rosmawati@petronas.com.

my

Mechanical Engineering Department

Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS
18-03-19
05-368 7147

Rosmawati Mat Zain

MBB2083/MCB1033 EPM

METHODS OF ANALYSIS

 Mesh Analysis
Interested in finding mesh current

Nodal Analysis
Interested in finding node voltage

Methods of Analysis

Methods of Analysis

 Mesh Analysis is based on Kirchhoffs Voltage

Law (KVL). Interested in finding mesh currents

Nodal Analysis is based on Kirchhoffs Current

Law (KCL). Interested in finding node voltages

Techniques for analyzing linear circuits by obtaining a

set of simultaneous equations that are then solved to
get values of current or voltage
Ohms law and Kirchhoffs laws applied during
analysis

Nodal and Mesh Analysis

Methods of Analysis

Reference

NonNon-Reference

Nodes

Nodal Analysis Remember Node?

3. Solve the resulting simultaneous equations to

obtain unknown node voltages.

2. Apply KCL to each of the n-1 nonreference

nodes. Use ohms law to express the branch
currents in terms of node voltages.

1. Select a node as a reference node. Assign

voltages v1, v2, vn-1 to the remaining n-1 nodes.
The voltages are referenced to the reference node.

Steps to Determine the Node Voltage

Nodal Analysis

Methods of Analysis

b) Circuit with 3 Nodal Equations

Note: The no. of nonreference nodes = no. of independent equations

a) Circuit with 2 Nodal Equations

Nodal Analysis

Methods of Analysis

Nodal Analysis
Example

Methods of Analysis

I2 +

V1
V V2
+ 1
R1
R2
V1 V 2
V
= 2
R2
R3

I1 = I 2 +

Use Ohms law to express currents

in terms of node voltages.

I2 + i2 = i3

Applying KCL at node 2,

I1 = I2 + i1 + i2

Applying KCL at node 1,

Nodal Analysis
Example

Methods of Analysis

1
1
1
+

R R
R2 V1 I1 I 2
1
2

=
1
1 V2 I 2
1
+
R
R2 R3
2

Rewrite in Matrix form:

V1 V 2
V
+
+ 2 = I2
R2
R2
R3

V1
V1
V2
+

= I1 I 2
R1 R 2
R2

Rearrange, yields:

 Use nodal analysis to obtain vo in the circuit.

Problem 3.6

vo = 8.727 V

v 2 12 v 0 v 0 10
+
+
=0
4
6
2

i1 + i2 + i3 = 0

Problem 3.6

Take Home Exercise.. Find node voltages: v1 and v2

A mesh is a loop which does not contain any other

loop within it

Only applicable to planar circuit

Applying KVL to find unknown current

Mesh Analysis

Methods of Analysis

 Circuit above has two meshes, Mesh 1 and Mesh 2

Mesh currents are i1 and i2
Branch Currents are I1, I2 and I3
where i3 = i1 - i2 (algebraic sum of the mesh currents)

Mesh Analysis

Methods of Analysis

3. Solve the resulting n simultaneous equations to

get the mesh currents.

2. Apply KVL to each of the n meshes. Use ohms

law to express the voltages in terms of the mesh
currents.

1. Assign mesh currents i1, i2,.in to the n meshes.

Steps to Determine the Mesh Current

Mesh Analysis

Methods of Analysis

 Solving equations 1 & 2, yields

i1= i2 = I1 = I2 = 1A I3 = i1- i2 = 0A

Applying KVL to both meshes

Mesh 1 -15 + 5i1 + 10(i1-i2) + 10 = 0.(1)
Mesh 2 -10 + 10(i2-i1) + 6i2 + 4i2 = 0.(2)

Mesh Analysis
Example

Methods of Analysis

Find i

i = 0.67A

Take Home Exercise.. Find mesh currents: i1 , i2 and i3

Mesh Analysis
More useful for identifying mesh current
Circuit has fewer mesh equations than node equations

More convenient for identifying node voltages

Circuit has fewer node equations than mesh equations

Nodal Analysis

Selection Factors

Methods of Analysis