EE 287: CIRCUIT THEORY MARKING SCHEAME

Q1. Find the current in the 6 resistor using the principle of superposition for the circuit of Fig. 3.1.

Figure 3.1

Solution:
As a first step, set the current source to zero. That is, the current source appears as an open circuit as
shown in Fig. 3.2.
1

A (3MARKS)

(2MARKS)

Figure 3.2

Figure 3.3

As a next step, set the voltage to zero by replacing it with a short circuit as shown in Fig. 3.3.
I=
The total current is then the sum of 1 and 2

(2MARKS)

=
=

A(3MARKS)

Q2.

Solution:
(2marks)

Since we are interested in the current

through , the resistor
is identified as circuit B and the
remainder as circuit A. After removing the circuit B, circuit A is as shown in Fig. 3.35.
(2marks)

Figure 3.35

To find , we have to deactivate the independent voltage source. Accordingly, we get the circuit in Fig.
3.36.
= (5 20 ) + 4

Figure 3.36

+ 4 = 8 (2marks)

Referring to Fig. 3.35,

50 + 25 = 0
Hence

= 2A

= = 20( ) = 40V (2marks)

Thus, we get the Thevenins equivalent circuit which is as shown in Fig.3.37.

Figure 3.37

Figure 3.38

Reconnecting the circuit B to the Thevenins equivalent circuit as shown in Fig. 3.38, we get
=

= 4A (2marks)

Q3. Briefly explain the following terms:

a. Graph (or linear graph)
b. Branch
c. Node
d. Path
e. Loop
f. Mesh
Graph (or linear graph): A network graph is a network in which all nodes and loops are retained but its
branches are represented by lines. The voltage sources are replaced by short circuits and current sources
are replaced by open circuits.(2marks)
Branch: A line segment replacing one or more network elements that are connected in series or parallel.
(2marks)
Node: Interconnection of two or more branches. It is a terminal of a branch. Usually interconnections of
three or more branches are nodes.(2marks)
Path: A set of branches that may be traversed in an order without passing through the same node more
than once.(2marks)
Loop: Any closed contour selected in a graph.(2marks)

Mesh: A loop which does not contain any other loop within it.(2marks)

Q4. The systematic manner in which we can calculate all currents and voltages in
circuits that contain multiple nodes and loops are nodal analysis and loop analysis.
Briefly explain loop and node analysis.

Nodal Analysis An analysis technique in which one node in an N-node network is selected as the
reference node and Kirchhoffs current law is applied at the remaining N-1 non reference nodes. The
resulting N-1 linearly independent simultaneous equations are written in terms of the N-1 unknown node
voltages. In a nodal analysis we employ KCL to determine the node voltages.(5marks)

Loop Analysis An analysis technique in which Kirchhoffs voltage law is applied to a network containing
N independent loops. A loop current is assigned to each independent loop, and the application of KVL to
each loop yields a set of N independent simultaneous equations in the N unknown loop currents. a loop
analysis we use KVL to determine the loop currents.(5marks)

Q5. Briefly explain how you understand by the terms, port and the parameters of a two-port network.

A pair of terminals through which a current may enter or leave a network is known
as a port. A port is an access to the network and consists of a pair of terminals; the
current entering one terminal leaves through the other terminal so that the net
current entering the port equals zero.(3marks)
The parameters of a two-port network completely describes its behavior in
terms of the voltage and current at each port.
(3marks)
4marks for suitable examples

Q6. Answer the following questions briefly:

a. What is a graph of network?
b. What is tree of a network?
c. Give the properties of tree in a graph
d. What is a node?

e. What is a super node?

What is a graph of network?

When all elements in a network are replaced by lines with circles of dos at both ends. (2marks)
2

What is tree of a network?

It is an interconnected open set of branches which include all the nodes of the given graph. (2marks)

Give the properties of tree in a graph. It consists of all the nodes of the graph
If the graph has N no of nodes the tree will have N-I branches There will be
no closed path in the tree

There can be many possible different trees for a given graph depending on the no of nodes and
branches. (2marks)

What is a node?

A node is a point in a network in which two or more elements have a common connection. (2marks)

What is a super node?

The region surrounding a voltage source which connects the two nodes directly called super
node. (2marks)