Mapúa Institute of Technology

School of Electrical, Electronics and Computer Engineering

EXPERIMENT 7
Superposition Theorem and Linearity

Marasigan, Neil Darren P.

EE21L- B16

Date Performed: 13 June 2015

Date Submitted: 20 June 2015

Engr. Jose Ferlino P. Raymundo

Instructor
SAMPLE COMPUTATIONS
I1 = I1 ′’ + I1 ′′’’ V1 = V1’′ + V1’′′’

I2 = I2’′ + I2’′′’ V2 = V2’′ + V2’′′’

I3 = I3’′ + I3’′′’ V3 = V3’′ + V3’′′’

V4 = V4’′ + V4’′′’

V5 = V5’′ + V5’′′’

Given:

R1 = 2 | Ω R2 = 4 | Ω R3 = 6 | Ω R4 = 8 | Ω R5 = 10 | Ω

I1 = (1.9 A) + (-0.357 A) = 1.54 A

I2 = (0.476 A) + (-0.714 A) = - 0.238 A

I3 = (1.43 A) + (-0.357 A) = 1.073 A

V1 = (3.81 V) + (-0.714 V) = 3.1 V

V2 = (-7.62 V) + (1.43 V) = -6.19 V

V3 = (8.57 V) + (2.14 V) = 10.71 V

V4 = (3.81 V) + (-5.71 V) = -1.9 V

V5 = (-4.76 V) + (7.14 V) = 2.38 V

 FINAL DATA SHEET
Experiment 7: Superposition Theorem and Linearity

Measured R1 R2 R3 R4 R5
Resistance 2Ω 4Ω 6Ω 8Ω 10 Ω

Table 7.2 Simulated Values

Measured 20V 15V V1 V2 V3 V4 V5 I1 I2 I3

Values ON ON 3.1V -6.19V 10.71 V -1.9V 2.38V 1.55 A -238mA 1.07 A
ON OFF V1 ′ V2 ′ V3 ′ V4 ′ V5 ′ I1 ′ I2 ′ I3 ′
3.81V -7.62V 8.57V 3.81V -4.76V 1.9 A 476mA 1.43 A
OFF ON V1 ′′ V2 ′′ V3 ′′ V4 ′′ V5 ′′ I1 ′′ I2 ′′ I3 ′′
-0.714 V 1.43V 2.14V -5.71V 7.14V -357mA -714mA -357mA
Calculated ON ON V1 V2 V3 V4 V5 I1 I2 I3
Values 3.1 V -6.19 V 10.71 V -1.9 V 2.38 V 1.54 A -238mA 1.073A
QUESTIONS AND PROBLEMS
1. What does a negative response in superposition imply?

A negative response in the superposition theorem means that the assumed

directions of the response may have been the opposite of the actual ideal direction.

2. How many responses are obtained from an N number of independent sources present
in a given circuit?

The responses obtained from an N number of independent sources is equal to n

times the number of resistors (N x n).

3. Is it possible to eliminate dependent sources on superposition?

No because independent sources are controlled by the circuit variables.

4. What are the possible limitations of the superposition theorem?

Superposition Theorem is based on linearity. The requisite of linearity means that

Superposition is only applicable for determining voltage and current. Power in an
element is not a linear response. It is a non-linear function, varying proportionately
either with the square of voltage across the element or with the square of current
through the element. Hence it is not possible to apply superposition theorem directly
to determine power associated with an element. 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. It works only for circuits that are reducible to series/parallel
combinations for each of the power sources at a time.

5. Determine the voltage Vx using the superposition shown in the figure below.

Applying source transformation to convert current source to voltage source:

V = IR = 10A (4+1) = 50V

Applying superposition theorem and mesh analysis:

For 10V source: 1 à 10V = 4I1 – 2I2

2 à 0 = -2I1 + 10I2

I1 = 2.8A I2 = 0.56A Ix’ = I1 – I2 = 2.8A – 0.56A = 2.24A

Solving for Vx’: Vx’ = Ix′′R = (2.24A)(2) = 4.48V

For 15V source: 1 à 0 = 4I1 – 2I2

2 à -15V = -2I1 + 10I2

I1 = 0.83A I2 = 1.66A Ix = 0.83A

Solving for Vx” = Ix′′R = (0.83A)(2) = 1.66V

For 50V source: 1 à 0 = 4I1 – 2I2

2 à -50V = -2I1 +10I2

I1 = 2.78A I2 = 5.56 Ix′′′ = 2.78A

Solving for Vx’’’ = 5.56V

Solving for Vx: Vx = Vx’ + Vx” + Vx’’’ = 4.48V + 1.66V + 5.56V

Vx = 11.7 V
6. Determine the voltage across 5  resistance using superposition shown in the figure
below.

Solving for VX’:

RT=2| + 7|∥4|Ω
RT=4.55|
IT=12V/4.55Ω=2.64A
IX= (2.64A)(4|)/(7| + 4|)
IX=0.96A
VX ′ =0.96A(5|)
VX ′=4.8V

Solving for VX’’:

IX = (2|)(-7A)/(5| + 1.333| + 2|)

IX = -1.68A
VX ′′ =(-1.68A)(5|)
VX ′′ =-8.4V

Solving for VX:

VX=VX ′ + VX ′
VX=4.8V- 8.4V
VX=-3.6 V
CONCLUSION
After successfully performing the 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.

The experiment is less prone to errors due to the use of the circuit simulation
software. The results generated by the computer showed accurate data. There could
not be any significant source of error except in the modeling of the circuit on the
software.

Since the experiment used only the Tina Pro software, it was done swiftly and
without much errors. From the results obtained, I could not recommended something
that would be of significant help in the performance of the experiment.
DISCUSSION
Linearity is the property of an element describing a linear relationship between
cause and effect. The property is a combination of both the homogeneity (scaling)
property and the additivity property.

The homogeneity property requires that if the input (also called the excitation) is
multiplied by a constant, then the output (also called the response) is multiplied by the
same constant. For a resistor, for example, Ohm’s law relates the input i to the output v,

𝑣 = 𝑖𝑅

We say that a resistor is a linear element because the voltage-current

relationship satisfies both the homogeneity and the additivity properties. In general, a
circuit is linear if it is both additive and homogeneous. A linear circuit consists of only
linear elements, linear dependent sources, and independent sources.

If a circuit has two or more independent sources, one way to determine the
value of a specific variable (voltage or current) is to use nodal or mesh analysis. Another
way is to determine the contribution of each independent source to the variable and
then add them up. The latter approach is known as the superposition. The idea of
superposition rests on the linearity property.

The superposition principle states that the voltage across (or current through) an
element in a linear circuit is the algebraic sum of the voltages across (or currents
through) that element due to each independent source acting alone.

The principle of superposition helps us to analyze a linear circuit with more than
one independent source by calculating the contribution of each independent source
separately. However, to apply the superposition principle, we must keep two things in
mind:

1. We consider one independent source at a time while all other independent sources
are turned off. This implies that we replace every voltage source by 0 V (or a short
circuit), and every current source by 0 A (or an open circuit). This way we obtain a
simpler and more manageable circuit.

2. Dependent sources are left intact because they are controlled by circuit variables.

Analyzing a circuit using superposition has one major disadvantage: It may very
likely involve more work. If the circuit has three independent sources, we may have to
analyze three simpler circuits each providing the contribution due to the respective
individual source. However, superposition does help reduce a complex circuit to simpler
circuits through replacement of voltage sources by short circuits and of current sources
by open circuits.

Keep in mind that superposition is based on linearity. For this reason, it is not
applicable to the effect on power due to each source, because the power absorbed by a
resistor depends on the square of the voltage or current. If the power value is needed,
the current through (or voltage across) the element must be calculated first using
superposition.
REFERENCES

 Superposition Theorem. All About Circuits. Retrieved from:

http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/textbook/direct-current/chpt-
10/superposition-theorem/
 Superposition Theorem. Hyper Physics. Retrieved from:
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/electric/suppos.html#c2
 Linearity and Superposition. MIT. Retrieved from:
https://6002x.mitx.mit.edu/wiki/view/LinearityandSuperposition/