Lecture 3

September 17, 2020

09/17/2020 ELEC2501: Lecture 3 [Kupchak Fall 2020] 1

Learning Outcomes

• Introduce and apply common circuits such as current and voltage

dividers

• Terminology of a circuit: node, loop and branch

• Demonstrate Kichoff’s Laws

• Kirchoff’s Current Law
• Kirchoff’s Voltage Law

• Understanding single loop circuits and some examples

• Analyze
09/17/2020
loops containing multiple sources with resistors
ELEC2501: Lecture 3 [Kupchak Fall 2020] 2
 Current and Voltage Dividers

09/15/2020 ELEC2501: Lecture 2 [Kupchak Fall 2020] 3

 Current Divider
• There are some circuits that we will encounter often so we name
them to help us along. They will come up A LOT. One such circuit is
a current divider which as the name implies will split current
between two resistors
• First note that the two currents 𝐼! and 𝐼" an be written in terms of
# #
voltage. 𝐼! = and 𝐼" =
$! $"

• Note that due to conservation the total current 𝐼 must be the sum of 𝐼!
and 𝐼" :
# #
𝐼 = 𝐼! + 𝐼" = +
$% $&
Similarly
𝑅! 𝑅"
• What fraction of the total current 𝐼 𝐼! 𝑉/𝑅! 1/𝑅! 𝑅! 𝑅" 𝐼" 𝑅!
= = = = =
flows through 𝑅! ? 𝐼 𝑉 𝑉 1 1 𝑅! + 𝑅" 𝑅! + 𝑅"
+ + 𝐼 𝑅! + 𝑅"
𝑅! 𝑅" 𝑅! 𝑅"
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Current Divider

𝐼! 𝐼"

4Ω 4Ω
500 𝑚𝐴

09/17/2020 ELEC2501: Lecture 3 [Kupchak Fall 2020] 5

Current Divider

120Ω 40Ω
16𝑚𝐴
𝐼! 𝐼"

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Current Divider
• Using Ohm’s law we can also find the equivalent
resistance of the system of 𝑅! and 𝑅"

• What fraction of the total current 𝐼 flows through 𝑅! ?

)!
𝑉 𝑉 𝑉 1 1 1
𝑅'( = = = = = +
𝐼 𝐼! + 𝐼" 𝑉 𝑉 1 1 𝑅! 𝑅"
+ +
𝑅! 𝑅" 𝑅! 𝑅"

• Here, these resistors are in parallel. This is generally true for any two resistors that have their
positive and their negative terminals shorted to each other and see the same voltage.

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Example: Equivalent Resistance
Find the equivalent resistance of the following networks between points A and B

𝑅 A

B
3𝑅

09/15/2020 ELEC2501: Lecture 2 [Kupchak Fall 2020] 8

 Voltage Divider
• Another common circuit configuration is called a voltage divider

• Note, again due to conservation, the voltage drop across 𝑅!

and 𝑅" must equal the voltage supplied by the source 𝑉:

𝑉 = 𝑉! + 𝑉"

• Also note that the current 𝐼 must flow through each resistor so
𝑉! = 𝐼 ( 𝑅! and 𝑉" = 𝐼𝑅" and

𝑉 = 𝐼 ( 𝑅! + 𝐼 ( 𝑅"

• We would like to know what fraction of 𝑉! is of 𝑉

#% %$% $% #& $&

= = and =
# %$% &%$& $% &$& # $% &$&

09/15/2020 ELEC2501: Lecture 2 [Kupchak Fall 2020] 9

Voltage Divider
• We can also find the equivalent resistance of this circuit

+ +! -+" ,.! -,."

𝑅)* = = = = 𝑅/ + 𝑅0
, , ,

• In this circuit, these two resistors are said to be in series. This is

the case when one terminal of one resistor is shorted to one
terminal of another resistor and the node does not have
another connection.

→Here, both resistors must draw the same current.

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Voltage Divider

20Ω

+ 𝑉!
- 𝑉"
40Ω
6𝑉

09/17/2020 ELEC2501: Lecture 3 [Kupchak Fall 2020] 11

Voltage Divider

10Ω 20Ω

+
- 30Ω

6𝑉 𝑉
+-
12 𝑉

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 Kirchoff’s Laws

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Kirchoff’s Laws
• Thus far we have considered, effectively 2 resistor circuits and was able to determine their properties
using Ohm’s law and conservation of current, energy and power.

• How about more complex circuits? To go about tackling this problem, lets begin with some
terminology.

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Kirchoff’s Laws
• Node: point of connection of 2 (or more) circuit elements. A node does not
necessarily have to be a point but a potential of wires that are spread out.

• Loop: A closed path through the circuit where no node is encountered more than once.

• Branch: The portion of a circuit that contains a single element and the nodes of each element.

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 Kirchoff’s Current Law (KCL)
,
• With these definitions we can define the conservation of charge in current laws.
2 𝑖* 𝑡 = 0
Note that the algebraic sum of the currents entering/leaving any node is zero
*+!
such that
• For a node with 𝑁 branches connected. A current leaving the node has the opposite sign to the current
entering the node

• Consider node 3 of the circuit to the right

𝑖" 𝑡 + 𝑖- 𝑡 − 𝑖. 𝑡 − 𝑖/ 𝑡 = 0

• Note that we can multiply both sides by -1 and the

equation remains unchanged
−𝑖" 𝑡 − 𝑖- 𝑡 + 𝑖. 𝑡 + 𝑖/ 𝑡 = 0
• Both of the above equations respect that : 𝐼01 = 𝐼234

𝑖" 𝑡 + 𝑖- 𝑡 = 𝑖. 𝑡 + 𝑖/ (𝑡)
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Kirchoff’s Current Law (KCL)

• This can be generalized even further to say that the sum of currents entering a closed volume is
zero. Occasionally, we want to avoid analyzing part of a circuit, and can treat it as a ”black box”

𝑖! 𝑡 + 𝑖" 𝑡 = 𝑖* 𝑡 + 𝑖+(𝑡)

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Kirchoff’s Voltage Law (KVL)
.
• The algebraic sum of voltages around any loop is zero. This is analogous to walking
in a full circle, where your displacement when done will be zero. If we have a loop 4 𝑉, 𝑡 = 0
with 𝑁 voltages then ,-!

• Here, the polarity of the voltage determines the sign. If the

direction chosen for your loop enters the positive terminal of
a device first, you can take it as a positive voltage. Likewise,
if the loop enters the negative terminal it can be taken as a
negative voltage.

• Key to note that if we were to choose an opposite direction,

the signs will switch but the equations are equivalent.

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Kirchoff’s Voltage Law (KVL)

• Looking again at our example circuit, and analyzing loop 1 (clockwise)

𝑉! 𝑡 − 𝑉$- 𝑡 − 𝑉" 𝑡 = 0

−𝑉! 𝑡 + 𝑉$- 𝑡 + 𝑉" 𝑡 = 0

• Same loop but counterclockwise

−𝑉! 𝑡 + 𝑉$- 𝑡 + 𝑉" 𝑡 = 0

𝑉! 𝑡 − 𝑉$- 𝑡 − 𝑉" 𝑡 = 0
Which are equivalent!

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Kirchoff’s Voltage Law (KVL) - Conventions

• Note that arrows are often used to indicate voltage polarity instead of + and - signs

• A resistor element always dissipates energy, so always define 𝐼 and 𝑉

such that current enters the positive terminal

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 Single Loop Circuits

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Single Loop Circuits

• In theses circuits we can see that the same current flows through each of the
elements

• This is a series connection and Kirchoff’s voltage loop will yield

𝑉 𝑡 = 𝑉! + 𝑉"

• Then with Ohm’s law

𝑉 𝑡 = 𝑖 𝑡 𝑅! + 𝑖 𝑡 𝑅" = 𝑖 𝑡 𝑅'(
Where
𝑅'( = 𝑅! + 𝑅"

• Or in general, for a series resistors sum

𝑅'( = 𝑅! + 𝑅" + ⋯ + 𝑅, for 𝑁 series resistors

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Single Loop Circuits

# /
• In the 2 resistor circuit to the right, the current is given by 𝑖 𝑡 = ($
% &$& )
So the voltage across 𝑅! is

# /
𝑉! = 𝑖 𝑡 𝑅! = 𝑅! $ &$
% &

• Then the ratio of 𝑣! to 𝑣 𝑡 is

#% $%
=
# / $% &$&

Another way of deriving a voltage divider!

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Single Loop Circuits
Example
Say we have a 400km long high voltage DC transmission
line that exhibits a resistance of 0.04125Ω/km. The
generating station supplies 400kV at 2kA and there is a
resistive load with value 183.2Ω.

1. What is the resistance in the line?

2. Power input from the station?

3. Power delivered to the load?

4. Power loss in the line?

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Single Loop Circuits
Example
Say we have a 400km long high voltage DC transmission
line that exhibits a resistance of 0.04125Ω/km. The
generating station supplies 400kV at 2kA and there is a
resistive load with value 183.2Ω.

9.9.!"-;
First find the resistance of the DC transmission line: R 5678 = 400 𝑘𝑚 ( = 16.5Ω
<=

The power input from the station: 𝑃>4?4021 = 400𝑘𝑉 𝑥 2𝑘𝐴 = 800𝑀𝑊

Now calculate the power delivered to the load by first calculating voltage :
!BC.-;
𝑉@2?A = 400𝑘𝑉 ( = 367𝑘𝑉 (voltage divider)
!D.-;E!BC.-;

09/17/2020 ELEC2501: Lecture 3 [Kupchak Fall 2020] 25

Single Loop Circuits
Example
Say we have a 400km long high voltage DC transmission
line that exhibits a resistance of 0.04125Ω/km. The
generating station supplies 400kV at 2kA and there is a
resistive load with value 183.2Ω.

Now calculate the power delivered to the load: 𝑃@2?A = 367𝑘𝑉 ( 2𝑘𝐴 = 734𝑀𝑊

We can also find the loss in the line: 𝑃@2>> = 800𝑀𝑊 − 734𝑀𝑊 = 66𝑀𝑊

In practice, the resistance in the line 𝑅@01' cannot be reduced, so we would like to transmit high
voltage and low current to minimize losses.

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 Multiple Source with Resistors

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Multiple Sources with Resistors
• For the case when there is only a single loop, the same current will pass through every
element (series connection)

• We already know and have discussed that the resistances add together but so do the voltages

• Using KVL clockwise in the single loop circuit on the right

𝑉$! + 𝑉" − 𝑉C + 𝑉$" + 𝑉. + 𝑉- − 𝑉! = 0

• Group the voltage sources and the resistors together

𝑉$! + 𝑉$" + −𝑉! + 𝑉" − 𝑉C + 𝑉. + 𝑉- = 0

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 Multiple Sources with Resistors
• Another way of analyzing is by the net voltage generated by sources must equal the voltage drop across
the resistors
𝑉$! + 𝑉$" = 𝑉! − 𝑉" + 𝑉C − 𝑉. − 𝑉- 𝑉'( 𝑡 = 𝑉$'(

Strategy for these systems

• Define a current (same everywhere)
• Use Ohm’s law to define resistor voltages
• Apply KVL
• Find the current 𝑖(𝑡) → if it is negative the direction is opposite of what was initially chosen
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