Fundamentals of

Electrical Engineering
Electronic & Communication Engineering
Danang University of Technology

Lecture 2
Circuit Elements
(chapter 2)

Preview
Understand the behavior of the ideal basic circuit
elements: independent/dependent voltage and current
sources, and resistors.
Use Ohms law, Kirchhoffs current law (KCL) and
Kirchhoffs voltage law (KVL) to analyze circuits.
Know how to calculate the power for each element in a
simple circuit, be able to determine if the power is
balanced for the whole circuit

Electrical sources
A device which is capable of converting from nonelectric energy to electric energy and vice versa.
Examples:
Discharging battery: chemical energy - electric energy
Charging battery: electric energy - chemical energy
Dynamo: mechanical energy - electric energy
Motor: electric energy - mechanical energy

These sources can either deliver or absorb electric

power
These sources can maintain either voltage or current

Classification of Electrical Sources

Ideal voltage source

Ideal current source

- Being a circuit element

- Being a circuit element

- Maintaining a prescribed

- Maintaining a prescribed

voltage across its terminals

current flowing in its terminals

regardless of the current

regardless of the voltage

flowing in those terminals

across those terminals

Classification of Ideal Electrical Sources

Independent source

Dependent source

- Establish a voltage or
current whose value does not
depend on the value of a
voltage or current elsewhere
in the circuit.

- Establish a voltage or
current whose value depends
on the value of a voltage or
current elsewhere in the
circuit.

- We can specify the value of

voltage/current by the value of
the voltage/current source
alone

- We cant specify the value of

voltage/current unless we
know the value of voltage/
current on which it depends

Circuit Symbols for DS

v s = v x

v s = i x

VoltageCurrentcontrolled
controlled
voltage source voltage source
(VCVS)
(CCVS)

i s = v x

Voltagecontrolled
current source
(VCCS)

i s = i x

Currentcontrolled
current source
(CCCS)

Example 1
Which circuits are permissible, and which violate the
constraints imposed by ideal sources?

Example 2
Which circuits are permissible, and which violate the
constraints imposed by ideal sources?

Ass. Pro. 2.1

For the circuit below,
a)

What value of vg is required in order for the interconnection to be valid?

b)

For this vg, find the power associated with the 8A source
ib
ib/4

+
-

vg

+
-

8A

Ass. Pro. 2.1

Ass. Pro. 2.2

For the circuit below,
a)

What value of is required in order for the

interconnection to be valid?

b)

For this , find the power associated with the 25V source

v x

15A

vx

25V

Ass. Pro. 2.2

Electrical Resistance (Ohms law)

Resistance: Capacity of materials to impede the flow
of current (the flow of electric charge).
Resistor: The circuit element used to model the
behavior that is to impede the flow of current.
Circuit symbols:

Ohms Law
Current i and voltage v are proportional for a resistor.
The proportionality constant is the resistance R,
measured in Ohm [].
v = i R, R = v/i (G. S. Ohm, 19th century physicist)
The reciprocal of the resistance is the conductance,
symbolized by G, measured in Siemens [S] (sometimes
also [mho])
G = 1/R = i/v (Note: G is the slope in the i-v diagram)

Examples

Ass. Pro. 2.3

For the circuit shown,
a)

If vg = 1kV and ig = 5mA, find the value of R and the

power absorbed by the resistor

b)

If ig = 75mA and the power delivered by the voltage

source is 3W, find vg, R and the power absorbed by
the resistor

c)

If R = 300 and the power absorbed by R is 480 mW,

find ig and vg
vg

ig

Ass. Pro. 2.3

Ass. Pro. 2.3

Ass. Pro. 2.3

Circuit Model Construction

Modeling: construction an electric circuit from a
practical electric system
Analysis: solving a given system based on
mathematical tools, prediction the system behavior,
comparison between desired system and given
system,
to improve a given system
Design: making a new system to meet the design
specification
Operation & Maintaining

Example of Modeling a Flashlight

case

lamp

batteries
vS +

Rl

R1

Rc

sliding switch

Construct CM from Measurements

v(V)
-40
-20
0
20
40

device

i(A)
-10
-5
0
5
10

40
20

-10

-5

-20
-40

10

Kirchhoffs Law
Ohms law: not be enough to provide a complete solution
Kirchhoffs laws (Gustav Kirchhoff, 1848):
Refer to constraints on the relationship
between the terminal voltages and currents.
These constraints in mathematical form are
imposed by two Kirchhoffs law: Ks

current law & Ks voltage law

Gustav Robert Kirchhoff

German physicist (1824-1887)

Node & Closed Path

Redraw the flashlight circuit
Node: A point where two or more circuit elements meet.
Being necessary to use Kirchhoffs current law.
Closed path: A loop traced through connecting elements,
starting and ending at the same node. Being necessary to
use Kirchhoffs voltage.
d
How many unknown variables ?
vS +
-

iS
i1

a R1 b

il
ic

Rl

Equations from Ohms law?

Other equations ?

Kirchhoffs Current Law

A node is just a point - it can't store charge. So charge
flowing in to a node must flow out of it:
The algebraic sum of all the currents at any node in a
circuit equals zero

=0

node

Sign convention: Leaving a node (+) Entering a node (-)

vS

+
-

iS
i1

a R1 b

il
ic
c

Rl

Node a:

is i1 = 0

Node b:

i1 + ic = 0

Node c:

-ic il = 0

Node d:

il is = 0

Example 2.6
Write down current equations of KCL at all nodes.
b
R1

ib
R2

ia

R3

R4
ic

R5

Node a: i1 + i4 i2 i5 = 0
Node b: i2 + i3 i1 ib ia = 0

Node c: ib i3 i4 ic = 0
Node d: i5 + ia + ic = 0

Kirchhoffs Voltage Law

The algebraic sum of all the voltages around the
closed path in a circuit equals zero.

v
Algebraic sign convention:

=0

loop

Positive sign to voltage drop Negative sign to voltage rise

Conversed assignment is OK: JUST KEEP IT CONSISTENTLY !

vS

+
-

iS
i1

Blue closed path:

il

ic

Rl

vl vc + v1 vs = 0
Green closed path:
?=0

a R1 b

Example 2.7

Sum the voltages

around each path in
the circuit below:

+ R2 -

- R1 +

Loop a:

a
+ R3

-v1+v2+v4-vb-v3 = 0

-va+v3+v5 = 0

va

Loop b:

vb

R4

+ +
R5
-

Loop c:
vb-v4-vc-v6-v5 = 0
Loop d:
-va-v1+v2-vc+v7-vd = 0

vd

+ d

R7

R6
+

vc

Example 2.8
a) Find i0 in the circuit shown in figure below
b) Verify that the total power generated equals the total
power dissipated 10

120V

+
-

i0
6A

i1
50

1.

Prepare nodes and closed paths

2.

Determine unknown variables

3.

Apply KCL & KVL & Ohms law to obtain eq. system

4.

Remarks:

Apply KCL for 3 nodes which lead to the following

equation:
KCL: i1 i0 6 = 0
Apply KVL for the closed path consisting of 120V, 10 ohm
and 50ohm :
KVL: 120 + 10i0 + 50i1 = 0
i0 = 3A and i1 = 3A

Apply passive sign convention to check balance between

power dissipated and delivered at all elements:
p50 = (3) 2 50 = 450 W
p10 = (3) 210 = 90 W
p120 V = 120i0 = 120(3) = 360 W
p6 A = 6v1 = (6)150 = 900 W

Ass. Pro. 2.5

a)

Find i5, v1, v2, v5 in the circuit shown in figure below

b)

Find the power delivered by the 24V source

3

+ v 2
24V

+
-

i5
+ v1 2

+
v5
-

Ass. Pro 2.6

Find the value of R in the circuit shown in figure below:
R

200V

+
-

i0

b
+

120V

24

Circuit Containing Dept. Sources

Find v0 & i0

i0
i0

+
500V

+
-

v0

20

5i

Think about a circuit analysis strategy

before beginning to write equations.
Not every node is useful.

Circuit Containing Dept. Sources

Find v0 & i0
a

i0 b

5i + 20i0 500 = 0 (1)

i0

i0 = 6i

+
500V

+
-

v0

20

5i

Solving (1) & (2):

i = 4A & i0 = 24A
v0 = 480V

Think about a circuit analysis strategy

before beginning to write equations.
Not every node/closed path is useful!

(2)

Example 2.11
a

Develop equ. to
determine all currents
Derive a fomular of iB in
terms of CE values

icc
iC
i1

RC

R1
iB

b
i2

iB

+
-

V0

+ R2

iE

RE

6 unknown currents:
Vcc

i1, i2, iB, iE, iC, icc

need 6 dependent
equations

KCL at node (a):

Example 2.11

icc = i1 + iC

KCL at node (b):

icc

iC
i1

b
i2

i1 = i2 + iB

KCL at node (c):

iB

iE = iB + iC
+
-

V0

+ R2

iE

RE

(2)

RC

R1

iB

(1)

Vcc

(3)

KCL at node (d):

icc = i2 + iE can be
obtained from (1)-(3)
Node (d) is not
useful!!!

Example 2.11
a
icc
iC
i1

4th constraint:

RC

iC = iB

R1
iB

b
i2

iB

+
-

V0
+ -

R2

iE

(4)

KVL around loop bcdb:

Vcc

V0 + iERE i2R2 = 0

(5)

KVL around loop badb:

RE

-i1R1 + Vcc i2R2 = 0 (6)

Ass. Pro. 2.9

Find i1
54k

1V

1.8k

- +
30i1

i1
5V

+
-

i2

6k

+
-

8V

Ass. Pro. 2.10

Find vs and the power absorbed by the ind. voltage source
2i

a
i1
5A

30
i

10
a

+
-

vs

Study Guide Section 2.1

a. Plot the voltage as a function of current in the independent voltage
source shown. The plot shows that it is not possible to determine the
current through an independent voltage source if all you know is the
value of the voltage.

Study Guide Section 2.1

b. Plot the current as a function of the voltage drop for the independent
current source shown. The plot shows that you cannot determine the
voltage drop across an independent current source if all you know is the
value of the current

Study Guide Section 2.1

c. Plot the voltage vs as a function of the controlling current, ix, for the
current-controlled voltage source shown. Now plot the voltage vs as a
function of the current is through the dependent voltage source if the
controlling current ix = 2 V. Compare these two plots.

Study Guide Section 2.1

d. Give the units for the following variables in Fig. 2.2:
______
______
______
______
e. What change could be made in Figs. 2.3(b) and (c) to make the
interconnection valid?
f. Show that the power generated equals the power absorbed in the circuit
of Fig. 2.3(e).
g. What change could be made in Figs. 2.4(a) and (d) to make the
interconnection valid?
h. Show that the power generated equals the power absorbed in the circuits
of Figs. 2.3(b) and (c)
i. Solve Assessment Problems 2.1 and 2.2.

Study Guide Section 2.2

a. Write the Ohms law equation for the resistors shown below. Remember
that the current arrow points to the sign to use in the equation.

Study Guide Section 2.2

b. Find the conductance of the two resistors in part (a).
c. If i1 = 5 mA in the resistor in part (a), find v1 and the power.
If v2 = 25 V in the resistor in part (a), find i2 and the power
d. Use the results of Example 2.3 to show that the power balances for each
circuit in Fig. 2.6.
e. Solve Assessment Problem 2.3 and Chapter Problem 2.11

Study Guide Section 2.3

a. The concepts of short circuit and open circuit, introduced in Example 2.4
and Fig. 2.10, are important for understanding the operation of a switch and
for understanding concepts introduced in later chapters. Summarize your
understanding of short circuit and open circuit as follows:
- Draw a short circuit and label the voltage drop across it and the
current flowing through it.
- What is the resistance of the short circuit?
- What is the voltage drop across the short circuit?
- How much current can flow through the short circuit? (Hint use
Ohms law with the resistance and voltage you just determined.)
- Draw an open circuit and label the voltage drop across it and the
current flowing through it.
- What is the resistance of the open circuit?
- What is the current flowing through the open circuit?
- How much voltage can drop across the open circuit?

Study Guide Section 2.3

b. Add a column to the table in Fig. 2.13(b) and fill in the power absorbed by
the resistor for each value of vT. Plot the power versus vT below. If you were
only given the values in the voltage column and the power column, could
you find the resistor value? How?
c. Solve Chapter Problem 2.4.

Study Guide Section 2.4

a. There are three different ways to state KCL:
- The sum of all the currents entering a node is zero.
- The sum of all the currents leaving a node is zero.
- The sum of the currents entering a node equals the sum of the
currents leaving that node.

Study Guide Section 2.4

Consider the following circuit fragment:
- Write the KCL equation at the node by summing all of the currents
entering. If a current is leaving, switch the direction of the arrow and relabel its current.
- Write the KCL equation at the node by summing all of the currents
leaving. If a current is entering, switch the direction of the arrow and relabel its current.
- Write the KCL equation at the node by equating the sum of the
currents entering and the sum of the currents leaving. You will not need
to change any of the current arrows or their labels.
- Prove that the three KCL equations you wrote are the same

Study Guide Section 2.4

b. When writing a KVL equation you can traverse the closed loop in either
the clockwise direction or the counter-clockwise direction. Always pick a
starting point in your closed loop and a direction. An easy way to determine
which sign to use for a voltage term is to write down the first sign you come
to as you traverse the loop. For example, look at the a loop in Fig. 2.17.
Start to the left of the 1 resistor and traverse the loop in the clockwise
direction:
The first sign is and the voltage is v1, so write v1.
The next sign is + and the voltage is v2, so write v1 + v2.
The next sign is + and the voltage is v4, so write v1 + v2 + v4.
The next sign is and the voltage is vb, so write v1 + v2 + v4 vb.
The next sign is and the voltage is v3, so write v1 + v2 + v4 vb
v3.
We have returned to the starting point, so complete the equation:
v1 + v2 + v4 vb v3 = 0

Study Guide Section 2.4

Use this technique to write a KVL equation for the circuit below. Start to the
left of the 5 resistor and traverse the loop in the clockwise direction. Now
write a KVL equation for the same circuit, but start below the dependent
source and traverse the loop in the counter-clockwise direction. Prove that
the two KVL equations you wrote are the same

Study Guide Section 2.4

c. Use the circuit in Fig. 2.19 to find v1 using Kirchhoffs laws and Ohms
law. Do not use io and i1 in your equations. Instead, write a KVL equation
around the left loop, summing the three voltages. Then use Ohms law and
KCL to sum the currents leaving node b in terms of the voltages v1 and vo.
Solve the two equations to find vo and v1.

Study Guide Section 2.4

d. Use the data in the table of Fig. 2.20(b) to plot the current as a function of
the voltage. Write the equation of the resulting straight line. Then, follow
the steps in Example 2.9 to construct a circuit model for the device of Fig.
2.20(a) that consists of a current source and a resistor, connected as shown
below. Find the values for i and R. Finally, connect a 10 resistor between
terminals a and b and calculate the power the resistor absorbs. Why is
the answer the same as in Example 2.9?

Study Guide Section 2.5

a. Using the values of i, io, and vo on p. 50, show that the power generated
equals the power absorbed for the circuit in Fig. 2.22.
b. Construct a different set of six independent equations for the circuit of
Fig. 2.24 as follows:
- Write KCL equations at nodes b, c, and d by summing the
currents entering each node.
- Write the constraint equation that equates ic with the dependent
source current.
- Write two KVL equations for the paths dcbd and abcda, traversing
these loops in a counter-clockwise direction.
If you are really brave, use this new set of equations to find the current iB in
terms of the known circuit variables. You can follow the steps enumerated
on pages 52 and 53, with slight modifications. You should get the result
shown in Eq. 2.25.
c. Solve Assessment Problem 2.9.