EAS 3623 – AEROSPACE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS

Week 6, Lecture #6: 2-hour lecture

2. Resistor Network Analysis (4 hours)

Current-loop method (KCL around a closed path)

i) Mesh Current Analysis with Independent Voltage sources

A ______________________ or ________ is drawn by starting at a node and tracing a path such

that we return to the original node without passing an intermediate node more than once.

A ________ is a special case of a loop, a loop that does not contain any other loop within it.
_________________________________ is applicable only to planar network. Figure 2.15 shows
a circuit with four meshes. They are identified as 𝑀" . Mesh 2 contains the elements 𝑅$ , 𝑅% , and
𝑅& . Note that the resistor 𝑅$ is common to both mesh 1 and mesh 2.

Figure 2.15 Circuit with four meshes. Each mesh is identified by dashed lines.

Figure 2.16 Circuit with three mesh currents.

A ________________________ is defined as the current that flows through the elements

constituting the mesh. The convention of a mesh current used is flowing clockwise, as shown in
Figure 2.16. This circuit has three mesh currents. Note that the current in an element common to
two meshes is the algebraic sum of the mesh currents. Therefore, for Figure 2.16 the current in
𝑅% flowing downward is
𝑖(! = 𝑖* − 𝑖,

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 EAS 3623 – AEROSPACE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS

Figure 2.17 Circuit with two meshes.

Let consider the two-mesh circuit of Figure 2.17. A mesh cannot have other loops within it.
Thus, the outer loop 𝑣. -> 𝑅* -> 𝑅, -> 𝑣. cannot be choosen as one mesh, since it would contain
the loop 𝑣. -> 𝑅* -> 𝑅$ -> 𝑣. within it. The requirement is to choose the two mesh currents as
shown in Figure 2.18.

Figure 2.18 Mesh currents for the circuit of Figure 2.17.

Now, Kirchhoff’s voltage law (KVL) may be used around each mesh. The convention of
summing the voltage drops around the mesh travelling clockwise is used. It is, however, equally
appropriate to adopt a convention of summing the voltage rises around the mesh clockwise.
Thus, for the circuit of Figure 2.18, yields
mesh 1: (2.30)
mesh 2: (2.31)
Note that the voltage across 𝑅$ in mesh 1 is determined from Ohm’s law, where
𝑣 = 𝑅$ 𝑖/ = 𝑅$ (𝑖* − 𝑖, )
where 𝑖/ is the actual element current flowing downward through 𝑅$ . The two equations 2.30
and 2.31 will enable to determine the two mesh currents 𝑖* and 𝑖, . Rewriting the two equations,
gives
𝑖* (𝑅* + 𝑅$ ) − 𝑖, 𝑅$ = 𝑣.
and
−𝑖* 𝑅$ + 𝑖, (𝑅$ + 𝑅, ) = 0
If 𝑅* = 𝑅, = 𝑅$ = 1 Ω, then

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 EAS 3623 – AEROSPACE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS

2𝑖* − 𝑖, = 𝑣.
and
−𝑖* + 2𝑖, = 0
Add twice the first equation to the second equation, obtaining 3𝑖* = 2𝑣. . Then,
%& &
𝑖# = ' and 𝑖% = '
( (
Thus, two independent mesh current equations are obtained that are readily solved for the two
unknowns. If there are 𝑁 meshes and write 𝑁 mesh equations in terms of 𝑁 mesh currents, 𝑁
independent mesh equations can be obtained. This set of 𝑁 equations is independent, and thus
guarantees a solution for the 𝑁 mesh currents.

Figure 2.19 Circuit with three mesh currents and two voltage sources.

A circuit that contains only independent voltage sources and resistors results in a specific format
of equations that can readily be obtained. Consider a circuit with three meshes, as shown in
Figure 2.19. Assign the clockwise direction to all of the mesh currents. Using KVL, the three
mesh equations is obtained as follows:
mesh 1:

mesh 2:

mesh 3:

These three mesh equations can be rewritten by collecting coefficients for each mesh current as

mesh 1:

mesh 2:

mesh 3:
Hence, note that the coefficient of the mesh current 𝑖* for the first mesh is the sum of resistances
in the loop and that the coefficient of the second mesh current is the negative of the resistance

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 EAS 3623 – AEROSPACE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS

common to meshes l and 2. In general, it can be stated that for mesh current 𝑖: , the equation for
the 𝑛th mesh with independent voltage sources only is obtained as follows:

(2.32)

That is, for mesh 𝑛 we multiply 𝑖: by the sum of all resistances 𝑅< around the mesh. Then the
terms are added due to the resistances in common with another mesh as the negative of the
connecting resistance 𝑅= , multiplied by the mesh current in the adjacent mesh 𝑖> for all 𝑄
adjacent meshes. Finally, the independent voltage sources around the loop appear on the right
side of the equation as the negative of the voltage sources encountered as the loop is traversed in
the direction of the mesh current. Remember that the above result is obtained assuming all mesh
currents flow clockwise.

The general matrix equation for the mesh current analysis for independent voltage sources
present in a circuit is
(2.33)

where 𝐑 is a symmetric matrix with a diagonal consisting of the sum of resistances in each mesh
and the off-diagonal elements are the negative of the resistances common to two meshes. The
matrix 𝐢 consists of the mesh currents as
𝑖/
⎡𝑖 ⎤
⎢ E∙ ⎥
𝐢=⎢ ⎥
∙
⎢ ∙ ⎥
⎣𝑖G ⎦
For 𝑁 mesh currents, the source matrix 𝐯𝒔 is
𝑣.*
⎡ 𝑣., ⎤
⎢ ∙ ⎥
𝐯𝐬 = ⎢
∙ ⎥
⎢ ∙ ⎥
⎣𝑣.G ⎦
where 𝐯𝐬𝐣 is the sum of the sources in the 𝑗th mesh with the appropriate sign assigned to each
source.

For the circuit of Figure 2.19 and the matrix Eq. 2.33, it becomes

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 EAS 3623 – AEROSPACE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS

(𝑅* + 𝑅% ) −𝑅% 0
𝐑 = P −𝑅% (𝑅, + 𝑅% + 𝑅& ) −𝑅& Q
0 −𝑅& (𝑅$ + 𝑅& )
Note that 𝐑 is a symmetric matrix, as expected.

ii) Mesh Current Analysis with Current sources

Heretofore, only circuits with independent voltage sources have been considered for analysis by
the mesh current method.

Figure 2.20 Circuit with an independent voltage source and an independent current source.

If the circuit has an independent current source, as shown in Figure 2.20, it is recognised that the
second mesh current is equal to the negative of the current source. Then, it can be written as
𝑖, = −𝑖.
and we need only determine the first mesh current 𝑖* . Writing KVL for the first mesh, which
obtained
(𝑅* + 𝑅, )𝑖* − 𝑅, 𝑖, = 𝑣.

Since 𝑖, = −𝑖. , 𝑖* becomes

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 EAS 3623 – AEROSPACE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS

(2.34)

where 𝑖. and 𝑣. are sources of known magnitude.

Figure 2.21 Circuit with an independent current source common to both meshes.

If a circuit as shown in Figure 2.21 is encountered, it has a current source 𝑖. , that had an
unknown voltage 𝑣/E across its terminals. Then, it is readily note that

(2.35)

by writing KCL at node a. The two mesh equations are

mesh l: (2.36)

mesh 2: (2.37)

Note that, if both meshes (equations 2.36 and 2.37) are added, 𝑣/E is eliminated, obtaining
𝑅* 𝑖* + (𝑅, + 𝑅$ )𝑖, = 𝑣.
However, since 𝑖, − 𝑖* = 𝑖. , it is obtained that
𝑅* 𝑖* + (𝑅, + 𝑅$ )(𝑖. + 𝑖* ) = 𝑣.
or
𝑣. − (𝑅, + 𝑅$ )𝑖.
𝑖* =
𝑅* + 𝑅, + 𝑅$

Thus, independent current sources are accounted by recording the relationship between the mesh
currents and the current source. If the current source influences only on mesh current, that
constraining equation is recorded and the KVL equations are written for the remaining meshes. If
the current source influences two mesh currents, the KVL equation is written for both meshes,

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 EAS 3623 – AEROSPACE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS

assuming a voltage 𝑣/E across the terminals of the current source. Then, adding these two mesh
equations, an equation independent of 𝑣/E is obtained.

Example 2.2:
Consider the circuit of Figure 2.22 where 𝑅* = 𝑅, = 1 Ω and 𝑅$ = 2 Ω. Find the three mesh
currents.

Figure 2.22 Circuit with two independent current sources.

Solution
Since the 4-A source flows only in mesh 1, it is noted that
𝑖* = 4
For the 5-A source, it is

(2.38)

Writing KVL for mesh 2 and mesh 3, it is obtained

mesh 2: (2.39)

mesh 3: (2.40)

Substitute 𝑖* = 4 and add Equations 2.39 and 2.40 to obtain

(2.41)

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 EAS 3623 – AEROSPACE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS

From Equation 2.38, 𝑖, = 5 + 𝑖$ . Substituting into Eq. 2.41,

𝑅* (5 + 𝑖$ − 4) + 𝑅, (𝑖$ − 4) + 𝑅$ 𝑖$ = 10
Using the values for the resistors, obtaining
(( #(
𝑖% = A and 𝑖( = A
) )
If the circuit includes dependent sources, the constraining equation imposed by each dependent
source must be added. For example, the circuit shown in Figure 2.223 contains one dependent
voltage source.

Figure 2.23 Circuit with one dependent voltage sources.

Writing the KVL equations for the two meshes, yield

mesh 1: (2.42)

mesh 2: (2.43)

However, 𝑣/E = 2(𝑖* − 𝑖, ). Therefore, for mesh 2 (Equation 2.43), obtained

−2𝑖* + 4𝑖, = −20(𝑖* − 𝑖, )
or
(2.44)

Subtracting 8 times Equation 2.42 from Equation 2.44, 2𝑖* = 80. Therefore,
,- .-
𝑖# = A and 𝑖% = A
%% %%
A ___________________ is one larger mesh created from two meshes that have an independent
or dependent current source in common.

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 EAS 3623 – AEROSPACE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS

Figure 2.24 Circuit with a supermesh that incorporates mesh 1 and mesh 2. The supermesh is
indicated by the dashed line.

For example, consider the circuit of Figure 2.24. The 5-A current source is common to mesh l
and mesh 2. The supermesh consists of the interior of mesh l and mesh 2. Writing KVL around
the periphery of the supermesh shown by the heavy dashed lines, it is obtained that
−10 + 1(𝑖* − 𝑖$ ) + 3(𝑖, − 𝑖$ ) + 2𝑖, = 0
For mesh 3,
1(𝑖$ − 𝑖* ) + 2𝑖$ + 3(𝑖$ − 𝑖, ) = 0
Finally, the constraint equation required by the current source common to meshes 1 and 2 is
𝑖* − 𝑖, = 5
Then the three equations may be reduced to
supermesh: 1𝑖* + 5𝑖, − 4𝑖$ = 10
mesh 3: −1𝑖* − 3𝑖, + 6𝑖$ = 0
current source: 1𝑖* − 1𝑖, = 5
Therefore, solving the three equations simultaneously, it is found that 𝑖, = 2.5, 𝑖* = 7.5 and
𝑖$ = 2.5 The methods of mesh current analysis utilized when a current source is present are
summarised in Table 2.2.

Case Method
1. A current source appears on the Equate the mesh current 𝑖: to the current source, accounting

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 EAS 3623 – AEROSPACE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS

periphery of only one mesh, 𝑛. for the direction of the current source.
2. A current source is common to A. Assume a voltage 𝑣/E across the terminals of the current
two meshes. source, write the KVL equations for the two meshes, and
add them to eliminate 𝑣/E
or
B. Create a supermesh as the periphery of the two meshes
and write one KVL equation around the periphery of the
supermesh. In addition, write the constraining equation for
the two mesh currents in terms of the current source.
Table 2.2 Mesh Current Analysis Methods with a Current Source

As a final example, let consider the circuit shown in Figure 2.25. This circuit includes a current
source common to two meshes and a dependent voltage source. A supermesh is selected since
mesh 2 and mesh 3 have a current source in common. A KVL equation is obtained for mesh 1
and the supermesh as follows:

mesh l: (2.45)

supermesh: (2.46)

Figure 2.25 Circuit with a supermesh and a dependent voltage source. The mesh is identified by
the heavy dashed line.

It is noted that,
𝑖X = 𝑖*

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 EAS 3623 – AEROSPACE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS

Also, the constraint equation for the current source is

𝑖$ − 𝑖, = 3
Substituting 𝑖X = 𝑖* and 𝑖$ = 3 + 𝑖, into Equations 2.45 and 2.46, obtained
3𝑖* − 𝑖, − 2(3 + 𝑖, ) = 8 and −3𝑖* + 5𝑖, + 2(3 + 𝑖, )+3𝑖* = 0
Then, these equations are rearranged, obtaining
(2.47)

(2.48)

/0 ,-
From Equation 2.48, 𝑖% = A, Then, from Equation 2.47, 𝑖# = A
1 %#

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EAS 3623 – AEROSPACE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS

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