CHAP 4: CIRCUIT ANALYSIS METHODS AND THEOREMS

I- LAWS AND THEOREMS

1- KIRCHOFF´S LAWS
1-1- KIRCHOFF´S CURRENT LAW
The algebraic sum of currents at any node or junction in a network is zero.
I4 I3

I5 I2
I1
Currents flowing towards the junction are assigned positive signs and those flowing
away from the junction at negative signs, then: 𝐼2 + 𝐼1 − 𝐼3 − 𝐼4 − 𝐼5 = 0
𝐼2 + 𝐼1 = 𝐼3 + 𝐼4 + 𝐼5

1-2- KIRCHOFF´S VOLTAGE LAW

It states that in any closed loop of network having active and passive elements, the
algebraic sum of the potential drops of passive and active elements around the loop or mesh is zero.
We have: 𝐸1 − 𝑉𝑅1 − 𝑉𝑅2 − 𝐸2 = 0
R1 R2

+
E1 1 E2

2- VOLTAGE DIVIDER RULE

Consider n resistors thgat are connected in series. The voltage 𝑉𝑖 across any resistor 𝑅𝑖 is:
Ri
Vi = VS R1 R2 Rn
R1 + R2 + ... + Rn

Where 𝑉𝑠 is the total applied voltage. Vs

3- CURRENT DIVIDER RULE

Consider n resistors that are connected in parallel. The current 𝐼𝑖 through any resistor 𝑅𝑖 is
I
1 1 I1 I2 I3
Ri 11 11 11
Ii = I R1 R2 Rn
1 1 1
+ + ... +
R1 R2 Rn

Where I is the total current, I = 𝐼1 + 𝐼2 + ⋯ + 𝐼𝑛

4- THEVENIN´S THEOREM
It states that any two terminal linear network containing energy sources (Voltage or current)
and impedances or resistances can be replaced with an equivalent circuit consisting of a voltage
source (𝑉𝑇𝐻 ) and series resistance or impedance (𝑅𝑇𝐻 𝑜𝑟 𝑍𝑇𝐻 ) connected to load.
• Determination of 𝑅𝑇𝐻
It is found by removing all power sources in the original circuit (voltage
sources shorted and current sources open) and then calculate total resistance between the open connection
points.
 • Determination of 𝑉𝑇𝐻
This is done by removing the load resistor from the original circuit and
calculating the voltage across the open connection point where the load used to be.

5- NORTON´S THEOREM
It states that any two terminal linear networks containing energy sources and resistances or
impedances can be replaced by an equivalent circuit having a current source (𝐼𝑁 ) an parallel resistance or
impedance connected to load.
𝑅𝑁
We have 𝐼 = 𝑅 +𝑅 𝐼𝑁
𝑁 𝐿

• Determination of 𝑅𝑁
It is determine as 𝑅𝑇𝐻
• Determination of 𝐼𝑁
This is done by removing the load resistor from the original circuit and starting
the open terminal. This short circuit current is 𝐼𝑁

6- SUPERPOSITION THEOREM
This theorem states that in a linear network, containing more than one independent energy
source, then the complete response (Voltage or current) in any branch of network is equal the
sum of the response due to each independent source acting one at a time with all other ideal
independent sources made inactive (Short the voltage source and open current source).
• Steps to follow
- Take any one independent source in the circuit.
- Make all other independent source inactive (Note: Dependent sources will
not be disturbed)
- Determine the magnitude and direction of response (Voltage or current) in
the desired branch by a single source selected
- Now take another independent source and calculate the response in a
desired branch using the previous steps
- Add all the components of response in the desired branch. Algebraic
addition is to be done for DC circuits and phasor addition for AC circuits

7- MILLMAN´s THEOREM
It is a method for reducing a circuit by combining parallel voltage sources into a single
voltage source. It is just a special case of the application of THEVENIN´s THEOREM. Let´s consider the
following.
A
A

R1 R2 RM

V1 V2 VM

B
B
𝐺1 𝑉1 +𝐺2 𝑉2 +⋯+𝐺𝑛 𝑉𝑛 1
𝑉𝑀 = , 𝑅𝑀 = . Where n is the number of parallel voltage sources.
𝐺1 +𝐺2 +⋯+𝐺𝑛 𝐺1 +𝐺2 +⋯+𝐺𝑛
 8- MAXIMUM POWER TRANSFER THEOREM FOR AC NETWORK
In many practical situations, a circuit is designed to provide power to a load. While for
electric utilities, minimizing power losses in the process of transmission and distribution is critical for
efficiency and economic reasons, We now address the problem of delivering the maximum power to a load.
We will consider the following:
Let´s call
𝑅𝐿 : Load resistance
𝑋𝐿 : Load reactance
𝑍𝐿 : Load impedance
𝑅𝑃 : Active network resistance
𝑋𝑃 : Active network reactance
𝑍𝑃 : Active network impedance
Illustration
A

Zp
I A
Linear network
having energy
source Load
Vp
B

- When load is purely resistive and adjustable, maximum power transfer is

achieved when 𝑅𝐿 = |𝑍𝑃 | = √𝑅𝑃 2 + 𝑋𝑃 2
- When both load and source impedances are purely resistive (𝑋𝐿 = 𝑋𝑃 =
0), maximum power transfer is achieved when 𝑅𝐿 = 𝑅𝑃 .
- When 𝑅𝐿 and 𝑋𝐿 are both independly adjustable, maximum power transfer
is achieved when 𝑋𝐿 = −𝑋𝑃 and 𝑅𝐿 = 𝑅𝑃 .
- When 𝑋𝐿 is fixed and 𝑅𝐿 adjustable, maximum power transfer is achieved

when 𝑅𝐿 = √[𝑅𝑃 2 + (𝑋𝐿 + 𝑋𝑃 )2 ]

Note: Practical application of maximum power transfer includes stereo amplifier design (Seeking to
maximum power delivered to speakers) or electric vehicle design (Seeking to maximum power delivered to
drive motor).
II- NODAL ANALYSIS
Nodal analysis provides a general procedure for analyzing circuits using node voltages as the circuit
variables.
Steps to Determine Node Voltages:
• Select a node as the reference node. Assign voltages to the remaining nodes. The voltages are
referenced with respect to the reference node.
• Apply KCL to each of the nonreference nodes. Use Ohm’s law to express the branch currents
in terms of node voltages.
• Solve the resulting simultaneous equations to obtain the unknown node voltages.
Example
 III- MESH ANALYSIS
Mesh analysis provides another general procedure for analyzing circuits, using mesh currents as the
circuit variables. Nodal analysis applies KCL to find unknown voltages in a given circuit, while mesh
analysis applies KVL to find unknown currents.
Steps to Determine Mesh Currents:
• Assign mesh currents to the n meshes.
• Apply KVL to each of the n meshes. Use Ohm’s law to express the voltages in terms of the
mesh currents.
• Solve the resulting n simultaneous equations to get the mesh currents.
Example: