DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY – DASMARINAS

Dasmarinas, Cavite
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, ARCHITECTURE, AND TECHNOLOGY

ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

Name : Noah Sibulo Date Started : __________

Course-Year &Section : ECE22 Date Completed: __________
No. of Hours Required : ____2.5___ Date Due : __________
Rating : __________

Experiment 8

MAXWELL'S LOOP CURRENT (MESH) ANALYSIS

OBJECTIVES:

 To simplify the solution of complex networks by using a system of loop or mesh currents instead
of branch currents as in the Kirchhoff's laws procedure.
 To determine the relationship of the Maxwell's loop method to the Kirchhoff's voltage law.

BASIC CONCEPTS:

So far, in the applications of Kirchhoff's laws to electric networks, the current in each
individual element of the network is the unit on which the equations are based. Maxwell, however,
originated a method in which the current circulating in each mesh of the network is the unit on
which the equations are based. Thus, any network may be divided into meshes, and a separate
current is assumed to circulate in each mesh. The current circulating about the mesh then
become one of the units on which the solutions are based. Although, so far as the correct solution
is concerned, the direction of the mesh current can be taken either as clockwise or as
counter clockwise, the method of solution becomes far more systematic if the directions of all
currents are assumed to be the same. Because clockwise rotation seems to be the natural
direction, it is the one which is usually selected, although counter clockwise rotation serve equally
well (Dawes, 1975: 80). The scheme, as will be shown, offers the advantage that fewer equations
need to be written to solve a given problem.
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 Refer to this figure, note that two batteries are connected in a five five-resistor network in
which there are three loop currents labeled I 1, I2, and I3. The loop currents are directed clockwise,
a convention that is generally adopted for convenience. Further, the actual currents in Ra and Rb
be respectively, (I1 - I2,) and (I2 - I3). The following Kirchoff voltage-law equations may now be
written for three loops (Siskind, 1980: 82-83).

Mesh 1: EA-I1(R1+RA)+I2RA = 0
I1(R1+RA)- I2RA = EA (eqn.1)
Mesh 2: -I2(RA+R2+RB) + I1RA + I3RB = 0
-I1RA+I2(RA+R2+RB) - I3RB = 0 (eqn.2)
Mesh 3: -I3(RB+R3) + I2RB -EB = 0
-I2RB+ I3(RB+R3) = EB (eqn.3)

Solve simultaneously the equations 1, 2, and 3 to get I1, I2, and I3.

INSTRUMENT AND MATERIALS NEEDED:

 fixed DC source
 ammeters
 voltmeter
 known resistors
 DPST switch
 connecting wires

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PROCEDURE:

1. Connect the Apparatus shown In Fig.8. Leave the switches off until your instructor has checked
the connections..
2. Turn on the switches. Record the ammeter readings. Indicate the actual direction of the flow of
the current by the ammeter In tie given diagram.
3. Then, solve the given circuit using Maxwell's Loop (Mesh) Current Method.
4. To get I4 and I5, use formula:
1. I4 = I1 - I3
2. I5 = I3 - I2
Assuring I1 and I3 enter the junction, and I2, I3, I4 and I5 leaving the junctions.
5. Compare the observed values as well as the directions of the theoretical values.
6. Make two trials.

Questions and Problems:

1. Find the ammeter current of the circuit given below by using loop analysis.

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 2. Using mesh analysis, the voltage across the 10kW resistor at terminals a-b of the circuit below.

For left loop:

18 10
− + =− 50 −−− −(1)
1 3
For top loop:
10 2 6
− − + =0 −− −−(2)
1 2 3
For right loop:
10 4 19
+ − =− 25− −− −(3)
1 2 3
Simultaneous Equations:
I 2=2.65 A , I 2=−13.94 A , I 3=− 0.22 A
Voltage in 10-ohm resistor:
VAB=10(I 2 − I 3)
VAB=10(2.65 — 0.22)¿=28.7 V

SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM:

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 Fig. 8 Maxwell's Loop Current Method

Table 8
Trial VT1 VT2 A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 R1 R2 R3 R4 R5
s

1 Measured 20 10 1.264 218.391m 344.828m 919.54m 563.218m 10 20 5 8 10

Values A A A A A

Compute 20 10 1.264 218.391m 344.828m 919.54m 563.218m 10 20 5 8 10

d Values A A A A A

% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0 0 0 0 0
Differenc % % % % %
e

2 Measured 30 20 2.965 2.057A 70.922mA 3.035A 1.986A 5 2 10 5 8

Values V V A

Compute 30 20 2.965 2,057A 70.922mA 3.035A 1.986A 5 2 10 5 8

d Values V V A

% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0 0 0 0 0
Differenc % % % % %
e

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COMPUTATIONS:

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OBSERVATIONS/RESULTS:

- KIRCHHOFF'S VOLTAGE RULE APPLIED TO INTERCONNECTED LOOPS IN MAXWELL'S LOOP

CURRENT (MESH) ANALYSIS EXPERIMENT OFFERED A CLEAR AND PRACTICAL WAY TO
COMPREHEND INTRICATE CIRCUIT BEHAVIORS.

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CONCLUSION:

- TO SUM UP, MAXWELL'S LOOP CURRENT (MESH) ANALYSIS DEMONSTRATED ITSELF TO BE A

POTENT AND EFFECTIVE METHOD FOR RESOLVING COMPLEX CIRCUIT COMPLEXITY,
PROVIDING INSIGHTFUL INFORMATION FOR CIRCUIT ANALYSIS.

RECOMMENDATION:

- FOR OPTIMAL RESULTS IN MAXWELL'S LOOP CURRENT (MESH) ANALYSIS EXPERIMENTS, IT

IS RECOMMENDED TO CAREFULLY DOCUMENT AND LABEL CIRCUIT ELEMENTS, ENSURING
CLARITY IN LOOP IDENTIFICATION AND SIMPLIFYING THE APPLICATION OF THIS POWERFUL
METHOD FOR CIRCUIT ANALYSIS.

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