Superposition Theorem

Lecture delivered by:

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Faculty of Engineering & Technology ©M. S. Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences
 Superposition Theorem

• The superposition principle states that the voltage across

(or current through) an element in a linear circuit is the

algebraic sum of the voltages across (or currents through)

that element due to each independent source acting

alone.

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Faculty of Engineering & Technology ©M. S. Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences
 Steps to apply superposition principle
1. Turn off all independent sources except one source.
Find the output (voltage or current) due to that active
source using nodal or mesh analysis.
• Turn off voltages sources = short voltage sources
make it equal to zero voltage
• Turn off current sources = open current sources
make it equal to zero current
2. Repeat step 1 for each of the other independent
sources.
3. Find the total contribution by adding algebraically all
the contributions due to the independent sources.
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Faculty of Engineering & Technology ©M. S. Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences
 Turning sources off

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Faculty of Engineering & Technology ©M. S. Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences
 Superposition Theorem
Example: Find the current flow through each resistor for the network in
figure

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Faculty of Engineering & Technology ©M. S. Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences
 Superposition Theorem
Solution:
Step 1: V1 active, V2 inactive

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Faculty of Engineering & Technology ©M. S. Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences
 Superposition Theorem
Step 2: V1 inactive, V2 active

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Faculty of Engineering & Technology ©M. S. Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences
 Superposition Theorem

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Faculty of Engineering & Technology ©M. S. Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences
 Superposition Theorem
Example: Use the superposition theorem to find V0 in the circuit
shown below.

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Faculty of Engineering & Technology ©M. S. Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences
 Superposition Theorem

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Faculty of Engineering & Technology ©M. S. Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences
 Superposition Theorem

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Faculty of Engineering & Technology ©M. S. Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences
 Superposition Theorem

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Faculty of Engineering & Technology ©M. S. Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences