Course AC 6 – Basic Electrical Engineering

Sem/AY First Semester/2020-2021

Module No. 9
Lesson Title Laws, Theorem and Methods Used in Network Analysis: Maxwell Mesh Analysis
Week
10
Duration
Date
Description This topic introduces a network analysis called Maxwell Mesh Analysis. It will discuss loop
of the Lesson current and voltage law and how to employ them in network analysis.

Learning Outcomes

Intended Students should be able to meet the following intended learning outcomes:
Learning  Use Maxwell Mesh analysis techniques to analyze electrical circuits.
Outcomes  Be able to determine the currents and voltages in a circuit using the mesh current
method.
Targets/ At the end of the lesson, students should be able to:
Objectives ● Analyze a complex circuit using Maxwell Mesh Analysis
● Understand the application of the loop current analysis in analyzing a complex circuit.

Student Learning Strategies

Online A. Online Discussion via Google Meet

Activities You will be directed to attend in a two-hour class discussion on Connection of
(Synchronous/ Resistors. To have access to the online discussion, refer to this link: ____________________.
Asynchronous)
The online discussion will happen on , from (For further
instructions, refer to your Google Classroom and see the schedule of activities for this
module)

Some useful links for YouTube lectures:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYXSxy13tdo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FAktPLbXOA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5Tlg27JDtc

B. Learning Guide Questions:

 Can Maxwell Mesh Analysis be applied to simple series and parallel circuits,
or are they restricted for use in more complicated circuits that are not
combinations of series and parallel?
 How it is differs from the Kirchhoff’s Law

Note: The insight that you will post on online discussion forum using Learning Management
System (LMS) will receive additional scores in class participation.

Offline Lecture Guide

Activities
(e- Born 175 years ago, James Clerk Maxwell carried out the first profound unification of
Learning/Self- nature’s forces. Unless one is a poet, a war hero or a rock star, it is a mistake to die young.
Paced) James Clerk Maxwell - unlike Isaac
Newton and Albert Einstein, the two
giants of physics with whom he stands
– made that mistake, dying in 1879 at
the age of just 48. Physicists may be
familiar with Maxwell, but most non-
scientists, when they switch on their
colour TVs or use their mobile phones,
are unlikely to realize that he made
such technology possible. After all, in
1864 he gave us “Maxwell’s equations”
– voted by Physics World readers as
their favorite equations of all time –
from which radio waves were
predicted.

Mesh analysis (or the mesh current

method) is a method that is used to https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/57/James_Clerk_Maxwell.png

solve planar circuits for

the currents (and indirectly the voltages) at any place in the electrical circuit. Planar circuits
are circuits that can be drawn on a plane surface with no wires crossing each other. A more
general technique, called loop analysis (with the corresponding network variables
called loop currents) can be applied to any circuit, planar or not. Mesh analysis and loop
analysis both make use of Kirchhoff’s voltage law to arrive at a set of equations guaranteed to
be solvable if the circuit has a solution. Mesh analysis is usually easier to use when the circuit
is planar, compared to loop analysis.

While Kirchhoff´s Laws give us the basic method for analyzing any complex electrical circuit,
there are different ways of improving upon this method by using Maxwell Mesh Analysis that
results in a lessening of the mathematical equation involvement and when large networks
are involved this reduction in math’s can be a big advantage.

The Maxwell Mesh Analysis, also known as the Loop Current Method, is quite similar to the
Branch Current method in that it uses simultaneous equations, Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law, and
Ohm’s Law to determine unknown currents in a network. It differs from the Branch Current
method in that it does not use Kirchhoff’s Current Law, and it is usually able to solve a circuit
with less unknown variables and less simultaneous equations, which is especially nice if
you’re forced to solve without a calculator. The Mesh Current Method efficiently manages
the analysis task, resulting in a relatively small number of equations to solve.

Loops and Meshes

The Mesh Current Method uses two special terms: loop and mesh.
 I1 I2

I3

A loop is any closed path around a circuit. To trace a loop, you start at any component
terminal, and trace a path through connected elements until you get back to the starting
point. A loop is allowed to go through an element just one time (so you don't get loops that
look like a figure-8). In the circuit above, there are three loops, two solid loops I and II and
one dashed loop, III, all the way around the outside.
A mesh is a restricted kind of loop; a mesh is a loop that contains no other loops. In the
circuit above, loops I and II are meshes because there are no smaller loops inside. The
dashed loop is not a mesh, because it contains two other loops.
I1 = |II| I2 = |III| I3 = |II + III|

Step by Step Methods of Mesh Analysis

In Maxwell’s Loop Current Method, we have to first of all, identify the independent circuit
meshes or loop. Then construct an equation for each mesh using Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law.
Assign a circulating current to each mesh. It is preferable to assign the same direction of all
the currents and in a clockwise direction to make the calculation easier. The imaginary loop
current may enter the negative terminal of a voltage source and leaves the positive terminal.
Then we consider the voltage as gain.

And denote the voltage with a positive sign in the loop equation.
Again, the loop current may enter into the positive terminal of a voltage source and leaves
from the negative terminal. In that condition, we consider the voltage as a drop.

Hence, we denote it with a negative sign in the equation.

Again, the loop current also may pass through a resistance. Then we consider the entry point
as the positive and leaving point as the negative.

We also denote the voltage drop across the resistance with a negative sign in the equation.
Since the current enters through the positive end of the resistance. After the current loop
analysis, we can now write the KVL equation for each mesh
Now we come to a common branch of the mesh. We mean the branch is common to two
adjacent meshes. Then we must consider the branch current not the loop current alone. In
this case, we take the direction of the branch current as the direction of the own loop
current. The magnitude of the current is the difference between the own loop current and
adjacent loop current. Considering this direction of the branch current we must express the
voltage gain or drop across the branch. In this way, we construct a linear equation for each
mesh.
I1
Lets then have an example. Consider the network below.

https://circuitglobe.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/mesh-current-fig-compressor.jpg

In the above network

R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 are the various resistances

V1 and V2 are the voltage source
I1 is the current flowing in the mesh ABFEA
I2 is the current flowing in the mesh BCGFB
I3 is the current flowing in the mesh CDHGC

The direction of the current is assumed in the clockwise for simplicity in solving the
network.

Step 1 – First of all, identify the independent circuit meshes or loop.

.As there is three mesh in the circuit diagram shown above which are considering.

Step 2 – Assign a circulating current to each mesh as shown in circuit diagram where I1, I2
and I3 are flowing in each mesh.
It is preferable to assign the same direction of all the currents and in a clockwise direction
for making the calculation easier.
Step 3 – Now, write the KVL equation for each mesh.
As there are three meshes in the circuit, there will be three KVL equations as shown below
Applying KVL in the mesh ABFEA
V 1−I 1 R1 −I 1 R2 + I 2 R2=0
V 1−I 1 ( R 1+ R 2) + I 2 R2=0
V 1=I 1 ( R 1+ R 2) −I 2 R2 ……. Eq. 1
Relatively,
 I 1 ( R1 + R2 ) −I 2 R2=V 1

Applying KVL in the mesh BCGFB

I 2 R3 + ( I 2−I 3 ) R 4 + ( I 2−I 1 ) R2 =0
−I 1 R2 + I 2 (R 2 + R3 + R ¿ ¿ 4)−I 3 R 4=0 ¿ …… Eq. 2

Applying KVL in the mesh CDHGC

I 3 R5 −V 2+ I 3 R4 −I 2 R4 =0
−I 2 R 4+ I 3 ( R 4 + R ¿ ¿ 5)=V 2 ¿ …… Eq. 3
Step 4 – Now solve equations (1) (2) and (3) simultaneously to get the value of current I1, I2
and I3.
By knowing the mesh currents, we can determine the various voltages and currents in the
circuit.

Sample Problems.

1. Find the current flowing in the 20Ω Resistor.

Identifying the independent circuit meshes or loop and assigning the loop current directions

+ _ + _

+ _
+ +
_ _
_ +

Let’s assume that the current that will pass through R3 is I 3 and is given by
I 3=I 1−I 2 .. (loop current)

Create the equations using KVL

@Loop 1
V 1−I 1 R1 −( I 1−I 2)R 3=0
V 1−I 1 R1 −I 1 R3 + I 2 R3=0
V 1−I 1 ( R 1+ R 3 )+ I 2 R3=0
V 1=I 1 ( R 1+ R 3 )−I 2 R3
10=I 1 ( 5+20 )−I 2 20
 10=25 I 1−20 I 2……. Eq. 1

@Loop 2
−V 2−I 2 R 2−(I 2−I 1) R3=0
−V 2−I 2 R 2−I 2 R3 + I 1 R3=0
−V 2=I 2 R 2+ I 2 R 3−I 1 R3
−V 2=I 2 (R ¿ ¿ 3+ R2 )−I 1 R3 ¿
−20=I 2 ( 20+10 )−I 1 20
−20=30 I 2−20 I 1…… Eq. 2
From Eq. 1
10 20 I 2
+ =I 1
25 25

0.4 +0.8 I 2=I 1

From Eq. 2
−20+20 I 1
=I 2
30

−0.67+ 0.67 I 1=I 2

We now have two “Simultaneous Equations” that can be reduced to give us the values
of I1 and I2 
0.4 +0.8 I 2=I 1
0.4 +0.8(−0.67 +0.67 I 1 )=I 1
0.4−0.54 +0.54 I 1=I 1
0.4−0.54=I 1−0.54 I 1
−0.14=0.46 I 1

−0.14
=I 1
0.46

−0.30 A=I 1
Substituting the value of I1 to solve for I2
−0.67+ 0.67(−0.30)=I 2
−0.67−0.20=I 2
−0.87 A=I 2

Therefore, computing for I3

I 3=¿ I 1 −I 2∨¿∨(−0.30 )−(−0.87 )∨¿∨−0.30+0.87∨¿ 0.57 A

You can compare the answer to the one we got using the Kirchhoff’s Law.
2. Determine the current supplied by each voltage sources in the figure shown below.
Identifying the independent circuit meshes or loop and assigning the loop current directions

I1 I5
I4
I2 I3

A B C

By inspection, we can say that the current supplied by each voltage source is given by
V1; I1 = IA
V2; I2 = IA – IB
V3; I3 = IB – IC
V4; I4 = IB
V5; I5 = IC
For Loop A
V 1−5 I A−3 ( I A −I B )−V 2=0
20−5 I A −3 I A + 3 I B −5=0
15−8 I A + 3 I B =0
15=8 I A −3 I B…. Eq.1
8 I A−3 I B =15*

For Loop B
V 2−3 ( I B −I A )−4 I B +V 4+ V 3−2 ( I B−I C )=0
5−3 I B + 3 I A −4 I B +5+ 5−2 I B +2 I C =0
15−9 I B +3 I A + 2 I C =0
15=−3 I A + 9 I B−2 I C …. Eq. 2
3 I A −9 I B +2 I C =−15*

For Loop C
−V 3−2 ( I C −I B ) −8 I C −V 5=0
−5−2 I C +2 I B −8 I C −30=0
−35−10 I C +2 I B=0
 −35=−2 I B +10 I C …. Eq. 3
2 I B−10 I C =35*

Solving for the unknown values IA, IB, and IC by simultaneous equation.
Taking Eq. 1 and Eq. 2, eliminating IA.
[15= 8IA - 3IB] (-3)
- [15= -3IA +9IB -2IC] (8)
-165 = 0 - 63IB +16IC
- 165 = - 63IB +16IC……Eq. 4

Similarly, eliminating IC, take Eq.3 and Eq.4

[-35 = - 2IB +10IC](16)
- [-165 = -63IB +16IC](10)
1090 = 598 IB + 0
1090
=I B=1.82 A
598

Substitute IB to Eq. 4, we can solve for IC

- 165 = - 63IB +16IC
- 165 = - 63(1.82) +16IC
- 165 + 114.66 = 16IC
−50.34
=I C =−3.14 A , Since IC turns out to be negative, actual loop direction should
16
be in opposite direction.

Substitute IB to Eq. 1 to get IA

15 = 8IA – 3IB
15 = 8IA – 3(1.82)
15 + 5.46 = 8IA
20.46
=I A =2.56 A
8

Therefore, the current supplied by the source voltages are,

V1; I1 = IA = 2.56A
V2; I2 = IA – IB = 2.56 – 1.82 = 0.74A
V3; I3 = IB – IC = 1.82 – (-3.14) = 1.82 + 3.14 = 4.96A
V4; I4 = IB = 1.82A
V5; I5 = IC = 3.14A

Now, did you notice the equation that have *, we will use that to solve the unknown loop
currents using the Mesh resistance matrix form. Let’s consider first the following for us to
understand the matrix form of solution.

R11 = Self-resistance of mesh A (i.e., sum of all resistances in mesh A)

R22 = Self-resistance of mesh B (i.e., sum of all resistances in mesh B)
R33 = Self-resistance of mesh C (i.e., sum of all resistances in mesh C)
R12 = R21 = - [Sum of all the resistances common to meshes A and B]
R23 = R32 = - [Sum of all the resistances common to meshes B and C]
R31 = R13 = - [Sum of all the resistances common to meshes C and A]

Using the symbols, the generalized form of the above matrix equivalent can be written as
 R11 R12 R13 I1 E1

[ R21 R22 R23

R31 R32 R33 ][] [ ] I2
I3
= E2
E3
If there are n number of meshes in any linear network, then the mesh equations can be
written in the matrix from as

R11 R12 R13 … R 1 n I1 E1

[ R21
R31
⋮
Rn 1
R22
R32
⋮
Rn 2
R23 … R 2 n
R33 … R 3 n
⋮ …⋮
Rn 3 … Rnn
][ ] [ ]
I2 E2
I 3 = E3
⋮
In
⋮
En

The above equations can be written in more compact for as [ Rn ] [ I n ] =[ En ]. It is known as

Ohm’s Law matrix form.
In the end, it may be pointed out that the directions of each mesh currents can be selected
arbitrarily. If we assume each mesh current flow in the clockwise direction, then
i. All self-resistances will always be positive and
ii. All mutual resistances will always be negative.
The advantage of the generalized form of all mesh equations is that they can be easily
remembered because of their symmetry.

Now, we take the previous example this time we are using the Mesh resistance matrix form.
Remember those equations with *?

8 I A−3 I B =15
3 I A −9 I B +2 I C =−15
2 I B−10 I C =35

2. Determine the current supplied by each voltage sources in the figure shown below using
Mesh resistance matrix form.

The different items of the mesh resistance matrix [ Rn ] are as shown;

RAA = 5 + 3 = 8Ω; RBB = 4 + 2 + 3 = 9Ω; RCC = 8 + 2 = 10Ω
RAB = RBA = -3Ω; RAC = RCA = 0; RBC = RCB = -2Ω
EA = algebraic sum of the voltages around the mesh A = 20 – 5 = 15V
EB = algebraic sum of the voltages around the mesh B = 5 + 5 + 5 = 15V
EC = algebraic sum of the voltages around the mesh C = -30 – 5 = - 35V
 R AA R AB R AC IA EA 8 −3 0 IA 15

[ RBA RBB R BC
RCA R CB RCC ][ ] [ ] [
I B = EB
IC EC
−3 9 −2
0 −2 10 ][ ] [ ]
I B = 15
IC −35

Let’s have some review of determinants.

2 x 2 determinants.
D= |ac bd|=ad−bc
3 x 3 determinants
a1 b1 c1

| |
D= a2 b2 c 2
a3 b3 c 3
¿ a1 ( b 2 c 3−b 3 c2 ) −a2 ( b1 c 3−b 3 c 1 ) +a 3 ( b 1 c 2−b2 c1 )

To solve the given problem;

8 −3 0

0|
D= −3 9 −2

¿8¿
2 10 |
¿8¿
¿ 598

15 −3 0
D A = 15

¿ 15 ( 90+ 4 )−15 (−30 )−35 ( 6 )=1530

9 −2
−35 2 10 | |
8 15 0

¿ 8 ( 150−70 )+ 3 ( 150+ 0 )=1090

|
DB = −3 15 −2
0 −35 10 |
8 −3 15
DC = −3 9

¿ 8 (−315−30 ) +3 ( 105−30 ) =−1875

0
15
2 −35 | |
Solving for the current
D A 1530
I A= = =2.56 A
D 598

D B 1090
I B= = =1.82 A
D 598
 D C −1875
I C= = =−3.14 A
D 598
Again, the negative sign denotes opposite direction.

Therefore, the supplied current from the voltage sources is the same as we have from our
previous solution.
V1; I1 = IA = 2.56A
V2; I2 = IA – IB = 2.56 – 1.82 = 0.74A
V3; I3 = IB – IC = 1.82 – (-3.14) = 1.82 + 3.14 = 4.96A
V4; I4 = IB = 1.82A
V5; I5 = IC = 3.14A
Now it is up to you if you chose to solve the problem using the tedious derivation of
simultaneous equations or using the Mesh resistance matrix form.

3. In the circuit shown below, determine the value of I 3.

I3

Solution: Using Mesh Resistance Matrix form

RAA = 1 + 3 + 2 = 6Ω; RBB = 1 + 4 + 2 = 7Ω; RCC = 1 + 3 +2 = 6Ω

RAB = RBA = -2Ω; RBC = RCB = -1Ω; RCA = RAC = -3Ω
EA = 5V; EB = 0V EC = 0V

The mesh equations in the matrix from are

R AA R AB R AC IA EA

[ RBA RBB R BC
RCA R CB RCC ][ ] [ ] I B = EB
IC EC

6 −2 −3 IA 5

[ −2 7 −1
−3 −1 6 ][ ] [] IB = 0
IC 0

6 −2 −3
| |
D= −2 7 −1 =6 ( 42−1 )−(−2 ) (−12−3 ) + (−3 )( 2+21 )=147
−3 −1 6
 6 −2 5
| |
DC = −2 7 0 =6 ( 0−0 )−(−2 )( 0+5¿ )+ (−3 ) ( 0−35 )=115
−3 −1 0

Therefore;

D C 115
I C= = =0.78 A , Since IC is equal to I3, hence, I3 = 0.78A
D 147

See! We can solve right away what was asked from the given problem without going through
the tedious simultaneous equations.

Performance Tasks

PT 9
Check Your Understanding. Analyze the following given problem statement. Show your solution.
Encircle your final answer. Use any method in solving the given problems. Maximum of ten (10) point
will be given for every given problem. Reduce your answer to two (2) decimal places.

1. Find the current in the 3Ω resistance for the network shown.

2. Find the branch current I4 for the circuit shown below.

I4

3. Determine the current in 5Ω resistor.

Learning Resources
 References
Boylestad, R. (2015). Introductory Circuit Analysis, 13th Edition. Pearson.
Hayt, J. e. (n.d.). Engineering circuit Analysis, 7th Edition. 2007: McGraw-Hill Education.
Romeo A. Rojas, J. (n.d.). 1001 Solved Problems in Electrical Engineering.
Sadiku. (2007). Fundamentals of Electric Circuit, 4th Edition. McGraw-Hill Education.
Theraja, B. L. (2005). A textbook of Electrical Technology Volume 1. S. Chand and Co. Ltd.
V. K. Mehta, R. M. (2008). Basic Electrical Engineering, Revised Edition. S. Chand and Co. Pvt. Ltd.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesh_analysis
https://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/dccircuits/dcp_5.html
https://www.aboutcircuit.com/maxwells-loop-current-method-mesh-analysis/
https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/textbook/direct-current/chpt-10/mesh-current-method/

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