5.

6 Notions of Topology for Electric Circuits

5.6.1 Several Considerations Concerning Electric Circuit
Topology
An electric circuit is made of branches and nodes. On branches there
are placed active and passive elements of circuit which are serially
connected.
The node is that point of a circuit in which at least 3 branches of
circuit converge.
Generally an electric circuit has l-branches and n-nodes. If an
electric circuit has also magnetic-coupled coils from sections of the circuit
not connected with wires, we can mention some subnetworks in circuit. The
total number of subnetworks (that are magnetic coupled but galvanic
uncoupled electric circuits) is simbolized by s.

The electric circuit which has l - branches, n - nodes and s

-subnetworks allows a representation under the form of a graph, which keeps
the sides of the circuit (also called rows) and the nodes of circuit. The
branches will no longer contain the active and passive elements placed on
them, being only oriented. Their sense is established by the sense of the
current through the respective branch. In figure 5.50 (a) we represent an
electric circuit, and in figure 5.50 (b) we can see its graph.

5.6.2 The Matrix of Affiliation Branches-Nodes. Kirchhoff's First

Theorem
(i) As we saw in chapter 4, Kirchhof's First Theorem is written in
instantaneous values in the form:

k
k ( n a )

na

=1,2,,n

(5.218)

(ii) Writting in complex the relation (5.218), we'll be able to write

Kirchhoff's first theorem in complex too:

k ( n a )

Ik 0

(5.219)

Taking into account that in (5.218) and (5.219) the currents ik,
respectively I , are algebraical summed (then with positive or negative
sign), we shall be able to define an affiliation matrix of branches to the
circuit nodes, which will have the number of rows equal to the number of
branches and the number of columns equal to the number of nodes, and the
coefficients of this matrix nkawill be:
k

+1 if
nka=

lk na

and

lk

gets out the node

na

-1 if
0 if

l k na

and

lk

gets on the node

na

l k na

(5.219)
In the case of the circuit from fig. 5.50, the affiliation matrix (N)
branches-nodes has the form:
n1
n2
n3
n4
n5
n6
l1
1
-1
l2
1
-1
l3
1
-1
l4
1
-1
l5
1
-1
l6
1
-1
l7
-1
1
l8
1
-1
l9
1
-1
l10
1
-1
Fig. 5.51.

Obviously, under these circumstances, using the coeficients nka we

may write the Kirchhof's first theorem under the form :

kna

ka

k n a

ka

. ik 0
. Ik 0

(a)
(b)

(5.221)

If we will simbolize by i] the column vector of the currents through

the circuit branches:
I1

i1
i
i 2

(a)

.....

il

I2

...

I l

(b)

In our case

i1
i
i 2 ;

.....

i10

I1

I2
I
...

I10

(5.222)

then will be able to write Kirchhoff's first theorem using matrices under the
form:
N . i ] 0]
(5.223)
or in complex:
N . I ] 0]

(5.224)

0] - represents a column vector with n-rows, with all the elements zero. The
above relations refer to isolated networks (with no relation with the
exterior).
If the networks are not isolated, we should introduce in the points of
contact with the exterior (in the connection nodes), current sources which
will generate currents in the respective nodes, this way substituting the interconnection terminals (fig. 5.53).

In this case, choosing a separation surface which surrounds the node, for
the quasi-stationary regime we'll get:
dq
i

dt

(5.225)

or in our case:
i1 i 2 i3 i 4 j a 0

(5.226)

or, using the coefficients :

k ( n a )

ka

. ik ja

(5.227)

We can write Kirchhoff's first theorem - in matrix formulation, for unisolated networks under the forms:
-for instantaneous values:
N . i ] j ]
(5.228)
-in complex:
N . I ] J ]
(5.229)

Here j] is the column vector which has non-zero elements only for
that nodes which have connections with the exterior (in which we introduce
sources of current).
If the network has sub-networks, Kirchhoff's first theorem is applied
for (n-s) nodes, obtaining a reduced matrix [N0] which will have (n-s)
columns - corresponding to the (n-s) independent nodes (fig. 5.53) and l
-lines.

Kirchhoff's first theorem will be written in this case of un-isolated

networks with s - subnetworks under the forms:
-for instantaneous values:

N 0

. i] j]

(5.230)
-in complex:

N 0

. I] J]

(5.231)

5.6.3. Affiliation Matrix Branches-Fundamental Loops.

Kirchhoff's Second Theorm Under Complex and Matriceal Form
As we saw in Chapter 4 - for Kirchoff's Second Theorem we have two
formulations:
(i) - depending on the voltages of the terminals of branches across a circuit
loop:

k( o p )

bk

o p 1, 2 ,..., o

(5.232)

(ii) - considering Joubert's theorem for the branch k:

ubk ek Rk ik

dk
1

. ik dt
dt
Ck

(5.233)

and Maxwell's relations for inductances:

l

k Lk ik Lkj i j

(5.234)

j 1
jk

we'll obtain (for Joubert's theorem):

di l di 1
ubk ek Rk ik Lk k Lkj . j . ik dt
dt j 1 dt Ck

(5.233')

jk

Hence, using (5.232) too, we'll obtain Kirchhoff's Second Theorem for a
loop of circuit (with active and passive elements) under the form:

dik l di j 1
k(o ) (Rk ik Lk dt j1 Lkj . dt C . ikdt) k(o e) k
k
p
p

(5.235)

j k

which may be read as follows:

"The algebraical sum of the resistive, inductive and capacitive voltage
drops due to the mutual-couplings along a loop of circuit is equal to the
algebraical sum of the source of electromotive voltage along the same loop
of circuit".
The relation (5.232) and (5.235) can be also expressed in complex,
using the theorems of complex representation:
(i) for the formula with voltages at terminals:

k ( o p )

U bk 0

(ii) for the formula with voltage drops:

1 l
k(o ) Rk Ik jLk.Ik jC . Ik j1 jLkj. I j k(o )Ek
k
p
p
j k

(5.236)

or:

1 l
k(o ) Rk jLk jC . Ik j1 jLkj . I j k(o ) Ek
k
p

p
j k

(5.237)

Relations as (5.232) or (5.236) respectively (5.235) or (5.237) can be

written for all the loops of the network. But not all the loops are
independent. Euler's theorem (without demonstation) says only that:
o = l - (n - s)
(5.238)
loops are independent, where:
l - the number of branches of network
n - the number of network nodes
s - the number of subnetworks.
For s = 1, o = l n + 1
(5.239)
Observation: We'll know if a system choosen by us, o, is
independent, only if by choosing o - numbers of loops, no branch will
remain outside the choosen system.
For the fundamental (or independent) loops an affiliation matrix
branches-fundamental loops may be made-up; the matrix is symbolized by
[C], its coefficients ckp being:
+1
-1

ckp

if lk o p and the sense along the branch k (the same with the sense of
current) and the sense of crossing over the loop o p are alike
if lk o p but the sense of branch k and the sense of crossing over the
loop o p are different
if l k o p

In the case of the schema from fig. 5.50 we have:

l = 10; n = 6; s = 1;
o = l n + 1=5

(5.241)

lk/op
l1
l2
l3
l4
l5
l6
l7
l8
l9
l10

o1
1
-1
-1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

o2
0
1
0
0
-1
1
0
0
0
-1

o3
o4
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
-1
0
-1
0
0
-1
1
1
0
1
fig.5.54
Using the coefficients ckp given by (5.240) we'll
Kirchhoff's Second theorem (5.232) under the form:

k ( o p )

kp

ubk 0

o5
0
0
0
-1
1
0
0
1
0
0
be able to write

(5.242)

If we'll define the column vector of the voltages at the terminals of the
circuit branches:
ub1

ub

ub 2

(5.243)

.....

ubl

then we'll be able to write this theorem using matrix:

C ub 0

(5.244)

In a similar manner we'll act to express Kirchhoff's second theorem:

(i) - using the coefficients ckp, the relation (5.235) is written:

dik 1 l dij
ckp (ubk ek ) k(o )ckp .(Rk ik Lk . dt C .ikdt j1 Lkj . dt ) (5.245)
k(o p )
k
p
j k

dik 1 l dij
k(o )ckp .(Rk ik Lk . dt C . ikdt j1 Lkj dt ) k(o c) kp ek
k
p
p

(5.246)

jk

In order to write Kirchhoff's Second theorem we'll introduce:

-the column vector of the electromotive voltages of the circuit, e]:

e1
e2

(5.247)

.....

el

-the operator ,,impedance'' [z]:

d
d
d 1
R 1 L1 dt L12
. . L1l
dt C1
dt
dt

1
d

L21 R2 L2 dt . . L2l
z dt dt C2 dt
..
..
..
d
d
d 1
Ll2 Rl Ll dt
Ll1
dt
dt Cl
dt

(5.248)

This way the relations of the form (5.245) or (5.246) can be written
using matrix:
-for (5.245) we'll have:

 C (ub e) C z i

(5.249)

-for (5.246):

C z . i C e

(5.250)

The Kirchhoff's Second theorem may be written matricially in instantaneous

values under the forms (5.244) or (5.250).
If we'd like to express in complex Kirchhoff's second theorem matricially,
we'll write everything in complex, including the operator (z) which will
become a complex operator [Z]:

R1 jL1

jL21

[Z ]

1
jC1

.........................

jLl1

jL12
R2 jL2

jL1l

...
1
jC2

... jL2l

..........................
jLl 2

...

1
Rl jLl
jCl

(5.251)
and we'll use again the theorems of complex representation. It will result:
C U b 0
(5.252)

C Z

I C E

(5.253)

5.6.4. Relations between the Matrices Affiliation Branches-Nodes and

Branches-Fundamental Loops
Between the matrix [N] - given by (5.220), which intervenes in
(5.223) or (5.234) and the matrix [C] - given by (5.240) and which appears
in (5.244) or (5.250) we can write the relations:
N C 0
(5.254)

C N 0
(5.255)

5.7. Methods to Analyse the Electric Circuits Found in

PSPR
In this paragraph we'll present the main methods to analyze the
circuits found in PSPR as well as the most important theorems which help us
to solve the problem of analyze for these circuits.

The solving of analyze problem assumes the calculation of currents

through the circuit sides when the active and passive elements of circuit are
known.
The system of integro-differential equations deduced in instantaneous
values from (5.218) and (5.235) may be transformed in an algebraic one if
we'd pass in the complex domain and we'd use the relations (5.219) and
(5.237). Here the unknown variables are the complex currents from the
circuit sides.
To solve the analyze problem using Kirchhoff's theorems we'll make
the following steps:
1- for the given schema the active and passive elements are written in
complex, obtaining the schema of circuit in complex domain;
2- some currents are established through the circuit sides, their senses being
arbitrary choosen (anyway in the real schema the currents through sides
change their sense each half-of- period);
3- the fundamental loops are established (o), with arbitrary senses;
4- we write equations of the form (5.219) using Kirchhoff's First Theorem
and of the form (5.237) using Kirchhoff's Second Theorem, forming this
way an algebraical system with l - eqautions and l - unknowns;
5- we find the complex currents;
6- the instantaneous values are determined using the methods to turn-back
in the time-domain.
If we'd like a matriceal solutioning, we'll use the relations (5.224) and
(5.237) for isolated networks:

N 0 I 0
C Z I C

(5.256)

or : (5.231) and (5.237) for inter-connected (unisolated) networks:

N 0 I J
C Z I C

(5.257)

A matriceal solving is of a great use when the circuit has a great

number of branches and it is suitable to use computers.
Important Observation: If in the electric schema of the circuit there
are also current sources, this thing will be reflected in the algorithm of
solving the problem of analyze the circuits in PSPR as follows:
- for the sides with current sources the current of the respective side is
known (being quite the current of the source, with a negative or positive sign
depending on the arbitrary sense of the current choosen by us, which has the
same sense or a sense opposite to the current given by the source);

- the knowledge of the currents through the sides with current-sources leads
to a decreasing of the number of equations written with Kirchhoff's second
theorem; for this aim we'll choose the fundamental loops so that through the
branches with current-sources a single fundamental loop should cross: for
these loops the equations with the second theorem vanishes and it's replaced
by the current of the source which is the current of branch.
- this way the number of equations written with the second theorem is
decreased from "o" to "(o - nj)" where nj is the number of the current
sources.

5.7.2. Superposition Theorem for Circuits Found in PSPR

The superposition theorem for the circuits found in PSPR asserts that,
if in an electric circuit there are more than an excitation quantity (source), to
the sum of causes (excitations) will correspond the sum of effects (or
currents through the sides of circuit).
For demonstration we'll consider the matrix system of equations given
by (5.257) - in the general case, considering that:
- at the excitations E'] and J'] will result the currents I'] given by:

N 0 I J
C Z I C

(5.258)

- at the excitations E''] and J''] will result the currents I''] given by:

N 0 I J
C Z I C

(5.259)

If will bring together the circuits excitations:

E S E E
J S J J

(5.260)

then, summing member by member the relations (5.258) and (5.259) we'll
find:

N 0 I I J J
Z I I C E

what means that:

(5.261)

I S I I

(5.262)

is the solution of the system of equations (5.261).

5.7.3. The theorem and the method of contour currents for solving
the problem of analyze for circuits found in PSPR ( or the method of
cyclic currents or mesh currents)
The Method of the Contour Currents (also called cyclic currents or
loop-currents) is a method of analyze for circuits found in PSPR, which
decreases the number of the equations written with Kirchhoff's theorems
from "l" to "o" (That is at the number of fundamental loops).
For this we'll consider that each contour (or fundamental loop) is
pierced by a loop-current which circulates along the respective loop. These
loop-currents are "fake-currents", introduced in calculus in order to solve
easier the analyze problem (by decreasing the number of equations). The
sense of this currents coincide with the sense of crossing through the loop of
which it is considered (fig. 5.55).

Ic1, Ic2 from figure 5.55 are loop-currents

Ik is the current of the side k:
I k I c1 I c 2

(5.263)
If we'll express these currents using the coefficients given by (5.240), we
can write:
Ik

c
plk

kp

I cp

(5.264)

or matricially:

I C I c

where:

(5.265)

Ic

I c1
I c 2

(5.266)

...

I co

is the column vector of the contour-currents.

Observation: With the loop-currents we'll operate only in the complex
domain because they are fake-currents.
If we'll substitute (5.265) and (5.253) we'll find:

C Z C
or:

I C C E

Z C I C E

C E

(5.268)

If we'll symbolise by:

Z11
...

Z Z k1

...
Z o1

Z12

... Z1 j

...
Z k 2
...
Z o 2

...
...
...
...

...
Z kj
...
Z oj

...

Z1o

... ...

... Z ko

... ...

... Z oo

(5.269)
we'll be able to write:

Z'

IC E

(5.270)

The elements of the matrix [Z'] will be:

(i)

Zkk Z p Z pq
p(ok )

p ok
q ok

(5.271)

The sign of Zpq will be considered:

"+" if the sense of flowing through the loop k passes likewise through the
polarized terminals of the magnetic coupled coils p and q belonging to
the loop k (either gets in both terminals, or goes out from both polarized
terminals).

"-" if the sense of flowing passes differently through the polarized terminals
(the sense of the contour current from the loop "k" gets in a polarized
terminal and goes out from the other polarized terminal for the magnetic
coupled coils p and q).
(ii)

Z kj Z p Z pq
p(ok )
p(o j )

p(ok )
q(o j )

(5.272)

At Zp the sign is:

"+" when the sense of Ick and of Icj through the common impedance Zp are
likewise.
"-" when the sense of Ick and of Icj through the common impedance Zp are
different.
At Zpq the sign is :
"+" if Ick reported to the polarized terminal of the coil p from the loop k
and the sense of Icj reported to the polarized terminal of the coil q from the
loop j are identical oriented.
"-" if Ick reported to the polarized terminal of the coil p from the loop k
and the sense of Icj reported to the polarized terminal of the coil q from the
loop j are differently oriented.
E'] from (5.270) represents the column vector of the electromotive
voltages of the circuit loops:
E

E 1
E 2

...

E o

(5.273)

Ek is equal with the algebraical sum of the sources of electromotive

voltages from the loop k. We'll consider positive those sources of
electromotive voltages which have a sense identical with the sense of
flowing along the contour (that is the sense of the loop-current) and negative
those sources of electromotive voltages which have a sense opposite to the
sense of flowing through the loop k.
Exemplification: For the circuit represented in figure 5.56 we want to
calculate the current through branches using the loop-current method,
knowing the active and passive elements of circuit.

The
schema was
represented directly in complex.
We first analyze the circuit.
We have: l = 3, n = 2 (n-1 = 1); o = l-n+1 = 2.
We choose the contours as in figure 5.56. The equations with (5.268)
developed are:

Z 11 I c1 Z 12 I c2 E1

Z 21 I c1 Z 22 I c2 E2

(5.274)

We'll have in our case:

Z 11 R jX jX jX R jX 2 jX
1
C1
L1
L3
3
C3
M 13

Z 12 R3 jX C 3 jX L3 jX M 12 jX M 13

Z 21 Z 12

Z 22 R2 jX L 2 R3 jX L3 jX C 3

E 1 E 1 E 3

(5.275)

E 2 E 2 E 3

From (5.274), substituting (5.275), we'll find I c1 and I c 2 ;then we'll

determine the complex currents through the circuit branches:

I 1 I c1

I 2 I c2
I I I
3 c1 c 2

(5.276)

Important observation: If the initial schema contain ideal sources of

current, we'll choose the fundamental loops so that through the branches
with current sources a single loop-current should flow. This way the value of
that loop-current is equal exactly with the current given by the currentsource, having the sign "+" for an identical sense of the contour and of the
current-source and "-" otherwise.
This way for the system of the form (5.268) an equation vanishes (the
number of equations of the system is decreased), same time decreasing the
number of the unknown-variables.
5.7.4. Theorem and method of the nodes potentials for the solving of
the analyze problem of the circuits found in PSPR
Writting Joubert's theorem in matriceal form, deduced from (5.249):
U b E Z I

(5.277)

Taking into account that the matrix [Z] is square and may be inversed,
its inverse being the matrix [Y]:
[Y]=[Z]-1

(5.278)

(the matrix of admittances), multiplying with [Y] in both members of

(5.277) we find:
I] = [Y] . [Z] . I] = [Y] . ( Ub] + E] )

(5.279)

If a side k is connected between two nodes, then its voltage at

terminals is equal with the difference between the potentials of the 2 nodes
fig. 5.57:
U k V V 1

(5.280)

.
Symbolizing with V] - the column-vector of the potentials of the nnodes between U b and V will exist the relation:
Ub

(5.281)

Substituting (5.281) in (5.279), we find:

I Y

V E

(5.282)

But from (5.229) we have:

I J

Here we introduce I] given by (5.282):

N Y N

V E

Y N V N Y E J

(5.283)

We symbolized:

Y N Y N

(5.284)

that we'll introduce in (5.283) and results:

V J N Y E

V J I 'sc

or:

in (5.285) we have:
[Y'] - the matrix of the admittances of nodes;
V]
- the column vector of the potentials of the nodes;

(5.285)

J]

- the vector of the injections of current from the nodes of the circuit
(of the current-sources)
I ' sc - the column vector of the currents of the short-circuit from the
network nodes.
The method of the potential of nodes is easier applied at circuits
without mutual-couplings, where [Z] is a diagonal matrix, then which is easy
to inverse. Using these methods we'll be able to reduce the number "l" of
equations written with Kirchhoff's theorems at (n-1) equations written with
Kirchhoff's First Theorem.
For this aim, taking into account that the potentials are not uniquely
determined but in exchange the potential differences are constants at the
sides terminals, we'll be able to choose a node with reference potential null,
following that the other potentials should be expressed reported to it. In this
situation the matriceal equation (5.285) becomes:

Y
0

Here:

V 0 J0

Y 11
...

Y 0 Y
k1

...
Y n 1,1

I sc 0

(5.286)

Y 12

...

Y 1k

...

...
Y k 2

...

...
Y kk

...

...
Y n 1, 2

...

...

...
... Y n 1, k

...

Y 1, n 1
...
Y k , n 1

...

...

... Y n 1, n 1

(5.287)
where:
(a) Y kk - symbolizes the proper admittance of the node k, which is equal
with the sum of the admittances of the sides which converge in the node k:
Y 'kk

p n k

(5.288)
(b) Y kj is the sum of the admittances of the branches that make the
connection between the node k and the node j, taken with changed sign:

Y kj Yp
p(nk )
p(nj )

(5.289)

An element of the column vector, symbolized with - represents the

sum of the currents of the current sources which converge in the node k, and

an element of the column-vector, symbolized by - represents the current of

the short-circuit of the sides with voltage-sources, which converge in the
node k.
In this case the current of the short-circuit is equal with the ratio
between the source of the electromotive voltage and the side impedance.
Using the system (5.286) we will determine the potentials of the nodes
and then the voltages at the sides terminals.
In order to determine the current from the circuit sides we should
express the voltage at terminals depending on the active and passive
elements of the respective side and on the current of the side with Joubert's
theorem:
U bk E k Z k I k

hence:
Ik

U bk E k
Zk

(5.290)