Network Analysis

Mesh & SuperMesh Analysis

Theory

MESH
Now, let's move to mesh analysis,
We use mesh analysis method to find the current flowing through any
particular branch in a mesh.
Guys we all have learnt Mesh analysis earlier too, but sometimes we
find it quite confusing and determining the sign of currents and
voltages.
Here we will learn the easiest way to solve any kind of mesh.
Steps to Solve MESH:

1)

Identify the mesh and assign the currents in any direction

clockwise or anticlockwise (anticlockwise preferred).

2)

Assigned the polarities for voltage source and voltage across the
resistors.
Key Points:
While assigning the polarities across the resisters mind the following
two rules,
Rule1: Current entering point in the resistor is taken as positive
always.
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Network Analysis

Mesh & SuperMesh Analysis

Theory

Rule 2: Current leaving point through the resistor is taken as negative

always.

R2: Current entering in R2 is I2, so the current entering point is taken

as positive and leaving point is taken as negative.
V1, V2, V3: Negative terminal has negative sign and positive terminal
has positive sign.
R1: R1 is connected between mesh 1 and 2. So while solving for Mesh
1 we have to assign the sign by considering I1 as the entering/ leaving
current and while solving for mesh 2 we have to assign the sign by
considering it as entering/ leaving current.
Same is the case with R3.

3)

Apply KVL in all the mesh:

Consider mesh 1
Apply KVL in mesh 1 (Refer figure 2 while applying KVL)

Network Analysis

Mesh & SuperMesh Analysis

Theory

Consider mesh 2
(As in mesh 2 current I2 is flowing, So consider I2 and assign the
polarities across the resistor)
Apply KVL in mesh 2

Consider mesh 3
(As in mesh 2 current I3 is flowing, so consider I3 and assign the
polarities across the resistor accordingly).
Apply KVL to mesh (3):
V3 (I3 I2)R3 R4I3 = 0 ------(3)
Key Points:
Here, if you observe properly in equation (1), (2) and (3)
All the signs of voltage across the resistor are negative only.
If you follow this as your standard procedure to solve mesh analysis
you will find it very much easy.

4)

Solve all the KVL equations and find the currents I1, I2 and I3.

SUPERMESH
Supermesh:
Meshes that share current source with other meshes, none of which
contains a current source in the outer loop form a Supermesh.
For super mesh analysis the number of equations required is,
1) One mesh equation that is a KVL equation.
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Network Analysis

Mesh & SuperMesh Analysis

Theory

2) One KCL equation.

Examples of Supermesh:1)

2)

Steps to solve Supermesh:

Step 1) Identify the Supermesh.

The current source I is common between mesh 1 and mesh 2, so

mesh 1 and mesh 2 forms Supermesh.
Step 2) Assign the currents in each mesh of the Supermesh.

Step 3) Write KCL equation of current source.

I = I 2 I1
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Network Analysis

Mesh & SuperMesh Analysis

i.e. I1 + I2 = I

Theory

-----(1)

KEY NOTE:
While writing the KCL equation of current source. The current flowing
in the direction of current source (I) is considered as Positive (here I2)
and the current flowing in the direction opposite to current source (I)
is taken as Negative (here I1).
Step 4) Write the KVL equation of the outer loop of Supermesh.

NOTE: While writing KVL equation apply the same concept of mesh
analysis.
V1 I1R1 I2R2 = 0
i.e. I1R1 + I2R2 = V1

-------(2)

Step 5) Solve the equations (1) and (2) and calculate current I1 and I2.