Mapua Institute of Technology

School of EECE
Electrical Engineering Department

Experiment # 6
The Superposition Theorem and Linearity




INDUCTIVO, Nathalie C.
EE20L / B17


Engr. Ronaldo Cabuang
PROFESSOR
08 - 2
Grade
Final Data Sheet

Table 7.1 (Measured Values)
Measured
Resistances
R
1
R
2
R
3
R
4
R
5

8 2 2 4 5

Calculated Values
10 V 3 V V
1
V
2
V
3
V
4
V
5
I
1
I
2
I
3

ON ON 6.5V 1.625V 1.875V -0.5V -0.625V 0.8125A -0.125A 0.9375A
ON OFF
V
1
V
2
V
3
V
4
V
5
I
1
I
2
I
3

6.872V 1.718V 1.406V 0.624V 0.78V 0.859A 0.156A 0.703A
OFF ON
V
1
V
2
V
3
V
4
V
5
I
1
I
2
I
3

-0.375V -0.0938V 0.468V -1.124V -1.405V -0.0469A -0.281A 0.234A
Superposition
values
ON ON
V
1
V
2
V
3
V
4
V
5
I
1
I
2
I
3

6.497V 1.624V 1.874V -0.5V -0.625V 0.812A -0.125A 0.937A


Table 7.2 (Simulated Values) Optional
Calculated Values
10 V 3 V V
1
V
2
V
3
V
4
V
5
I
1
I
2
I
3

ON ON 6.5V 1.63V 1.88V -0.5V -0.625V 0.8125A -0.125A 0.9375A
ON OFF
V
1
V
2
V
3
V
4
V
5
I
1
I
2
I
3

6.87V 1.72V 1.41V 0.625V 0.781V 0.859A 0.156A 0.703A
OFF ON
V
1
V
2
V
3
V
4
V
5
I
1
I
2
I
3

-0.375V -0.0938V 0.469V -1.12V -1.41V -0.0469A -0.281A 0.234A
Superposition
values
ON ON
V
1
V
2
V
3
V
4
V
5
I
1
I
2
I
3

6.495V 1.626V 1.879V -0.495V -0.629V 0.812A -0.125A 0.937A












Graphs/Curves
Comparison of the Calculated values, Superposition values, and Simulated values of Voltage and
Current Responses

6
.
5

1
.
6
2
5

1
.
8
7
5

-
0
.
5

-
0
.
6
2
5

0
.
8
1
2
5

-
0
.
1
2
5

0
.
9
3
7
5

6
.
4
9
7

1
.
6
2
4

1
.
8
7
4

-
0
.
5

-
0
.
6
2
5

0
.
8
1
2

-
0
.
1
2
5

0
.
9
3
7

6
.
5

1
.
6
2
6

1
.
8
8

-
0
.
5

-
0
.
6
2
5

0
.
8
1
2
5

-
0
.
1
2
5

0
.
9
3
7
5

-1
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
V1 V2 V3 V4 V5 I1 I2 I3
Calculated Values
Superposition Values
Simulated values
Data Analysis/Interpretation of Results
In this experiment, electric circuit presented on Fig 7.1 with more than one independent
source was analyzed and solved using superposition theorem. First, Table 7.1 was filled in by
calculations using mesh analysis and superposition theorem. The calculated values, where both
independent sources (10 V and 3 V) are active, were computed using mesh analysis. This would
be the basis if the obtained superposition values were correct.
The next calculated values were attained using the superposition theorem. From the
circuit given, it was observed that there are two independent sources present; thus, we could say
that there are two responses that can be obtained. Consequently, the responses caused by a
certain independent source was indicated by putting an apostrophe () on a desired current or
voltage and the number of apostrophe also indicate the sequence of the responses caused by the
independent sources. At first, the 3V independent source was set to zero by short circuiting it.
The circuit was important to be redrawn for a clearer illustration of the new circuit diagram and
to avoid of confusion. For an easy calculation, mesh analysis was used; hence, getting the current
responses and multiplying the resistors to its corresponding current responses to get the voltage
responses. Next was the 10V independent source was set to zero by short circuiting it also, then
same procedures was done. I obtained the calculated values V
1
= 6.872V, V
2
= 1.718V, V
3
=
1.406V, V
4
= 0.624V, V
5
= 0.78V, I
1
= 0.859A, I
2
= 0.156A, and I
3
= 0.703A when 10V was
active and V
1
= -0.375V, V
2
= -0.0938V, V
3
= 0.468V, V
4
= -1.124V, V
5
= -1.405V, I
1
=
-0.0469A, I
2
= -0.281A, and I
3
= 0.234A when 3V was active. After getting these values, the
superposition values were computed by the definition of superposition theorem, the response is
equal to the sum of responses caused by each independent source acting alone. Thus, attaining
these values: V
1
= 6.497V, V
2
= 1.624V, V
3
= 1.874V, V
4
= -0.5V, V
5
= -0.625V, I
1
= 0.812A, I
2

= -0.125A, and I
3
= 0.937A. By comparing these data to the calculated values using mesh
analysis, the values were the equivalent.
For further comparison, the circuit was simulated using Tina Pro. At first, the two sources
were still present and the responses were taken down notes. Next, the 3V source was short
circuited while the 10V was activated; its current and voltage responses were noted. Also with
the 10V source that was short circuited and 3V that was activated, its current and voltage
responses were obtained. Finally, the responses in the circuit were computed by adding the
responses caused by the independent sources acted alone. For comparison with the calculated
and superposition values, the simulated values were the same; there were just minor discrepancy
because of the rounding off.
Conclusion
After successfully conducted this experiment, I was able to attain the objectives and
understood the concepts behind superposition theorem and linearity. I was able to investigate the
effects of multiple active linear sources in a network. Also, I was able to verify whether the
linear response at any point in a linear circuit having several independent linear sources is
equivalent to the algebraic sum of individual responses produced by each independent source
acting alone. Furthermore, I was able to illustrate the principle of linearity.
There are certain electric circuits that contain multiple independent sources. One of the
methods to solve this kind of circuits is by the superposition theorem. It is a consequence of
linearity. A linear circuit is a circuit that consists entirely of independent sources and linear
elements. Thus, the response is proportional to the source so there is N number of response that
can be obtained from an N number of independent sources present in a given circuit. A linear
element is a passive element that has a linear voltage-current relationship or doesnt have any
power of some current or voltage variable in the circuit. The principle of superposition states that
the response, whether a desired current or voltage, in a linear circuit having more than one
independent source is equal to the sum of the responses caused by each independent sources
acting alone. In setting a source to zero, a voltage source is equivalent to a short circuit and a
current source is equivalent to an open circuit. There are instances that a negative response is
obtained, it only means that the assumed direction of the current is opposite the actual current
flow.












Answers to Questions and Problems
1) The negative response in superposition implies that the assumed direction of the current is
opposite the actual current flow.
2) There is N number of responses obtained from an N number of independent sources present
in a given circuit.
3) No, it isnt possible to eliminate dependent sources on superposition because their values are
not constant and always depend on other elements.
4) The possible limitation of the superposition theorem is for linear circuits only. This theorem
can be applied to circuits with multiple independent sources and linear dependent sources
and elements. Also, since it is a consequence of linearity, superposition cannot be applied in
circuits where the output current or voltage of the dependent source is proportional to the
square of some current or voltage variable in the circuit. In addition, application of
superposition theorem does not normally lead to simplification of analysis. It is not the best
technique to determine all currents and voltages in a circuit, driven by multiple sources.
5) By source transformation:
V = IR = 10A (4+1) = 50V
By superposition theorem and mesh
analysis:
Let 10V=active; 15V = 50V = 0
m1: 10 = 4I
1
- 2I
2

m2: 0 = -2I
1
+ 10I
2

I
1
= 2.778 A
I
2
= 0.556 A
I
x
= I
1
- I
2
= 2.778A - 0.556A = 2.222A
V
x
= I
x
R = (2.222A)(2) = 4.444V

Let 15V = active; 10V = 50V = 0
m1: 0 = 4I
1
- 2I
2

m2: -15 = 2I
1
- 10I
2

I
1
= 0.833 A
I
2
= 1.667 A
I
x
= I
2
- I
1
= 1.667A - 0.833A = 0.834A
V
x
= I
x
R = (0.834A)(2) = 1.668V

Let 50V= active; 10V = 15V =0
m1: 0 = 4I
1
- 2I
2

m2: -50V = 2I
1
- 10I
2

I
1
= 2.778A
I
2
= 5.556A
I
x
=I
2
- I
1
=5.556 A - 2.778 A = 2.778A
V
x
= I
x
R = (2.778A)(2) = 5.556V

V
x
= V
x
+ V
x
+ V
x

V
x
= 4.444V + 1.668V + 5.556V

6) Let 12V = active; 7A = 0
R

= 2
7 (4
7 4

R

= 4.545
I

=
2
4.545
= 2.64
I

=
(2.64)(4)
7 4

I

= 0.96

= 0.96(5

= 4.8
Let 7A = active; 12V=0
I

=
(7(2)
5 .333 2

I

= .68

= (.68)(5)

= 8.405

= 4.8 8.4