Direct Current Circuits

Chapter-3: Methods of Circuit Analysis (Nodal and Mesh Analysis Method)

Md Mohi Uddin Khan

Lecturer, Dept. of EEE
Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology
Website: https://sites.google.com/view/mohi-uddin-khan

Reference Book: Fundamentals of Electric Circuits - 5th edition by Charles K. Alexander and Matthew n. o. Sadiku

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Introduction:
• Having understood the fundamental laws of circuit theory (Ohm’s law and Kirchhoff’s laws), we are now
prepared to apply these laws to develop two powerful techniques for circuit analysis:
 Nodal analysis – which is based on a systematic application of Kirchhoff’s current law (KCL), and
 Mesh analysis – which is based on a systematic application of Kirchhoff’s voltage law (KVL).
• The two techniques are so important that this chapter should be regarded as the most important in the book.
• With the two techniques to be developed in this chapter, we can analyze any linear circuit by obtaining a set
of simultaneous equations that are then solved to obtain the required values of current or voltage.

• Few methods of solving system of linear equations that are taught upto G-12 (H.Sc. or A) level are:
 Substitution Method [https://youtu.be/WJpBGbG9fE8?feature=shared]
 Elimination Method [https://youtu.be/NlpykbGDzF8?feature=shared]
 Cramer’s Rule [https://youtu.be/Nu36qi5rX3c?feature=shared]
• How to calculate determinant? [https://youtu.be/cVZzWNMrDRI?feature=shared]
• Calculate determinant of a 5x5 matrix [https://youtu.be/crCsJy1lKXI?feature=shared]

• Casio fx-991 ES Plus Calculator usage (29:27 – Equation solving, 42:13 – Matrix)
[https://youtu.be/r5jcqqpANUQ?feature=shared]
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Nodal Analysis:
• Primary objective: Calculate all the node voltages of a circuit.
• Tool to achieve the objective: At any non-reference node, we can apply Kirchhoff’s Current Law (KCL).
∑𝑲𝑲
𝒌𝒌=𝟏𝟏 𝒊𝒊𝒌𝒌 = 𝟎𝟎 ; where 𝑖𝑖𝑘𝑘 is current through kth branch connected to a particular node

• Node: Every junction point in a network, where two or more branches meet is called a node.

3 nodes,
5 branches,
6 loops,
3 meshes

• Ground/Datum/Reference Node: One of the nodes of the circuit is assumed as reference node whose
potential (node voltage) is assumed to be zero.
• Therefore, if the circuit has ‘n’ nodes, we apply KCL to ‘n-1’ non-reference nodes except the
reference/datum/ground node, and thus get ‘n-1’ number of linear equations to solve for ‘n-1’ number of
unknown variables (i.e. node-voltages).
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Nodal Analysis: (contd.)
• Super-node: A super-node is formed by enclosing a (dependent or independent) voltage source connected
between two non-reference nodes and any elements connected in parallel with it such that these two nodes
form a generalized single-node.
Why have we chosen
Voltage Source for super-
node? Why not Current
Source?

Because, in nodal analysis,

we apply KCL. Which requires
knowing the current through
each element. There is no
way of knowing the current
through a voltage source in
advance.

• The difference between the node voltages of two non-reference nodes is determined at the super-node as
follows:
𝑣𝑣ℎ𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 + 𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝑉𝑉𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 − 𝑣𝑣𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙 (𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 − 𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝑉𝑉𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 ) = 𝑣𝑣2 − 𝑣𝑣3 = 5 SN-Eqtn 1

• And, KCL at the super-node is applied as follows:

𝑖𝑖1 + 𝑖𝑖4 = 𝑖𝑖2 + 𝑖𝑖3 SN-Eqtn 2

• However, the 10V Vsource is connected between a non-reference node (v1) and ground node (0). So, we
shouldn’t consider that as super-node. Just consider that, 𝑣𝑣1 − 0 = 𝑣𝑣1 = 10 𝑉𝑉
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Nodal Analysis: (contd.)
Steps for the nodal analysis:
 Step-1: Find out all the nodes present in the circuit.
Assign one node as the reference/ground node whose node voltage will be 0.
Assign node voltage names (𝑣𝑣1 , 𝑣𝑣2 , … , 𝑣𝑣𝑛𝑛−1 ) to the remaining non-reference nodes.
 Step-2: Assign branch current names (𝑖𝑖1 , 𝑖𝑖2 , … , 𝑖𝑖𝑘𝑘 ) to each of the branch currents.
Assign the direction of those branch currents maintaining Passive Sign Convention (i.e. current
must always flow from a higher potential node to a lower potential node.
 Step-3: Search for any super-node present in the circuit. If present, obtain the two equations at that
super-node like SN-Eqtn 1 and SN-Eqtn 2 described in the previous slide.
 Step-4: Apply KCL at the remaining non-reference nodes with proper sign convention (i.e. branch
currents entering the node is considered +ve, and those leaving the node is considered -ve).
 Step-5: Represent all the branch currents in the KCL equations in terms of Ohm’s law and then
represent the voltage drops across elements in terms of their corresponding node voltages.
Remember that, according to Passive Sign Convention, current must always flow from a
𝑉𝑉𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑣𝑣ℎ𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 −𝑣𝑣𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙
higher potential node to a lower potential node. So, branch current, 𝑖𝑖𝑘𝑘 = =
𝑅𝑅 𝑅𝑅
 Step-6: Solve the system of linear equations (using substitution, elimination, Cramer’s rule, numerical
methods, computer programming, calculator) obtained in Step-3 and Step-5 in order to get the
value of the non-reference node-voltages. 5
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Nodal Analysis: (contd.)

Mathematical Examples (from reference book, 5th edition):

Example – 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4
Practice Problem – 3.2, 3.4
Additional –

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Mesh Analysis:
• Primary objective: Calculate all the mesh currents of a circuit.
• Tool to achieve the objective: At any mesh, we can apply Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law (KVL).
∑𝑲𝑲
𝒌𝒌=𝟏𝟏 𝒗𝒗𝒌𝒌 = 𝟎𝟎 ; where 𝑣𝑣𝑘𝑘 is voltage drop across or voltage supplied by k element in a particular mesh
th

• Loop: A loop is any closed path in a circuit.

• Mesh: A mesh is a loop which does not contain any other loops within it.
• The current through a mesh is known as mesh-current.

3 nodes,
5 branches,
6 loops,
3 meshes

• If a circuit has ‘n’ nodes, ‘b’ branches, then number of meshes, 𝑚𝑚 = 𝑏𝑏 − 𝑛𝑛 + 1. Therefore, if the circuit has
‘m’ meshes, we apply KVL to those ‘m’ meshes, and thus get ‘m’ number of linear equations to solve for ‘m’
number of unknown variables (i.e. mesh-currents).
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Mesh Analysis: (contd.)
• Mesh analysis is only applicable to a circuit that is planar.
• A planar circuit is one that can be drawn in a 2-dimensional plane with no branches crossing one another;
otherwise it is a nonplanar circuit (multi-dimensional).
• A circuit may have crossing branches and still be planar if it can be redrawn such that it has no crossing
branches (Figure-3.15).
• Nonplanar circuits (Figure-3.16) can be handled
using nodal analysis.

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Mesh Analysis: (contd.)
• Super-mesh: A super-mesh is formed by combining two meshes if they have a common branch that
contains a (dependent or independent) current source and any elements connected in series with it such
that these two meshes form a generalized single-mesh.
a a Why have we chosen
Current Source for super-
mesh? Why not Voltage
Source?

Because, in mesh analysis,

we apply KVL. Which requires
knowing the voltage drop
across or voltage supplied by
each element. There is no
way of knowing the voltage
drop across a current source
in advance.

• The KCL at any one of the two nodes where that common branch meet is determined as follows (let’s apply
KCL at the upper node, a):
SM-Eqtn 1
𝑖𝑖2 = 𝑖𝑖1 + 6
• And, KVL across the super-mesh is applied as follows:
SM-Eqtn 2
−20 + 𝑣𝑣6 + 𝑣𝑣10 + 𝑣𝑣4 = −20 + 6𝑖𝑖1 + 10𝑖𝑖2 + 4𝑖𝑖2 = 0
• However, if a current source exists only in a single mesh, we don’t need to think about super-mesh. Just
consider that, 𝑖𝑖𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 = ±𝐼𝐼𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 [+ve if both current directions are same, -ve otherwise]
9
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Mesh Analysis: (contd.)
Steps for the mesh analysis:
 Step-1: Find out all the meshes present in the circuit.
 Step-2: Assign mesh current names (𝑖𝑖1 , 𝑖𝑖2 , … , 𝑖𝑖𝑚𝑚 ) to each of the meshes.
Assign the direction of those mesh currents maintaining consistency (all clockwise, or, all anti-
clockwise).
 Step-3: Search for any super-mesh present in the circuit. If present, obtain the two equations for that
super-mesh like SM-Eqtn 1 and SM-Eqtn 2 described in the previous slide.
 Step-4: Apply KVL at the remaining meshes considering appropriate polarity of voltage drop [i.e. the terminal of
an element through which mesh current entering is considered as higher potential node (+ve polarity
of voltage drop), and those through which mesh current leaving is considered as lower potential node
(-ve polarity of voltage drop)].
 Step-5: Represent all the voltage drops in the KVL equations applying Ohm’s law in terms of mesh-currents.
If any element is in the common branch between two meshes, then use the resultant current (which is
flowing through that element) while applying the Ohm’s law.
𝑖𝑖𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 = 𝑖𝑖𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚_𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖_𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤_𝐾𝐾𝐾𝐾𝐾𝐾_𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 − 𝑖𝑖𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎_𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚_𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤_𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤_𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡_𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏_𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖_𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐
 Step-6: Solve the system of linear equations (using substitution, elimination, Cramer’s rule, numerical
methods, computer programming, calculator) obtained in Step-3 and Step-5 in order to get the
value of the mesh-currents.
10
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Mesh Analysis: (contd.)

Mathematical Examples (from reference book, 5th edition):

Example – 3.5, 3.6, 3.7
Practice Problem – 3.7
Additional –

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Exercise Problems:

Exercise (from reference book, 5th edition):

3.16
3.19
3.23
3.26
3.38
3.52
3.62
3.64

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If you are offered to choose either method (nodal/mesh analysis):
• If you are asked to solve a circuit, or asked to calculate any parameter (node voltage, mesh current,
branch current, voltage drop across any element) of a circuit,
and
if the question does not mention any specific circuit analysis method, then you are free to choose
any method you wish.

• But, examination has time limits and you have to do calculations without wasting time. So, you
have to find out and select the circuit analysis method which will require minimal number of
equations to be solved for the given circuit in the question.

• Remember:
 Nodal Analysis: If the circuit has ‘n’ nodes, we apply KCL to ‘n-1’ non-reference nodes except the
reference/datum/ground node, and thus get ‘n-1’ number of linear equations to solve for ‘n-1’ number of unknown
variables (i.e. node-voltages).

 Mesh Analysis: If the circuit has ‘m’ meshes, we apply KVL to those ‘m’ meshes, and thus get ‘m’ number of linear
equations to solve for ‘m’ number of unknown variables (i.e. mesh-currents).

 The number of equations may slightly differ in case of the circuits containing super-node or super-mesh.

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If you are offered to choose either method (nodal/mesh analysis): (contd.)
• Self-study: Few circuits are given below. Choose any time-efficient method (nodal/mesh analysis) to solve
the problems.
1. From the following circuits, calculate the voltage drop across and current through (i.e. branch current) each
of the resistors.

(a) (b)

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If you are offered to choose either method (nodal/mesh analysis): (contd.)
• Self-study: Few circuits are given below. Choose any time-efficient method (nodal/mesh analysis) to solve
the problems.
2. From the following circuits, calculate the voltage drop across and current through (i.e. branch current) each
of the resistors.

(a) (b)
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ASSIGNMENT - 1 :

• Solve the problems mentioned in –

‘Practice Problem, Additional’ in ‘ Slide – 6, 11 ’ of Lecture – 3
‘ Slide – 12, 14, 15 ’ of Lecture – 3

• Feel free to write on normal-quality paper (A4 or offset paper is not obligatory), and you
are welcome to write on both sides of each page.

• Submission Deadline: On the day of mid-term exam of this course.

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Want to practice more? [Optional and Not Mandatory]

[The Game is ON]

Mathematical Examples and Exercises:

[ from – Basic Engineering Circuit Analysis 10th ed - J. Irwin, R. Nelms (Wiley, 2011) ]

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 No great work is ever done in a hurry. To develop a great
scientific discovery, to print a great picture, to write an immortal
poem, to become a minister, or a famous general—to do
anything great requires time, patience, and perseverance. These
things are done by degrees, ‘little by little’.

—W. J. Wilmont Buxton

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