NORTH SOUTH UNIVERSITY

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL & COMPUTER ENGINEERING

EEE41L

Lab 4: Verification of Superposition Theorem.

Objective:
 To verify the Superposition Theorem.

List of Equipment
 Trainer Board
 DMM
 1 x 3.3kΩ resistor
 1 x 4.7kΩ resistor
 1 x 1KΩ resistor

Theory:
A key idea in electrical circuit analysis is the superposition theorem, which enables us to simplify complex
circuits by dividing them into more manageable, smaller pieces. It states that the total current or voltage at any
point in a linear circuit—one in which the relationship between voltage and current is linear—is the algebraic sum
of the currents or voltages produced by each independent source acting alone while all other independent sources
are off
The Superposition Theorem can be verified through a simple example.

Consider a circuit with two independent voltage sources (V1 and V2), a resistor (R), and a current source (I). Our
goal is to find the voltage across the resistor R (VR).

First, consider only V1: Turn off V2 (set it to 0V). Now, the circuit becomes a simple series circuit with V1 and
R. Using Ohm's Law (V=IR), we can find VR when only V1 is active.

Next, consider only V2: Turn off V1 (set it to 0V). The circuit now has V2 and R in series. Again, using Ohm's
Law, we can find VR when only V2 is active.

Apply Superposition: To find VR when both sources are active, add the results from step 1 and step 2, since the
theorem states that the total voltage is the algebraic sum of voltages caused by each source acting alone.

VR_total = VR_V1 + VR_V2

 NORTH SOUTH UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL & COMPUTER ENGINEERING

EEE41L

Circuit Diagram

Circuit 1 Circuit 2

Circuit3

Procedure:

1. We Set up Circuit 1.

measure 𝐼2, 𝑉𝑅1, 𝑉𝑅2, 𝑉𝑅3, and record the values in appropriate
2. Then with both the voltage sources connected to the circuit, we

3. After this we set up Circuit 2. Measure and record 𝐼′2, 𝑉′𝑅1, 𝑉′𝑅2,
tables.

𝑉′𝑅3.
4. Lastly we set up Circuit 3. Measure and record 𝐼′′2, 𝑉′′𝑅1, 𝑉′′𝑅2,
𝑉′′𝑅3.
 NORTH SOUTH UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL & COMPUTER ENGINEERING

EEE41L

Results:
I2 = ((2.697-2.76)÷2.697)*100% = 2.33%
I2 = ((1.995- 2.05)÷1.995)*100% = 2.76%
I2 = ((0.702-0.71)÷0.702)*100% = 1.14%

VR1 =((7.27-7.32) ÷7.27)*100% = 0.6%

VR1 =((7.986-8.01) ÷7.986)*100% = 0.3%
VR1 =((0.6995-0.702) ÷0.6995)*100% = 0.4%

VR2 =((2.7135-2.738) ÷2.7135)*100% = 0.9%

VR2 =((2.014-2.34) ÷2.014)*100% = 1.6%
VR2 =((0.6995-0.72) ÷0.6995)*100% = 0.4%

VR3 =((2.2865-2.256) ÷2.2865)*100% = 1.33%

VR3 =((2.014-2.039) ÷2.014)*100% =1.2%
VR3 =((4.3005-4.3) ÷4.3005)*100% =0.011%

Question AND Answer:

1. What is Superposition Theorem?
Answer: The superposition theorem states the following: “In any linear and bilateral network or circuit
having multiple independent sources, the response of an element will be equal to the algebraic sum of the
responses of that element by considering one source at a time.”
2. Theoretically Calculate all values of Table 1 to Table 4. Show all the steps in details.
Answer:

Circuit 1:
I2 = I’2 + I”2 = (1.995 +0.702) MA = 2.697 mA ,
VR1= V’R1+ V’’R1 = 7.896 – 0.6995 = 7.227v
VR2= V’R2+ V’’R2 = 2.014 + 0.6995 = 2.7135v
VR3= V’R3+ V’’R3 = 2.014 – 4.3005 = -2.2865v
 NORTH SOUTH UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL & COMPUTER ENGINEERING

EEE41L
Circuit 2:
RT = R1 + ( R2 || R3) = 3.3+(1||4.7)= 4.12 KΩ

IT = 10/4.125=1.995mA
I2 =(4.7*2.42)/(1+4.7)=1.995mA
VR1 =IT *R1 = 2.42*3.3 = 7.986V
VR2 = VR3= (10-7.986) V= 2.014V

Circuit 3:
RT = R3 + ( R2 || R1) = 4.7+(1||3.3)= 5.467 KΩ

IT = 5/5.467=0.915mA
I2 =(3.3*2.42)/(1+3.33)=0.702mA

VR3 =IT *R1 = 0.915*4.7 = 4.3005V

VR1 = VR2= (5-4.005) V= 0.6995V

3. Find the %Error between each value.

Answer:

I2 = ((2.697-2.76)÷2.697)*100% = 2.33%
I2 = ((1.995- 2.05)÷1.995)*100% = 2.76%
I2 = ((0.702-0.71)÷0.702)*100% = 1.14%

VR1 =((7.27-7.32) ÷7.27)*100% = 0.6%

VR1 =((7.986-8.01) ÷7.986)*100% = 0.3%
VR1 =((0.6995-0.702) ÷0.6995)*100% = 0.4%

VR2 =((2.7135-2.738) ÷2.7135)*100% = 0.9%

VR2 =((2.014-2.34) ÷2.014)*100% = 1.6%
VR2 =((0.6995-0.72) ÷0.6995)*100% = 0.4%

VR3 =((2.2865-2.256) ÷2.2865)*100% = 1.33%

VR3 =((2.014-2.039) ÷2.014)*100% =1.2%
VR3 =((4.3005-4.3) ÷4.3005)*100% =0.011%

4. Show that your circuit followed superposition theorem.

 NORTH SOUTH UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL & COMPUTER ENGINEERING

EEE41L

Answer:
I2=I’2 + I”2
2.76mA=2.05mA + 0.71mA
VR1= V’R1+ V’’R1 = 8.01V-0.702V = 7.32V
VR2= V’R2+ V’’R2 = 2.034 + 0.72 = 2.738V
VR3= V’R3+ V’’R3 = 2.039 -4.3 = -2.256V

Discussion:

In this experiment, we verified the superposition theorem.

Build the Circuit: Either construct the circuit on a physical breadboard with real components or set it up in a
circuit simulator.

Identify Independent Sources: Identify the independent voltage and current sources in your circuit.

Measure Baseline Values: Turn off all but one independent source (either by setting voltage sources to zero or
open-circuiting current sources). Measure and record the voltage, current, or any other relevant parameters in the
circuit, such as resistor voltages or currents.

Repeat for Each Independent Source: Repeat step 3 for each independent source in the circuit, one at a time,
while keeping the others turned off.

Calculate Total Response: Sum the responses (voltages or currents) obtained in step 3 for each source
algebraically to find the total response at the desired points in the circuit, consistent with the Superposition
Theorem.

Compare Results: Compare the total response obtained in step 5 with the measurements of the same total
response when all sources are active. If the experimental values match, it verifies the Superposition Theorem for
the given circuit.
Initially, we were having trouble with the Accuracy of Measurement Instruments and component Tolerances
but later on, it was fine.

Since everything was well we got very less errors.

 NORTH SOUTH UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL & COMPUTER ENGINEERING

EEE41L
Data Collection for Exp 4:

Group No. 01

Table 1:

I2 I’2 I”2 I’2 + I”2

2.76mA 2.05mA 0.71mA 2.76mA

Table 2:
VR1 V’R1 V’’R1 V’R1+ V’’R1

7.32V 8.01V -0.702V 7.32V

Table 3:
VR2 V’R2 V’’R2 V’R2+ V’’R2

2.738V 2.034V 0.72V 2.738V

Table 4:
VR3 V’R3 V’’R3 V’R3+ V’’R3

-2.256V 2.039V -4.3V -2.256V