CHAPTER 3 NODAL ANALYSIS

Nodal and mesh analysis are fundamental techniques in electrical circuit analysis.
They are used to simplify and solve complex circuits in a systematic way. Both methods rely
on Kirchhoff’s and Ohm’s laws but use different approaches to define unknown variables.
1.1 INTRODUCTION

Specific Learning Outcomes

 Understand the concept of Nodal Analysis
 Apply the concept of KCL at Nodal Analysis
 Solve a circuit using Nodal Analysis
Motivation

Figure 3.1 John Bardeen

Definition
Nodal analysis is a systematic circuit analysis technique that calculates voltages at
circuit nodes using Kirchhoff's Current Law (KCL) and Ohm's Law. By treating node
voltages as primary variables, this method simplifies complex circuits into solvable linear
equations. These are the following steps to determine Node Voltages:
1. Select a node as the reference node. Assign voltages v1, v2, …, vn-1 to the remaining
n – 1 node. The voltages are non-referenced with respect to the reference node.
2. 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.
3. Solve the resulting simultaneous equations to obtain the unknown node voltages.
Examples

1. Find the value of i1, i2 and i3.

Solution:
STEP 1. Select a node as the reference node. Assign voltages v1, v2, …, vn-1 to the
remaining n – 1 node. The voltages are non-referenced with respect to the reference
node.

Ground Or Reference Node

STEP 2. 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
Applying KCL at Node 1:
I1 = I2 + i1 +i2 → Eq. 1
Applying KCL at Node 2:
I2 + i2 = i3 → Eq. 2
Using Ohm’s Law for equations 1 and 2:
For Eq. 1:
I1 = I2 + i1 +i2
v 1 -0 v 1 -v 2
I1 = I2 + + → Eq. 3
R1 R2
For Eq. 2:
I2 + i 2 = i 3
v 1 -v 2 v 2 -0
I2 + = → Eq. 4
R2 R3
STEP 3. Solve the resulting simultaneous equations to obtain the unknown node
voltages.
Expressing the unknown currents i1, i2 and i3 in terms of node voltages.
 v 1 -0
For i1: i1 =
R1
v 1 -v 2
For i2: i2 =
R2
v 2 -0
For i3: i3 =
R3
2. Solve for the node voltages using Nodal Analysis.

Solution:
STEP 1. Select a node as the reference node. Assign voltages v1, v2, …, vn-1 to the
remaining n – 1 node. The voltages are non-referenced with respect to the reference
node.

STEP 2. 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
Applying KCL at Node 1:
i1 = i2 + i3 → Eq. 1
Applying KCL at Node 2:
i2 + i4 = i1 + i5 → Eq. 2
Using Ohm’s Law for equations 1 and 2:
For Eq. 1:
i1 = i2 + i3
v 1 -v 2 v 1 - 0
5= +
4 2
20 = v1 – v2 + 2v1
 3v1 – v2 = 20 → Eq. 3
For Eq. 2:
i2 + i4 = i1 + i5
v 1 -v 2 v2 - 0
+ 10 = 5 +
4 6
3v1 – 3v2 +120 = 60 + 2v2
-3v1 + 5v2 = 60 → Eq. 4
STEP 3. Solve the resulting simultaneous equations to obtain the unknown node
voltages.
Using Elimination Method in Equations 3 and 4
3v1 – v2 = 20
-3v1 + 5v2 = 60

4v2 = 80
v2 = 20
Substituting v2 = 20 V in Equation 3
3v1 – v2 = 20
3v1 – 20 = 20
v1 = 13.333 V
3. Determine the voltages at the nodes in the given circuit.

Solution:

STEP 1. Select a node as the reference node. Assign voltages v1, v2, …, vn-1 to the
remaining n – 1 node. The voltages are non-referenced with respect to the reference
node.
STEP 2. 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
Applying KCL at Node 1:
3 = i1 + ix → Eq. 1
Applying KCL at Node 2:
ix = i2 + i3 → Eq. 2
Applying KCL at Node 3:
i1 + i2 = 2ix → Eq. 3
Applying Ohm’s Law in equations 1, 2, and 3:
For Eq. 1:
3 = i1 + i x
v 1 - v 3 v 1 -v 2
3= +
4 2
3v1 – 2v2 – v3 = 12 → Eq. 4
For Eq. 2:
ix= i2 + i3
v 1 -v 2 v 2 - v 3 v 2 - 0
= +
2 8 4
-4v1 + 7v2 – v3 = 0 → Eq. 5
For Eq. 3:
i1 + i2 = 2ix
v 1 -v 3 v 2 - v 3 2(v 1 -v 2 )
+ =
4 8 2
2v1 – 3v2 + v3 = 0 → Eq. 6

STEP 3. Solve the resulting simultaneous equations to obtain the unknown node
voltages.
Using Elimination Technique in equations 4 and 6:
3v1 – 2v2 – v3 = 12
2v1 – 3v2 + v3 = 0
5v1 – 5v2 = 12 → Eq. 7
Using Elimination Technique in equations 5 and 6:
 -4v1 + 7v2 – v3 = 0
2v1 – 3v2 + v3 = 0
V1 = 2v2 → Eq. 8
Substituting Eq. 8 to Eq. 7:
5v1 – 5v2 = 12
5(2v2) – 5v2 = 12
10v2 - 5v2 = 12
v2 = 2.4 V
Substitute v2 to Eq. 8:
v1 = 2v2 = 2(2.4)
V1 = 4.8 V
Substitute v1 and v2 to Eq. 6:
2v1 – 3v2 + v3 = 0
2(4.8) – 3(2.4) + v3 = 0
v3 = 3(2.4) - 2(4.8)
v3 = - 2.4 V
Assessment Task 1
1. Find iy using Nodal Analysis.

[Ans. 2.31 A]
2. Find the value of A in the given circuits using Nodal Analysis.

[Ans. 4 A]
3. Solve for current ib using Nodal Analysis.

[Ans. 12 mA]
4. Determine vb using Nodal Analysis.

[Ans. 1.5 V]
1.2 NODAL ANALYSIS WITH VOLTAGE SOURCE

Specific Learning Outcomes

 Define key concepts of nodal analysis, including reference nodes, non-reference
nodes, and supernodes.
 Explain how voltage sources affect node voltages.
 Apply nodal analysis techniques to solve circuit problems.

Motivation

Figure 3.4 Charles Brush

Definition
Case 1. If a voltage source is connected between the reference node and a non-
reference node, we set the voltage at the non-reference node equal to the voltage source's
voltage.
Case 2. If the voltage source (dependent or independent) is connected between two
non-reference nodes, the two non-reference nodes form a generalized node or supernode;
we apply both KCL and KVL to determine the node voltages.
A supernode is formed by enclosing a (dependent or independent) voltage source
connected between two non-reference nodes and any elements connected in parallel with
it.
 Supernode

Examples
1. For the circuit shown in the figure, find the node voltages.

Supernode

Solution:
Applying KCL:

2 = i1+ i2 + 7
Expressing i1 and i2 in terms of the node voltages:
v1 - 0 v2 - 0
2= + +7
2 4
8 = 2v1 + v2 + 28
V2 = -20 – 2v1 → Eq. 1
Applying KVL:
 -v1 - 2 + v2 = 0
v2 = v1 + 2 → Eq. 2

Simplifying using Equations 1 and 2:

v2 = v1 + 2 = -20 - 2v1
3v1 = -22
V1 = -7.333 V
V2 = v 1 + 2
V2 = -7.333 + 2
V2 = -5.333 V
Assessment Task 2

1. Solve for iv and the value of r in the given circuit.

[Ans. 4Ω, 2A]

2. Find the Node Voltages of the given circuit.

[Ans. 26.67 V, 6.67 V, 173.33 V, -46.67 V]

3. Solve all the node voltages using Nodal Analysis

[Ans. 7.61 V, -17.39 V, 1.63 V]