1.7.

2: Superposition
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Overview

For linear circuits with multiple independent sources we can analyze the response of the circuit by
decomposing the input into a number of individual components, determining the circuit’s response to
each component of the input, and then obtain the overall response of the circuit by summing, or
superimposing, the contributions from each input.

The general approach is to analyze a complicated circuit with multiple sources by determining the
responses of a number of simpler circuits – each of which, in general, will contain only a single
source.

Before beginning this chapter, you should be After completing this chapter, you should be
able to: able to:

• Represent systems in block diagram • State conditions under which superposition

form (Chapter 1.7.0) can be applied to circuit analysis
• Determine whether a system is linear • Analyze electrical circuits using the principle
(Chapter 1.7.1) of superposition
• Analyze circuits using KVL and KCL
(Chapter 1.4)
• Analyze circuits using circuit reduction
techniques (Chapter 1.5)

This chapter requires:

• N/A

The additive property of linear systems states that:

If the response of a system to an input x1(t) is y1(t) and the response of the system to an input x2(t)
is y2(t), then the response of the system to an input x1(t)+ x2(t) is y1(t)+2(t).

This property is illustrated graphically by the block diagram of Figure 1.

Figure 1. Additive property of linear systems.

This property can be applied to circuit analysis by noting that each input signal corresponds to an
independent source in the circuit. Thus, if the circuit’s overall response to a source x1(t) is y1(t) and

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1.7.2: Superposition

the circuit’s response to a source x2(t) is y2(t), then the total circuit response will be the sum of the two
individual responses, y1(t) + y2(t). Likewise, if we wish to determine the response of the circuit to both
sources, x1(t) and x2(t), we can determine the individual responses of the circuit, y1(t) and y2(t) and
then sum (or superimpose) the responses to obtain the circuit’s overall response to both inputs. This
analysis method is called superposition.

In order to determine a circuit’s response to a single source, all other independent sources must be
turned off (or, in more colorful terminology, killed, or made dead). To turn off a current source, we
must make the input current zero, which corresponds to an open circuit. To turn off a voltage source,
we must make the input voltage zero, which corresponds to a short circuit.

Killing Sources:
• To kill a voltage source, replace it with a short circuit
• To kill a current source, replace it with an open circuit.

To apply the superposition method, then, the circuit’s response to each source in the circuit is
determined, with all other sources in the circuit dead. The individual responses are then algebraically
summed to determine the total response to all inputs. To illustrate the method, we consider the
examples below.

Example 1: Determine the voltage V in the circuit below, using superposition.

The circuit above can be consider to be the superposition of the two circuits shown below, each
with a single source (the other source, in both cases, has been killed).

The voltage V1 above can be determined to be the result of a current division:

 1Ω 
V1 =  ⋅ 3 A × 2Ω = 2V . V2 can be determined to be the result of a voltage division:
1Ω + 2Ω 
2Ω
V1 = 12V ⋅ = 8V . Thus, the voltage V = V1 + V2 = 10V .
2Ω + 1Ω

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1.7.2: Superposition

Example 2: Determine the voltage V in the circuit below, using superposition.

We begin by determining the response V1 to the 6V source by killing the 2A source, as shown in
the figure below.

1
The voltage V1 is simply the result of a voltage division: V1 = ⋅ 6V = 2V . The response V2 to the
3
2A source can be determined by killing the 6V source, resulting in the circuit below:

Killing the 6V source places a short circuit in parallel with the 2A source, so no voltage is induced
in any of the resistors by the 2A source. Thus, V2 = 0V.

The voltage V is the sum of the two individual voltages: V = V1 + V2 = 2V + 0V = 2V.

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1.7.2: Superposition

Notes on Superposition:

1. Superposition cannot be used directly to determine power. Previously, we noted that power is
not governed by a linear relationship. Thus, you cannot determine the power dissipated by a
resistor by determining the power dissipation due to each source and then summing the
results. You can, however, use superposition to determine the total voltage or current for the
resistor and then calculate the power from the voltage and/or current.
2. When using superposition to analyze circuits with dependent sources, do not kill the
dependent sources. You must include the effects of the dependent sources in response to
each independent source.
3. Superposition is a powerful circuit analysis tool, but its application can result in additional work.
Before applying superposition, examine the circuit carefully to ensure that an alternate analysis
approach is not more efficient. Circuits with dependent sources, in particular, tend to be
difficult to analyze using superposition.

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