Chapter 4

Basic Nodal and Mesh

Analysis

Introduction

◼ In Chapter 3, simple circuits were

analyzed using KCL, KVL, and Ohm’s law
◼ Voltage division, current division, combining
parallel resistors and combining series
resistors were derived from these laws
◼ Complicated circuits are harder to analyze
using Chapter 3 techniques
◼ More general methods
◼ Nodal analysis
◼ Mesh analysis 2

1
 Nodal Analysis

◼ Based on KCL
◼ A circuit with N nodes will have N-1 KCL
equations
◼ One of the N nodes is the reference node
◼ This node is the negative terminal of the N-1
other nodes
◼ If the circuit has a ground, it is usually
designated as the reference node with 0 V
potential
◼ In any case, ref node is 0 V for KCL equations 3

Simple 3-Node Circuit

◼ Three ways to draw the same circuit

2
 Simple 3-Node Circuit

◼ Circuit (a) is original

◼ Circuit (b) labels the N=3 nodes 1, 2, 3
◼ Circuit (c) shows node 3 as reference
node
◼ KCL equations are written for the N-1=2
nodes 1 and 2
◼ Voltages v1 and v2 relative to reference node
are shown
◼ Circuit (d) shows node voltages labeled
◼ Type of simplified notation 5

Simple 3-Node Circuit KCL

Equations
◼ Write the KCL equations so that sum of
currents entering node equals sum of
currents leaving node
◼ I like to write equations as if all unknown
currents are leaving the node
◼ Use the actual direction of the current sources
◼ Current sources are known currents
◼ Simplify equations so node variables are
on left side and current source values are
on right side 6

3
 Simple 3-Node Circuit KCL
Equations
◼ Node 1 equation
v1 − 0 v1 − v2
+ = 3.1
2 5
0.7v1 − 0.2v2 = 3.1

◼ Node 2 equation
v2 − 0 v2 − v1
+ + (−1.4) = 0
1 5
−0.2v1 + 1.2v2 = 1.4

Simple 3-Node Circuit KCL

Equation Solution
◼ Two equations two unknowns
◼ For example, multiply node 1 equation by 6
and add it to node 2 equation to eliminate v2
◼ Result
v1 = 5 V v2 = 2 V
◼ Knowing voltages allows finding currents
and powers

4
 Ex. 4.1: Node Analysis

◼ Find current flowing left to right through

15  resistor
◼ Node voltage between 7  and 3  is not
needed so combine resistances

Ex. 4.1: Node Analysis

◼ Node 1 equation: v1 + v1 − v2 = 2
10 15
5v1 − 2v2 = 60

◼ Node 2 equation: v2 + v2 − v1 = 4
5 15
−v1 + 4v2 = 60
◼ Result: v1 = 20 V v2 = 20 V
◼ Since v1-v2 = 0
◼ Current in 15  resistor is 0 A 10

10

5
 Ex. 4.2: Node Analysis, 3 Nodes

◼ Find node voltages

◼ Consider redrawing so all components
connected to a node meet at one point

11

11

Ex. 4.2: Node Analysis, 3 Nodes

◼ Node 1 equation:
v1 − v2 v1 − v3
+ = −3 − 8
3 4
0.5833v1 − 0.3333v2 − 0.25v3 = −11

◼ Node 2 equation:
v2 − v1 v2 − v3 v2
+ + + (−3) = 0
3 7 1
−0.3333v1 + 1.4762v2 − 0.1429v3 = 3
12

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6
 Ex. 4.2: Node Analysis, 3 Nodes

◼ Node 3 equation:
v3 − v1 v3 − v2 v3
+ + + (−25) = 0
4 7 5
−0.25v1 − 0.1429v2 + 0.5929v3 = 25

◼ Results:
◼ 3 equation, 3 unknown problem
◼ Can use Cramer’s rule, matrix inversion
technique, or Gaussian elimination
v1 = 5.412 V v2 = 7.736 V v3 = 46.32 V
13

13

Ex. 4.2: Node Analysis, 3 Nodes

◼ Cramer’s rule solution for v1

Current source vector

−11 −0.3333 −0.25

3 1.4762 −0.1429
25 −0.1429 0.5929 1.714
= = 5.412 V
0.5833 −0.3333 −0.25 0.3167
−0.3333 1.4762 −0.1429 Determinant of
−0.25 −0.1429 0.5929 system matrix
14

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7
 Ex. 4.2: Node Analysis, 3 Nodes

◼ Cramer’s rule solution for v2

Current source vector

0.5833 −11 −0.25

−0.3333 3 −0.1429
−0.25 25 0.5929 2.450
= = 7.736 V
0.5833 −0.3333 −0.25 0.3167
−0.3333 1.4762 −0.1429 Determinant of
−0.25 −0.1429 0.5929 system matrix
15

15

Ex. 4.2: Node Analysis, 3 Nodes

◼ Cramer’s rule solution for v3

Current source vector

0.5833 −0.3333 −11

−0.3333 1.4762 3
−0.25 −0.1429 25 14.67
= = 46.32 V
0.5833 −0.3333 −0.25 0.3167
−0.3333 1.4762 −0.1429 Determinant of
−0.25 −0.1429 0.5929 system matrix
16

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8
 Ex. 4.2: Node Analysis, 3 Nodes

◼ Matrix inversion technique

◼ Start with matrix equation for circuit node
voltages Node voltage
vector

 0.5833 −0.3333 −0.25   v1   −11

 −0.3333 1.4762 −0.1429  v  =  3 
  2  
 −0.25 −0.1429 0.5929   v3   25 
Current
System matrix source vector 17

17

Ex. 4.2: Node Analysis, 3 Nodes

◼ Matrix algebra gives

Invert system
matrix

−1
 v1   0.5833 −0.3333 −0.25   −11
v  =  −0.3333 1.4762 −0.1429   3 
 2    
 v3   −0.25 −0.1429 0.5929   25 

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9
 Ex. 4.3: Node Analysis

◼ Find the power supplied by the dependent

source
◼ Determine nodes: ref, v1, v2

19

19

Ex. 4.3: Node Analysis

◼ Node 1 equation:
v1 v1 − v2
+ = 15  3v1 − 2v2 = 30
2 1
◼ Node 2 equation:
v2 v2 − v1
+ = 3i1
3 1
◼ Need equation for i1
v1
i1 =
2 20

20

10
 Ex. 4.3: Node Analysis

◼ Revised node 2 equation

−15v1 + 8v2 = 0

◼ Note: text reverses Eqs. [13] and [14]

◼ Results
v1 = −40 V v2 = −75 V i1 = −20 A
Pdep = 4.5 kW

21

21

Node Analysis Procedure

1. Designate reference node
◼ Useful to choose ref node to have the most
branches connected to it
◼ Often this is the circuit ground node
2. Count and label node voltages
3. Write KCL equations for non-ref nodes
4. Express unknowns in terms of node voltages
5. Organize the equations
6. Solve the system of equations for node
voltages 22

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11
 Supernode

◼ A voltage source connecting two nodes

constrains those nodes
◼ No KCL equation can be written for those
nodes because the current thorough the
source is not determined by the voltages on
each side of it

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23

Supernode

◼ Treat the constrained nodes as a

supernode
◼ Encircle both nodes, cutting through the
branches entering both nodes
◼ Write a KCL equation for the currents
entering/leaving the supernode
◼ Sum of currents entering = sum of currents
leaving

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12
 Ex. 4.5: Supernode

◼ Find v1
◼ Create supernode

25

25

Ex. 4.5: Supernode

◼ Node 1 equation:
v1 − v2 v1 − v3
+ = −3 − 8
3 4
0.5833v1 − 0.3333v2 − 0.2500v3 = −11

◼ Supernode equation:
v2 v2 − v1 v3 − v1 v3
+ + + − 3 − 25 = 0
1 3 4 5
−0.5833v1 + 1.3333v2 + 0.45v3 = 28
26

26

13
 Ex. 4.5: Supernode

◼ There are 2 equations but 3 unknowns

◼ Use the constrained node equation
v2 + 22 = v3
◼ Results
v1 = 1.071 V

27

27

Supernode Analysis Procedure

1. Designate reference node
◼ Useful to choose ref node to have the most
branches connected to it
◼ Often this is the circuit ground node
2. Count number of nodes label node voltages
3. If the circuit has voltage sources, form a
supernode around each one
4. Write KCL equations for non-reference
nodes and supernodes
28

28

14
 Supernode Analysis Procedure
5. Relate the voltage across each voltage
source to the node voltages on each side
of it
6. Express unknowns in terms of node
voltages
7. Organize the equations
8. Solve the system of equations for node
voltages

29

29

Ex. 4.6: Supernode Analysis

◼ Find node-to-reference voltages

30

30

15
 Ex. 4.6: Supernode Analysis

◼ Choose reference to be middle node

◼ Draw supernodes around voltage sources
◼ We’ll assume it is 0 V
◼ Can see that node 1 voltage is
v1 = −12 (1)

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31

Ex. 4.6: Supernode Analysis

◼ Node 2 equation
v2 − v1 v2 − v3
+ = 14
0.5 2
−2v1 + 2.5v2 − 0.5v3 = 14 (2)
◼ Supernode 3-4 equation
v4 − 0 v4 − v1 v3 − v2
+ + = 0.5vx
1 2.5 2

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32

16
 Ex. 4.6: Supernode Analysis

◼ Now find vx in terms of other node

voltages and substitute into supernode
equation
vx = v2 − v1

v4 v4 − v1 v3 − v2
+ + = 0.5(v2 − v1 )
1 2.5 2
0.1v1 − v2 + 0.5v3 + 1.4v4 = 0 (3)

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33

Ex. 4.6: Supernode Analysis

◼ Now find vy in terms of other node

voltages use to find VCVS value
v y = v4 − v1
◼ VCVS has voltage 0.2(v4-v1)
◼ Now relate v3 to v4
v3 − v4 = 0.2(v4 − v1 )
0.2v1 + v3 − 1.2v4 = 0 (4)

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34

17
 Ex. 4.6: Supernode Analysis

◼ Form the node voltage matrix equation

from Eqs. 1-4
 −2 2.5 −0.5 0   v1   14 
 0.1 −1 0.5 1.4  v   0 
  2 =  
1 0 0 0   v3   −12 
    
0.2 0 1 −1.2  v4   0 
◼ Results
v1 = −12 V v2 = −4 V v3 = 0 V v4 = −2 V
35

35

Mesh Analysis

◼ Based on KVL
◼ Works on planar circuits
◼ Planar circuits do not have any branch passing over or
under another
◼ Branches lie in a plane – see circuits (a) and (c) below

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36

18
 Mesh Analysis

◼ Circuit (c) looks non-planar but it can be

redrawn and is planar
◼ Circuit (b) cannot

37

37

Mesh

◼ A mesh is a loop that does not have any

other loops within it: (e) and (f)

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19
 Mesh

◼ Note that (b) is not a path since one node

is encountered more than once
◼ If it is not a path, it cannot be a loop and
therefore it cannot be a mesh
◼ See Section 3.1

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39

Mesh Current – 2 Mesh Circuit

◼ Associate a current with each mesh

◼ Branch currents are written in terms of the
mesh currents
◼ Let i1 and i2 be currents defined below
◼ Current in middle branch is i1-i2 pointed down

i1 i2

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40

20
 Mesh Current

◼ Apply KVL around left mesh

42 − 6i1 − 3(i1 − i2 ) = 0
−9i1 + 3i2 = −42
◼ Apply KVL around right mesh
3(i1 − i2 ) − 4i2 + 10 = 0
3i1 − 7i2 = −10
◼ Results
i1 = 6 A i2 = 4 A i1 − i2 = 2 A
41

41

Number of Mesh Equations

◼ Since a mesh current is identified with

each mesh, if there are M meshes, M
independent equations are needed

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21
 Indicating Mesh Currents

◼ Draw a clockwise arrow in an arc around

the mesh
◼ Identify it with the mesh current name

43

43

Writing Mesh KVL Equations (my

way)
◼ Start at one node of the mesh
◼ Move clockwise in the mesh current
direction
◼ Passing through a resistor drops voltage in
the mesh current direction
◼ A resistor between two meshes has its
current written as
“this mesh current – that mesh current”
◼ Voltage sources keep their directional
polarity 44

44

22
 Writing Mesh KVL Equations (my
way)
◼ Mesh 1 equation −
+ + −
+ −
42 − 6i1 − 3(i1 − i2 ) = 0
−
−9i1 + 3i2 = −42 +

◼ Mesh 2 equation
−3(i2 − i1 ) − 4i2 + 10 = 0
3i1 − 7i2 = −10

45

45

Practice 4.6: Mesh Analysis

◼ Find the mesh currents

◼ Mesh 1 equation
6 − 14i1 − 10(i1 − i2 ) = 0
−24i1 + 10i2 = −6
12i1 − 5i2 = 3 46

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23
 Practice 4.6: Mesh Analysis

◼ Mesh 2 equation
−10(i2 − i1 ) − 10i2 − 5 = 0
10i1 − 20i2 = 5
2i1 − 4i2 = 1
◼ Results
i1 = 184.2 mA i2 = −157.9 mA

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47

Ex. 4.8: Three Mesh

◼ Find mesh currents

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24
 Ex. 4.8: Three Mesh

◼ Mesh 1 equation
7 − 1(i1 − i2 ) − 6 − 2(i1 − i3 ) = 0
−3i1 + i2 + 2i3 = −1 or
3i1 − i2 − 2i3 = 1 (5)
◼ Mesh 2 equation
−1(i2 − i1 ) − 2i2 − 3(i2 − i3 ) = 0
i1 − 6i2 + 3i3 = 0 or
−i1 + 6i2 − 3i3 = 0 (6)
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49

Ex. 4.8: Three Mesh

◼ Mesh 3 equation
−2(i3 − i1 ) + 6 − 3(i3 − i2 ) − i3 = 0
2i1 + 3i2 − 6i3 = −6 or
−2i1 − 3i2 + 6i3 = 6 (7)
◼ Matrix equation from Eqs. 5, 6, 7
 3 −1 −2   i1  1 
 R   i  =  v    −1 6 −3 i2  = 0  (8)
 −2 −3 6   i3  6 
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50

25
 Ex. 4.8: Three Mesh

◼ Results
i1 = 3 A i2 = 2 A i3 = 3 A

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51

Ex. 4.9: Mesh Analysis With

CCVS
◼ Find mesh currents

◼ Mesh 1 equation −4(i1 − i2 ) − 2i1 − 3 = 0

6i1 − 4i2 = −3
52

52

26
 Ex. 4.9: Mesh Analysis With
CCVS
◼ Mesh 2 equation
5 + 4i1 − 4(i2 − i1 ) − 4i2 = 0
−8i1 + 8i2 = 5
◼ Matrix equation
 6 −4   i1   −3
 R   i  =  v   
−8 8  i  =  5 
  2  
◼ Results
i1 = −250 mA i2 = 375 mA
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53

Mesh Analysis Procedure

1. Determine if circuit is planar
◼ If not, use nodal analysis
2. Count and label the mesh currents
3. Write KVL equations around each mesh
◼ Begin at a convenient node and proceed in
direction of mesh current
◼ If a current source lies on periphery of the
mesh, no KVL equation needed. Use the current
source value (watch for direction!) for mesh
current
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27
 Mesh Analysis Procedure
4. Express any additional unknowns such as
voltages or currents other than mesh
currents in terms of the mesh currents
5. Organize the equations
6. Solve the system of equations for mesh
currents

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55

The Supermesh

◼ When current sources are in the network

and not on periphery of a mesh
◼ They appear in between two meshes
◼ The voltage across the current source can’t be
determined
◼ Combine the two meshes into one
supermesh
◼ Write the supermesh equation by following
around the supermesh and ignore the path
with the current source in it
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56

28
 The Supermesh

◼ A supermesh reduces the number of mesh

equations by 1
◼ An additional equation comes from
relating the current source value between
the meshes to the two mesh currents

57

57

Practice 4.9: Supermesh

◼ Find i1
◼ The 3A current source must be included in
a supermesh

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58

29
 Practice 4.9: Supermesh

◼ Draw mesh currents and identify

supermesh

59

59

Practice 4.9: Supermesh

◼ Mesh 2 equation
−4(i2 − i1 ) − (5 + 9)i2 − 10(i2 − i3 ) = 0
4i1 − 28i2 + 10i3 = 0 or
−2i1 + 14i2 − 5i3 = 0 (9)
◼ Supermesh equation
10 − 4(i1 − i2 ) − 10(i3 − i2 ) − (1 + 7)i3 = 0
−4i1 + 14i2 − 18i3 = −10 or
2i1 − 7i2 + 9i3 = 5 (10)
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30
 Practice 4.9: Supermesh

◼ Current source equation

−i1 + i3 = 3 (11)
◼ Matrix equation
 2 −7 9   i1  5 
 −2 14 5  i  = 0 
  2   (12)
 −1 0 1   i3   3 

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Supermesh Analysis Procedure

1. Determine if circuit is planar
◼ If not, use nodal analysis
2. Count and label the mesh currents
3. If the circuit contains current sources shared
by two meshes, create a supermesh
enclosing both meshes

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31
 Supermesh Analysis Procedure
4. Write KVL equations around each mesh
◼ Begin at a convenient node and proceed in
direction of mesh current
◼ If a current source lies on periphery of the
mesh, no KVL equation needed. Use the current
source value (watch for direction!) for mesh
current
5. Relate the current flowing in each current
source to the mesh currents

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63

Supermesh Analysis Procedure

6. Express any additional unknowns such as
voltages or currents other than mesh
currents in terms of the mesh currents
7. Organize the equations
8. Solve the system of equations for mesh
currents

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32
 Appendix: Mesh vs. Nodal
Analysis

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65

Mesh vs. Nodal Analysis

◼ Deciding which method to use can be

confusing
◼ We won’t worry about the intricacies of the
decision

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66

33
 Mesh vs. Nodal Analysis

◼ Apply both techniques to one circuit with a

current source and voltage source
◼ Circuit has a voltage and a current source

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67

Nodal Analysis First

◼ Circuit has 5 nodes, 4 are non-reference

◼ Choose bottom node as reference
◼ Indicate with earth ground symbol (0 V
reference)
◼ Label 3 node voltages
◼ One node is connected by 100 V source to
ground
◼ This is a constrained node, but we don’t need the
supernode because we already know the node’s
voltage is 100 V (see Example 4.11, Eq. 1)
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 Nodal Analysis First

100 V v1 v2 v3

◼ Node 1 equation
v1 − 100 v1 v1 − v2
+ + =0
8 4 2
0.875v1 − 0.5v2 = 12.5
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69

Nodal Analysis First

◼ Node 2 equation
v2 − v1 v2 v2 − v3
+ + =8
2 3 10
−0.5v1 + 0.9333v2 − 0.1v3 = 8

◼ Node 3 equation
v3 − v2 v3
+ +8 = 0
10 5
−0.1v2 + 0.3v3 = −8
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 Nodal Analysis First

◼ Matrix equation
0.875 −0.5 0   v1  12.5
 −0.5 0.9333 −0.1 v  =  8 
  2  
 0 −0.1 0.3   v3   −8 
◼ Results

v1 = 25.89 V v2 = 20.31 V v3 = −19.90 V ix = 2.79 A

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Now Mesh Analysis

◼ Circuit is planar
◼ Has 4 meshes
◼ Has 1 current source, but it is on
periphery of a mesh and not between
meshes
◼ This means that mesh current is determined
◼ Only need 3 mesh equations
◼ Draw the mesh currents

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36
 Now Mesh Analysis

◼ Mesh 1 equation
100 − 8i1 − 4(i1 − i2 ) = 0
−12i1 + 4i2 = −100 or
3i1 − i2 = 25 (13) 73

73

Now Mesh Analysis

◼ Mesh 2 equation
−4(i2 − i1 ) − 2i2 − 3(i2 − i3 ) = 0
4i1 − 9i2 + 3i3 = 0 or
−4i1 + 9i2 − 3i3 = 0 (14)
◼ Mesh 3 equation
−3(i3 − i2 ) − 10(i3 − i4 ) − 5i3 = 0
3i2 − 18i3 + 10i4 = 0 or
−3i2 + 18i3 − 10i4 = 0 (15)
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 Now Mesh Analysis

◼ Mesh 4 equation
i4 = −8 (16)
◼ Can substitute Eq. 16 into Eq. 15 to create
a 3 equation matrix
◼ Make the substitution so Eq. 15 becomes
−3i2 + 18i3 − 10(−8) = 0
−3i2 + 18i3 = −80 (17)

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Now Mesh Analysis

◼ Matrix equation
 3 −1 0   i1   25 
 −4 9 −3 i  =  0  (18)
  2  
 0 −3 18   i3   −80 

◼ Results
i1 = 9.26 A i2 = ix = 2.79 A i3 = −3.98 A i4 = −8 A

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