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Lab Manual 8 Nodal Analysis

The lab manual focuses on teaching nodal analysis in electrical circuits, emphasizing the application of Kirchhoff's Current Law (KCL) to determine unknown voltages at circuit nodes. It includes detailed procedures for setting up circuits, applying KCL, and measuring voltages, along with error analysis and implications for circuit design. The manual also poses questions for further study and outlines safety precautions for conducting the experiments.

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Yusuf Gürcan Şahin
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© © All Rights Reserved
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2 views

Lab Manual 8 Nodal Analysis

The lab manual focuses on teaching nodal analysis in electrical circuits, emphasizing the application of Kirchhoff's Current Law (KCL) to determine unknown voltages at circuit nodes. It includes detailed procedures for setting up circuits, applying KCL, and measuring voltages, along with error analysis and implications for circuit design. The manual also poses questions for further study and outlines safety precautions for conducting the experiments.

Uploaded by

Yusuf Gürcan Şahin
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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**Lab Manual: Nodal Analysis**

**Course:** EE102: Circuit Analysis Fundamentals

**Lab Title:** Nodal Analysis in Electrical Circuits

**Department:** Electrical Engineering

**Prepared by:** Dr. Jhon Doe, Ph.D., Renewable Energy Engineering

---

### Objective

To teach students the principles of nodal analysis, enabling them to systematically analyze electrical circuits by applying
Kirchhoff's Current Law (KCL) at each node. This lab will guide students through solving for unknown voltages at various nodes
and understanding the application of nodal analysis in real-world circuit design.

### Background

Nodal analysis, or node-voltage analysis, is a powerful technique in circuit analysis based on Kirchhoff's Current Law (KCL),
which states that the sum of currents entering a node must equal the sum of currents leaving the node. By identifying all nodes
in a circuit and applying KCL, students can set up a system of equations to solve for unknown node voltages.

---

### Key Concepts and Formulas

1. **Node**: A point in a circuit where two or more components connect.

2. **Reference Node (Ground)**: The node assigned as 0V (reference for all other voltages).

3. **KCL (Kirchhoff's Current Law)**: \(\sum I_{\text{in}} = \sum I_{\text{out}}\)

#### Nodal Analysis Steps

1. Identify all nodes in the circuit.

2. Select a reference node (ground).

3. Label the unknown voltages at the remaining nodes.

4. Apply KCL at each node (excluding the reference node).

5. Set up equations and solve for unknown voltages.


---

### Equipment and Components

- Circuit components: resistors, voltage sources, and current sources

- Breadboard and connecting wires

- Digital multimeter

- Power supply

- Lab notebook

---

### Procedure

1. **Circuit Setup**

- Construct a simple resistive circuit on the breadboard, including at least one voltage source and several resistors.

- Ensure connections are secure and correct.

2. **Identify Nodes**

- Label each node in the circuit and choose a reference node (ground). Note this node as 0V.

3. **Apply KCL to Set Up Equations**

- For each non-reference node, apply KCL by setting the sum of currents at the node to zero.

- Use Ohm’s law to express currents in terms of voltages and resistances.

4. **Solving for Node Voltages**

- Write down equations for each node.

- Simplify and solve these equations either by hand or using matrix techniques.

5. **Measure Node Voltages**

- Power on the circuit and use a digital multimeter to measure the voltage at each node relative to the ground.

- Record these measurements in your lab notebook.

6. **Comparing Measured and Calculated Voltages**

- Compare the calculated node voltages with the measured values.

- Document any discrepancies and discuss possible reasons (e.g., resistance tolerances, measurement errors).
---

### Example Calculation

Suppose a circuit with three nodes (A, B, and ground) has the following values:

- Resistor \( R_1 = 1 \, \text{k}\Omega \), connected between node A and ground

- Resistor \( R_2 = 2 \, \text{k}\Omega \), connected between nodes A and B

- Voltage source \( V_{\text{in}} = 10 \, \text{V} \), connected between ground and node B

1. **KCL at Node A**:

\[

\frac{V_A}{R_1} + \frac{V_A - V_B}{R_2} = 0

\]

2. **KCL at Node B**:

\[

\frac{V_B - V_A}{R_2} + I_{\text{source}} = 0

\]

3. **Solve for \( V_A \) and \( V_B \)**:

Substitute the known values of \( R_1 \), \( R_2 \), and \( V_{\text{in}} \) to solve for \( V_A \) and \( V_B \).

---

### Data and Observations

Record all data in the following format:

| Node | Calculated Voltage (V) | Measured Voltage (V) | Error (%) |

|-------------|-------------------------|-----------------------|-----------|

| Node A | | | |
| Node B | | | |

| Reference | 0 | 0 | |

---

### Analysis

1. **Error Analysis**: Calculate the percentage error between measured and calculated node voltages.

2. **Discussion of Sources of Error**: Consider the following:

- Component tolerances (e.g., resistor tolerance)

- Multimeter accuracy and limitations

- Power supply stability

3. **Implications of Nodal Analysis**: Discuss how this method applies to complex circuit design and troubleshooting.

---

### Questions for Further Study

1. How would the nodal analysis change if a current source were connected between two non-ground nodes?

2. What are the limitations of nodal analysis in circuits with inductors and capacitors?

3. How can nodal analysis be combined with mesh analysis for more complex circuits?

---

### Safety Precautions

- Verify that the power supply is off when building the circuit.

- Double-check component values and connections to prevent short circuits.

- Be cautious when working with higher voltage sources.

---

### Conclusion
This lab has demonstrated the use of nodal analysis to solve for unknown voltages in a circuit. By mastering this technique,
students will enhance their ability to analyze and design electrical circuits efficiently.

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