D I S C U SS I O N
NODES, BRANCHES, AND LOOPS
Since the elements of an electric circuit can be interconnected in several ways, we
need to understand some basic concepts of network topology. To differentiate
between a circuit and a network, we may regard a network as an interconnection of
elements or devices, whereas a circuit is a network providing one or more closed
paths. The convention, when addressing network topology, is to use the word
network rather than circuit. We do this even though the word network and circuit
mean the same thing when used in this context. In network topology, we study the
properties relating to the placement of elements in the network and the geometric
configuration of the network. Such elements include branches, nodes, and loops.
1. A branch represents a single element such as a voltage source or a resistor.
2. A node is the point of connection between two or more branches.
3. A loop is any closed path in a circuit.
KIRCHHOFFS LAWS
1. Kirchhoffs current law (KCL) states that the algebraic sum of currents entering a
node (or a closed boundary) is zero.
2. Kirchhoffs voltage law (KVL) states that the algebraic sum of all voltages around
a closed path (or loop) is zero.
SERIES AND PARALLEL CONNECTION
All of the elements in a circuit that carry the same current are said to be
connected in series.
Elements in a circuit having a common voltage across them are said to be
connected in parallel.
RESISTORS IN SERIES AND PARALLEL
It is often possible to replace relatively complicated resistor combinations with a
single equivalent resistor. This is useful when we are not specifically interested in
the current, voltage, or power associated with any of the individual resistors in the
combinations. All the current, voltage, and power relationships in the remainder of
the circuit will be unchanged.
Consider the series combination of N resistors shown in Figure 1-1a. We want to
simplify the circuit with replacing the N resistors with a single resistor Req so that the
remainder of the circuit, in this case only the voltage source, does not realize that
any change has been made. The current, voltage, and power of the source must be
the same before and after the replacement.
Figure 1-1
First, apply KVL:
vs = v1 + v2 + + vN
and then Ohms law:
vs = R1i + R2i + + RNi
vs = (R1 + R2 + + RN)i ---> (equation 1)
Now compare this result with the simple equation applying to the equivalent circuit
shown in Figure 1-1b:
vs = Reqi ---> (equation 2)
From equation 1 and 2, it follows that:
Reqi = (R1 + R2 + + RN)i
Req = R1 + R2 + ... RN
Similar simplifications can be applied to parallel circuits. A circuit containing N
resistors in parallel, as in Fig. 1-2a, leads to the KCL equation.
Figure 1-2
First, apply KCL:
is = i 1 + i 2 + + i N
and then Ohm's Law:
References:
1. Engineering Circuit Analysis Eight Edition
William H. Hayt, Jr.
Copyright 2012 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
2. Fundamentals of Electric circuits Fifth Edition
Charles K. Alexander
Copyright 2013 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
