Kirchoff’s Law
Kirchoff’s Current Law
(KCL)
Kirchhoff`s Laws:
Kirchhoff’s laws are more
comprehensive than Ohm's law and
are used for solving electrical
networks which may not be readily
solved by the latter.
Kirchhoff`s laws, two in number, are
particularly useful in determining the
equivalent resistance of a
complicated network of conductors
and for calculating the currents
flowing in the various conductors.
1. Kirchhoff`s Current Law (KCL) I1+ (-I2) + (I3) + (+I4) + (-I5) = 0
In any electrical network, the
algebraic sum of the currents I1+ I4 -I2 -I3 -I5 = 0
meeting at a point (or junction) is
Zero. That is the total current Or: I1+I4 = I2+I3+I5
entering a junction is equal to the
total current leaving that junction. Or: Incoming currents =Outgoing currents
Kirchoff’s Voltage Law
(KVL)
2. Kirchhoff's Mesh Law or Voltage Law (KVL)
In any electrical network, the algebraic sum of the products of
currents and resistances in each of the conductors in any closed
path (or mesh) in a network plus the algebraic sum of the
e.m.f.’s. in that path is zero.
That is, ∑IR + ∑e.m.f = 0 round a mesh It should be noted that
algebraic sum is the sum which takes into account the polarities
of the voltage drops.
DETERMINATION OF
VOLTAGE SIGN
Determination of Voltage Sign In applying Kirchhoff's
laws to specific problems, particular attention should
be paid to the algebraic signs of voltage drops and
e.m.fs.
(a) Sign of Battery E.M.F. A rise in voltage should be
given a + ve sign and a fall in voltage a -ve sign.
That is, if we go from the -ve terminal of a battery to
its +ve terminal there is a rise in potential, hence
this voltage should be given a + ve sign.
And on the other hand, we go from +ve terminal to -
ve terminal, then there is a fall in potential, hence
this voltage should be preceded by a -ve sign.
The sign of the battery e.m.f is independent of the
direction
DETERMINATION OF
VOLTAGE SIGN
(b) Sign of IR Drop Now, take the As we travel around the mesh in
case of a resistor (Fig. 2.4). the clockwise direction, different
voltage drops will have the
If we go through a resistor in the following signs :
same direction as the current, then
there is a fall in potential because I1R1 is - ve (fall in potential)
current flows from a higher to a I2R2 is - ve (fall in potential)
lower potential.. I3R3 is + ve (rise in potential)
Hence, this voltage fall should be I4R4 is – ve (fall in potential)
taken -ve. E2 is - ve (fall in potential)
However, if we go in a direction E1 is + ve (rise in potential)
opposite to that of the current,
then there is a rise in voltage.
Hence, this voltage rise should be
given a positive sign.
Using Kirchhoff's voltage law, we get :
-I1R1 – I2R2 – I3R3 – I4 R4 – E2 + E1 = 0
ASSUMED DIRECTION OF
CURRENT
Assumed Direction of Current:
In applying Kirchhoff's laws to electrical networks, the direction of current flow may be
assumed either clockwise or anticlockwise.
If the assumed direction of current is not the actual direction, then on solving the
question, the current will be found to have a minus sign.
If the answer is positive, then assumed direction is the same as actual direction.
However, the important point is that once a particular direction has been assumed, the
same should be used throughout the solution of the question.
Kirchhoff's laws are applicable both to d.c. and a.c. voltages and currents.
However, in the case of alternating currents and voltages, any e.m.f. of self-inductance
or that existing across a capacitor should be also taken into account.
METHOD TO SOLVE CIRCUITS BY KIRCHOFF’S LAW
1. Assume unknown currents in then given circuits and show their directions by
arrow.
2. Choose any close loop and find the algebraic sum of voltage drops plus the
algebraic sum of emf’s in that close loop.
3. Put the algebraic sum of voltage drops and emf’s equal to zero.
4. Write equations for as many closed loops as the number of unknown quantities.
5. If the value of the assumed current comes out to be negative, it means the actual
direction of current is opposite to that of assumed directions.
EXAMPLES:
