4/3/2015

Mesh Analysis - Supermesh | Solved Problems

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Mesh Analysis - Supermesh

Solve the circuit and find the power of sources:
VS=10V , IS=4A , R1=2 , R2=6 , R3=1 , R4=2 .
Solution:
There are three meshes in the circuit. So, we need to
assign three mesh currents. It is better to have all the
mesh currents loop in the same direction (usually
clockwise) to prevent errors when writing out the
equations.

A mesh current is the current passing through elements

which are not shared by other loops. This is to say that
for example the current of the voltage source is I1 , the
current of R2 is I2 and so on. But how about elements
shared between two meshes? Current of such elements
is the algebraic sum of both meshes. For example if we
assume the current of R1 is defined with direction from
top to bottom, its current would be I1I2 . If one assume
the inverse direction, i.e. from bottom to top, it would be
I2I1 .
Now, lets write the equation for mesh of I1 (Mesh I). A
mesh equation is in fact a KVL equation using mesh
currents. We start from a point and calculate algebraic
sum of voltage drops around the loop:
First the voltage source:
VS+...
Now we have reached R1 from its upper node. So its current is I1I2 and we have:
VS+R1(I1I2)+...
One important point that you should remember and it always help you to validate the equation is that the
current part for resistors is always equal to the current of the mesh that we are writing the equation for
minus the current of the other mesh. Of course this is only valid if you respect the convention to
define all the mesh currents in the same direction
go around the loop at the same direction as the mesh current that you defined while writing the
equation

Let's continue writing the equation. The next element, which is also the last element, is R3 . Without further
thinking we can say that the term associated with this element is R3(I1I3) . (Why?)
VS+R1(I1I2)+R3(I1I3)=0 .
The equation for Mesh I is done. The next mesh is Mesh II. But wait! what is the voltage across the current
source to write in the mesh KVL equation? We don't know. There are two ways to resolve this issue:

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4/3/2015

Mesh Analysis - Supermesh | Solved Problems

Assign a voltage to the current source ( VIS ). Write equations using VIS and later add
equations of Mesh II and III to get rid of VIS .
Write the equation for the Supermesh II & III.
A supermesh is a larger loop which has both meshes inside.
Let's try both methods.
1) Using VIS

Mesh II:
R1(I2I1)+R2(I2)VIS=0
Note that for R1 , unlike the equation for Mesh I, the
current is I2I1 . This is because we are walking around
the loop with the direction of I2 , or briefly it is because
we are writing the equation for mesh of I2 .
Mesh III:
R3(I3I1)+VIS+R4(I3)=0 .
Let's add two equations:
R1(I2I1)+R2(I2)VIS+R3(I3I1)+VIS+R4(I3)=0+0
Simplifying:
R1(I2I1)+R2(I2)+R3(I3I1)+R4(I3)=0
2) Supermesh
Here is the supermesh:
Around the loop clockwise:
R1(I2I1)+R2(I2)+R4(I3)+R3(I3I1)=0 .
As you can see, we were able to write the equation in
one shot. That is why the supermesh method is
preferred.
Now, we have two equations: one for Mesh I and one for
the supermesh. But there are three unknowns: I1 , I2
and I3 . So we need another equation. The third
equation comes from the current source by writing KCL
one of its nodes. We choose the node which is not
shared by third loop which is the loop at the right hand
side for this example. This way we minimize the number
of terms in the equation. Note that the current of R2 and R4 are I2 and I3 , respectively, but the terms for
R2 and R3 are more complicated because of I1 involvement.
Let's apply KCL for the right hand side node. I2 and IS are entering to the node and I3 is leaving.
I2IS+I3=0
Now we have all three equations:
VS+R1(I1I2)+R3(I1I3)=0R1(I2I1)+R2(I2)+R4(I3)+R3(I3I1)=0I2IS+I3=0
Let's substitute values:
VS=10V , IS=4A , R1=2 , R2=6 , R3=1 , R4=2 .
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4/3/2015

Mesh Analysis - Supermesh | Solved Problems

2(I1I2)+(I1I3)=102(I2I1)+6I2+2I3+I3I1=0I2+I3=4
3I12I2I3=103I1+8I2+3I3=0I2+I3=4
4.9166
I1=4.92AI2=0.25AI3=4.25A
The circuit is solved. Any other voltage or current in the circuit can be easily found using mesh currents.
To find power of sources, we need current of the voltage source and voltage across the current source.
For the voltage source, current is equal to I1 as it is located at the unshared part of Mesh I. The current is
entering from the negative terminal. Therefore, the active sign convention should be used to find the sign
of power:
PVS=VSI1=49.2W<0 (supplying power).
Take a look here if you are would like to know how power of independent sources should be calculated.
For the current source, the voltage is VIS and can be calculated by KVL equation of mesh II:
R1(I2I1)+R2(I2)VIS=0
VIS=2(0.254.92)+60.25=7.84V
Here, the current is entering from the positive terminal. So, the passive sign convention should be used:
PIS=VISIS=7.844=31.36W<0 (supplying power).
Now, it is on you to find the power of all resistors and validate that the power conservation law is satisfied.

More from my site

Problem 1-2: Power and Conductance of Resistors
Problem 1-8: Nodal Analysis Power of Current Source
Problem 1-15: Power of Independent Sources
Problem 1-1: Power of Elements
Ideal Independent Sources
Problem 1-3: Using Power and Conductance

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Mesh Analysis - Supermesh | Solved Problems

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