The Branch Current Method (BCM)

Gary A. Ybarra
The branch current method (BCM) presented here will not be found in any of the current introductory
circuits textbooks. Introductory circuits textbooks teach mesh analysis which utilizes ctitious loop
currents and is limited to planar circuits (circuits that can be drawn in two dimensions with no overlapping wires). The branch current method (BCM) utilizes physical currents and has no restrictions
for its application. The procedure is completely general, and requires the minimum amount of work to
solve a given problem for an unknown current.
Consider the circuit shown in Figure 1. Suppose we are given the element values v1 , i1 , R1 , and R2 ,
and our objective is to nd the unknown current ix through the voltage source.

v
1
ix
i1

R1

R2

Figure 1: Branch current method example 1

The rst thing to observe is that the unknown current ix ows not only through the voltage source
but also resistance R2 . If we knew the voltage across R2 , we could use Ohm's Law to nd ix . However,
we do not know the voltage across R2 . A common mistake is to think that the voltage across R2 is v1 .
If we knew the current through R1 , we could use KCL to nd ix . We do not know the current through
R1 . We are therefore going to apply a new method of solving circuits called the branch current method.
The branch current method (BCM) procedure is the same for all circuits.

The Branch Current Method (BCM) Procedure

1. Label the currents through the resistors. Avoid introducing unnecessary unknowns!
2. Apply KVL around the loop(s) with no current sources.
Following the BCM procedure, the current through R1 must be labeled. We can choose the direction of
this current arbitrarily. However, the second step of the BCM procedure requires KVL to be applied to
the right-hand loop since it is the only loop with no current source. Throughout this text, when KVL
is applied, voltage drops are summed going clock-wise around a loop starting at the lower left corner of
a loop. Since the voltage drop directed upward across R1 is to be summed in the KVL equation, we
might as well choose the current through it to be directed upward. With the current direction chosed,
its value is ix ; i1 as shown in Figure 2.
. It is a good idea to label the loops where you apply KVL. Your work will then be easier to follow
by the TA, me, you... If we label the right-hand loop l1 , KVL at l1 produces

KV L l1 R1 (ix ; i1 ) + v1 + R2 (ix) = 0
(1)
This equation has only a single unknown ix and can be solved very easily algebraically.
There are only two ways to express a voltage: by Ohm's Law with a resistor or a voltage
source value. There is no law that tells you the value of the voltage across a current source by knowing

the current source value alone. Therefore, applying KVL around loops containing current sources will
1

v
1
ix
i1

R1

R2

l1

i x- i
1

Figure 2: Branch current method example 1

v
2

v
1
ix
i1

R2

R1

i1

v
3

Figure 3: Branch current method example 2

v
2

v
1
ix
R1

ix - i

i2

l1

ix - i 1

i1

v
3

Figure 4: Branch current method example 2

R2

not be helpful when using the BCM to nd unknown currents.

Consider the circuit in Figure 3. Suppose we are given the element values and wish to nd the unknown
current ix owing through the voltage source v1 . We will use the BCM to nd ix . The rst step is to
label the currents through the resistors R1 and R2 . However, before we do this, consider how many
loops this circuit has and how many loops contain no current source. This circuit has six loops and only
one of these has no current source. Therefore, this circuit has only a single unknown current. The
only loop with no current source is the the right-center loop. Since we will be summing voltage drops
going clock-wise, we will choose the current up through R1 and down through R ; 2. Since there is
only one loop with no current source, and therefore only a single unknown current, we should be able
to label all currents in the circuit without introducing a new unknown. Labeling the current up
through R1 and down through R ; 2, the values of these currents are shown in Figure 4. Applying
KVL to the right-center loop labeled l1

KV L l1 R1(ix ; i1 ) + v1 ; v2 + R2 (ix ; i2 ) ; v3 = 0
This equation has only a single unknown ix and can be solved very easily algebraically.

(2)

In the next example, we will nd it necessary to introduce a new unknown current because it will be
impossible to label all of the currents in terms of the symbols given.
R3

v
1

v2
ix
i1

R1

R2

Figure 5: Branch current method example 3

Consider the circuit shown in Figure 5. Given all of the element values, the problem is to nd the
unknown current ix . Using the BCM, we need to label the currents through the three resistors R1 , R2
and R3 . However, it is impossible to label any of these currents without introducing a new unknown!
We introduce a new unknow current iy and arbitrarily specify the current owing up through R1 as iy .
With this current label established, we can now label the currents through both R2 and R3 in terms
of already labeled currents, and no additional unknowns are required. Since this circuit has two
unknown currents, we will have to apply KVL twice. There are six loops in this circuit. Of those six
loops, three have no current source. KVL applied to any two of these three loops with no current source
will provide us with two independent equations that we can solve for ix .
Applying KVL around loops l1 and l2 yields

KV L l1 v1 + R3 (i1 + iy ; ix) ; v2 = 0
KV L l2 R1(iy ) + v2 + R2 (i1 + iy ) = 0

These two equations can now be solved simultaneously for the unknown voltage ix .

(3)
(4)

R3

i1 + iy - i x

v2

1l

v
1

ix
i1

iy

R1

l2

i1 + iy
R2

Figure 6: Branch current method example 3