(iii) Mesh Current Analysis Method
Mesh Current Analysis Method is used to analyze and solve the electrical network having
various sources or the circuit consisting of several meshes or loops with a voltage or current
sources. It is also known as the Loop Current Method.
In the Mesh Current method, a distinct current is assumed in the loop and the polarities of drops
in each element in the loop are determined by the assumed direction of loop current for that loop.
The unknown in mesh current analysis is the current in different meshes, and the law which is
applicable to solve the circuit by the mesh current method is known as Kirchhoff’s Voltage
Law (KVL) which states that –
In any closed circuit, the net voltage applied is equal to the sum of the product of current and
resistance or in another word in any closed circuit, the sum of the voltage rise is equal to the sum
of voltage drop, in the direction of current flow.
Let us understand the Mesh Current method with the help of the circuit shown below
In the above network
R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 are the various resistances
V1 and V2 are the voltage source
I1 is the current flowing in the mesh ABFEA
I2 is the current flowing in the mesh BCGFB
I3 is the current flowing in the mesh CDHGC
The direction of the current is assumed in the clockwise for simplicity in solving the
network.
Steps for Solving Network by Mesh Current Method
Considering the above circuit diagram, the following steps are given below to solve the
circuit by the Mesh Current method.
Step 1 – First of all, identify the independent circuit meshes or loop. As there is three
mesh in the circuit diagram shown above which are considering.
Step 2 – Assign a circulating current to each mesh as shown in circuit diagram where I1,
I2 and I3 are flowing in each mesh.
It is preferable to assign the same direction of all the currents and in a clockwise direction
for making the calculation easier.
Step 3 – Now, write the KVL equation for each mesh. As there are three meshes in the
circuit, there will be three KVL equations as shown below
Applying KVL in the mesh ABFEA
By rearranging the equation, we will get an equation (1)
Applying KVL in the mesh BCGFB
Applying KVL in the mesh CDHGC
Step 4 – Now solve equations (1) (2) and (3) simultaneously to get the value of current I 1,
I2 and I3. By knowing the mesh currents, we can determine the various voltages and
currents in the circuit.
