Node Voltage Method

The node voltage method provides a systematic means to specify the equations needed to solve a
circuit. The term ”solve a circuit” means to find all of the voltages and all of the currents for all
of the components in the circuit.
The node voltage method uses the essential nodes in a circuit. Remember that the essential
nodes are the points in the circuit where three or more circuit elements are connected.
The node voltage method uses KCL equations that are written at certain essential nodes. Recall
that KCL states that the sum of all of the currents at a node is zero.
The node voltage method is comprised of the following steps from Analysis Method 4.3:
1. Identify each essential node. To do this we will place a large black dot at each essential node.
2. Pick and label a reference node. We will use a special symbol to label the reference node.
Then label the node voltage at the remaining essential nodes.
• If a voltage source is the only element between an essential node and the reference
node, replace the node voltage label with the value of the voltage source.
• If a voltage source is the only element between two non-reference essential nodes,
combine the nodes and the source into a single supernode.
3. Write a KCL equation for each supernode and any remainining nonr-reference essential
nodes where the voltage is unknown. We will be methodical in writing these KCL equations,
always summing the currents leaving the node.
• If there are dependent sources, write a constraint equation for each one.
• Of there are supernodes, write a constraint equation for each one.
4. Solve the equations to find the node voltage values and any other unknowns. To do this, we
will express all of the equations in standard form. The standard form we use will allow our
equations to be solved using a calculator, using a matrix method such as Cramer’s rule, or
using a computer tool such as MATLAB.
5. Solve the circuit using the values from Step 4 to find component currents voltages, and
power values. To check your solutions, sum the power values to see if the power balances
We begin with an example that contains only resistors and independent current sources. Once you
have mastered these types of circuits, we move on to example circuits containing dependent
current sources, and then to circuits containing voltage sources.

43
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 44 Node Voltage Method

Figure 1: The circuit for Node Voltage Example 1

Node Voltage Example 1

Using the node voltage method, find vo for the circuit in Fig. 1.

Solution
1. Identify each essential node. There are four points at which three or more circuit elements
connect, so there are four essential nodes. They have been labeled with large black dots in
Fig. 2.

2. Pick a reference node. The choice of the reference node is entirely arbitrary; no matter
which essential node is chosen, the voltages and currents that result from the analysis will
have the same values. You should chose an essential node that makes the circuit analysis
easier, if possible. In the circuit in Fig. 2 we have chosen the bottom node as the reference
node, and labeled it with the symbol for circuit ground. We chose this node because it is one
of the two nodes associated with vo , the voltage of interest.
Assign variable names to the non-reference essential nodes. This is shown in Fig. 2. Note
that we have labeled the center node vo , because it is the voltage we seek. Remember that
these variable names represent the voltage difference between the node being labeled and the
reference node.

3. Write a KCL equation at each non-reference essential node. We sum the currents leaving
each node. The equations are given below. Note that since each node is a point at which

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 Node Voltage Method 45

Figure 2: The circuit in Fig. 1 with the essential nodes marked, the reference node chosen, and the
remaining essential nodes labeled.

three circuit components meet, each KCL equation has three terms.

v1 − vo
at v1 : −5 + +2 = 0;
10
vo − v1 vo vo − v2
at vo : + + = 0;
10 15 9
v2 − vo v2
at v2 : + −2 = 0.
9 7
Note that we have three unknowns, the three node voltages vo , v1 , and v2 , and three
equations in terms of those unknowns.

4. Solve the equations. To do so, express the equations in standard form. The form we use
collects all of the terms involving each of the unknowns on the left-hand side of each
equation, and collects the constants on the right-hand side of each equation. This is shown
below:
1 1
   
at v1 : v1 + vo − + v2 (0) = 3;
10 10
1 1 1 1 1
     
at vo : v1 − + vo + + + v2 − = 0;
10 10 15 9 9
1 1 1
   
at v2 : v1 (0) + vo − + v2 + = 2.
9 9 7

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 46 Node Voltage Method

Figure 3: The circuit for Node Voltage Example 1, solved.

Note that there are three terms on the left-hand side of each equation, one for each of the
three unknown variables. Be sure to check these equations against the KCL equations from
the previous step to be certain you know how to use the standard form.
Now solve the equations to get
v1 = 60 V; vo = 30 V; v2 = 21 V.
The circuit is repeated in Fig. 3 with the values of the node voltages labeled, and the
currents through each of the branches labeled. Remember that we can calculate the current
through each resistor using Ohm’s law.
5. Solve the circuit using the values in Fig. 3. We can calculate the power for each component
as follows:

p5A = −vi = −(60)(5) = −300 W;

p2A = vi = (60 − 21)(2) = 78 W;
p10Ω = v 2 /R = (60 − 30)2 /10 = 90 W;
p15Ω = v 2 /R = (30)2 /15 = 60 W;
p9Ω = v 2 /R = (30 − 21)2 /9 = 9 W;
p7Ω = v 2 /R = (21)2 /7 = 63 W.

Thus,
X
p = −300 + 78 + 90 + 60 + 9 + 63 = 0 W checks.

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 Node Voltage Method 47

The power balance verifies that we have the correct solution, so vo = 30 V.

Now try using the node voltage method for each of the practice problems below.

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 48 Node Voltage Method

Figure 4: The circuit for Node Voltage Practice Problem 1.

Node Voltage Practice Problem 1

Find vo for the circuit in Fig. 4.

1. Identify each essential node by adding black dots to Fig. 4.

2. Pick a reference node by adding the ground symbol to Fig. 4. Assign variable names to the
non-reference essential nodes in Fig. 4.

3. Write a KCL equation at each non-reference essential node.

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 Node Voltage Method 49

4. Solve the equations. Begin by expressing all of the equations in standard form.

Solve the equations, using a calculator, a computer tool, or Cramer’s method.

5. Solve the circuit by using the values from Step 4 to find component currents, voltages, and
power values required in the problem. Check your solution by verifying that the power
balances.
Calculate vo .

Balance the power.

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 50 Node Voltage Method

Figure 5: The circuit for Node Voltage Practice Problem 2.

Node Voltage Practice Problem 2

Find io for the circuit in Fig. 5.

1. Identify each essential node by adding black dots to Fig. 5.

2. Pick a reference node by adding the ground symbol to Fig. 5. Assign variable names to the
non-reference essential nodes in Fig. 5.

3. Write a KCL equation at each non-reference essential node.

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 Node Voltage Method 51

4. Solve the equations. Begin by expressing all of the equations in standard form.

Solve the equations, using a calculator, a computer tool, or Cramer’s method.

5. Solve the circuit by using the values from Step 4 to find component currents, voltages, and
power values required in the problem. Check your solution by verifying that the power
balances.
Calculate io .

Balance the power.

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 52 Node Voltage Method

Figure 6: The circuit for Node Voltage Practice Problem 3.

Node Voltage Practice Problem 3

Find vo for the circuit in Fig. 6.

1. Identify each essential node by adding black dots to Fig. 6.

2. Pick a reference node by adding the ground symbol to Fig. 6. Assign variable names to the
non-reference essential nodes in Fig. 6.

3. Write a KCL equation at each non-reference essential node.

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 Node Voltage Method 53

4. Solve the equations. Begin by expressing all of the equations in standard form.

Solve the equations, using a calculator, a computer tool, or Cramer’s method.

5. Solve the circuit by using the values from Step 4 to find component currents, voltages, and
power values required in the problem. Check your solution by verifying that the power
balances.
Calculate vo .

Balance the power.

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 54 Node Voltage Method

Figure 7: The circuit for Node Voltage Practice Problem 4.

Node Voltage Practice Problem 4

Find io for the circuit in Fig. 7.
1. Identify each essential node by adding black dots to Fig. 7.

2. Pick a reference node by adding the ground symbol to Fig. 7. Assign variable names to the
non-reference essential nodes in Fig. 7.

3. Write a KCL equation at each non-reference essential node.

4. Solve the equations. Begin by expressing all of the equations in standard form.

Solve the equations, using a calculator, a computer tool, or Cramer’s method.

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 Node Voltage Method 55

5. Solve the circuit by using the values from Step 4 to find component currents, voltages, and
power values required in the problem. Check your solution by verifying that the power
balances.
Calculate io .

Balance the power.

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 56 Node Voltage Method

Figure 8: The circuit for Node Voltage Practice Problem 5.

Node Voltage Practice Problem 5

Find the power dissipated by the 10 Ω resistor for the circuit in Fig. 8.

1. Identify each essential node by adding black dots to Fig. 8.

2. Pick a reference node by adding the ground symbol to Fig. 8. Assign variable names to the
non-reference essential nodes in Fig. 8.

3. Write a KCL equation at each non-reference essential node.

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 Node Voltage Method 57

4. Solve the equations. Begin by expressing all of the equations in standard form.

Solve the equations, using a calculator, a computer tool, or Cramer’s method.

5. Solve the circuit by using the values from Step 4 to find component currents, voltages, and
power values required in the problem. Check your solution by verifying that the power
balances.
Calculate p10Ω .

Balance the power.

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 58 Node Voltage Method

Figure 9: The circuit for Node Voltage Example 2

Figure 10: The circuit in Fig. 9 with the essential nodes marked, the reference node chosen, and
the remaining essential nodes labeled.

Node Voltage Example 2

Using the node voltage method, find vo for the circuit in Fig. 9

Solution
1. Identify each essential node. There are three points at which three or more circuit elements
connect, so there are three essential nodes. They have been labeled with large black dots in
Fig. 10.

2. Pick a reference node. In the circuit in Fig. 10 we have chosen the top right node as the
reference node, and labeled it with the symbol for circuit ground. We choose this node
because it is one of the two nodes associated with vo , the voltage of interest.
Assign variable names to the non-reference essential nodes. This is shown in Fig. 10. Note
that we have labeled the top left node vo , because it is the voltage we seek. Remember that
these variable names represent the voltage difference between the node being labeled and the
reference node.

3. Write a KCL equation at each non-reference essential node. We sum the currents leaving

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 Node Voltage Method 59

each node. The equations are given below.

vo − v1 vo
at vo : −5iβ + + = 0;
4 1
v1 − vo v1
at v1 : 5iβ + + − 4 = 0.
4 5

Note that we have three unknowns, the two node voltages vo and v1 , and the current iβ that
controls the dependent source. Yet we only have two KCL equations. This means we have to
specify a third equation. Whenever there are dependent sources in our circuit, we will need
to write a dependent source constraint equation that defines the voltage or current used to
control the dependent source in terms of the node voltages in our circuit.
The dependent source’s controlling current iβ is the current through the 5 Ω resistor, so we
use Ohm’s law to define this current in terms of the voltage difference across the resistor and
the resistance. The constraint equation is thus
0 − v1
iβ = .
5
The two KCL equations and this constraint equation now provide the three equations
needed to solve for the three unknowns in the circuit.
4. Solve the equations. Begin by expressing the equations in standard form. This is shown
below:
1 1
   
at vo : iβ (−5) + v1 − + vo + 1 = 0;
4 4
1 1 1
   
at v1 : iβ (5) + v1 + + vo − = 4;
4 5 4
1
 
constraint: iβ (1) + v1 + vo (0) = 0.
5
When these equations are input into a calculator, the solution is
iβ = 2 A; v1 = −10 V; vo = 6 V.
5. Solve the circuit using the values from Step 4. The circuit is repeated in Fig. 11 with the
values of the node voltages labeled, and the currents through each of the branches labeled.
Remember that we can calculate the current through each resistor using Ohm’s law. Using
the values in Fig. 11, we can calculate the power for each component:

p5iβ = vi = (−10 − 6)[5(2)] = −160 W;

p4A = vi = [0 − (−10)](4) = 40 W;
p4Ω = v 2 /R = [6 − (−10)]2 /4 = 64 W;
p1Ω = v 2 /R = (6 − 0)2 /1 = 36 W;
p5Ω = v 2 /R = (−10 − 0)2 /5 = 20 W;

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 60 Node Voltage Method

Figure 11: The circuit for Node Voltage Example 2, solved.

Thus,
X
p = −160 + 40 + 64 + 36 + 20 = 0 W checks.

The power balance verifies that we have the correct solution, so vo = 6 V.

Now try using the node voltage method as it applies to circuits with dependent sources for each of
the practice problems below.

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 Node Voltage Method 61

Figure 12: The circuit for Node Voltage Practice Problem 6.

Node Voltage Practice Problem 6

Find io for the circuit in Fig. 12.

1. Identify each essential node by adding black dots to Fig. 12.

2. Pick a reference node by adding the ground symbol to Fig. 12. Assign variable names to the
non-reference essential nodes in Fig. 12.

3. Write a KCL equation at each non-reference essential node.

Are there any dependent sources in the circuit? If so, write a constraint equation for each
one in the space below.

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 62 Node Voltage Method

4. Solve the equations. Begin by expressing all of the equations in standard form.

Solve the equations, using a calculator, a computer tool, or Cramer’s method.

5. Solve the circuit using the values from Step 4. Check your solution by balancing the power.
Calculate io .

Balance the power.

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 Node Voltage Method 63

Figure 13: The circuit for Node Voltage Practice Problem 7.

Node Voltage Practice Problem 7

Find vo for the circuit in Fig. 13.

1. Identify each essential node by adding black dots to Fig. 13.

2. Pick a reference node by adding the ground symbol to Fig. 13. Assign variable names to the
non-reference essential nodes in Fig. 13.

3. Write a KCL equation at each non-reference essential node.

Are there any dependent sources in the circuit? If so, write a constraint equation for each
one in the space below.

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 64 Node Voltage Method

4. Solve the equations. Begin by expressing all of the equations in standard form.

Solve the equations, using a calculator, a computer tool, or Cramer’s method.

5. Solve the circuit using the values from Step 4. Check your solution by balancing the power.
Calculate vo .

Balance the power.

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laws as they currently exist. No portion of this material may be reproduced, in any form or by any means, without permission in writing from the publisher.
 Node Voltage Method 65

Figure 14: The circuit for Node Voltage Practice Problem 8.

Node Voltage Practice Problem 8

Find the power delivered to the circuit in Fig. 14.

1. Identify each essential node by adding black dots to Fig. 14.

2. Pick a reference node by adding the ground symbol to Fig. 14. Assign variable names to the
non-reference essential nodes in Fig. 14.

3. Write a KCL equation at each non-reference essential node.

Are there any dependent sources in the circuit? If so, write a constraint equation for each
one in the space below.

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 66 Node Voltage Method

4. Solve the equations. Begin by expressing all of the equations in standard form.

Solve the equations, using a calculator, a computer tool, or Cramer’s method.

5. Solve the circuit using the values from Step 4. Check your solution by balancing the power.
Calculate the power delivered to the circuit and check that the power balances.

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 Node Voltage Method 67

Figure 15: The circuit for Node Voltage Practice Problem 9.

Node Voltage Practice Problem 9

Find io for the circuit in Fig. 15.

1. Identify each essential node by adding black dots to Fig. 15.

2. Pick a reference node by adding the ground symbol to Fig. 15. Assign variable names to the
non-reference essential nodes in Fig. 15.

3. Write a KCL equation at each non-reference essential node.

Are there any dependent sources in the circuit? If so, write a constraint equation for each
one in the space below.

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 68 Node Voltage Method

4. Solve the equations. Begin by expressing all of the equations in standard form.

Solve the equations, using a calculator, a computer tool, or Cramer’s method.

5. Solve the circuit using the values from Step 4. Check your solution by balancing the power.
Calculate io .

Balance the power.

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laws as they currently exist. No portion of this material may be reproduced, in any form or by any means, without permission in writing from the publisher.
 Node Voltage Method 69

Figure 16: The circuit for Node Voltage Practice Problem 10.

Node Voltage Practice Problem 10

Find vo for the circuit in Fig. 16.

1. Identify each essential node by adding black dots to Fig. 16.

2. Pick a reference node by adding the ground symbol to Fig. 16. Assign variable names to the
non-reference essential nodes in Fig. 16.

3. Write a KCL equation at each non-reference essential node.

Are there any dependent sources in the circuit? If so, write a constraint equation for each
one in the space below.

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 70 Node Voltage Method

4. Solve the equations. Begin by expressing all of the equations in standard form.

Solve the equations, using a calculator, a computer tool, or Cramer’s method.

5. Solve the circuit using the values from Step 4. Check your solution by balancing the power.
Calculate vo .

Balance the power.

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laws as they currently exist. No portion of this material may be reproduced, in any form or by any means, without permission in writing from the publisher.
 Node Voltage Method 71

Figure 17: The circuit for Node Voltage Example 3

Figure 18: The circuit in Fig. 17 with the essential nodes marked, the reference node chosen, the
remaining essential nodes labeled, and the supernode identified.

Node Voltage Example 3

Using the node voltage method, find vo for the circuit in Fig. 17

Solution
1. Identify each essential node. There are five points at which three or more circuit elements
connect, so there are five essential nodes. They have been labeled with large black dots in
Fig. 18.

2. Pick a reference node. In the circuit in Fig. 18 we have chosen the top right node as the
reference node, and labeled it with the symbol for circuit ground. We chose this node
because it is one of the two nodes associated with vo , the voltage of interest.
Assign variable names to the non-reference essential nodes. This is shown in Fig. 18. Note

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 72 Node Voltage Method

that the node labeled v2 could also have been labeled vo , as this is the node that defines the
desired output with respect to the reference node.
Now look at the branch with the 10 V source. Since this voltage source is between a
non-reference essential node (the node labeled v3 ) and the reference node, it establishes a
voltage of 10 V at the non-reference essential node. Thus, v3 = 10 V, and we will not write a
KCL equation at the node labeled v3 .
Consider the branch containing the dependent voltage source. It, too, is between two
essential nodes, but neither node is the reference node. Any time a voltage source is between
two non-reference essential nodes, it constrains the difference between the two voltages and
forms a supernode. The supernode is identified by the dashed area in Fig. 18.

3. Write a KCL equation at each supernode and at each non-reference essential node where the
voltage is unknown. For the circuit in Fig. 18, there is one known node voltage, two node
voltages that comprise the supernode, and one remaining unknown node voltage. Thus we
write two KCL equations, given below.

v1 − v2 v4 − 10 v4
at supernode: −15 + + + = 0;
2 1 3
v2 − v1 v2 v2 − 10
at v2 : + + = 0.
2 5 10

Since there is a dependent source in the circuit, we need to write its constraint equation.
This equation defines the quantity used to control the dependent source, iβ in terms of the
labeled node voltages. Thus, the equation is

v1 − v2
iβ = .
2

There is also a supernode in the circuit, so we need to write its constraint equation. The
supernode contains the essential nodes labeled v1 and v4 , and the constraint equation defines
the voltage difference between these two nodes. The constraint equation is

3iβ = v1 − v4 .

The two KCL equations and the two constraint equations provide the four independent
equations needed to solve for our three unknown essential node voltages (v1 , v2 , and v4 —
remember that v3 = 10 V) and our unknown controlling current (iβ ).

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 Node Voltage Method 73

Figure 19: The circuit for Node Voltage Example 3, solved.

4. Solve the equations. To do this, rewrite the equations in standard form to give

1 1 1
     
supernode KCL: v1 + v2 − + v4 1+ + iβ (0) = 25;
2 2 3
1 1 1 1
   
KCL at v2 : v1 − + v2 + + + v4 (0) + iβ (0) = 1;
2 2 5 10
1 1
   
dep. source constraint: v1 − + v2 + v4 (0) + iβ (1) = 0;
2 2

supernode constraint: v1 (−1) + v2 (0) + v4 (1) + iβ (3) = 0.

Using a calculator, the solution is

v1 = 30 V; v2 = 20 V; v4 = 15 V; iβ = 5A.

5. Solve the circuit using the values from Step 4. The circuit is repeated in Fig. 19 with the
values of the node voltages labeled, and the currents through each of the branches labeled.
Remember that we can calculate the current through each resistor using Ohm’s law. Using

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 74 Node Voltage Method

the values in Fig. 19, we can calculate the power for each component:

p15A = −vi = −(15)(30) = −450 W;

pd.s. = vi = [3(5)](10) = 150 W;
p10V = vi = (6)(10) = 60 W;
p2Ω = i2 R = (5)2 (2) = 50 W;
p5Ω = i2 R = (4)2 (5) = 80 W;
p10Ω = i2 R = (1)2 (10) = 10 W;
p1Ω = i2 R = (5)2 (1) = 25 W;
p3Ω = i2 R = (5)2 (3) = 75 W.

Thus,
X
p = −450 + 150 + 60 + 50 + 80 + 10 + 25 + 75 = 0 W checks.

The power balance verifies that we have the correct solution, so vo = 20 V.

Now try using the node voltage method as it applies to circuits with voltage sources between
essential nodes for each of the practice problems below.

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 Node Voltage Method 75

Figure 20: The circuit for Node Voltage Practice Problem 11.

Node Voltage Practice Problem 11

Find io for the circuit in Fig. 20.

1. Identify each essential node by adding black dots to Fig. 20.

2. Pick a reference node by adding the ground symbol to Fig. 20.

Assign variable names to the non-reference essential nodes in Fig. 20. If a voltage source is
the only element between an essential node and the reference node, replace the variable
name assigned to the essential node with the value of the voltage source.
If a voltage source is the only element between two nonreference essential nodes, combine
the two essential nodes and the voltage source into a single supernode.

3. Write a KCL equation at each supernode and at the remaining non-reference essential nodes
where the voltage is not already known.

If there are dependent sources, write a constraint equation for each one. If there are
supernodes, write a constraint equation for each one.

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laws as they currently exist. No portion of this material may be reproduced, in any form or by any means, without permission in writing from the publisher.
 76 Node Voltage Method

4. Solve the equations. Begin by expressing them in standard form.

Solve the equations, using a calculator, a computer tool, or Cramer’s method.

5. Solve the circuit using the values from Step 4. Calculate io .

Check your solution by calculating the power for each element and summing the power for
all elements.

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laws as they currently exist. No portion of this material may be reproduced, in any form or by any means, without permission in writing from the publisher.
 Node Voltage Method 77

Figure 21: The circuit for Node Voltage Practice Problem 12.

Node Voltage Practice Problem 12

Find vo for the circuit in Fig. 21.

1. Identify each essential node by adding black dots to Fig. 21.

2. Pick a reference node by adding the ground symbol to Fig. 21.

Assign variable names to the non-reference essential nodes in Fig. 21. If a voltage source is
the only element between an essential node and the reference node, replace the variable
name assigned to the essential node with the value of the voltage source.
If a voltage source is the only element between two nonreference essential nodes, combine
the two essential nodes and the voltage source into a single supernode.

3. Write a KCL equation at each supernode and at the remaining non-reference essential nodes
where the voltage is not already known.

If there are dependent sources, write a constraint equation for each one. If there are
supernodes, write a constraint equation for each one.

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laws as they currently exist. No portion of this material may be reproduced, in any form or by any means, without permission in writing from the publisher.
 78 Node Voltage Method

4. Solve the equations. Begin by expressing them in standard form.

Solve the equations, using a calculator, a computer tool, or Cramer’s method.

5. Solve the circuit using the values from Step 4. Calculate vo .

Check your solution by calculating the power for each element and summing the power for
all elements.

© 2019 Pearson Education, Inc., 330 Hudson Street, NY, NY 10013. All rights reserved. This material is protected under all copyright
laws as they currently exist. No portion of this material may be reproduced, in any form or by any means, without permission in writing from the publisher.
 Node Voltage Method 79

Figure 22: The circuit for Node Voltage Practice Problem 13.

Node Voltage Practice Problem 13

Find vo for the circuit in Fig. 22.

1. Identify each essential node by adding black dots to Fig. 22.

2. Pick a reference node by adding the ground symbol to Fig. 22.

Assign variable names to the non-reference essential nodes in Fig. 22. If a voltage source is
the only element between an essential node and the reference node, replace the variable
name assigned to the essential node with the value of the voltage source.
If a voltage source is the only element between two nonreference essential nodes, combine
the two essential nodes and the voltage source into a single supernode.

3. Write a KCL equation at each supernode and at the remaining non-reference essential nodes
where the voltage is not already known.

If there are dependent sources, write a constraint equation for each one. If there are
supernodes, write a constraint equation for each one.

© 2019 Pearson Education, Inc., 330 Hudson Street, NY, NY 10013. All rights reserved. This material is protected under all copyright
laws as they currently exist. No portion of this material may be reproduced, in any form or by any means, without permission in writing from the publisher.
 80 Node Voltage Method

4. Solve the equations. Begin by expressing them in standard form.

Solve the equations, using a calculator, a computer tool, or Cramer’s method.

5. Solve the circuit using the values from Step 4. Calculate vo .

Check your solution by calculating the power for each element and summing the power for
all elements.

© 2019 Pearson Education, Inc., 330 Hudson Street, NY, NY 10013. All rights reserved. This material is protected under all copyright
laws as they currently exist. No portion of this material may be reproduced, in any form or by any means, without permission in writing from the publisher.
 Node Voltage Method 81

Figure 23: The circuit for Node Voltage Practice Problem 14.

Node Voltage Practice Problem 14

Find the power delivered to the circuit in Fig. 23.

1. Identify each essential node by adding black dots to Fig. 23.

2. Pick a reference node by adding the ground symbol to Fig. 23.

Assign variable names to the non-reference essential nodes in Fig. 23. If a voltage source is
the only element between an essential node and the reference node, replace the variable
name assigned to the essential node with the value of the voltage source.
If a voltage source is the only element between two nonreference essential nodes, combine
the two essential nodes and the voltage source into a single supernode.

3. Write a KCL equation at each supernode and at the remaining non-reference essential nodes
where the voltage is not already known.

If there are dependent sources, write a constraint equation for each one. If there are
supernodes, write a constraint equation for each one.

© 2019 Pearson Education, Inc., 330 Hudson Street, NY, NY 10013. All rights reserved. This material is protected under all copyright
laws as they currently exist. No portion of this material may be reproduced, in any form or by any means, without permission in writing from the publisher.
 82 Node Voltage Method

4. Solve the equations. Begin by expressing them in standard form.

Solve the equations, using a calculator, a computer tool, or Cramer’s method.

5. Solve the circuit using the values from Step 4. Find the power delivered to the circuit.

Check your solution by calculating the power for each element and summing the power for
all elements.

© 2019 Pearson Education, Inc., 330 Hudson Street, NY, NY 10013. All rights reserved. This material is protected under all copyright
laws as they currently exist. No portion of this material may be reproduced, in any form or by any means, without permission in writing from the publisher.
 Node Voltage Method 83

Figure 24: The circuit for Node Voltage Practice Problem 15.

Node Voltage Practice Problem 15

Find vo for the circuit in Fig. 24.

1. Identify each essential node by adding black dots to Fig. 24.

2. Pick a reference node by adding the ground symbol to Fig. 24.

Assign variable names to the non-reference essential nodes in Fig. 24. If a voltage source is
the only element between an essential node and the reference node, replace the variable
name assigned to the essential node with the value of the voltage source.
If a voltage source is the only element between two nonreference essential nodes, combine
the two essential nodes and the voltage source into a single supernode.

3. Write a KCL equation at each supernode and at the remaining non-reference essential nodes
where the voltage is not already known.

If there are dependent sources, write a constraint equation for each one. If there are
supernodes, write a constraint equation for each one.

© 2019 Pearson Education, Inc., 330 Hudson Street, NY, NY 10013. All rights reserved. This material is protected under all copyright
laws as they currently exist. No portion of this material may be reproduced, in any form or by any means, without permission in writing from the publisher.
 84 Node Voltage Method

4. Solve the equations. Begin by expressing them in standard form.

Solve the equations, using a calculator, a computer tool, or Cramer’s method.

5. Solve the circuit using the values from Step 4. Calculate vo .

Check your solution by calculating the power for each element and summing the power for
all elements.

© 2019 Pearson Education, Inc., 330 Hudson Street, NY, NY 10013. All rights reserved. This material is protected under all copyright
laws as they currently exist. No portion of this material may be reproduced, in any form or by any means, without permission in writing from the publisher.
 Node Voltage Method 85

Reading
• in Electric Circuits, 11th edition:

– Section 4.1 — terminology and definitions

– Section 4.2 — introduction to node voltage method
– Section 4.3 — node voltage method with circuits containing dependent sources
– Section 4.4 — supernodes

• Study guide section — Power Balancing in DC Circuits

Additional Problems
• 4.6 — 4.30

Solutions
• Node Voltage Practice Problem 1 — with the lower node chosen as the reference node, the
node voltages are 70V, 82V, and 7V and vo = 7V.

• Node Voltage Practice Problem 2 — with the lower node chosen as the reference node, the
node voltages are 28V, 10V, and 12V and io = 2A.

• Node Voltage Practice Problem 3 — with the lower node chosen as the reference node, the
node voltages are 20V, 12V, and 50V and vo = 12V.

• Node Voltage Practice Problem 4 — with the lower node chosen as the reference node, the
node voltages are 30V, 20V, and 12V and io = 1A.

• Node Voltage Practice Problem 5 — with the lower node chosen as the reference node, the
node voltages are 36V, 50V, and 40V and p10Ω = 10W.

• Node Voltage Practice Problem 6 — with the lower node chosen as the reference node, the
node voltages are 36V, 24V, and 16V and io = 2A.

• Node Voltage Practice Problem 7 — with the lower node chosen as the reference node, the
node voltages are 18V, 8V, and −7V and vo = −7V.

• Node Voltage Practice Problem 8 — with the lower node chosen as the reference node, the
node voltages are 64V, 40V, and 24V and pdelivered = 1512W.

• Node Voltage Practice Problem 9 — with the lower node chosen as the reference node, the
node voltages are 30V and 48V and io = 6A.

• Node Voltage Practice Problem 10 — with the lower node chosen as the reference node, the
node voltages are 20V and 10V and vo = 20V.

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laws as they currently exist. No portion of this material may be reproduced, in any form or by any means, without permission in writing from the publisher.
 86 Node Voltage Method

• Node Voltage Practice Problem 11 — with the lower node chosen as the reference node, the
node voltages are 25V and 50V and io = 5A.

• Node Voltage Practice Problem 12 — with the lower node chosen as the reference node, the
node voltages are 80V, 20V, and 60V and vo = 60V.

• Node Voltage Practice Problem 13 — with the lower node chosen as the reference node, the
node voltages are 20V, 40V, 52V, and 100V and vo = −48V.

• Node Voltage Practice Problem 14 — with the lower node chosen as the reference node, the
node voltages are −40V, 20V, and 60V and pdelivered = 2500W.

• Node Voltage Practice Problem 15 — with the lower node chosen as the reference node, the
node voltages are 25V, 15V, and 40V and vo = 40V.

© 2019 Pearson Education, Inc., 330 Hudson Street, NY, NY 10013. All rights reserved. This material is protected under all copyright
laws as they currently exist. No portion of this material may be reproduced, in any form or by any means, without permission in writing from the publisher.