DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY – DASMARINAS

Dasmarinas, Cavite
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, ARCHITECTURE, AND TECHNOLOGY

ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

Name : Noah Sibulo Date Started : __________

Course-Year &Section : ECE22 Date Completed: __________
No. of Hours Required : ____2.5___ Date Due : __________
Rating : __________

Experiment 9

NODAL ANALYSIS

OBJECTIVE:

 To determine the relationship of the nodal-equation method on Kirchhoff's current law.

BASIC CONCEPTS:

Every junction in the network that represents a connection of three or more branches is
regarded as a nodes as a reference or zero-potential point, current equations are written for the
remaining junctions; thus, a solution is possible with n-1 equations, where n is the number of
nodes.

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 To illustrate the method, since there are three nodes, two equations must be written to
obtain the currents in the voltages across resistors R A and RB. Note particularly that node 1 is a
junction of R1, R2, and Ra; node 2 is a junction of R2, R3 and node 3, the reference, join RA, RB,
and the negative terminals of batteries A and B current directions are arbitrary shown as I 1, I2, I3,
IA and the positive potentials EA and EB (with zero zero-potentials node 3) are indicated,
respectively at nodes 1 and 2.

For node 1, the following relations may be written:

I1=IA+I2
E A −V A V V −V
= A+ A B
R1 RA R2
for which
EA V A V A V A V B
− = + −
R1 R1 R A R2 R

and

( )
1 1 1 V B EA
VA + + − − =0 eqn.1
R A R1 R2 R 2 R1

for node 2, the following relations may be written:

I2+I3=IB
V A −V B E B − V B VB
+ =¿
R2 R3 RB
Simplifying,

( )
1 1 1 V A EB
VB + + − − =0 eqn.2 (Siskind, 1980; 88-89)
RB R2 R3 R2 R3

INSTRUMENT AND MATERIALS NEEDED:

 fixed DC source
 ammeters
 voltmeter
 known resistors

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  DPST switch
 connecting wires

PROCEDURE:

1. Connect the Apparatus shown in Fig.9. Leave the switches off until your instructor has
checked the connections.
2. Turn on the switches. Record the voltmeter readings. Indicate the actual sign of the potential
indicated by the voltmeter in the given diagram.
3. Then solve the given circuit using Nodal Analysis.
4. To get I4 and I5 use formula.
a. I4=I1-I3
b. I5=I3-I2

Assuming I1 and I3 enter the junction, and I2, I3, I4 and I5 leaving the other junction
5. Compare the observed values as well as the directions of the currents to the theoretical
values.
6. Make in two trials.

Questions and Problems:

1. Use nodal analysis find currents in the various resistors of the given circuit.

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Nodal analysis
Node (A) KCL

VA −VC VA −0 VA − VB
−3+ + + =0
3 8 5

VA ( 13 + 18 + 15 ) − 13 VC = VB5 +3
.6583 VA −0.33 VC =5 −−− −(1)
Node (C) KCL

VC +VA VC − VB VC −0
3
+
1
+
8
1 1 1 10
( )
=0VC +1+ − VA = 1.458 VC −.33 VA =10− −−−(2)
3 8 3 1
Solve Eq 1 and 2
VA =12.60V VC =9.70 V
VA − VD 12.60
Current flow resistant 8Ω is Ia= = =1.575 A
8 8
VA − VC 12.60− 9.70
Current flow resistance 3Ω is Ib= = =.967 A
3 3
VA −VB 12.60 −10
Current flow resistance 5Ω is If = = =. 52 A
5 5
Vc − 0 12.60
Current flow resistance 8Ω is Ic= = =1.575 A
8 8
VB −VC 10 −9.70
Current flow resistance 1Ω is Ii= = =0.30 A
1 1
VB −0 10 −0
Current flow resistance 2Ω is IG= = =5 A
2 2

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SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM:

Fig. 9 Nodal Analysis

Table 9

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SOL’N:

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OBSERVATIONS/RESULTS:

- THROUGH THE METHODICAL APPLICATION OF KIRCHHOFF'S CURRENT LAW AT CRITICAL

NODES IN THE NODAL ANALYSIS EXPERIMENT, COMPLICATED ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS MIGHT
BE EASILY UNDERSTOOD AND ANALYZED IN A CLEAR AND EFFICIENT MANNER.

CONCLUSION:

- TO SUM UP, NODAL ANALYSIS HAS PROVEN TO BE A RELIABLE AND EFFECTIVE TECHNIQUE
THAT MAKES COMPLEX ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT ANALYSIS EASIER TO COMPREHEND BY USING
KIRCHHOFF'S CURRENT LAW AT STRATEGIC NODES IN A METHODICAL MANNER.

RECOMMENDATION:

- IT IS ADVISED TO CAREFULLY LABEL NODES, SIMPLIFY COMPUTATIONS, AND USE THE RIGHT
SOFTWARE TOOLS TO IMPROVE ACCURACY AND EFFICIENCY WHILE ANALYZING INTRICATE
ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE THE BEST RESULTS IN NODAL ANALYSIS
STUDIES.

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