Experiment No.

SUPERPOSITION THEOREM
6
Electrical Engineering

We have applied Ohm’s and Kirchhoff’s laws to a study of simple resistive circuits, that is, circuits containing
series, parallel, or series-parallel combinations of resistors. Moreover, the circuits treated have contained a
single voltage source. However, there are more complex circuits in electricity, and these may contain two or
more sources. Analysis and solution of such circuits may become difficult, using the methods we have learned.
For such complex circuits more powerful analytical tools are helpful.

There is a group of network theorems, including the superposition theorem, Thevenin’s theorem, and Norton’s
theorem, which provides the means for simplifying analysis of complex circuits. In this experiment we will be
concerned with the superposition theorem.

Linear Circuit Elements

The resistors we have used in previous experiments are known as linear circuit elements, and the circuits in
which they are contained, to the exclusion of other elements, are called linear circuits. What is a linear element?
A linear element is one in which the ratio of voltage across to current in the element is constant.

You will recall verifying the ohm’s law in experiment no. 3 that in a resistor across which a voltage V is
applied, the ratio of voltage to current is constant and is given by the formula R = V/I . The equation can be
rewritten as V=RI. If the applied voltage is doubled, the current I is also doubled. If the applied voltage is
increased by a factor of 3, then, the current I increase by a factor of 3.

Superposition Theorem

The superposition theorem states that in a linear circuit containing more than one voltage source, the voltage
across or current in any one element is the algebraic sum of the voltages or currents produced by each source
acting alone.

In order to apply this theorem to the solution of a problem, we must understand what is meant by “each source
acting alone.” Suppose a network say Figure 7-1, has two voltage sources V1 and V2, and we wish to find the
effect on the circuit of each of these sources acting alone. To determine the effect of V1 we must replace V2 by a
short circuit. Now to determine the effect of V2, we replace V1 by a short circuit. Finally we combine
algebraically the results of the solution of the modified circuits to give us a complete solution of the original
network.
 Experiment No.

SUPERPOSITION THEOREM
6
Electrical Engineering

Example

In Figure 7-1, we wish to find the current I in R3. Applying the superposition theorem, we first solve for I1 in
Figure 7-2. The total current IT1 which V1 supplies this circuit is:
V1 20
IT 1    133.3mA
R3 ( R4  R5 ) 100  50
R1  R2 
R3  R4  R5
Now since R3  R4  R5 , IT1 divides equally in R3 and the series combination (R4 + R5) with which it is parallel.
Therefore, I1 = 66.67 mA. Moreover, I1 flows from A to B in Figure 7-2. Let us call this direction positive (+).

The total current IT2 which V2 (Figure 7-3) supplies the circuit is:
V2 10
IT 2    66.7mA
R ( R  R2 ) 100  50
R4  R5  3 1
R3  R1  R2
Since R3  R1  R2 , IT2 divides equally in R3 and the series combination (R1 + R2) with which it is parallel.
Therefore, I2 = 33.33 mA. Moreover, I2 flows from B to A in Figure 7-2 opposite in direction to I1. We will
therefore designate this direction as negative (–). The total current in R3 (Figure 7-1) is the algebraic sum of I1
and I2. Therefore, I = I1 – I2, which equals 66.67 – 33.33 = 33.34 mA. Moreover, the direction that I takes is the
same as that of I1, from A to B.

By a similar process the current in any resistor in the circuit may be found. And similarly, the voltage across
any resistor in the circuit may be found by determining the current in that resistor and applying the Ohm’s law.
We will not develop an analytical proof of this theorem but we will verify it experimentally as it applies to a
specific circuit.
 Experiment No.

SUPERPOSITION THEOREM
6
Electrical Engineering

ID No.: _____________ Name: __________________________________ Course&Year: _________

Date Performed: __________ Team Members: ____________________________________________
Time Started: __________ ___________________________________________
Time Finished: __________ ___________________________________________

Objectives

1. Validate the superposition theorem.

2. Demonstrate that the superposition theorem can be applied to both current and voltage levels.
3. Demonstrate that the superposition theorem cannot be applied to nonlinear functions.

Materials Required

 Two (2) variable regulated DC power supply

 Multitester
 Resistor: 1.2 kΩ, 2.2 kΩ, 3.3 kΩ, 4.7 kΩ, 6.8 kΩ
 Breadboard
 Connecting wires (6 pcs)
 Experiment No.

SUPERPOSITION THEOREM
6
Electrical Engineering

Procedure

Part 1. Superposition Theorem (Applied to Current Levels)

The first configuration to be analyzed using the superposition theorem appears in Fig. 7.4. The currents I 1,
I2and I3will be determined by considering the effects of E1and E2and then adding the resulting levels
algebraically.

(a) Determining the effects of E1:

Construct the network of Fig. 7-5 and insert the measured value of each resistor. Note that the supply
E2 has been replaced by a short-circuit equivalent. This does not mean that one should place a short-
circuit across the terminals of the supply. Simply remove the supply from the network and replace it by
a connecting wire, as shown in Fig. 7-5. Keep this in mind for all similar operations throughout the
laboratory session. Measure the currents I1, I2 and I3using the measured resistor values and record the
measured values in Table 7-1.

Figure 7-5
 Experiment No.

SUPERPOSITION THEOREM
6
Electrical Engineering

(a) Determining the effects of E2:

Construct the network of Fig. 7-6 and insert the measured value of each resistor. Measure the currents
I1, I2 and I3using the measured resistor values and record in Table 7-1. Then, algebraically add the
currents resulted in E1 acting alone and E2 acting alone. Record in the last column of Table 7-1.

Figure 7-6

(b) Determining the total effects of E1and E2:

Construct the network of Fig. 7-4 and insert the measured value of each resistor. Turn on both supplies
and measure and record the currents I1T, I2Tand I3T in Table 2. Determine the direction of each current
from the meter connections.

Part 2. Superposition Theorem (Applied to Voltage Levels)

The second configuration to be analyzed using the superposition theorem appears in Fig. 7-7. The voltages V1,
V2and V3will be determined by considering the effects of E1and E2and then adding the resulting levels
algebraically.

Figure 7-7
 Experiment No.

SUPERPOSITION THEOREM
6
Electrical Engineering

(a)

Determining the effects of E1:

Measure and record the voltages V1, V2and V3in table 7-3 for the network of Fig. 7.8 using measured
resistor values.

Figure 7-8
(b) Determining the effects of E2:
Construct the network of Fig. 7-9 and insert the measured value of each resistor. Measure the currents V1,
V2and V3using the measured resistor values and record in Table 7-3. Then, algebraically add the currents
resulted in E1 acting alone and E2 acting alone. Record in the last column of Table 7-3.

Figure 7-9

(c) Determining the total effects of E1and E2:

Construct the network of Fig. 7-7 and insert the measured value of each resistor. Turn on both supplies
and measure and record the currents V1T, V2Tand V3T in Table 4. Indicate the polarity of the voltage
across each resistor.
 Experiment No.

SUPERPOSITION THEOREM
6
Electrical Engineering

TABLE 7-1
Resistor Current Direction of Current Direction of Total currents
Measured Measured values measured current Measured values measured current
values (E1 acting alone) (E1 acting alone) (E2 acting alone) (E2 acting alone)
R1 = I1 = I1 = I1T =
R2 = I2 = I2 = I2T =
R3 = I3 = I3 = I3T =

TABLE 7-2 Both E1 and E2

Current Direction of
Measured values measured
current

I1T =
I2T =
I3T =

TABLE 7-3
Resistor Voltage Polarity of Voltage Polarity of Total voltages
Measured Measured measured voltage Measured measured voltage
values values (e.g. + terminal at values (e.g. + terminal at
(E1 acting the top) (E2 acting the top)
alone) (E1 acting alone) alone) (E2 acting alone)
R1 = V1 = V1 = V1T =
R2 = V2 = V2 = V2T =
R3 = V3 = V3 = V3T =

TABLE 7-4 Both E1 and E2

Voltage Polarity of
Measured values measured voltage
(e.g. + terminal at
the top)
V1T =
V2T =
V3T =
 Experiment No.

SUPERPOSITION THEOREM
6
Electrical Engineering

Questions

1. How do the respective values of total current in Table 7-1 compare with those in Table 7-2.
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2. How do the respective values of total voltage in Table 7-3 compare with those in Table 7-4.
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3. Have you verified the superposition theorem for the circuit in Figure 7-4 and Figure 7-7 in this
experiment? Explain.
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4. For the network shown below, by inspection (meaning no calculation whatsoever) using the
superposition theorem, which source (I1, I2, or E) would appear to have the most impact on the current,
I?
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 Experiment No.

SUPERPOSITION THEOREM
6
Electrical Engineering

5. Using superposition, determine the current, I, for the network shown below. Show your solution.