Experiment 4 Student’s Manual

American International University- Bangladesh

Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
EEE 2109: Introduction to Electrical Circuits Lab

Title: Study of Superposition Theorem.

Introduction:

The superposition theorem states that in a linear bilateral multi-source DC circuit, the current
through or voltage across any particular element may be determined by considering the
contribution of each source independently, with the remaining sources replaced with their
internal resistance. The contributions are then summed, paying attention to polarities, to find
the total value. Superposition cannot in general be applied to non-linear circuits or to non-
linear functions such as power.

The objective of this exercise is to-

1. investigate the application of the superposition theorem to multiple DC source
circuits in terms of both voltage and current measurements.
2. examine the power measurement.

Theory and Methodology:

The principle of superposition is applicable only for linear systems. The concept of
superposition can be explained mathematically by the following response and excitation
principle:
i1→ v1
i2 → v2
i1+ i2→v1 + v2
Then, the quantity to the left of the arrow indicates the excitation and to the right, the system
response. Thus, we can state that a device, if excited by a current i 1 will produce a response
v1. Similarly, an excitation i 2 will cause a response v2. Then if we use an excitation i 1 + i1, we
will find a response v1 + v2.
The principle of superposition has the ability to reduce a complicated problem to several
easier problems each containing only a single independent source.

Superposition theorem states that,

In any linear circuit containing multiple independent sources, the current or voltage at any
point in the network may be calculated as algebraic sum of the individual contributions of
each source acting alone.

When determining the contribution due to a particular independent source, we disable all the
remaining independent sources. That is, all the remaining voltage sources are made zero by
replacing them with short circuits, and all remaining current sources are made zero by
replacing them with open circuits. Also, it is important to note that if a dependent source is
present; it must remain active (unaltered) during the process of superposition.

Action Plan:
(i) In a circuit comprising of many independent sources, only one source is allowed to be
active in the circuit, the rest are deactivated (turned off).
© Dept. of EEE, Faculty of Engineering, American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB) 1
 Experiment 4 Student’s Manual
(ii) To deactivate a voltage source, replace it with a short circuit, and to deactivate a current
source, replace it with an open circuit.
(iii) The response obtained by applying each source, one at a time, are then added
algebraically to obtain a solution.

Limitations: Superposition is a fundamental property of linear equations and, therefore, can

be applied to any effect that is linearly related to the cause. That is, we want to point out that,
superposition principle applies only to the current and voltage in a linear circuit but it cannot
be used to determine power because power is a non-linear function.

Pre-Lab Homework:

Use NI Multisim and reference book for solving the following problem. Student must
present the simulation results to the instructor before the start of the experiment.
HW 1: Find Vout using superposition theorem of Figure 6.0.

Fig 1
HW 2: Find the current in the 6Ω resistor using the principle of superposition for the
following circuit:

Fig 2

Apparatus:

1. Trainer board
2. Digital multimeter
3. DC source
4. Resistors : 4.7k, 6.8k, 10k, 22k, 33k [1 pcs]
5. Connecting wires

Precautions:

© Dept. of EEE, Faculty of Engineering, American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB) 2

 Experiment 4 Student’s Manual
To consider the effect of one voltage source the other must be replaced with a wire. Simply
switching off the connection does not give the correct circuit configuration.
Sometimes the ammeters don’t work properly so to determine current take the voltage drop
across the resistor and divide by the resistance value to obtain the current passing through
that particular element or branch. Always mention the units when taking the readings or
doing the calculations.

Experimental Procedure:

Circuit Diagram:

1. Implement the circuit of figure 12.

2. Remove the supply voltage E2 by a short circuit.
3. Measure the node voltage VA. Be sure to note the polarity.
4. Reconnect the supply voltage E2.
5. Remove supply voltage E1 by short circuit.
6. Measure the node voltage VA. Be sure to note the polarity.
7. Reconnect the supply voltage E1.
8. Measure node voltage VA. Be sure to note the polarity.
9. Complete table 6.1 and check the deviation between experimental and theoretical
values.

Source VA Theory VA Experimental Deviation

E1 only

E2 only

E1 & E2

Table 6.1

Fig 12

10. Implement the circuit given in figure 13.

11. Repeat procedure steps 2 to 9 but measure the IR4 current and PR4 power across R4
resistor. Be sure to note the direction of IR4 current flow.

© Dept. of EEE, Faculty of Engineering, American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB) 3

 Experiment 4 Student’s Manual
12. Complete table 6.2 and 6.3 and check the deviation between experimental and
theoretical values.
13. Does power calculation maintain the superposition theorem? Explain your
observation on table 6.3.

Fig 13
Results and Discussion:

Source IR4 Theory IR4 Experimental Deviation

E1 only

E2 only

E1 & E2

Table 6.2

Source PR4

E1 only
E2 only
E1+E2
E1 and E2
(Voltages applied simultaneously)
Table 6.3

Questions with answers for report writing:

1. Determine whether or not the theorem was accepted.

2. Discuss any mistakes you might have made while conducting the investigation.
3. Describe ways the study could have been improved.

Reference(s):

© Dept. of EEE, Faculty of Engineering, American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB) 4

 Experiment 4 Student’s Manual
1. Robert L. Boylestad, ”Introductory Circuit Analysis”, Prentice Hall, 12th Edition, New
York, 2010, ISBN 9780137146666.

Teaching tips:

1. If there might be any problem measuring current, ask students to measure the voltage
V
across that component and the corresponding resistances, and use relation to find the
R
current.

© Dept. of EEE, Faculty of Engineering, American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB) 5