MESH

ANALYSIS
 MESH-CURRENT METHOD OR MESH ANALYSIS
• Also known as the Loop Current Method
• The solution of complex networks can frequently be simplified by
using the system of loop or mesh currents instead of branch
currents as in the foregoing Kirchhoff’s law procedure
• First proposed by James Clerk Maxwell, the method involves a
set of independent loop currents assumed to as many meshes as
exist in the circuit and these currents assigned are employed in
the connection with appropriate resistance when the Kirchhoff’s
Voltage Law equation are written.
• The arbitrary assumed loop currents may or may not exist in
various resistors but when determined will readily yield the
desired values by simply using algebraic additions. The schemes
as will be shown, offers the advantage that fewer equations need
to be written to solve a given problem.
 STEP BY STEP PROCEDURE IN ANALYZING
CIRCUIT USING THE MESH CURRENT METHOD

1. Identify Loops - within the circuit encompassing all components

• the choice of each current’s direction is entirely arbitrary
• he resulting equations are easier to solve if the currents are
going the same direction through intersecting components
• If the assumed direction of a mesh current is wrong, the
answer for that current will have a negative value
• The First Loop includes 𝐵1 , 𝑅1 , and 𝑅2 while the Second Loop
includes 𝐵2 , 𝑅2 , and 𝑅3
• Note how currents 𝐼1 and 𝐼2 are both going “up” through
resistor 𝑅2 , where they “mesh” or intersect
2. Label all voltage drop polarities - across resistors according
to the assumed directions of the mesh currents
• the “upstream” end of a resistor will always be negative,
and the “downstream” end of a resistor will be positive with
respect to each other, since electrons are negatively
charged
• the battery polarities, of course, are dictated by their symbol
orientations in the diagram, may or may not “agree” with the
resistor polarities (assumed current directions)
• Using KVL, equations representative of the component
voltage drops and polarities will be generated
3. Tracing the Left Loop of the circuit with Equations
• starting from the upper-left corner and moving counter-
clockwise (the choice of starting points and directions is
ultimately irrelevant), counting polarity as if we had a
voltmeter in hand, red lead on the point ahead and black
lead on the point behind

28 - 4 𝐼1 - 2(𝐼1 + 𝐼2 ) = 0 *the middle term of the equation uses

the sum of mesh currents 𝐼1 and 𝐼2 as the current through
resistor 𝑅2 because mesh currents 𝐼1 and 𝐼2 are going the
same direction through 𝑅2 , and thus complement each other
• Simplifying the equation: 28 - 4 𝐼1 - 2𝐼1 − 2 𝐼2 = 0
• Combining like terms: 28 - 6 𝑰𝟏 - 2𝑰𝟐 = 0
• To solve for the two unknown mesh currents, two equations
are required. Another KVL equation can be obtained through
tracing the upper-left-hand corner of the right loop, tracing
counterclockwise: 2(𝐼1 + 𝐼2 ) – 7 + 1𝐼2 = 0
• Simplifying: 2𝑰𝟏 + 3𝑰𝟐 – 7 = 0
4. Solving for the Unknown
• With two equations, several methods can be used to
mathematically solve the unknown currents of 𝐼1 and 𝐼2 :
-28 - 6 𝐼1 - 2𝐼2 = 0
2𝐼1 + 3𝐼2 – 7 = 0

• Rearranging the equations for easier solution:

6 𝐼1 + 2𝐼2 = 28
2𝐼1 + 3𝐼2 = 7
Solutions:
𝑰𝟏 = 𝟓𝐀
𝑰𝟐 = −𝟏𝐀
5. Redraw Circuit
• Knowing that these solutions are values for mesh currents,
not branch currents, we must go back to our diagram to see
how they fit together to give currents through all
components:
• The solution of -1 amp for 𝐼2 means that the direction of
current was initially assumed incorrect. In actuality, 𝐼2 is
flowing in a counterclockwise direction at a value of positive
1 amp:

• This change of current direction from what was assumed

will alter the polarity of the voltage drops across 𝑅2 and 𝑅3
due to current 𝐼2 . From here, we can say that the current
through 𝑅1 is 5 amps, with the voltage drop across 𝑅1 being
the product of current and resistance (E=IR), 20 volts
(positive on the left, and negative on the right).
• The current through 𝑅1 is 1 amp, with a voltage drop of 1 volt
(𝐸 = 𝐼𝑅), positive on the left and negative on the right.
• Mesh current 𝐼1 is going “down” through 𝑅2 , while mesh current
𝐼2 is going “up” through 𝑅2 . To determine the actual current
through 𝑅2 , the interaction (in this case they’re in opposition) of
mesh currents 𝐼1 and 𝐼2 , and algebraically add them to arrive at
a final value.
• Since 𝐼1 is going “down” at 5 amps, and 𝐼2 is going “up” at 1
amp, the real current through 𝑅2 must be a value of 4 amps,
going “down”:

A current of 4 amps through 𝑅2 ’s resistance of 2 ohms

gives a voltage drop of 8 volts (E=IR), positive on the
top and negative on the bottom.
ADVANTAGE OF MESH CURRENT ANALYSIS
• It generally allows for the solution of a large network with fever
unknown values and fewer simultaneous equations. This
advantage is much greater as networks increase in complexity:

• To solve this network using Branch Currents. Five variables to

account for each and every unique current in the circuit (𝐼1
through 𝐼5 ) must be established. This would require five
equations for the solution, in the form of two KCL equations and
three KVL equations (two equations for KCL at the nodes, and
three equations for KVL in each loop)
Source:
https://workforce.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Electronics_Technology/Book%3A_Electr
ic_Circuits_I_-
_Direct_Current_(Kuphaldt)/10%3A_DC_Network_Analysis/10.03%3A_Mesh_Current_M
ethod_and_Analysis
 SAMPLE PROBLEM
Use mesh analysis to determine the three unknown branch currents
𝐼1 , 𝐼2 , and 𝐼3 in the circuit shown:
THANK YOU