Kirchhoff’s Laws

Node

 A point at which two or more elements have common connection

Path

 The set of nodes and elements passed through if no node was

encountered more than once.

Closed Path or Loop

 A kind of path wherein the node where you have started is also the
node where you’ll end.

Two laws were named from Gustav Robert Kirchhoff that are universally
accepted:

a) Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law (KVL)

 It states that the summation of all voltages around a given
loop is equivalent to zero
 The summation of all voltage rise is equivalent to the
summation of all voltage drop.

Mathematically defined as,

∑ Voltages = 0

∑ V rise = ∑ V drops

b) Kirchhoff’s Current Law (KCL)

 It states that the summation of all current within a given
node is equivalent to zero.
 The summation of all current entering the node is
equivalent to the summation of all leaving the node.

Mathematically defined as,

∑ Current = 0
 R1 1k R2 1k

R3 1k
V1 5

∑ I entering = ∑ I Leaving

SERIES CIRCUIT

 There is only one complete path for which current could flow. The
resistors are connected end to end.
 It provides only one path for current between two points in a circuit so
that the same current flows through each series resistor.

R1 I 1→ R2 I 2→

IT → +V 1−¿ +V 2−¿

I 3↓ R3
VT

By applying KVL at loop 1

V T = V 1+ V 2 + V 3

By Ohm’s Law
I T RT = I 1 R1+ I 2 R2 + I 3 R3
Therefore,
RT = R1 + R2 + R3

Total Power in a Series Circuit

PT = V T × I T

Since V T = V 1 + V 2 + V 3

Therefore,
PT = ¿ +V 2 +V 3) I T

But IT = I1 = I2 = I3

PT = V 1 I 1+ V 2 I 2 + V 3 I 3

PT = P1 + P2 + P3

VOLTAGE DIVISION PRINCIPLE

(Exclusive for series circuit only)

Since I T = I 1 = I 2=I 3

By applying Ohm’s Law

VT V1 V2 V3
RT
= R1
= R2
= R3

Therefore;
R1
V1 = VT ( ) Note: RT = R1 + R2 + R3
RT

R2
V2 = VT ( )
RT

R3
V3 = VT ( )
RT
PARALLEL CIRCUIT:

 When two or more resistors are connected between the same two
points, they are said to be parallel with each other. A parallel circuit
provides more than one path for current. Each current path is called a
branch.

IT → I 1↓ I 2↓ I 3↓

VT R1
R1 1k R2 R3

R2 1k

R3 1k
V1 5

By KCL
IT = I1 + I2 + I3

By ohm’s Law
VT V1 V2 V3
RT
= R1
+ R2
+ R3

But VT = V1 = V2 = V3

1 1 1 1
RT = R1 + +
R2 R3
1
RT = 1 1 1
+ +
R1 R 2 R 3

Total Power in a Parallel Circuit

PT = V T × I T
Since I T= I 1 + I 2 + I 3

Therefore,
PT = V T ¿ + I 2 + I 3)

But VT = V1 = V2 = V3

PT = V 1 I 1 + V 2 I 2 + V 3 I 3

PT = P1 + P2 + P3

CURRENT DIVISION PRINCIPLE:

(Exclusive for parallel circuit only)

Since VT = V1 = V2 = V3

By applying Ohm’s Law

I T RT = I 1 R1 = I 2 R2 = I 3 R3

RT RT RT
I1 = IT ( ); I2 = IT ( ); I3 = IT ( )
R1 R2 R3

1
Note: RT = 1 1 1
+ +
R1 R 2 R 3

SPECIAL CASE:

When only two resistors are connected in parallel it follows the following
technique.
1
RT = R1× R2 product
1 1 ; RT = =
+
R1 R2
R1 + R2 ∑ ¿¿
CURRENT DIVIDER PRINCIPLE (exclusive for parallel circuit only)

IT →
I 1↓ I 2↓

R7 1k

R8 1k
R1 R2
RT

RT
I1 = IT ( )
R1

R1 R 2
But R T
R1 + R2

Therefore,
R1 R 2
R2
 I 1 = I T • R1 + R2 = I T •
R 1+ R
R1 2

Similarly,

1 R
 I2 = IT (R )
1+ R 2

SERIES PARALLEL CIRCUIT

 A series parallel circuit contains the combination of both the series

and the parallel circuits.
R4 1k

R1
R5 1k

R6 1k

V2 5
 R2× R3
RT = R1 +
R2 + R 3

I 2↓ I 3↓

SAMPLE PROBLEMS:

1) Two resistors connected in series draws 5A from a 30V source. If the

value of the second resistor is doubled, the current drops to 3A,
determine the resistances.
2) Reduce the circuits between the terminals a & b in the figure to a
single resistance.

2R12
Ω 1k

A
1R11
Ω 1k C 3R13
Ω 1k D 6R15
Ω 1k E 16 Ω
R16 1k B

6Ω
R14 1k

3) Four resistors of ohmic values 5, 10, 15, 20 are combined in series &
a 100-V source is applied across the combination. How is this voltage
divided among the various resistors?
4) Two resistances R1 = 15 and R2 = 25 are connected in parallel and
are supplied by a current source of 5A. determine the power
consumed by each resistor.
5) Calculate the resistances of 110-v light bulbs rated at 25W, 60W, &
75W.
6) Find R AB a.) when A & B are shorted.
b. when A & D as well as B & C are shorted

3Ω

R19 1k
R17 1k
+ V
VS1 5 2Ω
T
D
C

4Ω 5Ω

R18 1k

R20 1k
B

7) Find R AB
2Ω A
R21 1k

4Ω
R23 1k

5Ω V
+

VS2 5

R22 1k

3Ω
R24 1k

8) Determine I 1, I 2, I 3

2Ω 1Ω
 R25 1k R26 1k

I 2← I 3→

R29 1k

R27 1k

R28 1k
4Ω 3Ω 2Ω
I 1↑

V4 5
20 V

9) Determine V ABassuming A has a higher potential than B.

1k Ω
R30 1k

1k Ω
R31 1k
R33 1k

4kΩ

I 1↙ I 2↘
3005V
+

VS3
A B
2k Ω
R32 1k
2k Ω
R34 1k

10) Determine V X and I X .

 +

7V

VS4 5
+¿

+
VS5 5
5V

R35 1k
Ix↻ Vx

−¿

11) Determine power absorbed by each element. Determine I.

2V A
VG1

30 Ω
R36 1k +

+¿
R37 1k

V5 5 VA 16 Ω
120 V
−¿

10 Ω 7Ω
 R38 1k R39 1k

V6 5
30 V
I↑
5Ω

R40 1k
80 V5
+

VS6

20
VS7V5

+
12) Determine V 1I and P associated in each element in the circuit.

I 2↓
I↓

120 A 1 30 A 1
R41 1k

R42 1k
IS2 10m
IS1 10m
30 15

PRACTICAL SOURCE

Practical Voltage Source

 ↓I L

R¿
R1 1k

RL

R2 1k
V
+

VS1
s 5

Where:
V S = ideal voltage source

R¿= internal resistance

V L= terminal or load voltage

I L= terminal or load current

R L= terminal or load resistance

By KVL on loop 1:
V S −V ¿ −¿ V L= 0

V L = V S −V ¿

V L = V S −¿ I L R¿ @ no loaded condition

V L= V S @ no load
Practical Current Source
↓I L

I¿↓ +¿
RS RL

R3 1k

R5 1k
↑ I10m
IS1 VL
S

−¿

Where:
I S= ideal current source

R S= internal resistance

V L= terminal or load voltage

I L= terminal or load current

R L= terminal or load resistance

By KCL at node A:
I S −¿ I ¿ −¿ I L = 0

I L = I S−¿ I ¿

I L = I S−¿ V L⁄ R S @ loaded condition

I L = I S@ shorted condition

SOURCE TRANSFORMATION

In source transformation, practical sources (PVC & PCS) are

interchanged, without affecting the rest of the circuit in order to simplify
them. Thus, they are also known as equivalent sources.

In order to transform a practical source, one should subject their

loaded condition to worst case analysis.
PRACTICAL VOLTAGE SOURCE

↓I L

R¿
R1 1k

RL
R2 1k

V
+

VS1
s 5

V L= V S −I L R¿ → at loaded condition

If R L = 0 ; V L= 0

V L= V S −I L R¿

But V L= 0

Hence, V S −I L R¿ → 1

If R=∝
V L= V S −I L R¿

But IL = 0

Hence, V L= V S → 2 no load condition

PRACTICAL CURRENT SOURCE

↓IL

I¿↓ +¿
RS RL
R3 1k

R5 1k

↑ I10m
IS1 VL
S

−¿

VL
IL = IS −¿ at loaded condition
RS

If R L = 0 ; V L= 0

I L = I S −¿ V L⁄ R S

But V L= 0

Hence, I L = I S → 3 shorted condition

If RL = ∝ ; IL = 0

I L = I S −¿ V L⁄ R S

But IL = 0

L V
Hence, I L= R → 4
S
V S =I L R¿

Equating 1 and 3
I L =V S ⁄ R¿

I S=I L=V S ⁄ R¿

S V
Hence, R¿ = I
S

Equating 2 with 4
I S = V L⁄ R S

V L = IS RS

V S = V L = I S RS

Hence, RS = V L⁄ I S
R S = R¿

Therefore upon transformation of practical sources their internal

resistances are equivalent.

Practical Practical
Voltage Source Current Source
V S , R¿ R¿ = R S

IS =
V S ⁄ R¿

Practical Practical
Voltage Source Current Source
 R¿ = R S I S , RS

V S = IS RS

SAMPLE PROBLEMS:

1) Transform the voltage source into its equivalent current source.

R9 1k

5Ω
+

VS3
10 V5

2) Transform the current source into its equivalent voltage source.

 0.5 Ω

R10 1k
5A
IS3 ↑
10m

3) Determine V L, I L, P L, PS and P¿.

↓I L
R11 1k

0.5 Ω
+¿
2Ω
R12 1k

VL

10 V5
+

VS4 −¿

4) Determine P L, PS and P¿.

 ↓IL

+¿
2Ω

R13 1k

R14 1k
0.5 Ω V
5A IG1 L

−¿

5) Determine the equivalent practical voltage source.

25 Ω

R17 1k

200 Ω
R15 1k 200 Ω
R16 1k

2IG2
A 500 Ω RL

R18 1k

R19 1k
6) Determine its equivalent practical voltage source.

60 Ω 8Ω 40 Ω RL
R20 1k

R21 1k

R22 1k

R23 1k

2IG3
A

V1 5
60 Ω
DELTA – WYE TRANSFORMATION
 Any circuits ( electric) may contain networks that are neither in series
nor in parallel, making it difficult to analyze using the previous technique. In
such cases, we replace certain parts of the circuit by their three (3) terminal
equivalent.

The two networks are identical and equivalent to each other. A pair of
three terminal networks are said to be equivalent to each other if the
resistance measured between corresponding terminal pairs are equivalent.

Delta-wye transformation
Ra= R1R3/R1+R2+R3

Rb= R1R2/ R1+R2+R3

Rc=R2R3/ R1+R2+R3

Thus in converting delta to wye, the following general equation is applied:

Ry= Product/sums of sides

Wye-delta transformation

R1=RaRb+RbRc+RaRc/ Rc

R2= RaRb+RbRc+RaRc/Ra

R3= RaRb+RbRc+RaRc/Rb

R∆= sum of product of arms / opposite arms

1. Solve for IT using delta to wye and wye to delta

2. Solve for Req.

3. Determine RAB

4. Solve for IY.

5, Solve for I.