To be familiar with Nodal analysis.

To relate
Kirchhoff’s Laws in the application of Nodal
Analysis to circuit problem.

NODAL
ANALYSIS
Experiment No. 9

Student Name
DISCUSSION

In Kirchhoff’s Current Law, a connection of three or more branches is considered as a junction

while in Nodal Analysis, every junction in the network that represents a connection of two or
more branches is regarded as a node. Moreover, considering one of the nodes as a reference or
zero potential point, current equations are then written for the remaining nodes. A solution is
possible with n-1 equations where “n” is the number of nodes. Hence, Nodal analysis offers the
advantage that the number of equation is n-1 to solve for the nodal voltage.

INSTRUMENTS AND MATERIALS

Quantity Unit Item Specification

1 Pc. DC power supply 12V
1 Pc. Multi-tester (VOM)
1 Set Connectors
1 Set Resistors
1 Pc. DC Ammeter (0-1A)
1 Pc Extension Cord

PROCEDURE

1. Using the simulation software, construct the given circuit diagram.

2. Measure and record the following: V AG , V BG∧V CG. Place the results in table below.
3. Using Nodal analysis, compute for the following: V AG , V BG∧V CG. Determine the
percent difference and record the results.

CIRCUIT DIAGRAM
 A B C

DATA AND RESULTS

TABLE 9-1

Item Measured value Computed value % Difference

V AG 6.712 V 6.712 V 0%
V BG 2.331 V 2.331 V 0%
V CG 5.288 V 5.288 V 0%
COMPUTATION/SOLUTIONS:
OBSERVATION:

On this experiment we observed that,A circuit may have a different kind of circuit elements,
component terminals etc. In a circuit where at least two or more circuit elements or the
terminals are joined together is called a node. Nodal analysis is done on nodes.

In the case of Mesh Analysis, there is a limitation that mesh analysis can only be done in
planner circuit. Planner circuit is a circuit that can be drawn into the plane surface without any
crossover. But for nodal analysis, there is no such kind of limitation, because each node can be
assigned a voltage which is an essential parameter to analyze a node using the Node Analysis
Method.

CONCLUSION:

Generally,nodal voltage analysis is more appropriate when there are a larger number of current sources
around.It can be used to determine the unknown node voltage of both planar and non-planar
circuits.Nodal equations are usually formed by applying KCL to the nodes with unknown voltages,
whereas equations based on KVL are used to the form of mesh equations.Nodal Analysis is the ideal
technique for analysis when all the sources in a circuit are independent current sources.
QUESTIONS/PROBLEMS

1. What is a Supernode?
A supernode has two nodes that act like a single node. It is used to do nodal analysis on
circuits that contain voltage sources. A supernode can be made from each pair of nodes
that are connected by a voltage source.

2. Discuss the steps on how to use node voltage analysis.

In node voltage analysis, first you have to assign a reference node. Then, assign node
voltage names to the remaining nodes. Then, solve the easy nodes first where the
voltage source is connected to the reference node. Next, write a Kirchhoff’s Current Law
for each node. Then, solve the resulting systems of equations for all node voltages and
lastly, solve for unknown currents using Ohm’s Law.

3. State the difference between Kirchhoff’s and Nodal analysis.

Nodal analysis is a method that provides a general procedure for analyzing circuits using
node voltages as the circuit variables. Nodal Analysis is also called the Node-Voltage
Method.
Some Features of Nodal Analysis are as
 • Nodal Analysis is based on the application of the Kirchhoff’s Current Law
(KCL).
• Having ‘n’ nodes there will be ‘n-1’ simultaneous equations to solve.
• Solving ‘n-1’ equations all the nodes voltages can be obtained.
• The number of non-reference nodes is equal to the number of Nodal equations
that can be obtained.

While Kirchhoff’s Current Law states that for a parallel path the total current entering a
circuit, junction is exactly equal to the total current leaving the same junction. This is
because it has no other place to go as no charge is lost.

In other words, the algebraic sum of ALL the currents entering and leaving a junction
must be equal to zero as: Σ IIN = Σ IOUT.

4. Find the current in each resistor using Nodal Analysis. Verify your solution using
Multisim. Record and provide a table of the results.

COMPUTED MEASURED % ERROR

1Ω 166.667 mA 166.667 mA 0%
2Ω 1.167 A 1.167 A 0%
3Ω 1.167 A 1.167 A 0%
DOCUMENTATION
Getting the value of VAG

Getting the value of VBG

Getting the Value of VCG