American International University- Bangladesh

(AIUB)
Faculty of Engineering (EEE)

Introduction To Course
Course Name : 01771
Electrical Circuit Lab Code :
Semester : Fall 24-25 Sec : U
Lab Instructor : Md Sajid Hossain

Experiment No : 4
Experiment Name
Study of superposition theorem
:

Submitted by
(NAME):
Adin Ahmed Student ID: 24-56703-1

Group Members ID Name

1. 24-56703-1 Adin Ahmed
2. 23-53694-3 Ruhul Amin Rakib
3. 23-53751-3 S.K.H Sonket
4. 23-53509-3 Umme Habiba Lamia
5. 23-53738-3 Yusrat Atia
6. 23-53665-3 Md. Mahfuz Alam Mahi
7.

Performance Date
10th November Due Date :
:

Marking Rubrics (to be filled by Lab Instructor)

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Experimental
Most criteria
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match
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 American International University- Bangladesh
Department of Electrical and Electronic
Engineering
EEE 2109: Introduction to Electrical Circuits Lab

Title: Study of Superposition Theorem.

Introduction:

The superposition theorem states that in a linear bilateral multi-source DC circuit, the
current through or voltage across any particular element may be determined by
considering the contribution of each source independently, with the remaining sources
replaced with their internal resistance. The contributions are then summed, paying
attention to polarities, to find the total value. Superposition cannot in general be applied
to non-linear circuits or to non- linear functions such as power.

The objective of this exercise is to-

1. investigate the application of the superposition theorem to multiple DC
sourcecircuits in terms of both voltage and current measurements.
2. examine the power measurement.

Theory and Methodology:

The principle of superposition is applicable only for linear systems. The concept of
superposition can be explained mathematically by the following response and excitation
principle:
i1
→
v1
i2
→
v2
i1+ i2→v1 + v2

Then, the quantity to the left of the arrow indicates the excitation and to the right, the
system response. Thus, we can state that a device, if excited by a current i 1 will produce a
response v1. Similarly, an excitation i2 will cause a response v2. Then if we use an
excitation i1 + i1, we will find a response v1 + v2.

The principle of superposition has the ability to reduce a complicated problem to several
easier problems each containing only a single independent source.

Superposition theorem states that,

In any linear circuit containing multiple independent sources, the current or voltage at
any point in the network may be calculated as algebraic sum of the individual
contributions of each source acting alone.

When determining the contribution due to a particular independent source, we disable

allthe remaining independent sources. That is, all the remaining voltage sources are made
zero by replacing them with short circuits, and all remaining current sources are made
zero byreplacing them with open circuits. Also, it is important to note that if a dependent
1
 Action Plan:
(i) In a circuit comprising of many independent sources, only one source is
allowed to be active in the circuit, the rest are deactivated (turned off).
(ii) To deactivate a voltage source, replace it with a short circuit, and to
deactivate a current source, replace it with an open circuit.
(iii) The response obtained by applying each source, one at a time, are
then added algebraically to obtain a solution.

Limitations: Superposition is a fundamental property of linear equations and,

therefore, can be applied to any effect that is linearly related to the cause. That is,
we want to point out that, superposition principle applies only to the current and
voltage in a linear circuit but it cannot be used to determine power because power
is a non-linear function.
Pre-Lab Homework:
Use NI Multisim and reference book for solving the following problem. Student must
present the simulation results to the instructor before the start of the experiment.
HW 1: Find Vout using superposition theorem of Figure 6.0.

Fig 1
HW 2: Find the current in the 6Ω resistor using the principle of superposition for the
following circuit:

Fig 2

Apparatus:
1. Trainer board
2. Digital multimeter
3. DC source
4. Resistors : 4.7k, 6.8k, 10k, 22k, 33k [1 pcs]
5. Connecting wires
 Precautions:
To consider the effect of one voltage source the other must be replaced with a
wire. Simply switching off the connection does not give the correct circuit
configuration.
Sometimes the ammeters don’t work properly so to determine current take the
voltage drop across the resistor and divide by the resistance value to obtain
the current passing through that particular element or branch. Always mention
the units when taking the readings or doing the calculations.

Experimental procedure:

Voltage Application:
1. The dual supply circuit of Figure 4.1 was considered using E1 = 10 volts, E2 = 5
volts,R1 = 21.62 k, R2 = 9.918 k and R3 = 32.64 k. Superposition was used to
find the voltage from node A to ground. First source E1 was considered by
assuming that E2 was replaced with its internal resistance (a short). Then the
voltage at node A was determine using standard series-parallel techniques and
recorded that in Table 6.1. The process was repeated using E2 while shorting E1.
Finally, those two voltages were summed and recorded in Table 4.1.
2. To verify the superposition theorem, the process was implemented directly by
measuring the contributions. The circuit of Figure 4.1 was built with the values
specified in step 1, then E2 was replaced with a short.
3. The voltage was measured at node A and recorded in Table 4.1
4. Then the shorting wire was removed and source E2 was inserted. Also, source E1
was replaced with a short. Then the voltage at node A was measured and recorded
in Table 4.1
5. The shorting wire was removed and re-inserted source E1. Both sources was then
in the circuit. The voltage was measured at node A and recorded in Table 4.1
Current Application:
6. The dual supply circuit of Figure 4.2 was considered using E1 = 10 volts, E2 = 5
volts, R1 = 4.799k, R2 = 9.918k, R3 = 32.64k, R4 = 6.712k and R5 =
21.62k. Superposition was used to find the current through R4 flowing from node
A to B. Each source was again treated independently with the remaining sources
replaced with their internal resistances. The current through R4 was calculated first
considering E1 and then considering E2. These results were summed and recorded
in Table 4.2.
7. The circuit of Figure 4.2 was assembled using the specified values. Source E2
was replaced with a short and the current was measured through R4
8. The short was replaced with source E2 and swapped source E1 with a short. The
current through R4 was measured.
9. The shorting wire was remove and re-inserted source E1. Both sources was then
in the circuit. The current through R4 was measured and recorded in Table 4.2

Circuit diagram:

Figure4.1 (E1 is active)

Figure:4.1 (E2 is active)

Figure:4.2 (E1 active)

Figure : 4.2 (E2 active)

Figure 4.2 (E1 & E2 active)

Simulation:

Figure:4.1 ( E1 active)

Figure;4.1 (Eactive)

Figure:4.1 (E1& E2 active)

 Figure:4.2 (E1 active)

Figure:4.2 (E2 active)

Figure:4.2 (E1 & E2 active)

Figure 4.2 (E1 & E2 active)

Data Table :

source VA Theory VA Experimental Deviation

E1 only 2.6V 2.603V 0.11

E2 only 2.83V 2.837V 0.24

E1 & E2 only 5.436V 5.439V 0.055

𝑇𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒: 4.1

Source IR4 Theory IR4 Experimental Deviation

E1 only 0.492mA 0.492mA 0.406

E2 only -0.193mA -0.192mA 1.55

E1 & E2 only 0.299mA 0.293mA 3.01

𝑇𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒: 4.2

Source PR4

E1 only 1.62mW

E2 only 0.25mW

E1 + E2 0.6mW

E1 & E2 0.56mW
(Voltages applied simultaneously)
𝑇𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 ∶ 4.2
Calculation :
For figure 4.1: (when E1 active)

Redraw :
R2||R3 = R23 ( R2 & R3 are parallel)
By using formula :
1 1 -1
R23 = [ + ]
𝑅2 𝑅3
1 1
R23 = [ + ]-1
9.918𝑘 32.64𝑘

R23 = 7.6 k

Then, Deviation for V1:

𝑅23 2.603−2.6
V1 = × 𝐸1 = × 100
𝑅23+𝑅10 2.603
7.6𝑘
V1 = × 10 = 0.11
7.6𝑘+21.62𝑘
V1 = 2.6V
For Figure: 4.1 (when E2 active)

Redraw:

R1||R3 = R13 = ( R1 & R3 Are parallel)

1 1
R13 = [ + ]-1
𝑅1 𝑅3
1 1
R13= [ + ]-1
21.62𝑘 32.64𝑘

R13 = 13.005k

Then,
𝑅13
V2 = × 𝐸2 Deviation for V2:
𝑅13+𝑅2
13.005𝑘
V2 = ×5 from figure 4.1 V2: 2.837V
13.005𝑘+9.918𝑘
2.837−2.83
V2= 2.83V = × 100
2.837
= 0.24
For E1 & E2:
VA = V1 + V2 Deviaton for E1 & E2:
= 2.6+2.83 from figure 4.1 VA : 5.439V
5.439−5.436
=5.436V = × 100
5.439
= 0.055

Figure 4.2:
From Figure 4.2 : (when E1 is active )

RT = R1+[ { ( R2||R3)+R4}||R3]
1 1
RT =4.799k+[ { (9.918𝑘 + 21.62𝑘)-1 + 6.712k } || 32.64k ]

RT = 14.35k
𝐸1 10
I= 𝑅𝑇 = 14.35𝑘 = 0.696 mA.
𝑅3 32.64𝑘
IR4’= 𝑅3+13.511𝑘 × 𝐼 = 32.64𝑘+13.511𝑘 × .696𝑚𝐴 = 0.492mA

From figure 4.2 ( when E2 is active)

RT = R2+ [ { ( R1||R3 ) +R4}|| R5 ]
1 1
RT = 9.918k+ [ { ( 4.799𝑘 + 32.64𝑘 )-1 + 6.712k} || 21.62k]

RT = 17.16k
𝐸2 5
I = 𝑅𝑇 = 17.16𝑘 = -0.29 mA
𝑅5 21.62𝐾
IR4’’ = 𝑅5+10.89 × 𝐼 = 21.62𝑘+10.89𝑘 × (−0.29) = −0.193mA

From figure 4.2 ( when E1 & E2 both active )

IR4 = IR4’+IR4’’
IR4 = 0.492 - 0.193
IR4 = 0.299 mA
 0.492𝑚𝐴−0.490𝑚𝐴
Deviation for E1 Source: × 100 = 0.406
0.492𝑚𝐴
0.193𝑚𝐴−0.19𝑚𝐴
Deviation for E2 source: × 100 = 1.55
0.193𝑚𝐴
0.299𝑚𝐴−0.29𝑚𝐴
Deviation for E1 & E2 source : × 100 = 3.01
0.299𝑚𝐴

From Figure 4.2 :

For E1 : PR4 = IR4’2 × R4 = (0.4922)× 6.712 = 1.624mW
For E2 : PR4 =IR4’’2 × R4 = (0.1932) × 6.712 = 0.25mW
For E1 & E2 : IR42 × R4 = (0.2992) × 6.712 = 0.6mW

Discussion:
1. The trainer board and the multimeter was checked before
the start of the experiment.
2. The resistor was placed properly according to the figure.
3. The value of the voltage was increased gradually as applying
a large voltage can damage the resistors
4. Finally all the data was placed in the data table. For the given
equation, a result was obtained.

Conclusion :
In this experiment the data/findings were interpreted and
determine to the extent to which the experiment was
successful in complying. The goal was initially set. The ways of
the study was improved, investigated and described by
measuring, converting and calculating the circuit of super
position theorem.
Questions and Answer:
1. In this investigation, the Superposition Theorem was
accepted based on the results obtained from both
theoretical calculations and experimental measurements.
When E1=10V is active, then the theoretical calculation
of voltage by using voltage divider rule in A node VA =
2.6V and when E2= 5V is active , Then the calculation of
voltage in A node VA will be 2.83V. The total voltage in
the circuit within E1 & E2 active then VA = 5.436V.
When E2= 5V is shorted, By using current divider rule the
theoretical calculation of the current of R4 resistance IR4
= 0.492mA and when E1=10V is shorted the current is
directed in opposite is the IR4 = -0.193mA. When both E1
& E2 is active, then the total current suppliours is
0.299mA.
2. Some common mistakes when applying the
superposition theorem including. It's essential to
correctly replace all sources other than the one being
considered with it’s equivalent internal impedances. For
example, when replacing voltage sources, ensure that
they are shorted, and current sources should be opened.
The experiment involved physical measurements, errors
in the measurement tools, like inaccurate multimeter
readings or connection issues, could lead to
discrepancies.
3. Ways the Study Could Be Improved: when E2= 5V is
shorted, By using current divider rule the theoretical
calculation of the current of R4 resistance IR4 = 0.492mA
and when E1=10V is shorted the current is directed in
opposite is the IR4 = -0.193mA. When both E1 & E2 is
active, then the total current suppliours is 0.299mA. The
study could incorporate non-ideal voltage or current
sources, such as those with internal resistance, to better
reflect practical applications. Complement theoretical
calculations with experimental setups to verify results
using real circuits.

References:
1. Robert L. Boylestad, "Introductory Circuit Analysis",
Prentice Hall, 12th Edition, New York, 2010, ISBN
978013714666