KIRCHHOFF’S

LAWS
KIRCHHOFF’S VOLTAGE LAW (KVL)
KIRCHHOFF’S CURRENT LAW (KCL)
METHOD OF BRANCH CURRENTS
NODE-VOLTAGE ANALYSIS
METHOD OF MESH CURRENTS

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KIRCHHOFF’S VOLTAGE LAW
(KVL)
• Loop Equations
• A loop is a closed path.
• This approach uses the algebraic equations for the voltage around the
loops of a circuit to determine the branch currents.
• Use the IR drops and KVL to write the loop equations.
• A loop equation specifies the voltages around the loop.
KIRCHHOFF’S VOLTAGE LAW
(KVL)
• Loop Equations
• ΣV = VT means the sum of the IR voltage drops must equal the
applied voltage. This is another way of stating Kirchhoff’s Voltage
Law.
 KIRCHHOFF’S VOLTAGE LAW
(KVL)
In Figure 9-2, for the inside loop with the source VT,
going
counterclockwise from point B,

90V + 120V + 30V = 240V

If 240V were on the left side of the equation, this

term would have a negative sign.

The loop equations show that KVL is a practical

statement that the sum of the voltage drops must Fig. 9-2: Series-parallel circuit illustrating Kirchhoff’s
laws.
equal the applied voltage.
KIRCHHOFF’S VOLTAGE LAW (KVL)

• The algebraic sum of the

voltage rises and IR voltage
drops in any closed path must
total zero.

For the loop CEFDC without

source the equation is
−V4 − V5 + V3 = 0
−40V − 80V + 120V = 0 Fig. 9-2: Series-parallel circuit illustrating
Kirchhoff’s laws.
0=0
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KIRCHHOFF’S CURRENT LAW (KCL)

• The sum of currents entering any point in a

circuit is equal to the sum of currents leaving
that point.
• Otherwise, charge would accumulate at the
point, reducing or obstructing the conducting
path.
• Kirchhoff’s Current Law may also be stated as

IIN = IOUT

Fig. 9-1: Current IC out from point P

equals 5A + 3A into P.
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 KIRCHHOFF’S CURRENT LAW (KCL)

The 6-A IT into point C divides into the 2-A I3 and

4-A I4-5

I4-5 is the current through R4 and R5

IT − I3 − I4-5 = 0

6A − 2A − 4A = 0

At either point C or point D, the sum of the 2-A

and the 4-A branch currents must equal the 6A
line current.
Fig. 9-2: Series-parallel circuit illustrating Kirchhoff’s laws.

Therefore, Iin = Iout

Z`
 METHOD OF BRANCH CURRENTS

Fig. 9-5: Application of

Kirchhoff’s laws to a
circuit with two sources
in different branches.

VR1 = I1R1 VR2 = I2R2 V R3 = I 3 R 3 VR3 = (I1+I2)R3

Loop equations:
V1 – I1R1 – (I1+I2) R3 = 0 V2 – I2R2 – (I1+I2) R3 = 0
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 METHOD OF BRANCH CURRENTS

Fig. 9-5

Using the known values of R1, R2 and R3 to specify the IR voltage drops, Also, in loop 2,
2I − 3I2 − 6 (I1 + I2) = 0
VR1 = I1R1 = I1  12 = 12 I1 Multiplying (I1 + I2) by 6 and combining terms and
transposing, the two equations are
VR2 = I2R2 = I2  3 = 3 I2
18I1 − 6I2 = −84
VR3 = (I1  I2) R3 = 6(I1  I2) −6I1 − 9I2 = −21
Substituting these values in the voltage equation for loop 1 Divide the top equation by −6 and the bottom by −3 which
84  12I1  6(I1  I2) = 0 results in simplest and positive terms
3I1 + I2 = 14
2I1 + 3I2 = 7
 METHOD OF BRANCH CURRENTS

Also, in loop 2,
2I − 3I2 − 6 (I1 + I2) = 0
Multiplying (I1 + I2) by 6 and combining terms
and transposing, the two equations are

18I1 − 6I2 = −84

−6I1 − 9I2 = −21

Divide the top equation by −6 and the bottom

by −3 which results in simplest and positive
terms
3I1 + I2 = 14
2I1 + 3I2 = 7
 METHOD OF BRANCH CURRENTS

Solving for currents

Using the method of elimination, multiply the top equation
by 3 to make the I2 terms the same in both equations
9I1 + 3I2 = 42
1I1 + 3I2 = 7
Subtracting
7I1 = 35
I1 = 5A
To determine I2, substitute 5 for I1
2(5) + 3I2 = 7
3I2 = 7 − 10
3I2 = −3
METHOD OF BRANCH CURRENTS

This solution of −1A for I2 shows that the current through R2 produced by
V1 is more than the current produced by V2.
The net result is 1A through R2 from C to E
Calculating the Voltages
VR1 = I1R1 = 5 x 12 = 60V
VR2 = I2R2 = 1 x 3 = 3V
VR3 = I3R3 = 4 x 6 = 24V
Note: VR3 and VR2 have opposing polarities in loop 2.
This results in the
−21V of V2
 METHOD OF BRANCH CURRENTS
Checking the Solution
At point C: 5A = 4A + 1A
At point D: 4A + 1A = 5A

Around the loop with V1

clockwise from B,
84V − 60V − 24V = 0

Around the loop with V2

counterclockwise from F,
21V + 3V − 24V = 0
Fig. 9-6: Solution of circuit 9-5 with all currents and voltages.
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NODE-VOLTAGE ANALYSIS

• A principal node is a point where three or more currents divide or

combine, other than ground.
• The method of node voltage analysis uses algebraic equations for the
node currents to determine each node voltage.
• Use KCL to determine node currents
• Use Ohm’s Law to calculate the voltages.
• The number of current equations required to solve a circuit is one less
than the number of principal nodes.
• One node must be the reference point for specifying the voltage at
any other node.
NODE-VOLTAGE ANALYSIS

• Finding the voltage at a node presents an advantage: A node voltage

must be common to two loops, so that voltage can be used for
calculating all voltages in the loops.
 NODE-VOLTAGE ANALYSIS

Fig. 9-7: Method of node-voltage analysis for the same circuit as in Fig. 9-5.
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NODE-VOLTAGE ANALYSIS

Node Voltage Method

R1 R2
N

I1 I2
V1 I3 R3 V2

At node N: I1 + I2 = I3
or
VR VR VN
1 2 =
+
R1 R2 R3
 NODE-VOLTAGE ANALYSIS

Fig. 9-7

VR1/R1 + VR2/R2= VN/R3

VR1/12 + VR2/3 = VN/6

 NODE-VOLTAGE ANALYSIS

Fig. 9-7
VR1+ VN = 84 or VR1 = 84 − VN
For the loop with V2 of 21V,
VR2 + VN = 21 or VR2 = 21 − VN
Substituting values
I1 + I2 =I3
Using the value of each V in terms of VN
84 − VN/12 + 21 − VN/3 = VN/6
 NODE-VOLTAGE ANALYSIS

Fig. 9-7
This equation has only one unknown, VN. Clearing fractions by multiplying
each term by 12, the equation is
(84 − VN) + 4(21 − VN) = 2VN
84- VN + 84 − 4VN = 2VN
− 7VN = −168
VN = 24V
 NODE-VOLTAGE ANALYSIS

Calculating All Voltages and Currents

Node Equations
• Applies KCL to currents in
and out of a node point.
• Currents are specified as V/R
so the equation of currents
can be solved to find a node
voltage.
Loop Equations
• Applies KVL to the voltages in
a closed path.
• Voltages are specified as IR so
the equation of voltages can be
solved to find a loop current.
METHOD OF MESH CURRENTS

• A mesh is the simplest possible loop.

• Mesh currents flow around each mesh without branching.
• The difference between a mesh current and a branch current is that a
mesh current does not divide at a branch point.
• A mesh current is an assumed current; a branch current is the actual
current.
• IR drops and KVL are used for determining mesh currents.
 METHOD OF MESH CURRENTS
• The number of meshes is the number of mesh currents. This is also the number of equations
required to solve the circuit.

• A clockwise assumption is
standard. Any drop in a mesh
produced by its own mesh current
is considered positive because it is
added in the direction of the
current.
• Mesh A: 18IA − 6IB = 84V
• Mesh B: 6IA + 9IB = −21V

Fig. 9-8: The same circuit as Fig. 9-5 analyzed as two meshes.
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 METHOD OF MESH CURRENTS

• The mesh drops are written collectively here:

Mesh A: 18IA − 6IB = 84

Mesh B: −6IA + 9IB = −21

Fig. 9-8: The same circuit as Fig. 9-5 analyzed as two meshes.
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 METHOD OF MESH CURRENTS

Use either the rules for meshes with mesh currents or the rules for
loops with branch currents, but do not mix the two methods.

To eliminate IB and solve for IA, divide the first equation by 2 and
the second by 3. then
9IA − 3IB = 42
−2IA + 3IB = −7

Add the equations, term by term, to eliminate IB. Then

7IA = 35
IA = 5A
 METHOD OF MESH CURRENTS

Fig. 9-8: The same circuit as Fig. 9-5 analyzed as two meshes.

To calculate IB, substitute 5 for IA in the second equation:

−2(5) + 3IB = −7
3IB = −7 + 10 =3
IB = 1A
The positive solutions mean that the electron flow for both IA and IB is actually
clockwise, as assumed.
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