Real Analog - Circuits 1

Chapter 3: Nodal and Mesh Analysis

2012 Analog Devices and Digilent, Inc.

1
3. Introduction and Chapter Objectives
In Chapters 1 and 2, we introduced several tools used in circuit analysis:
Ohms law,
Kirchoffs laws, and
circuit reduction
Circuit reduction, it should be noted, is not fundamentally different from direct application of Ohms and
Kirchoffs laws it is simply a convenient re-statement of these laws for specific combinations of circuit
elements.
In Chapter 1, we saw that direct application of Ohms law and Kirchoffs laws to a specific circuit using the
exhaustive method often results in a large number of unknowns even if the circuit is relatively simple. A
correspondingly large number of equations must be solved to determine these unknowns. Circuit reduction
allows us, in some cases, to simplify the circuit to reduce the number of unknowns in the system. Unfortunately,
not all circuits are reducible and even analysis of circuits that are reducible depends upon the engineer noticing
certain resistance combinations and combining them appropriately.
In cases where circuit reduction is not feasible, approaches are still available to reduce the total number of
unknowns in the system. Nodal analysis and mesh analysis are two of these. Nodal and mesh analysis
approaches still rely upon application of Ohms law and Kirchoffs laws we are just applying these laws in a
very specific way in order to simplify the analysis of the circuit. One attractive aspect of nodal and mesh analysis
is that the approaches are relatively rigorous we are assured of identifying a reduced set of variables, if we apply
the analysis rules correctly. Nodal and mesh analysis are also more general than circuit reduction methods
virtually any circuit can be analyzed using nodal or mesh analysis.
Since nodal and mesh analysis approaches are fairly closely related, section 3.1 introduces the basic ideas and
terminology associated with both approaches. Section 3.2 provides details of nodal analysis, and mesh analysis is
presented in section 3.3.

After completing this chapter, you should be able to:

Use nodal analysis techniques to analyze electrical circuits
Use mesh analysis techniques to analyze electrical circuits

Real Analog Circuits 1
Chapter 3.1: Introduction and Terminology


2012 Analog Devices and Digilent, Inc.

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3.1: Introduction and Terminology
As noted in the introduction, both nodal and mesh analysis involve identification of a minimum number of
unknowns, which completely describe the circuit behavior. That is, the unknowns themselves may not directly
provide the parameter of interest, but any voltage or current in the circuit can be determined from these
unknowns. In nodal analysis, the unknowns are the node voltages. In mesh analysis, the unknowns are the mesh
currents. We introduce the concept of these unknowns via an example below.
Consider the circuit shown in Figure 3.1(a). The circuit nodes are labeled in Figure 3.1(a), for later convenience.
The circuit is not readily analyzed by circuit reduction methods. If the exhaustive approach toward applying KCL
and KVL is taken, the circuit has 10 unknowns (the voltages and currents of each of the five resistors), as shown
in Figure 3.1(b). Ten circuit equations must be written to solve for the ten unknowns. Nodal analysis and mesh
analysis provide approaches for defining a reduced number of unknowns and solving for these unknowns. If
desired, any other desired circuit parameters can subsequently be determined from the reduced set of unknowns.
+
-
V
s
R
1
R
3
R
2
R
4 R
5
a
b c
d

+
-
V
s
R
1
R
3
R
2
R
4 R
5
a
b c
d
i
1
i
2
i
4
i
5
i
3
V
3
+ -
V
1
+
-
V
2
+
-
V
4
+
-
V
5
+
-

(a) Circuit schematic (b) Complete set of unknowns
Figure 3.1. Non-reducible circuit.
In nodal analysis, the unknowns will be node voltages. Node voltages, in this context, are the independent
voltages in the circuit. It will be seen later that the circuit of Figure 3.1 contains only two independent voltages
the voltages at nodes b and c
1
. Only two equations need be written and solved to determine these voltages! Any
other circuit parameters can be determined from these two voltages. s

Basic Idea:
In nodal analysis, Kirchoffs current law is written at each independent voltage node; Ohms law is used to
write the currents in terms of the node voltages in the circuit.
In mesh analysis, the unknowns will be mesh currents. Mesh currents are defined only for planar circuits; planar
circuits are circuits which can be drawn in a single plane such that no elements overlap one another. When a
circuit is drawn in a single plane, the circuit will be divided into a number of distinct areas; the boundary of each

1
The voltages at nodes a and d are not independent; the voltage source V
S
constrains the voltage at a relative to
the voltage at d (KVL around the leftmost loop indicates that v
ab
= V
S
).
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Chapter 3.1: Introduction and Terminology


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area is a mesh of the circuit. A mesh current is the current flowing around a mesh of the circuit. The circuit of
Figure 3.1 has three meshes:
1. The mesh bounded by V
S
, node a, and node d
2. the mesh bounded by node a, node c, and node b
3. the mesh bounded by node b, node c, and node d
These three meshes are illustrated schematically in Figure 3.2. Thus, in a mesh analysis of the circuit of Figure
3.1, three equations must be solved in three unknowns (the mesh currents). Any other desired circuit parameters
can be determined from the mesh currents.

Basic Idea:
In mesh analysis, Kirchoffs voltage law is written around each mesh loop; Ohms law is used to write the
voltages in terms of the mesh currents in the circuit. Since KVL is written around closed loops in the circuit,
mesh analysis is sometimes known as loop analysis.

+
-
V
s
R
1
R
3
R
2
R
4
R
5
a
b c
d
Loop
1
Loop
2
Loop
3

Figure 3.2. Meshes for circuit of Figure 3.1.


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Chapter 3.1: Introduction and Terminology


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Section Summary:
In nodal analysis:
a. Unknowns in the analysis are called the node voltages
b. Node voltages are the voltages at the independent nodes in the circuit
c. Two nodes connected by a voltage source are not independent. The voltage source constrains the
voltages at the nodes relative to one another.
In mesh analysis:
a. Unknowns in the analysis are called mesh currents.
b. Mesh currents are defined as flowing through the circuit elements which form the perimeter of the circuit
meshes. A mesh is any enclosed, non-overlapping region in the circuit (when the circuit schematic is
drawn on a piece of paper.

Exercises:
1. The circuit below has three nodes, A, B, and C. Which two nodes are dependent? Why?
+-
3V
2mA
3kO 6kO
V
+
-
A B
C


2. Identify meshes in the circuit below.
3A
2A
+-
2V
8O
3O
4O 4O


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Chapter 3.2: Nodal Analysis


2012 Analog Devices and Digilent, Inc.

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3.2: Nodal Analysis
As noted in section 3.1, in nodal analysis we will define a set of node voltages and use Ohms law to write
Kirchoffs current law in terms of these voltages. The resulting set of equations can be solved to determine the
node voltages; any other circuit parameters (e.g. currents) can be determined from these voltages.
The steps used to in nodal analysis are provided below. The steps are illustrated in terms of the circuit of Figure
3.3.
+
-
V
s
R
1
R
3
R
2
R
4
R
5
a
b c
d

Figure 3.3. Example circuit.

Step 1: Define reference voltage
One node will be arbitrarily be selected as a reference node or datum node. The voltages of all other nodes in the
circuit will be defined to be relative to the voltage of this node. Thus, for convenience, it will be assumed that the
reference node voltage is zero volts. It should be emphasized that this definition is arbitrary since voltages are
actually potential differences, choosing the reference voltage as zero is primarily a convenience.
For our example circuit, we will choose node d as our reference node and define the voltage at this node to be 0V,
as shown in Figure 3.4.

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Chapter 3.2: Nodal Analysis


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Reference node, V
ref
= V
d
= 0V.
+
-
V
s
R
1
R
3
R
2
R
4 R
5
a
b c
d

Figure 3.4. Definition of reference node and reference voltage.
Step 2: Determine independent nodes
We now define the voltages at the independent nodes. These voltages will be the unknowns in our circuit
equations. In order to define independent nodes:
Short-circuit all voltage sources
Open-circuit all current sources
After removal of the sources, the remaining nodes (with the exception of the reference node) are defined as
independent nodes. (The nodes which were removed in this process are dependent nodes. The voltages at these
nodes are sometimes said to be constrained.) Label the voltages at these nodes they are the unknowns for which
we will solve.
For our example circuit of Figure 1, removal of the voltage source (replacing it with a short circuit) results in
nodes remaining only at nodes b and c. This is illustrated in Figure 3.5.
Reference node, V
ref
= V
d
= 0V.
R
1
R
3
R
2
R
4
R
5
a
V
b
V
c
d
Short voltage
souce
Independent
voltages
Single node

Figure 3.5. Independent voltages V
b
and V
c
.
Step 3: Replace sources in the circuit and identify constrained voltages
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Chapter 3.2: Nodal Analysis


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With the independent voltages defined as in step 2, replace the sources and define the voltages at the dependent
nodes in terms of the independent voltages and the known voltage differences.
For our example, the voltage at node a can be written as a known voltage Vs above the reference voltage, as
shown in Figure 3.6.
Reference node, V
ref
= V
d
= 0V.
+
-
V
s
R
1
R
3
R
2
R
4
R
5
d
V
b
V
c
V
a
=V
S

Figure 3.6. Dependent voltages defined.

Step 4: Apply KCL at independent nodes
Define currents and write Kirchoffs current law at all independent nodes. Currents for our example are shown in
Figure 3.7 below. The defined currents include the assumed direction of positive current this defines the sign
convention for our currents. To avoid confusion, these currents are defined consistently with those shown in
Figure 3.1(a). The resulting equations are (assuming that currents leaving the node are defined as positive):
Node b:
0
4 3 1
= + + i i i (3.1)
Node c:
0
5 3 2
= + i i i (3.2)


Real Analog Circuits 1
Chapter 3.2: Nodal Analysis


2012 Analog Devices and Digilent, Inc.

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+
-
V
s
R
1
R
3
R
2
R
4
R
5
V
S
0 V
i
1
i
2
i
4
i
5
i
3
V
b
V
c

Figure 3.7. Current definitions and sign conventions.

Step 5: Use Ohms law to write the equations from step 4 in terms of voltages:
The currents defined in step 4 can be written in terms of the node voltages defined previously. For example, from
Figure 3.7:
1
1
R
V V
i
b S

= ,
3
3
R
V V
i
c b

= , and
4
4
0
R
V
i
b

= , so equation (3.1) can be written as:
0
0
4 3 1
=

R
V
R
V V
R
V V
b c b b S

So the KCL equation for node b becomes:

S c b
V
R
V
R
V
R R R
1 3 4 3 1
1 1 1 1 1
=
|
|
.
|

\
|
+ + (3.3)
Likewise, the KCL equation for node c can be written as:

S c b
V
R
V
R R R
V
R
2 5 2 3 3
1 1 1 1 1
=
|
|
.
|

\
|
+ + + (3.4)


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Chapter 3.2: Nodal Analysis


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Double-checking results:
If the circuit being analyzed contains only independent sources, and the sign convention used in the KCL
equations is the same as used above (currents leaving nodes are assumed positive), the equations written at each
node will have the following form:
The term multiplying the voltage at that node will be the sum of the conductances connected to that node.
For the example above, the term multiplying V
b
in the equation for node b is
4 3 1
1 1 1
R R R
+ + while the
term multiplying V
c
in the equation for node c is
5 2 3
1 1 1
R R R
+ + .
The term multiplying the voltages adjacent to the node will be the negative of the conductance connecting
the two nodes. For the example above, the term multiplying V
c
in the equation for node b is
3
1
R
, and
the term multiplying V
b
in the equation for node c is
3
1
R
.
If the circuit contains dependent sources, or a different sign convention is used when writing the KCL equations,
the resulting equations will not necessarily have the above form.

Step 6: Solve the system of equations resulting from step 5
Step 5 will always result in N equations in N unknowns, where N is the number of independent nodes identified in
step 2. These equations can be solved for the independent voltages. Any other desired circuit parameters can be
determined from these voltages.

The example below illustrates the above approach.

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Chapter 3.2: Nodal Analysis


2012 Analog Devices and Digilent, Inc.

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Example 3.1:
Find the voltage V for the circuit shown below:
+
-
6V
16A
2O 1O
0.5O 2O
V - +


Steps 1, 2 and 3: Choosing the reference voltage as shown below, identifying voltages at dependent nodes, and
defining voltages V
A
and V
B
at the independent nodes results in the circuit schematic shown below:
+
-
6V
16A
2O 1O
0.5O 2O
Reference
node, V
R
= 0V
Dependent
node, V = 6V
V
A
V
B


Steps 4 and 5: Writing KCL at nodes A and B and converting currents to voltages using Ohms law results in the
following two equations:
Node A:
3 2 3
1
1
2
1
2
1
0
1 2
0
2
6
= = |
.
|

\
|
+ + =

B A B A
B A A A
V V V V
V V V V

Node B:
16 3 16
5 . 0
1
1
1
0 16
5 . 0
0
1
= = |
.
|

\
|
+ = +

A B A B
B A B
V V V V
V V V

Step 6: Solving the above equations results in V
A
= 5V and V
B
= 7V. The voltage V is
V = V
A
V
B
= -2V.

Several comments should be made relative to the above example:
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Chapter 3.2: Nodal Analysis


2012 Analog Devices and Digilent, Inc.

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1. Steps 4 and 5 (applying KCL at each independent node and using Ohms law to write these equations in terms
of voltages) have been combined into a single step. This approach is fairly common, and can provide a
significant savings in time.

2. There may be a perceived inconsistency between the two node equations, in the assumption of positive
current direction in the 1O resistor. In the equation for node A, the current is apparently assumed to be
positive from node A to node B, as shown below:
1O
V
A
V
B
i
1

This leads to the corresponding term in the equation for node A becoming:
1
B A
V V
. In the equation for node
B, however, the positive current direction appears to be from node B to node A, as shown below:
1O
V
A
V
B
i
1

This definition leads to the corresponding term in the equation for node B becoming:
1
A B
V V
.
The above inconsistency in sign is, however, insignificant. Suppose that we had assumed (consistently with
the equation for node A) that the direction of positive current for the node B equation is from node A to B.
Then, the corresponding term in the equation for node B would have been: -
1
B A
V V
(note that a negative
sign has been applied to this term to accommodate our assumption that currents flowing into nodes are
negative). This is equal to
1
A B
V V
, which is exactly what our original result was.
3. The current source appears directly in the nodal equations.

Note:
When we write nodal equations in these chapters, we will generally assume that any unknown currents are
flowing away from the node for which we are writing the equation, regardless of any previous assumptions we
have made for the direction of that current. The signs will work out, as long as we are consistent in our sign
convention between assumed voltage polarity and current direction and our sign convention relative to positive
currents flowing out of nodes.
The sign applied to currents induced by current sources must be consistent with the current direction assigned
by the source.
Supernodes:
In the previous examples, we identified dependent nodes and determined constrained voltages. Kirchoffs current
law was then only written at independent nodes. Many students find this somewhat confusing, especially if the
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Chapter 3.2: Nodal Analysis


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dependent voltages are not relative to the reference voltage. We will thus discuss these steps in more detail here
in the context of an example, introducing the concept of a supernode in the process.
Example: For the circuit below, determine the voltage difference, V, across the 2mA source.
+-
3V
2mA
3kO 6kO
V
+
-


Step 1: Define reference node
Choose reference node (somewhat arbitrarily) as shown below; label the reference node voltage, V
R
, as zero volts.
+-
3V
2mA
3kO 6kO
V
R
= 0V



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Chapter 3.2: Nodal Analysis


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Step 2: Define independent nodes
Short circuit voltage sources, open circuit current sources as shown below and identify independent
nodes/voltages. For our example, this results in only one independent voltage, labeled as V
A
below.
V
R
= 0V
3kO 6kO
V
a


Step 3: Replace sources and label and known voltages
The known voltages are written in terms of node voltages identified above. There is some ambiguity in this step.
For example, either of the representations below will work equally well either side of the voltage source can be
chosen as the node voltage, and the voltage on the other side of the source written in terms of this node voltage.
Make sure, however, that the correct polarity of the voltage source is preserved. In our example, the left side of
the source has a potential that is three volts higher than the potential of the right side of the source. This fact is
represented correctly by both of the choices below.
+-
3V
2mA
3kO 6kO
V
R
= 0V
V
A
V
A
-3V
+-
3V
2mA
3kO 6kO
V
R
= 0V
V
A
V
A
+3V



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Chapter 3.2: Nodal Analysis


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Step 4: Apply KCL at the independent nodes
It is this step that sometimes causes confusion among students, particularly when voltage sources are present in
the circuit. Conceptually, it is possible to think of two nodes connected by an ideal voltage source as forming a
single supernode (some authors use the term generalized node rather than supernode). A node is rigorously
defined as having a single, unique voltage. However, although the two nodes connected by a voltage source do
not share the same voltage, they are not entirely independent the two voltages are constrained by one another.
This allows us to simplify the analysis somewhat.
For our example, we will arbitrarily choose the circuit to the left above to illustrate this approach. The supernode
is chosen to include the voltage source and both nodes to which it is connected, as shown below. We define two
currents leaving the supernode, i
1
and i
2
, as shown. KCL, applied at the supernode, results in:
0 2
2 1
= + + i i mA
As before, currents leaving the node are assumed to be positive. This approach allows us to account for the
current flowing through the voltage source without ever explicitly solving for it.
+-
3V
2mA
3kO 6kO
V
R
= 0V
V
A
V
A
-3V
Supernode
i
1
i
2


Step 5: Use Ohms law to write the KCL equations in terms of voltages
For the single KCL equation written above, this results in:
0
6
0 ) 3 (
3
0
2 =
O

+
O

+
k
V
k
V
mA
A A


Step 6: Solve the system of equations to determine the nodal voltages
Solution of the equation above results in V
A
= 5V. Thus, the voltage difference across the current source is V =
5V.

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Chapter 3.2: Nodal Analysis


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Alternate Approach: Constraint Equations
The use of supernodes can be convenient, but is not a necessity. An alternate approach, for those who do not
wish to identify supernodes, is to retain separate nodes on either side of the voltage source and then write a
constraint equation relating these voltages. Thus, in cases where a student does not recognize a supernode, the
analysis can proceed correctly. We now revisit the previous example, but use constraint equations rather than
the previous supernode technique.
In this approach, steps 2 and 3 (identification of independent nodes) are not necessary. One simply writes
Kirchoffs current law at all nodes and then writes constraint equations for the voltage sources. A disadvantage
of this approach is that currents through voltage sources must be accounted for explicitly; this results in a
greater number of unknowns (and equations to be solved) than the supernode technique.

Example (revisited): For the circuit below, determine the voltage difference, V, across the 2mA source.
+-
3V
2mA
3kO 6kO
V
+
-

Choice of a reference voltage proceeds as previously. However, now we will not concern ourselves too much
with identification of independent nodes. Instead, we will just make sure we account for voltages and currents
everywhere in the circuit. For our circuit, this results in the node voltages and currents shown below. Notice
that we have now identified two unknown voltages (V
A
and V
B
) and three unknown currents, one of which (i
3
)
is the current through the voltage source.
+-
3V
3kO 6kO
V
R
= 0V
i
1
i
2
i
3
V
A
V
B
2mA


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Chapter 3.2: Nodal Analysis


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Now we write KCL at each of the identified nodes, making sure to account for the current through the voltage
source. This results in the following equations (assuming currents leaving the node are positive):
Node A: 0 2
3 1
= + + i i mA
Node B: 0
2 3
= + i i
Using Ohms law to convert the currents i
1
and i
2
to voltages results in:
Node A: 0
3
0
2
3
= +
O

+ i
k
V
mA
A

Node B: 0
6
0
3
=
O

+
k
V
i
B

Notice that we cannot, by inspection, determine anything about the current i
3
from the voltages; the voltage-
current relationship for an ideal source is not known.


The two equations above have three unknowns we cannot solve for the node voltages from them without a
third equation. This third equation is the constraint equation due to the presence of the voltage source. For our
circuit, the voltage source causes a direct relationship between V
A
and V
B
:
3 =
A B
V V
These three equations (the two KCL equations, written in terms of the node voltages and the constraint
equation) constitute three equations in three unknowns. Solving these for the node voltage V
A
results in V
A
=
5V, so the voltage across the current source is V = 5V.

The example below uses the concept of a supernode to write the governing KCL equations. In the example
below, steps 1, 2, and 3 have been condensed into a single process, as have steps 4 and 5. It is suggested that the
student re-do the example below using constraint equations. Note again that the current sources appear directly in
the KCL equations.

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Chapter 3.2: Nodal Analysis


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Example 3.2:
For the circuit below, find the power generated or absorbed by the 2V source and the power generated or absorbed
by the 2A source.
3A
2A
+-
2V
8O
3O
4O 4O

Steps 1, 2, and 3: We choose our reference node (arbitrarily) as shown below. Shorting voltage sources and open-
circuiting current sources identifies three independent node voltages (labeled below as V
A
, V
B
and V
C
) and one
dependent node, with voltage labeled below as V
A
-2.
3A
2A
+-
2V
8O
3O
4O 4O
Reference
node, V
R
= 0V
V
A
V
B
V
A
-2
V
C
Supernode

Steps 4 and 5: Writing KCL at nodes A, B, and C and converting the currents to voltages using Ohms law results
in the equations below. Note that we have (essentially) assumed that all unknown currents at a node are flowing
out of the node, consistent with our note 2 for example 1 above.
Node A:
10 2 5 0
8
) 2 (
4
) 2 (
4
0
2 = =
O

+
O

+
O

+
C B A
C A B A A
V V V
V V V V V V V V
A
Node B:
42 3 7 0 3
4
) 2 (
3
0
= = +
O

+
O

A B
A B B
V V A
V V V V V

Node C:
22 0 3
8
) 2 (
= =
O

A C
A C
V V A
V V

Step 6: Solving the above results in VA = 0V, VB = -6V, and VC = 22V. Thus, the voltage difference across the
2A source is zero volts, and the 2A source delivers no power. KCL at node A indicates that the current through
the 2V source is 2A, and the 2V source generates 4W.
Dependent Sources:
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Chapter 3.2: Nodal Analysis


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In the presence of dependent sources, nodal analysis proceeds approximately as outlined above. The main
difference is the presence of additional equations describing the dependent source. As before, we will discuss the
treatment of dependent sources in the context of examples.

Example 3.3:
Write the nodal equations for the circuit below. The dependent source is a voltage controlled voltage source. I
S
is
an independent current source.
I
S
+ -
R
3
R
4
R
2
R
1
2V
x
V
x
+ -


As always, the choice of reference node is arbitrary. To determine independent voltages, dependent voltage
sources are short-circuited in the same way as independent voltage sources. Thus, the circuit below has two
independent nodes; the dependent voltage source and the nodes on either side of it form a supernode. The
reference voltage, independent voltages, supernode, and resulting dependent voltage are shown below.
I
S
+ -
R
3
R
4
R
2
R
1
2V
x
V
x
+ -
V
A
V
B
Supernode
V
A
+2V
x
Reference
node, V
r
=0


We now, as previously, write KCL for each independent node, taking into account the dependent voltage resulting
from the presence of the supernode:

0
0 0 ) 2 (
2 4 3
=

+

R
V V
R
V
R
V V
B A A x A

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Chapter 3.2: Nodal Analysis


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0
) 2 (
1 2
=
+
+

S
x A B A B
I
R
V V V
R
V V

The above equations result in a system with two equations and three unknowns: V
A
, V
B
, and V
x
. (I
S
is a known
current.) We now write any equations governing the dependent sources. Writing the controlling voltage in terms
of the independent voltages results in:

B A x
V V V =
We now have three equations in three unknowns, which can be solved to determine the independent voltages, V
A

and V
B
.



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Chapter 3.2: Nodal Analysis


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Example 3.4:
Write the nodal equations for the circuit below.
+-
4V
+
-
3V
2O
I
x
3I
x
3O
4O 5O

The reference node, independent voltages and dependent voltages are shown on the figure below. A supernode,
consisting of the 4V source and the nodes on either side of it, exists but is not shown explicitly on the figure.
+-
4V
+
-
3V
2O
I
x
3I
x
3O
4O 5O
V
A
V
B
V
r
= 0
V
A
+4 3V

Applying KCL for each independent node results in:
0
3 5
0
4
0 ) 4 (
2
3 ) 4 (
=
O

+
O

+
O
+
+
O
+
B A A A A
V V V V V V V V

0 3
3
=
O

x
A B
I
V V

This consists of two equations with three unknowns. The equation governing the dependent current source
provides the third equation. Writing the controlling current in terms of independent voltages results in:

O

=
5
0
A
x
V
I


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Chapter 3.2: Nodal Analysis


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Section Summary:
Basic steps in nodal analysis are:
a. Define a reference node. All node voltages will be relative to this reference voltage.
b. Identify independent nodes. This can be done by short-circuiting voltage sources, open-circuiting current
sources, and identifying the remaining nodes in the circuit. The voltages at these nodes are the node
voltages.
c. Determine dependent voltages. This can be done by replacing the sources in the circuit schematic, and
writing voltage constraints introduced by voltage sources.
d. Use Ohms law to write KCL at each independent node, in terms of the node voltages. This will result in
N equations in N unknowns, where N is the number of node voltages. Independent nodes can be
supernodes; supernodes typically contain a voltage source; this minimizes the number of equations being
written by taking advantage of voltage constraints introduced in step 3.
e. Solve the equations of step 4 to determine the node voltages.
f. Use the node voltages to determine any other desired voltages/currents in the circuit.
Modifications to the above approach are allowed. For example, it is not necessary to define supernodes in
step 4 above. One can define unknown voltages at either terminal of a voltage source and write KCL at each
of these nodes. However, the unknown current through the voltage source must be accounted for when
writing KCL this introduces an additional unknown into the governing equations. This added unknown
requires an additional equation. This equation is obtained by explicitly writing a constraint equation relating
the voltages at the two terminals of the voltage source.

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Chapter 3.2: Nodal Analysis


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Exercises:
1. Use nodal analysis to write a set of equations from which you can find I
1
, the current through the 12O
resistor. Do not solve the equations.
18A
+-
6A
12O
4O
6O
9V
4O
I
1


2. Use nodal analysis to find the current I flowing through the 10O resistor in the circuit below.
18A
+
-
5V
20O
10O
I



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Chapter 3: Nodal and Mesh Analysis


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3.3: Mesh Analysis
In mesh analysis, we will define a set of mesh currents and use Ohms law to write Kirchoffs voltage law in
terms of these voltages. The resulting set of equations can be solved to determine the mesh currents; any other
circuit parameters (e.g. voltages) can be determined from these currents.
Mesh analysis is appropriate for planar circuits. Planar circuits can be drawn in a single plane
2
such that no
elements overlap one another. Such circuits, when drawn in a single plane will be divided into a number of
distinct areas; the boundary of each area is a mesh of the circuit. A mesh current is the current flowing around a
mesh of the circuit.
The steps used to in mesh analysis are provided below. The steps are illustrated in terms of the circuit of Figure
3.8.
I
S
+
-
V
S
R
1
R
2
R
3
R
4
R
5

Figure 3.8. Example circuit.
Step 1: Define mesh currents
In order to identify our mesh loops, we will turn off all sources. To do this, we
Short-circuit all voltage sources
Open-circuit all current sources.
Once the sources have been turned off, the circuit can be divided into a number of non-overlapping areas, each of
which is completely enclosed by circuit elements. The circuit elements bounding each of these areas form the
meshes of our circuit. The mesh currents flow around these meshes. Our example circuit has two meshes after
removal of the sources, the resulting mesh currents are as shown in Figure 3.9.
Note:
We will always choose our mesh currents as flowing clockwise around the meshes. This assumption is not
fundamental to the application of mesh analysis, but it will result in a special form for the resulting equations
which will later allow us to do some checking of our results.

2
Essentially, you can draw the schematic on a piece of paper without ambiguity.
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Chapter 3.3: Mesh Analysis


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R
1
R
2
R
3
R
4
R
5
i
1
i
2

Figure 3.9. Example circuit meshes.
Step 2: Replace sources and identify constrained loops
The presence of current sources in our circuit will result in the removal of some meshes during step 1. We must
now account for these meshes in our analysis by returning the sources to the circuit and identifying constrained
loops.
We have two rules for constrained loops:
1. Each current source must have one and only one constrained loop passing through it.
2. The direction and magnitude of the constrained loop current must agree with the direction and magnitude
of the source current.
For our example circuit, we choose our constrained loop as shown below. It should be noted that constrained
loops can, if desired, cross our mesh loops we have, however, chosen the constrained loop so that it does not
overlap any of our mesh loops.
I
S
+
-
V
S
R
1
R
2
R
3
R
4
R
5
i
2
i
1
I
S

Step 3: Write KVL around the mesh loops
We will apply Kirchoffs voltage law around each mesh loop in order to determine the equations to be solved.
Ohms law will be used to write KVL in terms of the mesh currents and constrained loop currents as identified in
steps 1 and 2 above.
Note that more than one mesh current may pass through a circuit element. When determining voltage drops
across individual elements, the contributions from all mesh currents passing through that element must be
included in the voltage drop.
When we write KVL for a given mesh loop, we will base our sign convention for the voltage drops on the
direction of the mesh current for that loop.
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Chapter 3.3: Mesh Analysis


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For example, when we write KVL for the mesh current i
1
in our example, we choose voltage polarities for
resistors R
1
and R
4
as shown in the figure below these polarities agree with the passive sign convention for
voltages relative to the direction of the mesh current i
1
.
+
-
V
S
R
1
R
2
R
3
R
4
R
5
i
2
i
1
I
S
V
1
V
4
+
+ -
-
I
S

From the above figure, the voltage drops across the resistor R
1
can then be determined as

1 1 1
i R V =
since only mesh current i
1
passes through the resistor R
1
. Likewise, the voltage drop for the resistor R
4
is
) (
2 1 4 4
i i R V =
since mesh currents i
1
and i
4
both pass through R
4
and the current i
2
is in the opposite direction to our assumed
polarity for the voltage V
4
.
Using the above expressions for V
1
and V
4
, we can write KVL for the first mesh loop as:
0 ) (
2 1 4 1 1
= + + i i R i R V
S

When we write KVL for the mesh current i
2
in our example, we choose voltage polarities for resistors R
4
, R
2
, and
R
5
as shown in the figure below these polarities agree with the passive sign convention for voltages relative to
the direction of the mesh current i
2
. Please note that these sign conventions do not need to agree with the sign
conventions used in the equations for other mesh currents.
+
-
V
S
R
1
R
2
R
3
R
4
R
5
i
2
i
1
I
S
V
5
+
-
I
S
V
2
+ -
V
4
+
-


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Chapter 3.3: Mesh Analysis


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Using the above sign conventions, KVL for the second mesh loop becomes:
0 ) ( ) (
2 5 2 2 1 2 4
= + + +
S
I i R i R i i R
Please note that the currents i
2
and I
S
are in the same direction in the resistor R
5
, resulting in a summation of these
currents in the term corresponding to the voltage drop across the resistor R
5
.

Notes:
1. Assumed sign conventions on voltages drops for a particular mesh loop are based on the assumed
direction of that loops mesh current.
2. The current passing through an element is the algebraic sum of all mesh and constraint currents passing
through that element. This algebraic sum of currents is used to determine the voltage drop of the element.

Step 4: Solve the system of equations to determine the mesh currents of the
circuit.
Step 3 will always result in N equations in N unknowns, where N is the number of mesh currents identified in step
1. These equations can be solved for the mesh currents. Any other desired circuit parameters can be determined
from the mesh currents.

The example below illustrates the above approach.

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Chapter 3.3: Mesh Analysis


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Example 3.5:
In the circuit below, determine the voltage drop, V, across the 3O resistor.
3A
+
-
3V
7O
1A
3O
4O
V
+
-

Removing the sources results in a single mesh loop with mesh current i
1
, as shown below.
7O 3O
4O
i1

Replacing the sources and defining one constrained loop per source results in the loop definitions shown below.
(Note that each constrained loop goes through only one source and that the amplitude and direction of the
constrained currents agrees with source.)
3A
+
-
3V
7O
1A
3O
4O
3A
1A
i
1

Applying KVL around the loop i1 and using Ohms law to write voltage drops in terms of currents:
A i A i A A i A i V 2 0 ) 3 ( 4 ) 3 1 ( 3 ) 1 ( 7 3
1 1 1 1
= = + O + + + O + + O +
Thus, the current i
1
is 2A, in the opposite direction to that shown. The voltage across the 3O resistor is V =
3O(i
1
+3A+1A) = 3O(-2A+3A+1A) = 3(2A) = 6V.

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Chapter 3.3: Mesh Analysis


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Alternate Approach to Constraint Loops: Constraint Equations
In the above examples, the presence of current sources resulted in a reduced number of meshes. Constraint
loops were then used to account for current sources. An alternate approach, in which we retain additional mesh
currents and then apply constraint equations to account for the current sources, is provided here. We use the
circuit of the previous example to illustrate this approach.
Example: Determine the voltage, V, in the circuit below.
3A
+
-
3V
7O
1A
3O
4O
V
+
-

Define three mesh currents for each of the three meshes in the above circuit and define unknown voltages V1
and V3 across the two current sources as shown below:
3A
+
-
3V
7O
1A
3O
4O
i
1
i
2
i
3
V
1
+ -
V
3
+
-

Applying KVL around the three mesh loops results in three equations with five unknowns:
0 ) ( 7 ) ( 3
2 1 3 1 1
= O + O + i i i i V
0 ) ( 7 3
3 1 2
= + O + V i i V
0 4 ) ( 3
3 1 3 3
= O + O + i i i V
Two additional constraint equations are necessary. These can be determined by the requirement that the
algebraic sum of the mesh currents passing through a current source must equal the current provided by the
source. Thus, we obtain:
A i i 3
3 2
= +
A i 1
1
=
Solving the five simultaneous equations above results in the same answer determined previously.
Clarification: Constraint loops
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Chapter 3.3: Mesh Analysis


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Previously, it was claimed that the choice of constraint loops is somewhat arbitrary. The requirements are that
each source has only one constraint loop passing through it, and that the magnitude and direction of the
constrained loop current be consistent with the source. Since constraint loops can overlap other mesh loops
without invalidating the mesh analysis approach, the choice of constraint loops in not unique. The examples
below illustrate the effect of different choices of constraint loops on the analysis of a particular circuit.

Example 3.6 - version 1:
Using mesh analysis, determine the current i through the 4O resistor.
1A
+
-
8V
2O
2A
4O
6O
+
-
10V
i

Step 1: Define mesh loops
Replacing the two current sources with open circuits and the two voltage sources with short circuits results in a
single mesh current, i
1
, as shown below.
1A
+
-
8V
2O
2A
4O
6O
i
1
+
-
10V


Step 2: Constrained loops version 1
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Chapter 3.3: Mesh Analysis


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Initially, we choose the constrained loops shown below. Note that each loop passes through only one source and
has the magnitude and direction imposed by the source.
1A
+
-
8V
2O
2A
4O
6O
i
1
2A
+
-
10V
1A


Step 3: Write KVL around the mesh loops
Our example has only one mesh current, so only one KVL equation is required. This equation is:
0 ) ( 6 10 ) 2 ( 4 ) 2 1 ( 2 8
1 1 1
= O + + O + + O + i V A i A A i V

Step 4: Solve the system of equations to determine the mesh currents of the circuit.
Solving the above equation results in i
1
= 0.667A. The current through the 4O resistor is then, accounting for the
2A constrained loop passing through the resistor, A A i i 333 . 1 2
1
= = .


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Chapter 3.3: Mesh Analysis


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Example 3.6 - version 2:
In this version, we choose an alternate set of constraint loops. The alternate set of loops is shown below; all
constraint loops still pass through only one current source, and retain the magnitude and direction of the source
current.
1A
+
-
8V
2O 4O
6O
i
1
2A
+
-
10V
1A
2A

Now, writing KVL for the single mesh results in:
0 ) 2 ( 6 10 4 ) 1 ( 2 8
1 1 1
= + O + + O + + O + A i V i A i V
Solving for the mesh current results in i
1
= -1.333A; note that this result is different than previously. However,
we determine the current through the 4O resistor as i = i
1
= -1.333A, which is the same result as previously.

Note:
Choice of alternate constrained loops may change the values obtained for the mesh currents. The currents through
the circuit elements, however, do not vary with choice of constrained loops.

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Chapter 3.3: Mesh Analysis


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Example 3.6 - version 3:
In this version, we choose yet another set of constraint loops. These loops are shown below. Again, each loop
passes through one current source and retains that sources current direction and amplitude.
1A
+
-
8V
2O 4O
6O
i
1
2A
+
-
10V
1A
2A

KVL around the mesh loop results in
0 ) 2 1 ( 6 10 ) 1 ( 4 2 8
1 1 1
= + O + + O + O + A A i V A i i V
Which results in i
1
= -0.333A. Again, this is different from the result from out first two approaches. However,
the current through the 4O resistor is i = i
1
1A = -1.333A, which is the same result as previously.


Dependent Sources:
As with nodal analysis, the presence of dependent sources does not significantly alter the overall mesh analysis
approach. The primary difference is simply the addition of the additional equations necessary to describe the
dependent sources. We discuss the analysis of circuits with dependent sources in the context of the following
examples.

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Chapter 3.3: Mesh Analysis


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Example 3.7:
Determine the voltage V in the circuit below.
+
-
2I
x
+
-
2V
2O 4O
3O
I
x
V + -

Shorting both of the voltage sources in the circuit above results in two mesh currents. These are shown in the
figure below.
i
1
+
-
2I
x
+
-
2V
2O 4O
3O
I
x
V + -
i
2

Writing KVL around the two mesh loops results in
0 ) ( 3 2 2
2 1 1
= O + O + i i i V
0 4 ) ( 3 2
2 1 2
= O + O + i i i I
X

We have two equations and three unknowns. We need an additional equation to solve the system of equations.
The third equation is obtained by writing the dependent sources controlling current in terms of the mesh currents:

1
i I
X
=
The above three equations can be solved to obtain i
1
= 0.4375O and i
2
= 0.0625O. The desired voltage
V i V 25 . 0 4
2
= = .


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Chapter 3.3: Mesh Analysis


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Example 3.8:
Write the mesh equations for the circuit shown below.
3V
x
+
-
12V
2O
4O
1O
3O
5O V
X
+
-

Mesh loops and constraint loops are identified as shown below:
3V
x
+
-
12V
2O
4O
1O
3O
5O
i
1
i
2
3V
X
V
X
+
-

Writing KVL for the two mesh loops results in:
0 12 ) 3 ( 2 4
1 1
= + O + O V V i i
X

0 5 ) 3 ( 3 12
2 2
= O + O + i V i V
X

Writing the controlling voltage V
X
in terms of the mesh currents results in:

2
5 i V
X
O =
The above consist of three equations in three unknowns, which can be solved to determine the mesh currents.
Any other desired circuit parameters can be determined from the mesh currents.

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Chapter 3.3: Mesh Analysis


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Section Summary:
Basic steps in mesh analysis are:
a. Identify mesh currents. This can be done by short-circuiting voltage sources, open-circuiting current
sources, and identifying the enclosed, non-overlapping regions in the circuit. The perimeters of these
areas are the circuit meshes. The mesh currents flow around the circuit meshes
b. Determine constrained loops. The approach in step 1 will ensure that no mesh currents will pass though
the current sources. The current source currents can be accounted for by defining constrained loops.
Constrained loops are defined as loop currents which pass through the current sources. Constrained loops
are identified by replacing the sources in the circuit schematic, and defining mesh currents which pass
through the current sources; these mesh currents form the constrained loops and must match both the
magnitude and direction of the current in the current sources.
c. Use Ohms law to write KVL around each mesh loop, in terms of the mesh currents. This results in N
equations in N unknowns, where N is the number of mesh currents. Keep in mind that the voltage
difference across each element must correspond to the voltage difference induced by all the mesh currents
which pass through that element.
d. Solve the equations of step 4 to determine the mesh currents.
e. Use the mesh currents to determine any other desired voltages/currents in the circuit.
The constrained loops in step 2 above are not unique. Their only requirement is that they must account for
the currents through the current sources.
Modifications to the above approach are allowed. For example, it is not necessary to define constrained loops
in step 3 above. One can define (unknown) mesh currents which pass through through the current sources
and write KVL for these additional mesh currents. However, the unknown voltage across the current source
must be accounted for when writing KVL this introduces an additional unknown into the governing
equations. This added unknown requires an additional equation which is obtained by explicitly writing a
constraint equation equating algebraic sum of the mesh currents passing through a current source to the
current provided by the source.

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Exercises:
1. Use mesh analysis to write a set of equations from which you can find I
1
, the current through the 12O resistor.
Do not solve the equations.
18A
+-
6A
12O
4O
6O
9V
4O
I
1


2. Use mesh analysis to find the current I flowing through the 10O resistor in the circuit below. Compare your
result to your solution to exercise 2 of section 3.2.
18A
+
-
5V
20O
10O
I