Kirchoffs Laws

Circuit Definitions
Node any point where 2 or more circuit
elements are connected together
Wires usually have negligible resistance
Each node has one voltage (w.r.t. ground)
Branch a circuit element between two nodes
Loop a collection of branches that form a
closed path returning to the same node without
going through any other nodes or branches
twice
 Example
How many nodes, branches & loops?

R1
+

+ Vs Is
R2 R3 Vo
-

-
 Example
Three nodes

R1
+

+ Vs Is
R2 R3 Vo
-

-
 Example
5 Branches

R1
+

+ Vs Is
R2 R3 Vo
-

-
 Example
Three Loops, if starting at node A

A B
R1
+

+ Vs Is
R2 R3 Vo
-

-
C
 Kirchhoffs Current Law
Or KCL for short
Based upon conservation of charge the algebraic
sum of the charge within a system can not change.
N

i
n 1
n 0 Where N is the total number of
branches connected to a node.

i
node
enter i
node
leave
Example 1
Determine I, the current flowing out of the
voltage source.
Use KCL
1.9 mA + 0.5 mA + I are entering the node.
3 mA is leaving the node.

1.9mA 0.5mA I 3mA

I 3mA (1.9mA 0.5mA)
I 0.6mA

V1 is generating power.
 Example 2
Suppose the current through R2 was entering the
node and the current through R3 was leaving the
node.
Use KCL
3 mA + 0.5 mA + I are entering the node.
1.9 mA is leaving the node.

3mA 0.5mA I 1.9mA

I 1.9mA (3mA 0.5mA)
I 1.6mA

V1 is dissipating power.
 Example 3
If voltage drops are given instead of currents,
you need to apply Ohms Law to determine the
current flowing through each of the resistors
before you can find the current flowing out of
the voltage supply.
 Example 3 (cont)

For power dissipating

components such as
resistors, passive sign
convention means that
current flows into the
resistor at the terminal
has the + sign on the
voltage drop and leaves
out the terminal that has
the sign.
 Example 3 (cont)

I1 2V / 7k 0.286mA
I 2 4V / 2k 2mA
I 3 1.75V / 5k 0.35mA
 Example 3 (cont)
I1 is leaving the node.
I2 is entering the node.
I3 is entering the node.
I is entering the node.

I 2 I 3 I I1
2mA 0.35mA I 0.286mA
I 0.286mA 2.35mA 2.06mA
 Kirchhoffs Voltage Law
Or KVL for short
Based upon conservation of energy the algebraic
sum of voltages dropped across components
around a loop is zero.
M Where M is the total number of

v0
branches in the loop.

m 1

v drops v rises
Kirchhoff's Voltage Law (KVL)
The algebraic sum of voltages around each
loop is zero
Beginning with one node, add voltages across each
branch in the loop (if you encounter a + sign first)
and subtract voltages (if you encounter a sign
first)
voltage drops - voltage rises = 0
Or
voltage drops = voltage rises
 Example
Kirchoffs Voltage Law around 1st Loop
I1 + I1R1 -
A B
R1
+
I2 +
+ Vs Is
R2 I2R2 R3 Vo
-

-
-
C
Assign current variables and directions
Use Ohms law to assign voltages and polarities consistent with
passive devices (current enters at the + side)
 Example
Kirchoffs Voltage Law around 1st Loop
I1 + I1R1 -
A B
R1
+
I2 +
+ Vs Is
R2 I2R2 R3 Vo
-

-
-
C
Starting at node A, add the 1st voltage drop: + I1R1
 Example
Kirchoffs Voltage Law around 1st Loop
I1 + I1R1 -
A B
R1
+
I2 +
+ Vs Is
R2 I2R2 R3 Vo
-

-
-
C
Add the voltage drop from B to C through R2: + I1R1 + I2R2
 Example
Kirchoffs Voltage Law around 1st Loop
I1 + I1R1 -
A B
R1
+
I2 +
+ Vs Is
R2 I2R2 R3 Vo
-

-
-
C
Subtract the voltage rise from C to A through Vs: + I1R1 + I2R2 Vs = 0
Notice that the sign of each term matches the polarity encountered 1st
 Circuit Analysis
When given a circuit with sources and resistors
having fixed values, you can use Kirchoffs
two laws and Ohms law to determine all
branch voltages and currents
+ VAB -
A I
7 B
+
+
12 v 3
VBC
-
-
C
 Circuit Analysis
By Ohms law: VAB = I7 and VBC = I3
By KVL: VAB + VBC 12 v = 0
Substituting: I7 + I3 -12 v = 0
Solving: I = 1.2 A + V - AB
A I
7 B
+
+
12 v 3
VBC
-
-
C
 Circuit Analysis
Since VAB = I7 and VBC = I3
And I = 1.2 A
So VAB = 8.4 v and VBC = 3.6 v
+ VAB -
A I
7 B
+
+
12 v 3
VBC
-
-
C
 Series Resistors
KVL: +I10 12 v = 0, So I = 1.2 A
From the viewpoint of the source, the 7
and 3 ohm resistors in series are
equivalent to the 10 ohms
I

+
+
12 v 10
I10
-
-
 Example 4
Find the voltage across R1. Note that the
polarity of the voltage has been assigned
in the circuit schematic.
First, define a loop that include R1.
 Example 4 (cont)
There are three possible loops in this
circuit only two include R1.
Either loop may be used to determine VR1.
 Example 4 (cont)
If the outer loop is used:
Follow the loop clockwise.
 Example 4 (cont)
Follow the loop in a clockwise direction.
The 5V drop across V1 is a voltage rise.
VR1 should be treated as a voltage rise.
The loop enters R2 on the positive side of the voltage drop and exits
out the negative side. This is a voltage drop as the voltage becomes
less positive as you move through the component.
 Example 4 (cont)
By convention, voltage drops are added
and voltage rises are subtracted in KVL.

5V VR1 3V 0
VR1 2V
 Example 4 (cont)
Suppose you chose the blue loop instead.
Since R2 is in parallel with I1, the voltage
drop across R2 is also 3V.
 Example 4 (cont)
The 5V drop across V1 is a voltage rise.
VR1 should be treated as a voltage rise.
The loop enters R2 on the positive side of the voltage drop and exits
out the negative side. This is a voltage drop as the voltage becomes
less positive as you move through the component.
 Example 4 (cont)
As should happen, the answer is the
same.
5V VR1 3V 0
VR1 2V
 Example 5
Find the voltage across R2 and the current
flowing through it.
First, draw a loop that includes R2.
 Example 5 (cont)
There are two loops that include R2.
The one on the left can be used to solve for
VR2 immediately.
 Example 5 (cont)
Following the loop in a clockwise direction.
The 11.5V drop associated with V1 is a voltage rise.
The 2.4V associated with R1 is a voltage drop.
VR2 is treated as a voltage drop.
 Example 5 (cont)

11.5V 2.4V VR 2 0
VR 2 9.1V
 Example 5 (cont)
If you used the right-hand loop, the voltage
drop across R3 must be calculated using
Ohms Law.
 Example 5 (cont)
Since R3 is a resistor, passive convention means
that the positive sign of the voltage drop will be
assigned to the end of R3 where current enters
the resistor.
As I1 is in series with R3, the direction of current
through R3 is determined by the direction of
current flowing out of the current source.
Because I1 and R3 are in series, the magnitude
of the current flowing out of I1 must be equal to
the magnitude of the current flowing out of R3.
 Example 5 (cont)
Use Ohms Law to find VR3.

VR 3 1mA(1.1k) 1.1V
 Example 5 (cont)
Moving clockwise around the loop:
VR3 is a voltage drop.
The voltage associated with I1 is a voltage drop.
VR2 is a voltage rise.
 Example 5 (cont)
Again, the same answer is found.

1.1V 8V VR 2 0
VR 2 9.1V
 Example 5 (cont)
Once the voltage across R2 is known, Ohms
Law is applied to determine the current.
The direction of positive current flow, based upon
passive sign convention is shown in red.

IR2
 Example 5 (cont)

I R 2 9.1V / 4.7k
I R 2 1.94mA

IR2
 Series Resistors
To the rest of the circuit, series resistors
can be replaced by an equivalent
resistance equal to the sum of all resistors

Series resistors (same current through all)

I ...

I
Rseries
 Kirchoffs Current Law (KCL)
The algebraic sum of currents entering a
node is zero
Add each branch current entering the node
and subtract each branch current leaving the
node
currents in - currents out = 0
Or currents in = currents out
 Example
Kirchoffs Current Law at B
I1 B
A
R1
+
I2 I3
+ Vs Is
R2 R3 Vo
-

-
C
Assign current variables and directions
Add currents in, subtract currents out: I1 I2 I3 + Is = 0
 Circuit Analysis
A
+
+ +
I1 I2
10 A 8 4 VAB
- -
-
B

By KVL: - I1 8 + I2 4 = 0
Solving: I 2 = 2 I1
By KCL: 10A = I1 + I2
Substituting: 10A = I1 + 2 I1 = 3 I1
So I1 = 3.33 A and I2 = 6.67 A
And VAB = 26.33 volts
 Circuit Analysis
A
+

10 A 2.667 VAB

-
B

By Ohms Law: VAB = 10 A 2.667

So VAB = 26.67 volts

Replacing two parallel resistors (8 and 4 )

by one equivalent one produces the same
result from the viewpoint of the rest of the
circuit.
 Parallel Resistors
The equivalent resistance for any number
of resistors in parallel (i.e. they have the
same voltage across each resistor):
1
Req =
1/R1 + 1/R2 + + 1/RN

For two parallel resistors:

Req = R1R2/(R1+R2)
 Example Circuit

Solve for the currents through each resistor

And the voltages across each resistor
 Example Circuit
+ I110 - + I36 -

+ +
I28 I34
- -

Using Ohms law, add polarities and

expressions for each resistor voltage
 Example Circuit
+ I110 - + I36 -

+ +
I28 I34
- -

Write 1st Kirchoffs voltage law equation

-50 v + I110 + I28 = 0
 Example Circuit
+ I110 - + I36 -

+ +
I28 I34
- -

Write 2nd Kirchoffs voltage law equation

-I28 + I36 + I34 = 0
or I2 = I3 (6+4)/8 = 1.25 I3
 Example Circuit
A

Write Kirchoffs current law equation at A

+I1 I2 - I3 = 0
 Example Circuit
We now have 3 equations in 3 unknowns,
so we can solve for the currents through
each resistor, that are used to find the
voltage across each resistor
Since I1 - I2 - I3 = 0, I1 = I2 + I3
Substituting into the 1st KVL equation
-50 v + (I2 + I3)10 + I28 = 0
or I218 + I3 10 = 50 volts
 Example Circuit
But from the 2nd KVL equation, I2 = 1.25I3
Substituting into 1st KVL equation:
(1.25 I3)18 + I3 10 = 50 volts
Or: I3 22.5 + I3 10 = 50 volts
Or: I3 32.5 = 50 volts
Or: I3 = 50 volts/32.5
Or: I3 = 1.538 amps
 Example Circuit
Since I3 = 1.538 amps
I2 = 1.25I3 = 1.923 amps
Since I1 = I2 + I3, I1 = 3.461 amps
The voltages across the resistors:
I110 = 34.61 volts
I28 = 15.38 volts
I36 = 9.23 volts
I34 = 6.15 volts
 Example Circuit

Solve for the currents through each resistor

And the voltages across each resistor using
Series and parallel simplification.
 Example Circuit

The 6 and 4 ohm resistors are in series, so

are combined into 6+4 = 10
 Example Circuit

The 8 and 10 ohm resistors are in parallel, so

are combined into 810/(8+10) =14.4
 Example Circuit

The 10 and 4.4 ohm resistors are in series, so

are combined into 10+4 = 14.4
 Example Circuit

+
I114.4
-

Writing KVL, I114.4 50 v = 0

Or I1 = 50 v / 14.4 = 3.46 A
 Example Circuit
+34.6 v -

+
15.4 v
-

If I1 = 3.46 A, then I110 = 34.6 v

So the voltage across the 8 = 15.4 v
 Example Circuit
+ 34.6 v -

+
15.4 v
-

If I28 = 15.4 v, then I2 = 15.4/8 = 1.93 A

By KCL, I1-I2-I3=0, so I3 = I1I2 = 1.53 A
 Example 1

Determine I, the current flowing out of the

voltage source.
Use KCL
1.9 mA + 0.5 mA + I are
entering the node.
3 mA is leaving the node.

1.9mA 0.5mA I 3mA

I 3mA (1.9mA 0.5mA)
I 0.6mA
V1 is generating power.
 Example 2
Suppose the current through R2 was entering the
node and the current through R3 was leaving the
node.
Use KCL
3 mA + 0.5 mA + I are
entering the node.
1.9 mA is leaving the node.

3mA 0.5mA I 1.9mA

I 1.9mA (3mA 0.5mA)
I 1.6V1
mAis dissipating power.