Title: Study of Branch current analysis, Mesh analysis and Nodal Analysis

Abstract: The purpose of this experiment is to be able to demonstrate the

validity of the branch current analysis, mesh analysis and nodal analysis
technique through experimental measurements and observe the difference between
theoretical and simulation results.

Introduction:
The main objective of this experiment was to verify the ohms law. In doing so, followings
were performed:
a) To design an electrical circuit with relevant parameters and sources.
b) To set up the circuit with appropriate connections, sources, and instruments.
c) To compare the measured value with the theoretical estimated value.
d) To find the reason for error in result, and to draw conclusion on how
to overcome.

Theory and Methodology: The branch, mesh and nodal analysis techniques are
used to solve complex networks, which are not in series or in parallel. The
branch and mesh analysis techniques will determine the current of the network,
while the nodal analysis approach will provide the potential levels of the nodes
of the networks with respect to some reference. The application of each
technique follows a sequence of steps, each of which will result in a set of
equations for the various variables, whether they are current or voltage.
i)Branch current analysis: The current through each branch of the network is
called the branch current. Once the branch current is known, all other quantities,
such as voltage or power can be determined. There are four steps to the branch
current which are given below.
a) Assign a distinct current of arbitrary direction to each branch of the network.
b) Indicate the polarities for each resistor as determined by the assumed current
direction.
c) Apply Kirchhoffs voltage law around each closed, independent loop of the
network.
d) Apply Kirchhoffs current law at the minimum number of nodes that will include all
the branch currents of the network.
e) Solve the resulting simultaneous linear equations for assumed branch currents.

Example for branch current analysis (For Figure-1)

ii) Mesh analysis: The term mesh is derived from the similarities in appearance
between the closed loop of a network and a wire mesh fence. A loop current is a branch
current only when it is the only loop current assigned to that branch. There are five
steps to the mesh current which are given below:
a) Assign a loop current to each independent, closed loop in a clockwise direction.
b) The number of required equations is equal to the number of chosen
independent, closed loops. Column 1 of each equation is formed by
summing the resistance values of those resistors through which the loop
current of interest passes and multiplying the result by that loop current.
c) The mutual terms must be considered which are always subtracted from the first
column. A mutual term is simply any resistive element having an additional loop
current passing through it. It is possible to have more than one mutual term if the
loop current of interest has an element in common with more than one other loop
current. Each term is the product of the mutual resistor and the other loop current
passing through the same element.
d) The column to the right of the equality sign is the algebraic sum of the voltage
sources through which the loop current of interest passes. Positive signs are
assigned to those sources of voltage having a polarity such that the loop current
passes from the negative to the positive terminal. A negative sign is assigned to
those potentials for which the reverse is true.
e) Solve the resulting simultaneous equations for the desired loop currents.

Example for mesh analysis (For Figure-2)

iii) Nodal analysis: A node is a junction of two or more branches, where a branch is
any combination of series elements. For a network of N nodes, therefore there will
existed (N-1) nodes with a fixed potential relative to the assigned reference node. There
are five steps to the node voltages which are given below (format approach).
a) Choose a reference node and assign a subscripted voltage label to the (N1)
remaining nodes of the network.
b) The number of equations required for a complete solution is equal to the number
of subscripted voltages (N1). Column 1 of each equation is formed by summing
the conductance tied to the node of interest and multiplying the result by that
subscripted nodal voltage.
c) The mutual terms must be considered which are always subtracted from
the first column. It is possible to have more than one mutual term if the nodal
voltage of current interest has an element in common with more than one other
nodal voltage. Each mutual term is the product of the mutual conductance and
the other nodal voltage tied to that conductance.
d) The column to the right of the equality sign is the algebraic sum of the current
sources tied to the node of interest. A current source is assigned a positive
sign if it supplies current to a node and a negative sign if it draws current
from the node.
e) Solve the resulting simultaneous equations for the desired voltages.

Example for nodal analysis (For Figure-3)

Apparatus:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Trainer Board
Voltmeter
Ammeter
AVO meter or Multimeter
DC source
Resistors
Connecting Wires

Precautions:
1. All the apparatus were checked.
2. Before connecting DC source in the trainer board that was checked.
3. While measuring current Digital multimeter was placed in series with the
branch of the circuit where the current was to be measured, multimeter
was in ammeter mode.
4. The DC source was not switched on while implementing the circuit in the
trainer board
5. Voltmeter was connected in the parallel through the resistor. Ammeter
was connected in the series through the resistor.

Circuit Diagram:
XMM1

XMM2

R1

R2

1.527k

2.24k

V1
10 V

V2
5V

R3
4.78k
XMM3

Figure:4

R1
1.527k

R3
4.78k

R2
2.24k

XMM1
XMM2
V2
10 V

V1
20 V

Figure:5
R1
XMM2

1.527k

R6

R2

2.24k

4.78k
XMM1

R5
2.24k

R4
4.78k

V1
10 V

R3
V2
5V

Figure:6

1.527k

XMM2

XMM1

R3
2.24k
I1
6.55mA

R1
1.527k

R2
2.24k

R4
4.78k

I2
1.064mA

Figure:6 (converted)
Experimental Procedure:
A Branch-current analysis:
1. The circuit was connected as shown in the figure 4. 3 branch-current
equations was written to describe that circuit. Then the current was
calculated through each branch of the network from those equations.
Then the direction of the currents was indicate and current I1,I2,I3 was
measured.
B Mesh analysis
2. The circuit was connected as shown in the figure 5. 2 mesh equations
was written to describe that circuit. Then the current was calculate
through each loop of the network from these equations. Then the direction
of the currents was indicate and current I1,I2 was measured.
C Nodal analysis
3. The circuit was connected as shown in the figure 6. 3 nodal equations
was written to describe that circuit. Then the nodal voltages was
calculated from these equations and nodal voltages V1,V2 was measured.

R5
6.307k

Simulation:

Figure:4

Figure:5

Figure:6

Figure:6 (Converted)

Measurement:
Data Table:

Table-1 (For Figure-4)

Value of Resistors: R1=1.527k, R2=2.245k, R3=4.78k.
Value of Voltage Sources: E1=10V, E2=5V.

Equation 1
Equation 2
Equation 3
Branch Currents
I1 (mA)
I2 (mA)
I3 (mA)

I1 + I2 = I3
1.527I1 + 4.78I3 = 10
4.78I3 + 2.24I2 = 5
Calculated values
2.159
0.724
1.435

Measured values
2.16
0.7585
1.402

Table-2 (For Figure-5)

Value of Resistors: R1=1.527k, R2=2.24k, R3=4.78k.
Value of Voltage Sources: E1=20V, E2=10V.

Equation 1
Equation 2

Branch Currents
I1 (mA)
I2 (mA)

6.307I1 4.78I2 =10

-4.78I1 + 7.02I2 = 10

Calculated values
5.50
5.173

Measured values
5.507
5.174

Table-3 (For Figure-6)

Value of Resistors: R1=1.527k, R2=4.78k, R3=1.527k, R4=4.78k, R5=2.24k,
R6=2.24k.
Value of Voltage Sources: E1=10V, E2=5V.

Equation 1
Equation 2

5.29V1 1.527V2 = 22.404

-30.15V1 + 54.99V2 = 71.85

Nodal voltages
V1 (V)
V2 (V)

Calculated values
5.47
4.31

Calculations:

For figure 4:
R1=1.527k
R2=2.24k
R3=4.78k
E1=10V
E2=5V
Now,

AT node A: I1 + I2 = I3(i)

Measured values
5.475
4.309

KVL at Loop-1:
-10 + I1R1 + I3R3 =0
=>I1R1 + I3R3 = 10
=>1.527I1 + 4.78I3 = 10
=>1.527I1 + 4.78( I1 + I2 ) =10
=>6.31I1 + 4.78I2 = 10 [ putting value ofI3](ii)

KVL at Loop-2:
I3R3 + I2R2 -5 = 0
=>4.78I3 + 2.24I2 =5
=>4.78( I1 + I2 ) + 2.24I2 = 5
=>4.78I1 +7.02I2 = 5 [ putting value of I3](iii)

Using the Cramer's rule, we get,

D=

6.31 4.78
4.78 7.02
= {( 6.31 7.02 ) ( 4.78 478 )}
= 44.2962 22.8484
= 21.4478

10 4.78
5 7.02

I1 =
=

[(

= 2.159 mA

)
.

( .

)]

6.31 10
4.78 5

I2 =
=

[( .

)]

= 0.724 mA
I3 = I1 +I2 = 2.159 +(-0.724) = 1.435 mA

For figure 5:
R1=1.527k
R2=2.24k
R3=4.78k
E1=20V
E2=10V
Now,
KVL at Loop-1:
( 1.527 4.78 )I1 4.78I2 = 10
=> 6.307I1 4.78I2 = 10..(i)

KVL at Loop-2:
(2.24 4.78 )I2 4.78I1 = 10
=> -4.8I1 + 7.02I2 = 10.(ii)

Using the Cramer's rule, we get,

D=

6.307 4.78
4.78 7.02

= ( 6.307 7.02 ) [(-4.78)(-4.78)]

= 44.28 22.85
= 21.43

I1=
=

10 4.78
10 7.02
[ 10 7.02 4.78 10 ]
21.43

= 5.50 mA

I2=

6.307 10
4.78 10

[( .
=

) {

=5.173 mA

For figure 6:
R1=1.527K
R2=4.78K
R3=1.527K
R4=4.78K
R5=2.24K
R6=2.24K
E1=10V
E2=5V
I1=6.55mA
I2=1.064mA
R23=6.307K
Now,
In node V1,
V1/R1 + V1/R5 + (V1-V2)/R6 = I1
=>V1/1.527 + V1/2.24 + (V1-V2)/2.24 = 6.55
=>5.29V1 1.529V2 = 22.404(i)

)}]

In node V2,
V2/R23 + V2/R4 + (V2-V1)/R6 = 1.064
=>V2/6.307 + V2/4.78 + (V2-V1)/2.24 = 1.064
=>-30.15V1 + 54.99V2 = 71.85(ii)

Using the Cramer's rule, we get,

D=

5.294 1.527
30.15 54.99
= (5.294 54.99) {(-30.15) (-1.527)}
= 291.12 46.04
= 245.08

22.404 1.527
71.85
54.99

V1=

.
.

= 5.47V

V2=

5.294 22.404
30.15 71.85

= 4.31V

.
.

Results:
For figure 4:
I1 = 2.159mA,
I2 = 0.724mA
I3 = 1.435mA

For figure 5:
I1 = 5.50mA
I2 = 5.173mA

For figure 6:
V1 = 5.47V
V2 = 4.31V

Discussion:
1. The trainer board and the multimeter was checked before the start of the
experiment.
2. The resistor was placed properly according to the figure.
3. The value of the voltage was increased gradually as applying a large voltage can
damage the resistors.
4. Because of the potentio-meter, converted values of resistance were not so
perfect. So the converted values of voltages and currents were not so much
perfect.
5. Finally all the data was placed in the data table. For the given equation, a result
was obtained.

Conclusions: In this experiment the data/findings were interpreted and determine to

the extent to which the experiment was successful in complying. The goal was initially
set. The ways of the study was improved, investigated and described by measuring,
converting and calculating the Branch current analysis, Mesh analysis and Nodal
Analysis.

Reference(s):
1.

Robert L. Boylestad ,Introductory Circuit Analysis, Prentice Hall, 12th Edition,

New York, 2010, ISBN 9780137146666.