School of Science, Engineering and Technology (SSET)

EEET2603 – Introduction to Electrical & Electronic Engineering

Lab 3 – DC Circuit
Analysis and Simulation

Students: Nguyen Xuan Huy (s3877913)

Huynh Thai Duong (s3978955)
Bui Sy Quang (s3958668)
Le Minh Duc (s4000577)
Course coordinator: Dr. Bui Xuan Minh
Submission date: 11/5/2023

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Table of Contents
1 Introduction 5
2 DC circuit analysis and simulation 5
2.1 Exercise 1 - branch current method 5
2.1.1. Theoretical analysis 5
2.1.2. Circuit construction, simulation mode configuration, and measurement procedures 1
2.1.3. Simulation result and discussion 1
2.2 Exercise 2 – superposition theorem 1
2.2.1. Theoretical analysis 1
2.2.2. Circuit construction, simulation mode configuration, and measurement procedures 2
2.2.3. Simulation result and discussion 2
2.3 Exercise 3 – Thevenin theorem and RC circuit 2
2.3.1. Theoretical analysis 2
2.3.2. Circuit construction, simulation mode configuration, and measurement procedures 3
2.3.3. Simulation result and discussion 3
2.4 Exercise 4 – Thevenin theorem and RL circuit 3
2.4.1. Theoretical analysis 3
2.4.2. Circuit construction, simulation mode configuration, and measurement procedures 1
2.4.3. Simulation result and discussion 1
2.5 Exercise 5 – Maximum power transfer theorem 2
2.5.1. Theoretical analysis 2
2.5.3. Simulation result and discussion 5
3. Conclusions 5
4. Lab work contribution and reflection 6
4.1. Lab work contribution 6
4.2. Lab Reflection 6

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List of figures
Figure 1. Illustrate the approach to analyzing circuits..........................................................................10
Figure 2. Illustration of the circuit using Multisim.................................................................................1
Figure 4. Illustration and result of exercise 2 using Multisim.................................................................2
Figure 5: the thevenin theorem applied to the exercise 3 circuit.............................................................2
Figure 6. The parameters for the two graphs and set up probe for Current (PR1) and voltage (PR2)...3
Figure 7. The current and voltage change of the capacitor over time (s)................................................3
Figure 8. Define node A and B, and apply Thevenin theorem with calculated R total to the circuit.......3
Figure 9. circuit configurations for the simulation..................................................................................1
Figure 10. Transient settings, Analysis parameters and out put.............................................................1
Figure 11. Inductor’s current and voltage (PR1, PR2) movement over time..........................................1
Figure 12. Exercise 5 circuit....................................................................................................................2
Figure 13. Thevenin equivalent circuit....................................................................................................2
Figure 14. Remove all voltage and current sources of the network.........................................................2
Figure 15. Apply the voltage source Vs, remove current source IS1, IS2....................................................3
Figure 16. Apply the voltage source IS1, remove current source Vs, IS2....................................................3
Figure 17. Apply the voltage source IS2, remove current source Vs, IS1....................................................3
Figure 18. Simplified equivalent network................................................................................................4
Fig 19. Simulate the circuit in Multisim..................................................................................................4
Fig 20. Parameter sweep setting..............................................................................................................4
Fig 21. P1 versus R1 graph........................................................................................................................5

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1 Introduction
The laboratory report focused on critical activities to enhance understanding of electrical circuit
principles and theorems using the branch current method, superposition theorem, Thevenin’s theory
in RC and RL, and maximum power transfer theory. For instance, exercise 2 main objective is to
apply the superposition theory to calculate current by considering isolated sources. Moreover, the
experiment further explored the Thevenin theorem in both RC and RL circuits, enabling the
simplification of complex circuits into equivalent ones for more straightforward analysis.

2 DC circuit analysis and simulation

2.1 Exercise 1 - branch current method
2.1.1. Theoretical analysis
According to the current branch theory, the circuit will be simplified and calculated by removing
the one supply source in the circuit in one scenario and then calculating the result of R1, R2, and R3
in each scenario. Then summing two scenarios based on their current direction.

Calculation step: Vs1 = 10 + Group number = 10 + 9 = 19 (V)

1. Illustration:

Figure 1. Illustrate the approach to analyzing circuits.

2. The circuit without using Vs2:

Calculate total resistance (Rt): Calculate V3:
R1 x R2 300 V3 = I3 x R3 = 0.974 x 12 ≈ 11.64 (V)
Rt = R3 + = 12 + = 12 + 7.5 =
R 1+ R 2 40
Based on in series theorem (fig 1):
19.5 (Ω)
Vs1 = V3 + V12 ⇔ V12 = Vs1 – V3 = 19 - 11.64
Calculate total current (It):
= 7.31 (V)
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It = Vs1 ÷ Rt = ≈ 0.974 (A) V12 = V1 = V2 = 7.31 (V)
19.5
Calculate I2, I1:
Because R3 in series:
I1 = V1 ÷ R1 = 7.31 ÷ 30 ≈ 0.244 (A)
It = I3 = I2 + I1 = 0.974 (A)
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I2 = V2 ÷ R2 = 7.31 ÷ 10 = 0.731 (A)

3. The circuit without using Vs1:

Calculate total resistance (Rt): V13 = V1 = V3 = 9.231 (V)
R1 x R3 360 Calculate I3, I1:
Rt = R2 + + = 10 + + = 10 +
R 1+ R 3 42 I1 = V1 ÷ R1 = 9.231 ÷ 30 ≈ 0.3077 (A)
8.571 ≈ 18.571 (Ω) I3 = V3 ÷ R3 = 9.231 ÷ 12 ≈ 0.7693 (A)
Calculate total current (It):
It = Vs2 / Rt = 20 /18.571 ≈ 1.0769 (A) Based on the current direction in Figure 1:
Because R2 in series (fig 1): I1 = |0.3077 - 0.244| = 0.0637 (A)
It = I2 = I3 + I1 = 1.0769 (A) I2 = 1.0769 + 0.731 = 1.8079 (A)
Calculate V2: I3 = 0.974 + 0.7693 = 1.7433 (A)
V2 = I2 * R2 = 1.0769 * 10 = 10.769 (V) V1 = |9.231 - 7.31| = 1.921 (V)
Based on in series theorem: V2 = 7.31 + 10.769 = 18.079 (V)
Vs2 = V2 + V13 ⇔ V13 = Vs2 – V2 = 20 - 10.769 V3 = 11.64 + 9.231 = 20.871 (V)
= 9.231 (V)

2.1.2. Circuit construction, simulation mode configuration, and measurement procedures

Figure 2. Illustration of the circuit using Multisim

2.1.3. Simulation result and discussion

Compared to theoretical development, the result from the experiment is similar to the theory.
However, the result differs due to the difference in round-up methodology between Multilsim and
theory.
2.2 Exercise 2 – superposition theorem
2.2.1. Theoretical analysis
Calculation step using superposition theorem:

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1. Simulation:

Figure 3. Paper illustration for analyzing the exercise 2 circuit.

2. Calculation:
Is = 1 + group number = 1 + 9 = 10 (A)
Step 1: calculate the result when removing Is to the source:
In this case, R1 is in series with the parallel I1 = V1 ÷ Rt = 200 ÷ 90 ≈ 2.222 (A)
combination of R2 and R3 (Figure 3). Since R2 and R3 are parallel, the voltage
The total resistance of the circuit is: across them will be the same. The voltage
R2 x R3 100 x 100 across R2 and R3 (V2 = V3) can be calculated
R_total = R1 + = 40 +
R 2+ R 3 200 as:
= 40 + 50 = 90 (Ω) V2 = V3 = I1 x R23 = 2.222A x 50 ≈ 111.11 (V)
Calculate I1:

Step 2: Analyze the circuit considering only the current source I:

In this case, the 10A current from I1 will flow Known that Is = 10A and need to find I1' and
into the junction connecting R1, R2, and R3. I2'.
Some current will flow through R1, and the Using the voltage across R1 due to the current
rest will be split between R2 and R3. source I1:
Using Kirchhoff's Current Law (KCL) at the V1' = I1' * R1
junction: Use Ohm's Law to find I2' and I3':
Is = I1' + I2' + I3' I2' = V2' ÷ R2 = V1' ÷ 100
Since the current through R2 and R3 is the I3' = V3' / R3 = V1' / 100Ω
same (they have the same resistance): Substitute I2' and I3' in the KCL equation:
Is = I1' + 2 x I2' 10A = I1' + 2 x (V1' ÷ 100Ω)

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We can solve for V1': V1 = V2 + V3
V1' = 100 * (10A – I1') ÷ 2 From Step 1, the V2 and V3:
Since V1' is equal to the voltage across the V2 = 111.11 (V)
parallel combination of R2 and R3, we have: V3 = 111.11 (V)
V2' = V3' = V1' Thus,
Now, we can use Ohm's Law to find the V1 = 222.22 (V)
currents I_R2' and I_R3': Find I1':
I2' = V2' ÷ R2 = (100 x (10A – I1') ÷ 2) ÷ 100Ω I1' = (V1 – V1') / R1
= (10A – I1') ÷ 2 Substituting V_R1' expression:
I3' = V3' ÷ R3 = (100 x (10A – I1') ÷ 2) ÷ I1' = (222.22 - (100 x (10A – I1') ÷ 2)) ÷ 40
100Ω = (10A – I1') ÷ 2 Solving for I1':
It can see that the currents I2' and I3' are equal I1’ ≈ 5.5556 (A)
and can be expressed as a function of I1'. To Knowing the current direction of the circuit in
find I1', using the fact that the voltage across Figure 3, from step one and step two:
R1 (V1) is equal to the sum of the voltages Current through R1 (I1):
across R2 and R3: 2.222+ 5.5556 = 7.7778 (A)
2.2.2. Circuit construction, simulation mode configuration, and measurement procedures

Figure 4. Illustration and result of exercise 2 using Multisim.

2.2.3. Simulation result and discussion

The result in the experimental and theoretical analysis delivers the same number. Although, there
are still minor differences in the current result because theoretical experiments use different round-
up methods.

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2.3 Exercise 3 – Thevenin theorem and RC circuit
2.3.1. Theoretical analysis
Calculation step:
V1 = Vth = 20 + Group number = 20 + 9 = 29 (V)

Applied Thevenin’s theorem, we can find Rth as follows:

Figure 5: the thevenin theorem applied to the exercise 3 circuit

R1 xR 2 10 x 25 50
Rth = = = (kΩ)
R 1+ R 2 10+25 7

Applying KVL:

v1 - vr - vc=0 1
 vc - 29 = e **(- x t + K)
R th x C
dvc
 29 - Rth x C x – vc =0
dt At t = 0, vc = 0, the constant ek equals:

-29 is a constant, applying the derivative 1

0 – 29 = e**(- x 0 + K) => -29 = eK
formula: R th x C

d (vc −29) Therefore, the voltage of the capacitor vc is

-Rth x C x = vc - 29
dt express as:

d (vc −29) 1 1
 =- x dt vc =29 x (1 – e **(- x t))
vc−29 R th xC R th x C

Take the integration of both side of the 1

with Rth x C =
equation, we have the equation as such: 14

d ( vc−29) −1 Therefore, the voltage of the capacitor is

∫ =∫ x dt express as:
vc −29 R th x C

1 vc = 29 x (1 – e-14 x t) (V)
 ln(vc - 29) = - x t + K (K is a
R th x C
constant)

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After enough time has passed, the capacitor’s Ic =10 x 10-6 x -406 x e-14 x t
voltage will be equal to the source which is 29
(V).  -4.06 x 10-3 x e-14 x t (A)

dvc Meaning after enough time has passed, the

= 29 x (e-14 x t ) x (-14)= -406 x e-14 x t
dt capacitor’s current will reach zero.

dvc
We have ic = C x . Therefore, the current
dt
of the capacitor is expressed as:

2.3.2. Circuit construction, simulation mode configuration, and measurement procedures

Figure 6. The parameters for the two graphs and set up probe for Current (PR1) and voltage (PR2)

2.3.3. Simulation result and discussion

Figure 7. The current and voltage change of the capacitor over time (s)

2.4 Exercise 4 – Thevenin theorem and RL circuit

2.4.1. Theoretical analysis
Calculation Step:

Is = 5 + group number = 5 + 9 =14 (A)

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 Figure 8. Define node A and B, and apply Thevenin theorem with calculated R total to the circuit

Since R1 || R2: 7 3500

Vth = VAB = V2 = I2 x R2 = x 500 = ≈
R1 xR 2 100 x 500 250 3 3
Rth = RAB = R12 = = =
R 1+ R 2 100+500 3 1166.67 (kV)
≈ 83.33 (kΩ) The current and voltage at inductor L1 would
By using the current divider rule: then be:
250 −t −t
Ith = IAB = I2 = Is x (R12 ÷ R2) =14 x ≈ IL1 = Vth ÷ Rth x (1 - e ) = 14 x (1 - e )
3 x 500 r r
732.33 (A) (A)
By using Ohm’s Law: −t 3500 −t
VL1 = Vth x e = xe (kV)
r 3 r

2.4.2. Circuit construction, simulation mode configuration, and measurement procedures

Figure 9. circuit configurations for the simulation

Assuming the current and voltage polarity are at how the probes positioned
Probe 1 (PR1) would measure the voltage at inductor L1
Probe 2 (PR2) would measure the current running through the inductor L1

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 Figure 10. Transient settings, Analysis parameters and out put.

2.4.3. Simulation result and discussion

Figure 11. Inductor’s current and voltage (PR1, PR2) movement over time

The graph shows that the inductor’s current is ascending; after 4 microseconds, it will equal the
source current, which is 14 Amperes. Moreover, it can be seen that the inductor’s voltage is
descending and will become 0 (V) after 9 microseconds. The measured current and voltage of the
inductor coincide with the theoretically calculated values.

2.5 Exercise 5 – Maximum power transfer theorem

2.5.1. Theoretical analysis

Assume the current direction and resistor polarity as figure

Figure 12. Exercise 5 circuit

IS1 = 2 + Group number = 2 + 9 = 11 [ A ]

Select 2 nodes A and B as shown in the figure. The Thevenin equivalent represents the network
between A and B:

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 Figure 13. Thevenin equivalent circuit

Figure 14. Remove all voltage and current sources of the network
1 1 1 1
RTH = RAB ÷ ( + )=1÷( + ) = 100 (Ω)
R4 R 2+ R 3 200 100+100

Use the Superposition theorem to find V : TH

Apply the voltage source V , remove current source I , I :

s S1 S2

Figure 15. Apply the voltage source Vs, remove current source IS1, IS2

Vs 1 00
I4' = = = 0.25 (A)
R 2+ R 3+ R 4 100+100+200
Apply the voltage source I , remove current source V , I :
S1 s S2

Figure 16. Apply the voltage source IS1, remove current source Vs, IS2

1 1 1 1
1÷( + ) 1÷( + )
I4'' = I24 = -IS1 × R 2+ R 4 R 3 = -11 × 300 100 = - 2.75 (A)
R 2+ R 4 300

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Apply the voltage source I , remove current source Vs, IS1:
S2

Figure 17. Apply the voltage source IS2, remove current source Vs, IS1

1 1 1 1
1÷( + ) 1÷( + )
I4''' = -IS2 × R 2+ R 3 R 4 = -1 200 200 = - 0.5 (A)
R4 200
Apply Superposition theorem:
I4 = I4' + I4'' + I4'' '= 0.25 + -2.75 + -0.5 = -3 (A)
VTH = VAB = V4 = I4 × R4 = -3 × 200 =. -600 (V)
Power consumption on R is maximum when R1=Rth
1

Figure 18. Simplified equivalent network.

VTH x VTH −600 x−600

P1MAX = = = 900 (W)
4 RTH 4 x 100

2.5.2. Circuit construction, simulation mode configuration, and measurement procedure

Place components and connect wire as shown in figure, attach the power probe to resistor R1.

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 Fig 19. Simulate the circuit in Multisim

Then, go to Simulate > analyses and Simulation > Parameter sweep. Change the setting of the
Parameter sweep as figure and click RUN

Fig 20. Parameter sweep setting

2.5.3. Simulation result and discussion

Fig 21. P1 versus R1 graph

The power of the resistor R1 reaches the maximum value (P = 900 W) when the R = 100 , the
1 1

result is the same as our theoretical analysis.

3. Conclusions
Each team member has been given an exercise to work on for the report. We calculated the required
values theoretically for each exercise by applying theorems and methods as needed. The key
computed results for each activity are:
a. Exercise 1:
I1 ≈ 0.0637 (A)
I2 ≈ 1.8079 (A)
I3 ≈ 1.7433 (A)
V1 ≈ 1.921 (V)
V2 ≈ 18.079 (V)
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 V3 ≈ 20.871 (V)

b. Exercise 2:
I1 ≈ 7.7778 (A)

c. Exercise 3:
ic ≈ -4.0610-3e-14t (A)
vc ≈ 29(1-e-14t) (V)

d. Exercise 4:
IL1 ≈ 14(1-e -t) (A)
VL1 ≈ 35003e-t (kV)

e. Exercise 5:
RTH= 100 (Ω)
Power consumption on R1 is maximum when R1 = Rth
P1MAX = 900 (W)

We then drew and simulated the circuits of these exercises using Multisim. The needed values
would then be measured using their respective probes; these are then displayed in graphs if
required. Therefore, we compared the simulated results with the theoretical ones and concluded that
they coincide.
4. Lab work contribution and reflection
4.1. Lab work contribution
Member name Work contribution (%) Work contribution in words

Nguyen Xuan Huy <25%> <I have worked with … to handle …and get the results…>

Huynh Thai Duong <25%> <I have worked with … to handle …and get the results…>

Bui Sy Quang <25%> <I have worked with … to handle …and get the results…>

Le Minh Duc <25%> <I have worked with … to handle …and get the results…>

4.2. Lab Reflection

Le Minh Duc - Exercise 4:

While conducting this lab, I have learned the following:

a) How to use a professional circuit simulating and analyzing tool, Multisim.

b) How to analyze and calculate the voltage and current at an inductor using the Thevenin
theorem.
c) Write a formal laboratory report, and type mathematical equations and symbols.

Practicing the above newly learned things would help me become more confident next time.

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Bui Sy Quang - Exercise 5:

Exercise 5, to me, has a difficulty level of 7.5/10, and it took me quite some time to solve it. After
solving this program, I gain experience about:

 How multiple voltage and current sources interact, and how we can combine various
analysis methods and theorems to simplify a complicated network.
 I am using software like Multisim to simulate a virtual electrical network and collect data.

To become familiar with a similar lab next time, I need to:

 Practice and master using multiple circuit analysis methods flexibly and interchangeably so I
do not get confused when facing a complicated network.

Huynh Thai Duong - Exercise 3:

Exercise 3, in my opinion, is an essential exercise that helped me understand the following:

 Using Thevenin’s theorem with capacitors and how the capacitor interacts with the circuit,
particularly the voltage source and the resistor.
 Understanding Multisim and its significance in constructing and simulating a circuit is
essential.

After the experiment, to improve my ability and understanding of simulating and creating circuits, I
will need to:

 Practice more with Multisim by creating circuits.

 Learn more about operating and adjusting the parameter and transient in multisim.
Nguyen Xuan Huy – Exercises 1 & 2:

Through the activities, I became confident about my knowledge in analyzing a circuit thanks to the
inspiring lecturer, which helped me understand the activities' concepts. I have learned the following:

 Using Multisim to analyze the circuit. Improving my proficiency in using the tool.
 Apply branch current method to analyze the circuit and visualize the current direction to
calculate the parameters' voltage and current.
 Enhance my understanding of superposition theory and how to apply it to the circuit.

However, I also need to practice using Multisim, learn how to operate the tool, and be more
productive in class to gain more knowledge and reduce the time when using Multisim for more
complicated tasks.

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