LAB 2: SUPERPOSITION THEOREM

MUHAMMAD MUNZIR BIN HUSSIN(EA14028)

Abstract- The superposition

theorem for electrical circuits states that
for a linear system the response
(voltage or current) in any branch of a
bilateral linear circuit having more than
one independent source equals the
algebraic sum of the responses caused by
Preliminary Lab:
each independent source acting alone,
Consider the circuit in Figure 1, the
where all the other independent sources
value of I1, I2, and I3 were calculated
are replaced by their internal impedances.
for these three cases and it was
1.0 OBJECTIVES recorded in Table 1.

To verify the superposition (a) V1=5V and V2=10V

theorem to circuit analysis. (b) V1=5V and V2=0V

2.0 INTRODUCTION (c) V1=0V and V2=10V

The superposition method is a way to 1. The circuit in Figure 1 was

determine currents and voltages in a constructed and the current of I1, I2,

circuit that has multiple sources by and I3 were measured.

taking one source at a time. The other 2. These measurements were recorded

sources are turned off. This implies in Table 2.

that we replace every voltage source by 3. The source V2in Figure 1 was

0 V (or a short circuit) and every replaced with a short circuit and the

current source by 0 A (or an open current of I1, I2, and I3 were

circuit). Find the total contribution by measured.

adding algebraically all the 4. These measurements were recorded

contributions due to the independent in Table 2.

sources. 5. Again refer to Figure 1, at this time

the source V1in Figure 1 was

3.0 PROCEDURE replaced with a short circuit and the

 current of I1, I2, and I3were
measured. Current, I Percentage Error
6. These measurements were recorded (%)
in Table 2. I1 -6.56
7. The percentage error between the I2 -8.00
calculated values and the measured I3 -1.16
values were calculated. It were I1 -13.40
recorded in Table 3. I2 11.11
I3 0.00
4.0 RESULTS I1 -4.40
I2 0.00
Calculated I3 -7.90
(mA) Voltage
V1=5V V1=5V V1=0V Table 3
V2=10V V2=0V V2=10V 5.0 DISCUSSION
I1 -0.61 0.97 -1.58 1. The relationship between I1, I1, and
I2 0.25 0.18 0.07 I1 is the sum of I1 and I1 is
I3 -0.86 0.79 -1.65 equal to the value of I1.
2. Yes, it have the same relationship
Table 1 hold for I2 with I2 and I2, also for
I3 with I3 and I3.
Current, I Measured (mA) 3. Yes, the algebraic sum of the
I1 -0.65 currents due to the individual
I2 0.27 source is equal to the total currents
I3 -0.87 due to the two sources.
I1 1.10 4. Based on the results, there are a
I2 0.16 slight difference between

I3 0.79 theoretical value and measured

I1 -1.65 value. This may happened due to

I2 0.07 some parallax error and systematic

I3 -1.52 error. The error must be happen

when the circuit was being set up

Table 2 and it will affect the result if the

circuit set up was incorrect. To Besides, maybe there is some error
make sure that the circuit was set in the theory value calculation,
up correctly, ask help from the therefore, the theory value should
lecturer or friends to solve the be done checked that it is correct
problem. Parallax error should be before the experiment. Lastly,
done by the observer while taking before take any reading, make sure
reading such as taking different the crocodile clips pinch the
decimal places for each reading. component with tightly.
Therefore, we need to take more
than one reading to make sure our 6.0 CONCLUSION
readings are accurate. Some As a conclusion, the
systematic error could happen such superposition theorem to circuit
as the multimeter reading was analysis was verified.
unstable. To avoid it, the observer 7.0 REFERENCES
should hold the tester pen that
[1]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superpositi
connected to the multimeter
on_theorem
statically without any vibration.