Lecture 4

Review:
KVL, KCL
Circuit analysis examples
Series, parallel circuit elements
Related educational modules:
Section 1.4, 1.5

Review: KVL & KCL
KVL: algebraic sum of all voltage differences around
any closed loop is zero


KCL: algebraic sum of all currents entering a node is
zero

=
=
N
k
k
t v
1
0 ) (

=
=
N
k
k
t i
1
0 ) (
Review: Circuit analysis
General circuit analysis approach:

Assign element voltages, currents according to passive
sign convention

Apply KVL, KCL, and voltage-current relations as
necessary to solve for desired circuit parameters

The general idea is to write as many equations as you
have unknowns, and solve for the desired unknowns

Circuit analysis example 1
For the circuit below, determine: v
AC
, v
X
, v
DE
, R
X
, and the
power absorbed by the 2O resistor

Example 1 continued
Talk about open circuit, short circuit
terminology
Circuit analysis tips
There are (generally) multiple ways to do a problem
Some time spent examining the problem may be
productive!

Subscript notation on voltages provides desired
polarity

It may not be necessary to determine all voltages in
a loop in order to apply KVL

The circuit does not need to be physically closed in
order to apply KVL

More circuit analysis tips
KVL through a current source is generally not
directly helpful
Get another equation, but the voltage across a current
source is not defined additional unknown introduced

KCL next to a voltage source generally not directly
helpful
Get another equation, but the voltage across a current
source is not defined introduce an additional unknown

Circuit analysis example 2
Determine the voltages across both resistors.

Example 2 continued

Circuit analysis example 3
We have a dead battery, which only provides 2V
Second battery used to charge the dead battery what
is the current to the dead battery?

Non-ideal voltage source models
Add a source
resistance in series
with an ideal voltage
source
We will define the term
series formally later


Non-ideal current source models
Add a source
resistance in parallel
with an ideal current
source
We will define the term
parallel formally later


Example 3 revisited
Our battery charging example can now make sense
Include internal (source resistances) in our model

Ideal sources can provide infinite power
Connect a load to an ideal voltage source:
Be sure to discuss previous results relative to
open, short-circuit expectations
Non-ideal sources limit power delivery
Loaded non-ideal voltage source
Validate previous result with open, short-
circuit discussion.
Ideal sources can provide infinite power
Connect a load to an ideal current source:
Be sure to discuss previous results relative to
open, short-circuit expectations

Non-ideal sources limit power delivery
Loaded non-ideal current source
Validate previous results with open vs. short
circuit discussion.
When are ideal source models good enough?
Ideal and non-ideal voltage sources are the same if R
Load
>> R
S





Ideal and non-ideal current sources are the same if R
Load
<< R
S


|
|
.
|

\
|
+
=
Load S
Load
S Load
R R
R
V v
S Load S Load
R R if V v >> ~

|
|
.
|

\
|
+
=
Load S
S
S Load
R R
R
I i
S Load S Load
R R if I i << ~
Series and parallel circuit elements
Circuit elements are in series if all elements carry
the same current




KCL at node a provides i
1
= i
2

Series and parallel circuit elements
Circuit elements are in parallel if all elements have
the same voltage difference





KVL provides v
1
= v
2

Circuit reduction
In some cases, series and parallel combinations of
circuit elements can be combined into a single
equivalent element

This process reduces the overall number of
unknowns in the circuit, thus simplifying the circuit
analysis
Fewer elements fewer related voltages, currents

The process is called circuit reduction