Engineering College

Electrical Department

Electrical Engineering
(2023-2024)

ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS I
EE 2010 – Credits : 4

Chapter 3: Techniques of Circuit Analysis

Prof. Dr. Fatma Ben salem

 fatma_bs@[Link]
1
3-1 Introduction

• In chapter 3, we introduce two powerful techniques of circuit

analysis that aid in the analysis of complex circuit structure, The
node-voltage method and the mesh-current method.
• Thee techniques give us two systematic methods of describing
circuits with the minimum number of simulations equations.
• In addition to these two general analytical methods, in this chapter
we also discuss other techniques for simplifying circuits.
2
 3-1 Introduction

• We have already demonstrated how to use series- parallel reductions and ∆-to-Y
transformations to simplify a circuits structure.
• We now add source transformations and Thevnin and Norton equivalent circuits to
those techniques.
• We also consider two other topics that play a several role in circuit analysis: The
maximum power transfer to a resistive load by a source and Thevenin equivalent
circuits are used in establishing the maximum power transfer condition.
• The final topic in this chapter, superposition, looks at the analysis of circuits with more
than one independent source.

3
3-1 Introduction

The following topics will be studied in this chapter,

- Node-Voltage method
- Mesh-current method
- Source transformation
- Thevenin and Northon equivalents
- Maximum power transfer
- Superposition

4
3.2 Node-Voltage and Mesh-Current Method
Two powerful techniques of circuit analysis that aid in
the analysis of complex circuit structures:
the node-voltage method and the mesh-current
method

Terminology
Example 1 Solution

6
Simultaneous Equations- How Many

7
3.3 Introduction to the Node-Voltage Method

Nodal analysis allows us to find all unknown node voltages in a circuit

through the following steps:
1- Select a reference node and ground it,
2- At each node the sum of currents leaving the node must be equal zero,
3- Solve the resulting equations to find node voltages.

8
3.3 Introduction to the Node-Voltage Method
We introduce the node-voltage method by using the essential nodes of the circuit. The
first step is to make a neat layout of the circuit so that no branches cross over and to
mark clearly the essential nodes on the circuit diagram, as in Fig.4.5.

This circuit has:

- Three essential nodes (ne = 3), therefore, we need two (ne- 1) node-voltage
equations to describe the circuit.
The next step is to select one of the three essential nodes as a reference node.
- The lower node connects the most branches, so we use it as the reference node. We
flag the chosen reference node with the symbol ▼.
- A node voltage is defined as the voltage rise from the reference node to a non
reference node, For this circuit, we must define two node voltages which are denoted
v1 and v2 in Fig-4 .6

9
3.3 Introduction to the Node-Voltage Method
1 2

Example 2
+ +
2A
Use the node-voltage method of circuit 10V +
v1 5 v2 10
analysis to find the voltages v1, and v2 __

_ _

1 2
Solution 1 2

+ +

10V + v1 5 v2 2A
10
__

_ _

3
v1  10 v1 v1  v 2 17 1
At node1:
  0  v1  v 2  10
1 5 2 10 2
 17v1  5v 2  100 (1)
v 2  v1 v 2 6 1
At node2:  20  v 2  v1  2
2 10 10 2
  5v1  6v 2  20 (2)
10
3.3 Introduction to the Node-Voltage Method
Example: Solution
Equations (1) and (2) are the two simultaneous equations that describe the circuit

17v1  5v2  100

 5v1  6v2  20

11
3.3 Introduction to the Node-Voltage Method
Example 3

12
3.3 Introduction to the Node-Voltage Method
Example 3

13
3.3 Introduction to the Node-Voltage Method
Examples 4 and 5

14
3.3 Introduction to the Node-Voltage Method

Solution 4.1

15
3.3 Introduction to the Node-Voltage Method

Solution 4.2

16
 3.4 The Node-Voltage Method and Dependent Sources

Solution 6

Example 6

17
3.4 The Node-Voltage Method and Dependent Sources

Solution 6

18
Solution 6

19
3.5 The Node-Voltage Method: Special Cases

1- When a voltage source is the only element between two essential nodes, the node-voltage method is
simplified and the number of unknown node voltages is reduced.
Example 7
Use the node-voltage method to find the current iϕ
5 10i

i
50V
+
40 50 100
__

20
 5 10i
Solution: 1 2 3

+ + +
i i
50V
+ 40
v1 50 100
v2 v3
__

_ _ _

i is introduced because we cannot express the current in the dependent voltage source branch as a function of the node
voltages v2 and v3.
Thus at node2:

21
 5 10i
1 2 3

+ + +
i i
50V
+ 40
v1 50 100
v2 v3
__

_ _ _

4
And at node3:
v3 v2  10 i
i 4  0  i 4  0 (replace v3 by v2  10 i )
100 100
v2 i
  i 4  0
100 10
v2 v2  v1 v2  v1
  i 4  0 (replace i by )
100 50 5
3 v
 v2  1  i  4  0
100 50
3
 v2  i  5  0 ( 2) (replace v1 by 50)
100
22
 Finally:

We eliminate i simply by adding Equations (1) and (2) to get:

11 3 25
( v 2  i  10)  ( v 2  i  5)  0  v 2  15  v 2  60V
50 100 100

Then,
v 2  v1 60  50
i    2A
5 5
23
  Concept of Supernode: When a voltage source is between two essential nodes, we can combine those
nodes to form a supernode.
Example 8

For the circuit shown in the figure, find the

voltages v1, v2, v3 and the current iϕ

Solution

At supernode

24
3.5 The Node-Voltage Method: Special Cases

Example 9

25
3.5 The Node-Voltage Method: Special Cases

Solution

26
3.6 Mesh-Current Method
Mesh-current method allows us to find all unknown currents in each mesh, The steps of the solution are:
1- select a set of meshes such that at least one mesh passes through each branch
2- apply KVL around each labeled mesh
3- solve the resulting equations to find the mesh current

Example 10

Use the mesh current method to determine the current i1 and i2 in the circuit shown in figure4.19.

27
3.6 Mesh-Current Method
Solution:
2 mesh currents denoted ia, and, ib where i1= ia , i2 = ib , and i3 = ia - ib.

- Apply Kirchhoff's Voltage Law around the two meshes,

- Expressing all voltages across resistors in terms of the mesh currents and assuming that the voltage
drops are positive.

28
3.6 Mesh-Current Method
Solution:
R1 = 1,
R2 = 2 ,
R3 = 5 ,
V1 = 10V,
and V2 = 20V

Solving for ia and ib yields

i1 = ia = 15/16 A
i2 = ib = -35/16 A
i3 = ia - ib = 50/16 A
29
3.6 Mesh-Current Method

Example 11

30
3.6 Mesh-Current Method
Solution

Mesh (a)

Mesh (b)

Mesh (c)

31
3.6 Mesh-Current Method

32
3.7 Mesh-Current Method and Dependent Sources
The following example illustrates the application of the mesh-current method when the circuit include a
dependent source,

Example 12

33
3.7 Mesh-Current Method and Dependent Sources

Solution

34
3.7 Mesh-Current Method and Dependent Sources

35
3.7 Mesh-Current Method and Dependent Sources

36
3.8 Mesh-Current Method: some special cases

• When a branch includes a current sources

Example 13

37
3.8 Mesh-Current Method: some special cases
• The concept of super mesh

38
3.8 Mesh-Current Method: some special cases
• The concept of super mesh

39
3.8 Mesh-Current Method: some special cases
• The concept of super mesh

40
 Node Voltage Method Versus Mesh-Current Method

41
 Node Voltage Method Versus Mesh-Current Method

Solution 4.13 : using node voltage method Solution 4.14 : using mesh-current method

Mesh i1: -128 + 4(i1-4) +6(i1-i2) +2i1= 0

12 i1 – 6 i2 = 144 (1)
Mesh i2: 6(i2-i1)+3(i2-4) + 30ix +5i2 =0
(v1-20)/15 – 2 + (V1-25)/10 =0 -6i1 + 14 i2 + 30(i1-4) = 12
V1(1/15 +1/10) -20/15 -2-25/10 =0 24 i1 + 14i2 = 132 (2)
V1(5/30) -175/30 = 0 Solving for i1 and i2: ???
V1 = 175/5 = 35 V
i1= 9A; i2 = -6 A
P2A = - V1x2 = -35x2 = - 70 W P4A = - v4A * 4
So, the delivered power is 70 W

42
 Node Voltage Method Versus Mesh-Current Method

i1
i2

(v1-20)/15 – 2 + (V1-25)/10 =0 Mesh i1: -128 + 4(i1-i3) +6(i1-i2) +2i1= 0

V1(1/15 +1/10) -20/15 -2-25/10 =0 But i3 = 4A, then:
V1(5/30) -175/30 = 0 12 i1 – 6 i2 = 144 (1)
V1 = 175/5 = 35 V Mesh i2: 6(i2-i1)+3(i2-4) + 30ix +5i2 =0
-6i1 + 14 i2 + 30(i1-4) = 12
P2A = - V1x2 = -35x2 = - 70 W 24 i1 + 14i2 = 132 (2)
So, the delivered power is 70 W I1= 9 A ; i2 = -6A
43
3-9 Source Transformation
A source transformation, shown in the following figure, allows a voltage source in series with
resistor to be replaced by a current source in parallel with the same resistor and vice versa.
We need to find the relation between vs and is.

44
3-9 Source Transformation

45
3-9 Source Transformation

Solution:
Using the source transformation, we can simplify the circuit us:
a) the source 40V and the resistor 5 C can be replaced by current source with current =
40/5 = 8 A in parallel with 5 Ω

Voltage source (40V in series with 5 ) to current

source (8A in parallel with 5 )

b) resistors 5 Ω parallel 20 Ω = 4 Ω

20//5 =4 
46
3-9 Source Transformation

Solution: current source (8A in parallel with 5 )

to
Voltage source (32V in series with 4 )

ST: 32V in series with 20 

to
1.6A in parallel with 20 

ST: 1.6A in parallel with 12


to
19.2V in parallel with 12 
20//30 =12 

47
3-9 Source Transformation

I I
I = (19.6-6)/16
I = 0.825 A

P6V = 6.I = 6x0.825

= 4.95 W

48
3-9 Source Transformation

49
3-9 Source Transformation

50
51
3-10 Thevenin and Norton equivalents

a) Thévenin’s theorem states the following :

- Thévenin equivalent circuit is an independent voltage source VTh in series with a resistor
RTh, which replaces an interconnection of sources and resistors.
- This series combination of VTh and RTh is equivalent to the original circuit in the sense
that, if we connect the same load across the terminals a, b of each circuit, we get the same
voltage and current at the terminals of the load (figure 4.4).

52
3-10 Thevenin and Norton equivalents

Conclusion:
The following sequence of steps will lead to the proper value of RTh and VTh .
5. Draw the Thévenin equivalent circuit with the portion of
Preliminary:
the circuit previously removed replaced between the
1. Remove that portion of the network across which the Thévenin equivalent
terminals of the equivalent circuit. This step is indicated by
circuit is to be found. This requires that the load resistor RL be temporarily
the placement of the resistor RL between the terminals of the
removed from the network.
Thévenin equivalent circuit as shown in Figure2
2. Mark the terminals of the remaining two-terminal network.
RTh (Used if the network contains only independent sources):
3. Calculate RTh by first setting all sources to zero (voltage sources are replaced
by short circuits, and current sources by open circuits) and then finding the
resultant resistance between the two marked terminals.
(If the internal resistance of the voltage and/or current sources is included in the
original network, it must remain when the sources are set to zero.)
VTh:
4. Calculate VTh by first returning all sources to their original position and
finding the open-circuit voltage between the marked terminals.

53
3-10 Thevenin and Norton equivalents
Example1 :
Find the Thevenin equivalent circuit of the circuit shown below
a

b
1) Remove load and deactivate all independent sources then calculate Rab = Rth.

a
Rab =Rth = 4 + (5//20)
Rth = 4 + (20x5)/(20+5) = 8 

54
3-10 Thevenin and Norton equivalents
Example1 :
2) Remove load and return all independent sources then calculate vab = Vth.
1
i=0 +
vab = Vth
-
Using Node voltage method at node 1:
(V1-25)/5 + V1/20 – 3 = 0
4V1 -100 + V1 -60 = 0 VTh = 32 V
5V1 = 160
V1 = 32 V
8
32 V

55
 Anothor method to find Rth.
1) Remove load and calculate vab = Vth.

VTh = vab
As before
VTh = 32 V
2) Shortcircuit a-b and calculate isc to find RTh = VTH/isc.
1

Using Node voltage method at node 1:

(V2-25)/5 + V2/20 – 3 + V2/4= 0
4V2 -100 + V2 -60 + 5V2= 0
10V2 = 160
V2 = 16 V isc = V2/4 = 16/4 = 4A RTh = VTH/isc .= 32/4 = 8 
56
3-10 Thevenin and Norton equivalents

b) Norton Equivalent:
Norton equivalent is a circuit consists of an independent current source in parallel with the Norton equivalent
[Link] can derive it from a Thévenin equivalent circuit simply by making a source transformation.
Thus the Norton current equals the short-circuit current at the terminals of interest, and the Norton resistance
is identical to the Thévenin resistance.

57
3-10 Thevenin and Norton equivalents

Example2 :

Find the Northon equivalent circuit for the circuit in the previous example

Solution:

The same solution is repeated and the Norton equivalent is given by: Rth= 8Ω, isc = 4A

58
3-11 Thevenin equivalent of a circuit with dependents source

Example3 :

59
3-11 Thevenin equivalent of a circuit with dependents source

VTh= - 500(5-3VTh)/2000
VTh= -(5-3VTh)/4
4VTh = -(5-3VTh)
VTh= -5 V

60
3-11 Thevenin equivalent of a circuit with dependents source

I’ = 0A+
V=0

61
3-11 Thevenin equivalent of a circuit with dependents source

62
3-11 Thevenin equivalent of a circuit with dependents source

63
3-12 Thevenin equivalent Using Test Source
If the circuit or network contains dependent sources, an alternative procedure for finding the Thevenin resistance RTh
is as follows:
- Deactivate all independent sources,
- Apply either a test voltage source (VT) or a test current source to the Thevenin terminals a, b. The Thevenin
resistance equals the ratio of the voltage across the test source to the current (IT) delivered by the test source

Example4 :

iT=VT /25 + 20(-3VT/2000)

+ v - ; V=2000i iT=VT /25 + (-3VT/100)

iT=VT (1/25 -3/100)

iT=VT (1/100)
iT/VT =1/100
VT/iT = 100  = RTh
KVL: V + 3VT = 0 2000i = -3VT
3-12 Thevenin equivalent Using Test Source

1) Remove load and deactivate independent source then calculate Rab = Rth.

Rab =Rth = [(5//20)+8] // 12 = 12 // 12 = 6 

2) Remove load and return independent source then calculate Vab = VTh.
Vab =Vth
At node 1: (V1- 72)5 + V1/20 + (V1-72)/20 = 0
i
x20 gives:
0A 4V1 – 288 + V1 + V1 – 72 = 0
2 1
6V1 = 360
i V1 = 60 V
Vab = Vth = V1 – 8i = V1 – 8[(V1-72)/20]
Vth = 60 – 8[(60 – 72)/20] = 64.8 V
3-12 Thevenin equivalent Using Test Source