MAXWELL’S MESH CURRENT

AND NODAL ANALYSIS

Why it is important to understand: Mesh-current and nodal analysis
When circuits become large and complicated, it is useful to have various
methods for simplifying and analysing the circuit. There is no perfect
formula for solving a circuit; depending on the type of circuit, there are
different methods that can be employed to solve the circuit. Some methods
might not work, and some methods may be very difficult in terms of long
mathematical problems. Two of the most important methods for solving
circuits are mesh current analysis and nodal analysis.
Mesh analysis is the application of Kirchhoff’s voltage law to solve for
mesh currents, whereas nodal analysis is the application of Kirchhoff’s
current law to solve for the voltages at each node in a network. Mesh
analysis is often easier as it requires fewer unknowns. This chapter
demonstrates how to solve d.c. and a.c. networks using mesh and nodal
analysis.
 The solution of complex network are frequently be
simplified by using a system of loop or mesh current
instead of branch currents of the frequently (Kirchhoff’s
Law) procedure.

First proposed by James Clerk Maxwell, the method

involved a set of independent loop current assigned to
as many meshes, as exist in the circuit and those
current assigned are employed in the connection of
appropriate resistance when the KVL equation are
written the arbitrary assumed loop current may or may
James Clerk Maxwell not exist in the various resistors but when determined
will readily yield the desired by simply algebraic
conditions.
MESH-CURRENT ANALYSIS
Mesh-current analysis is merely an extension of the use of
Kirchhoff’s laws. The Figure shows a network whose circulating currents
I1, I2 and I3 have been assigned to closed loops in the circuit rather than
to branches. Currents I1, I2 and I3 are called mesh-currents or
loop-currents.
Steps to be followed in Mesh Analysis
1. Identify the mesh, assign a direction to it and assign an unknown
current in each mesh.
2. Assign the polarities for voltage across the branches.
3. Apply KVL around the mesh and use Ohm’s law to express the branch
voltages in terms of unknown mesh currents and the resistance.
4. Solve the simultaneous equations for unknown mesh currents.
SUPERMESH ANALYSIS
Meshes that share a current source with other meshes, none of which
contains a current source in the outer loop, form a supermesh. A path around
a supermesh doesn’t pass through a current source. A path around each
mesh contained within a supermesh passes through a current source. The
total number of equations required for a supermesh is equal to the number
of meshes contained in the supermesh. A supermesh requires one mesh
current equation, that is, a KVL equation. The remaining mesh current
equations are KCL equations.
MESH-CURRENT ANALYSIS
DC REFRESHER

Use mesh-current analysis to determine the current flowing in

(a) the 5 resistance and
(b) the 1 resistance of the d.c. circuit shown in Figure.

Answers:
I5Ω = 0.44 A
I1Ω = 0.69 A
MESH-CURRENT ANALYSIS
SUPERMESH REFRESHER

Calculate the value of current flowing through the 15Ω load resistor in
the given circuit.

Answer:
I15Ω = 0.56 A
MESH-CURRENT ANALYSIS
AC - SAMPLE PROBLEM

For the AC network shown in the Figure determine, using

mesh-current analysis:
(a) the mesh currents I1 and I2,
(b) the current f lowing in the capacitor and
(c) the active power delivered by the 100∠0◦V voltage source.

Answers:
a. I1 = 10.8∠−19.2◦A
I2 = 10.5∠−56.7◦A
b. I in capacitor = 13.1 A
c. P = 1016.9 W=1020 W
MESH-CURRENT ANALYSIS
AC - SAMPLE PROBLEM

For the network shown below, determine the current flowing

in the (4 + j3)Ω impedance.

Answer: I(4+j3) Ω = 0 A
MESH-CURRENT ANALYSIS
EXERCISE

Use mesh-circuit analysis to determine the value of currents IA to IE in

the circuit shown in the Figure.

Answers:
IA = I3 = 2.40 < 52.52◦ A
IB = I3 – I2 = 1.02 < 46.19◦ A
IC = I2 = 1.39 < 57.17◦ A
ID = I2 – I1 = 0.67 < 15.57◦ A
IE = I1 = 0.996 < 83.74◦ A
 NODAL
ANALYSIS
NODAL
ANALYSIS
Nodal analysis is based on Kirchhoff’s current law which states
that the algebraic sum of currents meeting at a point is zero. Every
junction where two or more branches meet is regarded as a node. .
If three or more branches join at a node, then that node is called a
principal node or junction. One of the nodes in the network is taken
as reference node or datum node. If there are n nodes in any
network, the number of simultaneous equations to be solved will
be (n – 1).
Steps to be followed in Nodal Analysis

1. Assuming that a network has n nodes, assign a reference node and the
reference directions, and assign a current and a voltage name for each branch
and node respectively.

2. Apply KCL at each node except for the reference node and apply Ohm’s law to
the branch currents.

3. Solve the simultaneous equations for the unknown node voltages.

4. Using these voltages, find any branch currents required

NODAL
DC REFRESHER
ANALYSIS

Calculate the current through 2-ohm resistor for the network shown
in the Figure.

Answer: I2-ohm= 6A
NODAL
AC - SAMPLE PROBLEM
ANALYSIS

For the network shown in the Figure, determine the voltage VAB, by using nodal
analysis.

Answer: VAB= 63.2919∠−8.5308◦ V

NODAL
AC - SAMPLE PROBLEM
ANALYSIS
Use nodal analysis to determine the current flowing in each branch
of the network shown in the Figure.

Answers:
I25-ohm= 3.3287 ∠ 161.5651◦ A
I20-ohm= 1.6850 ∠ 51.3402◦ A
I10-ohm= 3.1688 ∠ -48.3665◦ A