VERIFICATION OF SUPERPOSITION

THEOREM IN DC CIRCUITS
CIRCUIT DIAGRAM:

Fig-1 Theoretical Circuit Diagram Fig–2 Measurement of I1

Fig-3 Measurement of I2 Fig–4 Measurement of IL

 VERIFICATION OF SUPERPOSITION THEOREM IN DC CIRCUITS

AIM:
To verify the superposition theorem and determine the current following
through the load resistance.

SUPERPOSITION THEOREM:
In any linear bilateral network containing two or more independent sources
(voltage or current sources or combination of voltage and current sources), the
resultant current/voltage in any branch is the algebraic sum of currents/voltages
across each branch when each source is considered separately. When one source
is considered the others are replaced by their internal impedances (resistances). To
replace the other sources an ideal voltage source is replaced by a short circuit and
an ideal current source is replaced by an open circuit.

APPARATUS:

S.No. Equipment Range Type Quantity

1 Ammeter (0-20)mA MC 1

2 R.P.S (0-30)V Analog 1

3 Bread Board - - 1

1kΩ, 220Ω
4 Resistors - Each one
& 470Ω

5 Connecting - - As
Wires required
THEORETICAL CALCULATION:
To calculate current through load resistor (I1) with voltage source (V1) alone
as shown in Fig.2,
𝑅2 ×𝑅𝐿
The equivalent resistor 𝑅𝑒𝑞 = 𝑅1 + = ______ Ω
𝑅2 +𝑅𝐿
𝑉
The total current (I) flowing through the circuit 𝐼 = = _______𝑚𝐴
𝑅𝑒𝑞

𝑹𝟐
Using current division rule, 𝑰𝟏 = × 𝑰 = _______𝒎𝑨
𝑹𝟐 +𝑹𝑳

To calculate current through load resistor (I2) with voltage source (V2) alone
as shown in Fig.3,
𝑅1 × 𝑅𝐿
𝑅𝑒𝑞 = 𝑅2 + = ________Ω
𝑅1 + 𝑅𝐿
𝑉2
𝐼= = ________𝑚𝐴
𝑅𝑒𝑞
𝑹𝟏
𝑰𝟐 = × 𝑰 = _______𝒎𝑨
𝑹𝟏 + 𝑹𝑳
The total current (I) flowing through the circuit with V1 & V2 as shown in
Fig.4 is,
𝑰 = 𝑰𝟏 + 𝑰𝟐 = ______𝒎𝑨

OBSERVATIONS:

Theoretical
Practical Values
Parameters Values
(Load Current IL)
(Load Current IL)

V1 ≠ 0 & V2 = 0
(I1)

V1 = 0 & V2 ≠ 0
(I2)

V1 ≠ 0 & V2 ≠ 0
(I)
Sample calculation:
Let us assume, 𝑽𝟏 = 𝟏𝟐𝑽; 𝑽𝟐 = 𝟏𝟎𝑽; 𝑹𝟏 = 𝟐𝟐𝟎𝛀; 𝑹𝟐 = 𝟒𝟕𝟎𝛀; 𝑹𝑳 = 𝟏𝒌𝛀
To calculate current through 1kΩ resistor as shown in Fig.2, let us say
I1,(Retaining 12V only)
The equivalent resistor is calculated as,
470 × 1𝑘
𝑅𝑒𝑞 = 220 + = 539.73Ω
470 + 1𝑘
The total current (I) flowing through the circuit as shown in Fig.2 is,
12
𝐼= = 22.2𝑚𝐴
539.73
Using current division rule,
470
𝐼1 = × 22.2𝑚 = 7.1𝑚𝐴
470 + 1𝑘
To calculate current through 1kΩ resistor as shown in Fig.3, let us say
I2,(Retaining 10V only)
The equivalent resistor is calculated as,
220 × 1𝑘
𝑅𝑒𝑞 = 470 + = 650.33Ω
220 + 1𝑘
The total current (I) flowing through the circuit as shown in Fig.3 is,
10
𝐼= = 15.4𝑚𝐴
650.33
Using current division rule,
220
𝐼2 = × 15.4𝑚 = 2.7𝑚𝐴
220 + 1𝑘
The total current (I) flowing through the circuit as shown in Fig.3 is,
𝐼 = 𝐼1 + 𝐼2 = 9.8𝑚𝐴

PROCEDURE:

1. Connect the circuit as shown in Fig. 2 and measure the load current (I1)
flowing through RL.
2. Connect the circuit as shown in Fig. 3 and measure the load current (I2)
flowing through RL.
 3. Connect the circuit as shown in Fig. 4 and measure the current IL flowing
through RL.
4. Verify for IL =I1 +I2.
5. Compare the practical and theoretical current values.

PRECAUTIONS:
1. Check for proper connections before switching ON the supply
2. Make sure of proper color coding of resistors

3. The terminal of the resistance should be properly connected.

RESULT:
Thus, the current following through the load resistance is obtained and
verified using the superposition theorem in dc resistive circuit.

QUIZ:

1. Recalculate the Current I1 and I2 and IL if both the voltage sources have an
internal resistance of 10 ohms. Comment on the result.