIRCUITS – DC Circuits

3.3. Mesh analysis R10 5Ω

3.3.3. Mesh analysis by inspection i1
4V
+ Example 4: write the mesh current equations R6 2Ω R8 2Ω

5 meshes in matrix form:

R5
 R11 R12 R13 R14 R15   i 1   v1  2Ω
     i2 R7 R9

 R21 R22 R23 R24 R25  i2  v2  4Ω 3Ω

10V i3
 R31 R32 R33 R34 R35   i3    v3 
     R2 1Ω R4 1Ω
 R41 R42 R43 R44 R45  i 4  v4  12V

 R51 R52 R53 R54 R55  i5   v5  R1 i4 R3 i5 6V

4Ω 3Ω
where:
R12  R21  - R6  -2 R23  R32  - R7  -4
R13  R31  - R8  -2 R24  R42  - R2  -1 R34  R43  0
R14  R41  0 R25  R52  - R4  -1 R35  R53  0 R45  R54  - R3  -3
 FUNDAMENTALS OF ELECTRIC CIRCUITS – DC Circuits

3.3. Mesh analysis

R10 5Ω
3.3.3. Mesh analysis by inspection
i1
+ Example 4: write the mesh current equations 4V
R6 2Ω R8 2Ω
5 mesh voltages:
 v1  4V
 v  10 - 4  6V R5
 2 2Ω
v3  6 - 12  -6V i2 R7 R9
 v4  0V 10V
4Ω 3Ω
 i3
 v5  -6V
R2 1Ω R4 1Ω
12V
So we have the mesh current equations written in matrix form:
R1 i4 R3 i5 6V
 9 -2 -2 0 0   i1   4  4Ω 3Ω
- 2 10 - 4 - 1 - 1 i   6 
  2   
- 2 - 4 9 0 0  i3   - 6
    
 0 - 1 0 8 - 3 i4   0 
 0 - 1 0 - 3 4  i5  - 6
 FUNDAMENTALS OF ELECTRIC CIRCUITS – DC Circuits

3.3. Mesh analysis

12V
3.3.3. Mesh analysis by inspection R1 40Ω

+ Example 5: write the mesh current equations

R7 i2 R2 i3
5 meshes in matrix form: 50Ω 30Ω
 R11 R12 R13 R14 R15   i 1   v1  R3 10Ω R4 20Ω
     i1
 R21 R22 R23 R24 R25  i2  v2 
24V i4 10V i5
 R31 R32 R33 R34 R35   i3    v3 
    
 R41 R45  i 4  v4 
R42 R43 R44 R5 80Ω R6 60Ω

 R51 R52 R53 R54 R55  i5   v5 

where:

R11  R1  R5  R7  170 R22  R1  R2  R3  80

R33  R2  R4  50 R44  R3  R5  90 R55  R4  R6  80
 FUNDAMENTALS OF ELECTRIC CIRCUITS – DC Circuits

3.3. Mesh analysis

12V
3.3.3. Mesh analysis by inspection R1 40Ω

+ Example 5: write the mesh current equations

R7 i2 R2 i3
5 meshes in matrix form: 50Ω 30Ω
 R11 R12 R13 R14 R15   i 1   v1  R3 10Ω R4 20Ω
     i1
 R21 R22 R23 R24 R25  i2  v2 
24V i4 10V i5
 R31 R32 R33 R34 R35   i3    v3 
    
 R41 R45  i 4  v4 
R42 R43 R44 R5 80Ω R6 60Ω

 R51 R52 R53 R54 R55  i5   v5 

where:

R12  R21  - R1  -40 R23  R32  - R2  -30 R34  R43  0

R13  R31  0 R24  R42  - R3  -10 R45  R54  0
R14  R41  - R5  -80 R25  R52  0 R35  R53  - R4  -20
 FUNDAMENTALS OF ELECTRIC CIRCUITS – DC Circuits

3.3. Mesh analysis

12V
3.3.3. Mesh analysis by inspection R1 40Ω

+ Example 5: write the mesh current equations

R7 i2 R2 i3
5 mesh voltages:
 v1  24V 50Ω 30Ω
 v  0V R3 10Ω R4 20Ω
 2 i1
v3  -12V
 v  10V 24V i4 10V i5
 4
v5  -10V
R5 80Ω R6 60Ω

So we have the mesh current equations written in matrix form:

 170 - 40 0 - 80 0   i1   24 
- 40 80 - 30 - 10 0  i   0 
  2   
 0 - 30 50 0 - 20 i3   - 12
    
 - 80 - 10 0 90 0 i
 4   10 
 0 0 - 20 0 80  i5  - 10
 FUNDAMENTALS OF ELECTRIC CIRCUITS – DC Circuits

3.3. Mesh analysis

3.3.4. Nodal versus Mesh analysis

+ Nodal and Mesh analysis:  provide a systematic way of analyzing a complex circuit

+ Mesh analysis  many series-connected elements, voltage sources, or super-meshes

+ Nodal analysis  parallel-connected elements, current sources, or super-nodes

smaller number of equations