4.

8 Kirchhoff’s Law
.
.
Important Terminologies

Node – a point in which two or more components have a common connection.

Path- if no node was encountered more than once, then the sets of nodes and elements that we
have passed through is defined as a path.

Closed Path or Loop- If the node at which we started is the same as the node on which we ended,
then the path, is by definition, a closed path or loop.

Branch - is a single path in a network, composed of one simple element and the node at each end
of that element.

R3
1kohm
R1 R2
I 1kohm 1kohm
1A
2
R4
1kohm

(a)

R3
1kohm
R1 R2
I 1kohm 1kohm
1A
2
R4
1kohm

(b)

(a) A circuit containing three nodes and five branches. (b) Node 1 is redrawn to look like two
nodes; it is still one node.
4.8.1 Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law (KVL)
The algebraic sum of all voltages in a circuit taken around a closed path is zero.
Sign Convention

Path b – a : Potential Rise = + V

Path a – b: Potential Drop = -V

Path b – a: Potential Rise = +VR

Path a – b: Potential Drop = - VR

4.8.2 Kirchhoff’s Current Law (KCL)

The algebraic sum of all currents entering and leaving a node is zero.

Convention: I2
I3
I1
I4

Current entering a node: + sign

Current leaving a node: -sign

I 1 – I 2 – I 3+ I 4 =0
Example 4.7 Find V1

Solution:

V 1 +V 2 +V R – V 3 – V 4=0

V 1=−V 2−V R +V 3+V 4

V 1=−2−14+24 +4

V 1=12 V

Example 4.8 Find V2

V2
a b

Solution: 2V
-
V1 V 1 +V 2 +V R −V 4 =0 R
30ohm -10.000 V
12V
+
V4
V 2=−V 1−V R +V 4

d c
V 2=−12−(−10)+
4V 4
V 2=2 V

Example 4.9 Find the current in the circuit.

2VA

+ V30 -
-
VA

+
Solution:

Let the current ibe in the clockwise direction.

By applying KVL in a clockwise direction.

120−V 30−2V A +V A =0
By Ohm’s law
V 30=30 i
V A =−15 i

so that 120−30i−2 (−15 i )−15 i=0

i=8 A

Example 4.10 Find I3

Solution: At node a

I 1+ I 2−I 3=0

I 3=I 1+ I 2
I 3=3+5
I 3=8 A

Example 4.11 Find i3 and i6.

i3 i6

0.9i3
Solution: By applying KCL at either node.

0.9 i 3+ 2−i 3−i 6=0

v 6 3 i3 1
where i 6= = = i 3 . Substituting to the equation, then
6 6 2

1
0.9 i 3+ 2−i 3− i 3=0
2

i 3=3.33 A

Example 4.12 Calculate the current flowing in each branch of the circuit shown

R2
V1 V3
20ohm
3V 6V

R1 R3
V2
10ohm 20ohm
4.5V

Solution:

Step 1: Assign branch current direction on a node and form KCL equation. (NOTE: Do not be
over-conscious about the direction. If you wrongly assigned it, it will just yield negative answer
but the magnitude will be the same.)
 KCL equation:

I 1+ I 2 + I 3 =0

Step 2: Assign loop-current direction on each visible loop and form your KVL equations. (Again,
direction is arbitrary)

KVL equation:

For loop 1 (L1):

10 I 1 +3−20 I 2 + 4.5=0
10 I 1 −20 I 2=−7.5

For loop 2 (L2):

4.5+ 6−20 I 2 +30 I 3=0

−20 I 2+30 I 3=−10.5

Step 3: Solve for the magnitude of the branch currents (I1, I2 and I3) using any method.

I 1+ I 2 + I 3 =0 equation 1
10 I 1 −20 I 2=−7.5 equation 2
−20 I 2+30 I 3=−10.5 equation 3

The answers are: I 1=−0.15 A

I 2=0.3 A

I 3=0.15 A
.
Example 4.13 Solve for the currents in all the resistors of the circuit shown below.

R1
50ohm

E1 R3
12V
100ohm
E2
R2 3V
200ohm

Solution:
Step 1: Assign branch-current direction and form KCL equation.

R1
50ohm

I1
E1 R3
12V
I3 1kohm
I2 E2
R2 3V
50ohm

KCL equation:

−I 1+ I 2−I 3=0

Step 2: Assign Loop-Current Direction and form KVL equations.

Loop 1:

12+50 I 1 +200 I 2=0

50 I 1 +200 I 2=−12

Loop 2:
−3 – 200 I 2−100 I 3 =0
−200 I 2−100 I 3=3

Step 3: Solve by matrix and determinants

−I 1+ I 2−I 3=0 equation 1

50 I 1 +200 I 2=−12 equation 2

−200 I 2−100 I 3=3 equation 3

I 1=0.086 A ; I 2 =0.0385 A ; I 3=−0.0475 A

Assignment No. 7 Kirchhoff’s Law

Name: First , MI , Last Date: Month Day ,Year

Course: Type Course Code here Section: Type section here

R1
1. Find 50ohm the current through each resistor
using Kirchhoff’s law.
E1 R3
12V
100ohm
E2
R2 3V
200ohm
2. Find the values of I1 and V5.
.

3. Find the voltage across the 4-ohm resistor.

Problem Set No. 8
 KIRCHHOFF’S LAW

1. What is the value of V in the circuit shown below?

6A

+ 4V -
+ + + -
-4A 2A 4A -10 A
2V 2V 2V -2 V

- +
-6 A
i -4 A
- -
+ V
-
A. 4V
B. 6V
C. 8V
D. 10 V

2. What is the value of the power received by element B?

-7 A

+ 4V -
- - -
+
B 7A
-2 A -2 V -2 V -2 A v
2V i
+ + +
7A

- - -9 V
A. -49 W +
B. 49 W
C. 94 W
D. -94 W

3. Find I7.

I2 -2 A

+ -1 V - 3V +
- - -
 7 I6
2V

+
I3 I5
v6

+ v3 - - -3 V
- - + +

A. 0.5 A
B. 0.75 A
C. -1 A
D. 1.25 A

4. Find vx.

+
Vx

-
A. 2.4 V
B. 4.2 V 4Vx
C. 4.8 V
D. 5.2 V

5. Find iA , iB and iC.

iA iB

0
 A. 0.25 A, 1.35 A, 1.5 A
B. 0.75 A, 1.35 A, 1.5 A
C. 0.25 A, 1.35 A, 1.75 A
D. 0.25 A, 1.85 A, 1.5 A

6. What is the value of V7?

A. 1
I2 1
+ V7 - V
B. 1
+ 12 V - 2
+ + - +
V
I3 2A I6 C. 1
3A 3V 4V
V6 3
-
V
I4
+ - D. 1
V1
4
+ 6V - V

7. Find V1.

A. 22 V
B. 23 V
C. 24 V
D. 25 V

8. Find V2.
A. 1 V V2
B. 1.5 V a b

2V
-
V1 R
30ohm -10.000 V
12V
 d c
4V
C. 1.75 V
D. 2 V

9. Find I3.

A. 8A
B. 9A
C. 10 A
D. 12 A

10. Calculate the current flowing in each branch of the circuit shown.

R2 V3
V1 20ohm
6V
3V

R1 V2 R3
10ohm 20ohm
4.5V

A. I1 = 112.27 mA, I2 = 317.96 mA, I3 = 205.68 mA

B. I1 = 112.27 mA, I2 = 217.96 mA, I3 = 205.68 mA
C. I1 = 12.27 mA, I2 = 317.96 mA, I3 = 205.68 mA
D. I1 = 112.27 mA, I2 = 317.96 mA, I3 = 105.68 mA

11. Solve for the currents in all the resistors of the circuit shown below.

R1
50ohm

E1 R3
12V
100ohm
E2
R2 3V
200ohm

A. I1 = 55.62 mA, I2 = 38.54 mA, I3 = 47.07 mA

B. I1 = 85.62 mA, I2 = 18.54 mA, I3 = 47.07 mA
C. I1 = 85.62 mA, I2 = 38.54 mA, I3 = 47.07 mA
D. I1 = 85.62 mA, I2 = 38.54 mA, I3 = 37.07 mA
12. Determine I1, I2, and V2.

A. I1 = 1A, I2 = 2 A, V2 = 42 V
B. I1 = 2 A, I2 = 2 A, V2 = 62 V
C. I1 = 2 A, I2 = 2 A, V2 = 42 V
D. I1 = 2 A, I2 = 3A, V2 = 42 V

13. Determine I1 and V5.

A. I1 = -9 A, V5 = 80 V
B. I1 = -8 A, V5 = 80 V
C. I1 = -8 A, V5 = 90 V
D. I1 = -8 A, V5 = 100 V
14. Find the branch currents in the circuit below.

A. I1 = 1.09 A, I2 = 159.95 mA, I3 = 2.25 A 2 A

B. I1 = 2.09 A, I2 = 157.95 mA, I3 = 2.25 A 2 A
C. I1 = 2.09 A, I2 = 157.95 mA, I3 = 2.35 A 2 A
D. I1 = 1.09 A, I2 = 197.95 mA, I3 = 2.25 A 2 A

Assessment No. 10: Electric Circuit

Name: Date:
Course: Section: Score:

HowMuch
MuchHave
HaveYou
YouLearned?
Learned?
How

Directions: Solve the crossword puzzle. Use the given clues to arrive at the right answer.
 2

1 1 4

10

7 3

8 10

DOWN
1 current cannot flow
2 melts in over current
3 protection against current
4 interconnection of components
5 used to convey current
6 V = IR
7 causes overcurrent
8 energy source
9 single-pole, single-throw
10 connected in series to the load
ACROSS
1 current can flow
2 short circuit and overloading
3 equivalent to volt/ampere
4 part of a circuit that consumes energy
5 control device
6 trips
7 ____________ multimeter
8 equivalent to ampere/volt
10 equivalent to joule/coulomb

QUESTIONS: (not part of Assessment No. 10)

1. What is an electric circuit?

2. What are the parts of an electric circuit?
3. What is the function of a fuse or circuit breaker?
4. What are the causes of overcurrent?
5. What is the effect of overcurrent?
6. How do you avoid overcurrent?
7. What is a closed circuit? open circuit?
8. How do you connect the voltmeter in measuring voltage?
 9. How do you connect the ammeter in measuring current?
10. What is Ohm’s law?

.
Practical Application No. 3: Electric Circuit

Name: Date:
Course: Section: Score:

1. You are an electrician on the job. The electrical blueprint shows that eight 500-W lamps are to
be installed on the same circuit. The circuit voltage is 277 V and is protected by a 20-A circuit
breaker. Assuming that the load is continuous, is a 20-A circuit large enough to carry this load?
2. You have been sent to a new home. The homeowner reports that sometimes the electric
furnace trips the 240-V, 60-A circuit breaker connected to it. Upon examination, you find that
the furnace contains three 5000-W heating elements designed to turn on in stages. For
example, when the thermostat calls for heat, the first 5000-W unit turns on. After some period
of time, the second unit will turn on, and then, after another time delay, the third unit will turn
on. What do you think the problem is, and so would your recommendation for correcting?
Explain your answer.
3. You are an electrician installing the wiring in a new home. The homeowner desires that a
ceiling fan with light kits be installed in five different rooms. Each fan contains a light kit that
can accommodate four 60-watt lamps. The voltage source is 220 V. Each fan motor draws a
current of 1.8 amperes when operated on high speed. It is assumed that each fan can operate
more than three hours at a time and therefore must be considered a continuous-duty service.
The fans are to be connected to a 15-ampere circuit. Because the devices are continuous duty,
the circuit current must be limited to 80% of the continuous connected load. How many fans
can be connected to a single 15-ampere circuit? How many circuits will be required to supply
power to all five fans?
4. A homeowner is installing a swimming pool. You have been asked to install a circuit to
operate a 600-watt underwater light and a circuiting pump. The motor nameplate reveals
that the pump has a current draw of 8.5 amperes. The devices are considered continuous
duty. Can the power to operate both of these devices be supplied by a single 20-ampere
circuit? The voltage source is 220 V.