Scribd
Upload
13 views

Superposition

The Superposition Theorem allows for the analysis of linear circuits with multiple power sources by evaluating each source individually and summing the resulting voltages and currents algebraically. The process involves replacing inactive sources with short or open circuits, calculating the effects of each source, and then superimposing the results. This theorem is applicable to linear, bilateral circuits and can be used for DC, AC, and combined AC/DC circuits, but it cannot be used to calculate power.

Uploaded by

Frank Kotzamanis Collins
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
13 views

Superposition

The Superposition Theorem allows for the analysis of linear circuits with multiple power sources by evaluating each source individually and summing the resulting voltages and currents algebraically. The process involves replacing inactive sources with short or open circuits, calculating the effects of each source, and then superimposing the results. This theorem is applicable to linear, bilateral circuits and can be used for DC, AC, and combined AC/DC circuits, but it cannot be used to calculate power.

Uploaded by

Frank Kotzamanis Collins
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 8

Superposition Theorem

PDF Version




How to Use the Superposition Theorem to Analyze a Linear Circuit?


The superposition theorem states that any linear circuit with more than one power source can be analyzed
by summing the currents and voltages from each individual power source.

The superposition theorem is one of those strokes of genius that takes a


complex subject and simplifies it (in this case, circuits) and breaks it down in a
way that makes sense. While a theorem like Millman’s can also work well, it is not
quite obvious why it works as well as it does. Superposition, however, is obvious,
which we’ll dive into further.
In this article, we’ll go over the step-by-step process for applying the
superposition theorem to easily analyze circuits with multiple voltages and/or
current sources supplying power.

What is the Superposition Theorem?


The strategy used in the superposition theorem is to eliminate all but one source
of power within a network at a time. Then, we use series and parallel circuit analysis
techniques to determine voltage drops and currents within the modified network
for each power source separately.
This process is then repeated sequentially by individually evaluating the circuit
for every voltage and current source in the system. After each individual analysis
has been completed, the voltage and current values are all “superimposed” on
top of each other (added algebraically) to find the actual voltage drops and
currents with all sources active.

Explaining the Superposition Theorem in Circuit


Analysis
Before getting too far, let's explain the superposition theorem using the linear
circuit example of Figure 1.

Figure 1. Circuit schematic for explaining the superposition theorem.

To make it easier to compare various network analysis methods , this is the same
circuit we use to discuss:

 Branch current
 Mesh current
 Thevenin’s theorem
 Norton’s theorem
 Millman’s theorem

Since we have two sources of power in this circuit, we will have to calculate two
sets of values for voltage drops and/or currents—one set for the circuit with only
the 28 V battery and a second set with only the 7 V battery.

Step 1: Replace All of the Power Sources Except for One


When replacing the power supplies in the circuits, we must follow these two
rules:

1. Replace all voltage sources with short circuits (wires)


2. Replace all current sources with open circuits (breaks)

Since we only have voltage sources (batteries) in our example circuit in Figure 1,
we will replace every inactive source during analysis with a short circuit wire. For
example, in Figure 2, we have replaced the battery, B 2, with a short circuit.

Figure 2. Battery B2 replaced with a short circuit

On the other hand, Figure 3 has a battery, B 1, that has been replaced with a
short circuit.

Figure 3. Battery B1 was replaced with a short circuit.

Step 2: Calculate the Voltages and Currents Due to Each Individual Source
Analyzing the circuit of Figure 2 with only the 28 V battery using the table
method, we obtain the values shown in Table 1 for each of the resistor voltage
drops and resistor currents.

Table 1. Voltage and current values were calculated for the circuit with B 2 removed.
Now, we can add the voltages and currents into the circuit drawing, as shown in
Figure 4, paying careful attention to make sure we label the voltage drops with
the correct polarity and the currents with the correct direction of flow.

Figure 4. Voltages and currents are added to the circuit powered only by battery B 1.

This step will be critical when we begin superimposing values later.

Step 3: Repeat Steps 1 and 2 for Each Power Supply


Next, we’ll repeat this process for the circuit of Figure 3 with only the 7 V
battery. The results are shown in Table 2 and Figure 5.

Table 2. Voltage and current values were calculated for the circuit with B 1 removed.
Figure 5. Voltages and currents are added to the circuit powered only by battery B 2.

Step 4: Superimpose the Individual Voltages and Currents


When superimposing these values of voltage and current, we must be careful to
consider the polarity of the voltage drop and the direction of the current flow, as
the values have to be added algebraically.
Figure 6 shows the superposition of the resistor voltage drops.

Figure 6. Superposition of the resistor voltage drops.

Meanwhile, Figure 7 shows the circuit after adding the superimposed voltage
values.

Figure 7. Application of the superimposed voltage values.


The resistor currents add up algebraically as well and can either be
superimposed using resistor voltage drops or calculated from the final voltage
drops and respective resistances (I = V/R). Either way, the answers will be the
same.
Figure 8 demonstrates how the superposition method is applied to the currents.

Figure 8. Superposition of the resistor voltage drops.

Next, adding these superimposed current values results in the circuit of Figure 9.

Figure 9. Application of the superimposed current values.

After following all of those steps, it is easy to see how the superposition theorem
is quite simple and elegant, don’t you think?

Prerequisites for Using the Superposition Theorem


It’s important to note that the superposition theorem works only for circuits that
are reducible to series and/or parallel combinations for each power source
evaluated individually. Therefore, for example, it is useless for analyzing an
unbalanced bridge circuit.
Another limitation of the superposition theorem is when it is used with linear
circuits where all of the underlying equations do not have any mathematical
exponents or roots. This is true for most of the circuits we encounter in electrical
engineering. A typical circuit built with standard passive components, such as
resistors, inductors, and capacitors, is linear. Most voltage sources, batteries,
and current sources are also linear to first order. Other network analysis
methods, including Thevenin’s theorem and Norton’s theorem, are also limited to
use with linear circuits.
Diodes and varistors are examples of non-linear devices because their I-V curves
are not linear. At low currents, they can generally be considered linear devices;
however, at high currents, a battery may not output a constant voltage, and its
function would be non-linear.
The linearity requirement means that the superposition theorem is only
applicable for determining voltage and current, not power. Power dissipation,
being a nonlinear function, does not algebraically add up to an accurate total
when only one source is considered at a time.
Another prerequisite for the superposition theorem is that all components must
be “bilateral,” meaning that they behave the same, with current flowing in either
direction through them. Resistors have no polarity-specific behavior, thus, the
circuits we’ve been studying so far all meet this criterion.

Applications of the Superposition Theorem to AC,


DC, and AC/DC Circuits
The superposition theorem finds use in the study of alternating current (AC)
circuits and semiconductor (amplifier) circuits , where sometimes AC is often mixed
(superimposed) with DC. Since AC voltages and current equations ( Ohm’s law) are
linear, just like DC, we can use superposition to analyze the circuit with just the
DC power source. Then, just the AC power source, combine the results to tell
what will happen with both AC and DC sources in effect. For now, though,
superposition will suffice as a break from having to do simultaneous equations to
analyze a circuit.

Review of the Superposition Theorem


 The superposition theorem states that a circuit with multiple power sources
can be analyzed by evaluating only one power source at a time. Then, the
component voltages and currents are added algebraically to determine the
circuit response with all power sources in effect.
 Step 1: Replace all of the power sources except one. Replace voltage
sources with a short circuit (wire) and current sources with an open circuit
(break).
 Step 2: Calculate the voltages and currents due to each individual source.
 Step 3: Repeat steps 1 and 2 for each power supply.
 Step 4: Superimpose the individual voltages and currents. Algebraically add
the component voltages and currents; paying particular attention to the
direction of the voltage drops and current flows.
 The superposition theorem is limited to use with linear, bilateral circuits.
 The superposition theorem can be applied to DC, AC, and combined AC/DC
circuits.
 The superposition theorem cannot be used to add power.

You might also like