Circuit Analysis- Nodal

Analysis
Note:

MATERIAL NOT TO BE SHARED

Binoy B Nair This study material has been made using the contents in the book:
Charles K, Alexander, Mattew [Link], Fundamentals of Electrical
Circuits.
This material does not replace the textbook.
It is your responsibility to read the textbook and solve the problems at
the end of the chapter that have not been solved in the class.
Nodal Analysis
• Nodal analysis provides a general procedure for analyzing circuits
using node voltages as the circuit variables.
• Choosing node voltages instead of element voltages as circuit
variables is convenient and reduces the number of equations one
must solve simultaneously.
• Nodal analysis is also known as the node-voltage method.
Steps in Nodal Analysis
1. Select a node as the reference node. The reference node is
commonly called the ground since it is assumed to have zero
potential.
2. Assign voltages v1, v2, … , vn− 1 to the remaining n − 1 nodes. The
voltages are referenced with respect to the reference node.
3. Apply KCL to each of the n − 1 nonreference nodes. Use Ohm’s law
to express the branch currents in terms of node voltages.
4. Solve the resulting simultaneous equations to obtain the unknown
node voltages.
 Reference Node or Ground
• The reference node is commonly called the ground since it is assumed to have
zero potential.
• A reference node is indicated by any of the three symbols in Fig.
• The type of ground in Fig. (c) is called a chassis ground and is used in devices
where the case, enclosure, or chassis acts as a reference point for all circuits.
• When the potential of the earth is used as reference, we use the earth ground
in Fig.(a) or (b). We shall always use the symbol in Fig. (b).

Common symbols for indicating a reference node, (a) common ground, (b) ground, (c) chassis ground
Nodal Analysis with Current Sources
Example 1
• Find the voltages and . Consider .
Solution
Step 1:
• Node 0 is the reference node (v = 0), while
nodes 1 and 2 are assigned voltages v1 and
v2, respectively.
• Keep in mind that the node voltages are
defined with respect to the reference node.
• As illustrated in Fig., each node voltage is the
voltage rise from the reference node to the
corresponding nonreference node or simply
the voltage of that node with respect to the
reference node.
Step 2:
• We apply KCL to each nonreference node in the
circuit.

• To avoid putting too much information on the

same circuit, the circuit in question is redrawn
as shown, where we now add and as the
currents through resistors and , respectively.
Step 2:
• We apply KCL to each nonreference node in the
circuit.
• To avoid putting too much information on the same
circuit, the circuit in question is redrawn as shown,
where we now add and as the currents through
resistors and , respectively.

• At node 1, applying KCL gives:

(1)

• At node 2, applying KCL gives:

(2)
• We now apply Ohm’s law to express the unknown currents and in
terms of node voltages.
• The key idea to bear in mind is that, since resistance is a passive
element, by the passive sign convention, current must always flow from
a higher potential to a lower potential.
• We can express this principle as:

Using this to calculate the currents, we get:

(3)
(4) and
(5)
• Substitute eq. (3), (4) and (5) in eq (1) and (2) : • From (8) and (9):
(1) (10)
(2)
(11)
Gives:
(6)
(7)

Rewriting (6) we get:

i.e.
(8)

And Rewriting (7), we get:

i.e.
(9)
This is a system of two equations with two unknowns and . Hence we can
write them in matrix form as:

We can solve this using Cramers Rule:

Hence the final solution is:

and
• Substituting the values we get:

• and

• Therefore:

• v
• v
Example 2
Q. Apply nodal analysis to solve for in the circuit in Fig.
 Sol.
• Since the 10Ω and 20 Ω are in parallel, their
equivalent resistance is:

• There is only one non-reference node here,

hence, using KCL at Node 1:

I 1 0.2Vx
(note that I= 2A)
i1
• i.e.

Hence, 0

or V
Nodal Analysis with Voltage Sources
Voltage Sources in a circuit
CASE 1:
If a voltage source is connected between
the reference node and a nonreference
node, we simply set the voltage at the
nonreference node equal to the voltage
of the voltage source.

• In Fig., for example: (1)

 Voltage Sources in a circuit
CASE 2:
• If the voltage source (dependent or independent) is
connected between two nonreference nodes, the two
nonreference nodes form a generalized node or
supernode.
• we apply both KCL and KVL to determine the node
voltages for such nodes.
• A supernode may be regarded as a closed surface
enclosing the voltage source and its two nodes.
• A supernode is formed by enclosing a (dependent or
independent) voltage source connected between two
nonreference nodes and any elements connected in
parallel with it.
• In Fig. , nodes 2 and 3 form a supernode.
• We analyze a circuit with supernodes using the same steps
discussed earlier except that the supernodes are treated
differently.
Why?
• Because an essential component of nodal analysis is applying KCL,
which requires knowing the current through each element.
• There is no way of knowing the current through a voltage source
in advance.
• However, KCL must be satisfied at a supernode like any other
node.
• Hence, using KCL at the supernode in Fig (a):

Fig. (a)

i.e.
(2)

• Now using KVL at the supernode as shown in Fig (b):

i.e.
(3) Fig. (b)
• From eq (1), (2) and (3), we get:

• (1)
• (2)
• (3)

• Hence, solving these, we can find the node voltages

Q. For the circuit shown in Fig, find the node voltages.
 Sol.

• The supernode contains the 2-V source, nodes 1

and 2, and the 10-Ω resistor.
• Applying KCL to the supernode as shown in Fig.
Gives:

• Expressing and in terms of the node voltages:

i.e.

Or
(1)
To get the relationship between and , we apply KVL to the circuit in Fig.
(c).

Going around the loop, we obtain:

(2)
Fig. (a)

From Eqs. (1) and (2), we write:

i.e.

Hence:
V
V Fig. (b)

Note that the 10-Ω resistor does not make any difference because it is
connected across the supernode.
Fig. (c)
• Find the node voltages in the circuit of Fig.
• Solution:
• Nodes 1 and 2 form a supernode; so do nodes 3 and 4.
• We apply KCL to the two supernodes as in Fig. (b)

• At supernode 1-2:

• Expressing this in terms of the node voltages:

Fig.(a)
(1)

• At supernode 3-4:

Or
(2)
Fig.(b)
• now apply KVL to the branches involving the voltage
sources as shown in Fig. (b).
• For loop 1,

Fig.(a)
(3)

• For loop 2,

• But so that
(4)
Fig.(b)
• For loop 3,

• But and . Hence,

(5)
Fig.(c)
• We need four node voltages, and , and it requires
only four out of the five Eqs. (1) to (5) to find them.
• Although the fifth equation is redundant, it can be
used to check results. Fig.(a)
• We can eliminate one node voltage so that we solve
three simultaneous equations instead of four.
• From Eq. (3), .
• Substituting this into Eqs. (1) and (2), respectively,
gives
(6)
and Fig.(b)

(7)
• Equations (4), (6), and (7) can be cast in matrix form
as:
Fig.(c)
• Equations (4), (6), and The node voltages are:
(7) can be cast in matrix
form as:
Fig.(a)
• and V.

We have not used Eq. (5); it can be

• Using Cramer’s rule used to cross-check results.

gives:

Fig.(b)

Fig.(c)
Thank You