EE 2950 Multiple-source circuit analysis techniques

I. Nodal Analysis Identify and label nodes Draw in and label branch currents and corresponding resistor polarities Apply KCL at the labeled nodes (what goes in must come out) Substitute for the currents with Ohms law Obtain a set of two simultaneous equations and use Cramers rule to solve for unknown node voltages. Use the node voltages to find branch currents from Ohms law II. Loop and Mesh Analysis (Caveat: dont perform KVL in loop/mesh containing a current source) Identify loops and meshes Draw and label mesh currents and corresponding polarities on resistors that have only one mesh current through them Draw and label net currents (branches containing two mesh currents) and label the corresponding polarities Write an equation for each net current as a function of the two mesh currents by applying KCL at either node Perform KVL around loops/meshes (as necessary) to obtain two simultaneous equations. As you perform KVL write the voltages using Ohms law. Solve the system of equations for the mesh currents Use the mesh current values to finish the problem. III. Source Exchange (Source Transformation) (Caveat: do not perform an exchange with the branch containing the load resistance) Identify load resistance Identify configurations for exchange Make exchanges while combining sources and resistances until you obtain one of the two basic circuit types Use the final simple circuit to solve for the unknown IV. Thevenins Theorem Identify load resistance Open the load resistance and calculate the Thevenin voltage using any legitimate analysis technique Determine the Thevenin resistance at the opened load terminals using series and parallel equivalent resistance equations Draw and label the Thevenin Equivalent Circuit (TEC) Use TEC to find the solution to the problem