BEE-Module-3 Kirchhoff's Law

MODULE 3
Kirchhoff’s Law
EE 419 – Basic Electrical Engineering
Engr. Charmaine M. Cabatay
Intended Learning Outcomes:
1. Describe an electric circuit and Ohm’s Law
2. Use Ohm’s law to calculate the voltages and currents in
electric circuits.
3. Analyze single-loop and single-node-pair circuits to
calculate the voltages and currents in an electric circuit
using Kirchhoff's Law.
4. Apply Kirchhoff’s current law and Kirchhoff’s voltage law
to determine the voltages and currents in an electric
circuit.
NODES, BRANCH AND LOOPS
An electric circuit is based on three concepts, namely, node,
branch and loop. As per definition, an electric network is a
combination of interconnected circuit elements. A network
may or may not provide closed path to the electric current
to flow. But, an electrical circuit may be a combination of
one or more networks which gives closed path to the
electric current. That means, when one or more networks
are interconnected together to complete one or more paths
to the current, an electric circuit is formed.
An electric circuit does have three conceptual things as
mentioned below.
Network Theorem
Since the elements of an electric circuit can be
interconnected in several ways, there are basic terms and
concepts of network topology to be understood. To
differentiate between a circuit and a network, we may
regard a
Network as an interconnection of elements or devices
whereas a
Circuit is a network providing one or more closed paths
Nodes of Electric Circuit
The point through which a circuit element is connected to
the circuit is called node. It is better to say, node is a point
where, terminal of two or more circuit elements are
connected together. Node is a junction point in the circuit.
If three is no element between two or more connected
adjacent nodes, these nodes can be recombined as a single
node.
Finally, the circuit can be redrawn as
Branch of Electric Circuit
• The branch of an electric circuit can be defined more
precisely, as the portion of the circuit between two nodes
which can deliver or absorb energy. As per this definition,
the short circuit between two nodes is not referred as
branch of electric circuit.
Branch of Electric Circuit
• Any of the circuit elements, when connected to the circuit,
it is definitely connected between two nodes of the circuit.
When an element exists between two nodes, the path from
one node to another through this element is called branch
of the circuit.
Loops in Electric Circuit
• Loop is any closed path in the circuit formed by branches.
Loops in Electric Circuit
• Loop is any closed path in the circuit formed by branches.
KIRCHHOFF’S LAW
• In 1845, German physicist Gustav Kirchhoff first
described two laws that became central to electrical
engineering- the Kirchhoff's Current Law (also known as
Kirchhoff's Junction Law, and Kirchhoff's First Law) and
the Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law.
• These laws are extremely useful in real life because

they describe the relation of values of currents that flow
through a junction point and voltages in an electrical
circuit loop. They describe how electrical current flows in
all of the billions of electric appliances and devices, as
well as throughout homes and businesses, that are in
use continually on Earth
KIRCHHOFF’S LAW
Kirchhoff’s Current Law (KCL)
• This first law states that the algebraic sum of the currents
entering any node is zero.
i1 + i2 - i3 - i4 = 0
We have assumed that the algebraic signs of the currents

entering the node are positive and, therefore, that the signs of
the currents leaving the node are negative.
KIRCHHOFF’S LAW
KIRCHHOFF’S LAW
Alternately, we can write the equation as
i1 + i2 = i3 + i4
which states that the sum of the currents entering a

node is equal to the sum of the currents leaving the
node. Both of these italicized expressions are
alternative forms of Kirchhoff’s current law.
KIRCHHOFF’S LAW
KIRCHHOFF’S LAW
EXAMPLE 1:
Considering the circuit diagram shown, find the unknown current in the
network.
Solution:
Assuming that the currents leaving a
junction is positive.
By KCL
at node 1
𝐼1 − 60𝑚𝐴 − 20𝑚𝐴 =0
at node 2
𝐼4 - 𝐼1 - 𝐼6 =0
at node 3
60𝑚𝐴 + 𝐼5 − 𝐼4 − 40𝑚𝐴 = 0
node 4
30𝑚𝐴 + 20𝑚𝐴 − 𝐼5 =0
KIRCHHOFF’S LAW
Solution:
Assuming that the currents leaving a
junction is positive.
By KCL
at node 1
𝐼1 − 60𝑚𝐴 − 20𝑚𝐴 =0
at node 2
𝐼4 - 𝐼1 - 𝐼6 =0
at node 3
60𝑚𝐴 + 𝐼5 − 𝐼4 − 40𝑚𝐴 = 0
node 4
30𝑚𝐴 + 20𝑚𝐴 − 𝐼5 =0
KIRCHHOFF’S LAW
EXAMPLE 1:

The first equation yields 𝐼1 and the last
equation yields 𝐼5. Knowing 𝐼5, we can
immediately obtain 𝐼4 from the third
equation. Then the values of 𝐼1 and 𝐼4 yield
the value of 𝐼6 from the second equation.
The results are 𝐼1 = 80 𝑚𝐴, 𝐼4 = 70 𝑚𝐴, 𝐼5 =
50 𝑚𝐴, and 𝐼6 = −10 𝑚𝐴.
KIRCHHOFF’S LAW
Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law (KVL)
Kirchhoff's Voltage Law describes the distribution of
electrical voltage within a loop, or closed conducting path, of
an electrical circuit. Kirchhoff's Voltage Law states that: the
algebraic sum of the voltage (potential) differences in any loop
must equal zero. The voltage differences include those
associated with electromagnetic fields (EMFs) and resistive
elements, such as resistors, power sources (batteries, for
example) or devices—lamps, televisions, and blenders—
plugged into the circuit. Picture this as the voltage rising and
falling as you proceed around any of the individual loops in the
circuit.
KIRCHHOFF’S LAW
• This second law states that the algebraic sum of all voltages
around the loop is zero.
KIRCHHOFF’S LAW
KIRCHHOFF’S LAW
Remember that when traveling around the circuit to apply
Kirchhoff's Voltage Law, be sure you are always going in the same
direction (clockwise or counterclockwise) to determine whether a
given element represents an increase or decrease in the voltage.
If you begin jumping around, moving in different directions, your
equation will be incorrect. When crossing a resistor, the voltage
change is determined by the formula:
𝑽= 𝑰 ∗ 𝑹

where I is the value of the current
R is the resistance of the resistor
KIRCHHOFF’S LAW
KIRCHHOFF’S LAW
Determine Vo and i in the circuit shown in Figure below:
KIRCHHOFF’S LAW
Find currents and voltages in the circuit shown in Figure
below:
KIRCHHOFF’S LAW
KIRCHHOFF’S LAW
Find currents and voltages in the circuit shown in Figure
below:
KIRCHHOFF’S LAW
Thank you!

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MODULE 3

• These laws are extremely useful in real life because

We have assumed that the algebraic signs of the currents

which states that the sum of the currents entering a

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