ECE 1311: Electric Circuits

Chapter 3: Method of Analysis

Analysis Method Overview
Solving linear equations
Nodal Analysis
Supernodes (Nodal analysis with voltage supply)
Mesh Analysis
Supermeshes (Mesh analysis with current source)
Recap

What is vo in each case?

What effect does the resistor has on the current
flowing in the circuit?
Recap

What is io in each case?

What effect does the resistor has on the voltage seen
by the circuit?
Networks terminology
Planar circuit: a circuit that can be drawn on a plane
with no crossing branches
Node: point of two or more elements are joined
Essential node: point of three or more elements are
joined
Branches: path that connects two nodes
Loop: Path with last node same as starting node that
does not cross itself
Mesh: Loop that does not enclose any other loops
Nodal Analysis: Introduction
Another easier way to solve for currents and voltages
 easier, more methodical
Based on KCL
Usually use to solve for voltages
All voltages have a common reference point
Nodal Analysis: Review of steps
 Nodal analysis example

Apply KCL to each nonreference node in the circuit.

The key idea to bear in mind is that, since

resistance is a passive element, by the
passive sign convention, current must
always flow from a higher potential to a
lower potential.
 Current flows from a higher potential to a lower
potential in a resistor.

 
Applying KCL at node 1

 
Applying KCL at node 2

where
Practice 3.2

+ +
V1 V2
- -

Answer: v1 = 9.09V; v2 = 10.91V

Nodal Analysis: Use of laws
All three laws applied
KCL applied at each n-1 non-reference node
Ohm’s law to express the branch current in terms of node
voltages
KVL when determining the voltage drop across the
resistor
 Practice 3.3
Solve for V1, V2 and V3:

answer v1= 4.8V, v2 = 2.4V, v3 = -2.4V

Practice 3.4
Problem 12