SUPERPOSITION THEOREM

[LECTURE 9]
LEARNING OUTCOMES OF TOPIC:

1. To analyze the behavior of the circuit’s response in time domain

2. To learn techniques of solving circuits involving different active and

passive
elements.
3.To make students understand how to Solve linear circuits by the
superposition

method

1.3 INTRODUCTION

Superposition theorem tells us that the voltage across any branch of a circuit can
be
broken up as a linear combination of potential differences due to each voltage
source in
a resistive network, considered individually.

https://images.app.goo.gl/
8vYSys5Bjk8bFXMX7
Circuit analysis by superposition therefore follows a process of replacing all
voltage
sources but one within a network with short circuits, then using the summation
rules of
series-parallel combinations of resistors described in Resistors in Series and
Parallel and
determining the voltage across and current in each branch due to the remaining
voltage
source, and then repeating this process for all voltage sources and superposing the
results.

1.4 EXPLANATION OF SUPERPOSITION THEOREM

Let us understand the superposition theorem with the help of an example. The circuit diagram is

shown below consists of two voltage sources V1 and V2.

Fig.1

[https://images.app.goo.gl/5esGyhDW98YzwpDP6]
First, take the source V1 alone and short circuit the V2 source as shown in the circuit diagram
below:

Fig.2

[https://images.app.goo.gl/5esGyhDW98YzwpDP6]

Here, the value of current flowing in each branch, i.e. i1’, i2’ and i3’ is calculated by the following

equations.

The difference between the above two equations gives the value of the current i3’

Now, activating the voltage source V2 and deactivating the voltage source V1 by short-circuiting it,
find

the various currents, i.e. i1’’, i2’’, i3’’ flowing in the circuit diagram shown below:
Fig.3

[https://images.app.goo.gl/gMiAKqpcpyV9bdQa9]

Here,

And the value of the current i3’’ will be calculated by the equation shown below:

As per the superposition theorem, the value of current i 1, i2, i3 is now calculated as:

The direction of the current should be taken care of while finding the current in the various
branches.
1.5 STEPS FOR SOLVING NETWORK BY SUPERPOSITION THEOREM

Considering the circuit diagram A, let us see the various steps to solve the superposition
theorem:

Fig.4

[https://images.app.goo.gl/bc7sMnu332y6wBu37]

Step 1 – Take only one independent source of voltage or current and deactivate the other
sources.

Step 2 – In the circuit diagram B shown above, consider the source E1 and replace the other
source

E2 by its internal resistance. If its internal resistance is not given, then it is taken as zero and

the source is short-circuited.

Step 3 – If there is a voltage source than short circuit it and if there is a current source then
just open
circuits it.

Step 4 – Thus, by activating one source and deactivating the other source find the current in
each

branch of the network. Taking the above example find the current I1’, I2’and I3’.

Step 5 – Now consider the other source E2 and replace the source E1 by its internal resistance
r1 as

shown in the circuit diagram C.

Step 6 – Determine the current in various sections, I1’’, I2’’ and I3’’.

Step 7 – Now to determine the net branch current utilizing the superposition theorem, add the

currents obtained from each individual source for each branch.

Step 8 – If the current obtained by each branch is in the same direction then add them and if it
is in

the opposite direction, subtract them to obtain the net current in each branch.

The actual flow of current in the circuit C will be given by the equations shown below:

1.6PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF SUPERPOSITION THEOREM

Question: By means of superposition theorem, calculate the currents in the

network
Shown:
Step 1. Considering 10 V battery
Step 2. Considering 20 V battery
 Step 3. Results

I1 I1b I1c
3.57 6.42
2.85A
I 2 I2c I2b
6.78 3.21
3.57A
I3 I3b I3c
0.36 0.36
0.72A

1.11PRACTICE QUESTIONS

QUESTION 1:
Find the total contribution by adding algebraically all the contributions
due to the independent sources. Use the superposition theorem to find v
in the circuit.

QUESTION 2:

[https://images.app.goo.gl/5esGyhDW98YzwpDP1]
REFERENCES

[1]Basic of Electrical Engineering, T. K. Nagsarkar and M. S.Sukhija,2013 ,2nd

Books edition

[2]Theory and problems of BasicElectrical Engineering, J. Nagrath and

Kothari, 2012, 2nd
edition
[3] A Textbook of Electrical Technology, B.L Theraja,2010,Vol 1
 [4] Fundamentals of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Smarjith
Ghosh,2013,1st

edition

e-Books [1]https://www.google.co.in/search?tbo=p&tbm=bks&q=inauthor:%22A.V.Bak
shi+U.A.Bakshi%22
[2]https://www.pdfdrive.com/a-textbook-of-electrical-technology-volume-i-
basic-electrical-engineering-e31735088.html

Websites [1] https://electronicspani.com/application-of-network-theorem-in-ac-circuit

[2] nptel.ac.in/downloads/108105053/
[3] www.slideshare.net/abhinaypotlabathini/magnetic-circuits-
39152042
[4]www.powershow.com/.../
Chapter_15_Magnetic_Circuits_and_Transformers_powerp

Videos [1] https://youtu.be/S0GsrzjVkd4

[2] https://youtu.be/93z7hfmWx6E

Books
[1]Basic of Electrical Engineering, T. K. Nagsarkar and M. S.Sukhija,2013 ,2nd
edition
[2]Theory and problems of Basic Electrical Engineering, J. Nagrath and Kothari,
2012, 2ndedition
[3] A Textbook of Electrical Technology, B.L Theraja,2010,Vol 1
[4] Fundamentals of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Smarjith
Ghosh,2013,1stedition
e-Books
[1]https://www.google.co.in/search?tbo=p&tbm=bks&q=inauthor:
%22A.V.Bakshi+U.A.Bakshi%22
[2] https://www.pdfdrive.com/a-textbook-of-electrical-technology-volume-i-basic-
electrical-engineering-e31735088.html
Websites
[1] https://electronicspani.com/application-of-network-theorem-in-ac-circuit
[2] nptel.ac.in/downloads/108105053/
[3] www.slideshare.net/abhinaypotlabathini/magnetic-circuits-39152042
[4]www.powershow.com/.../
Chapter_15_Magnetic_Circuits_and_Transformers_powerp
Videos
[1] https://youtu.be/S0GsrzjVkd4
[2] https://youtu.be/93z7hfmWx6E

Self Study Topics

Steps required to apply the super position theorem in circuit consisting
of dependent and independent voltage and current sources.

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