1. By Solid State Workshop
Essential & Practical
Circuit Analysis
Part 1: DC Circuits
2. What is circuit analysis?
• Circuit analysis is a toolkit for understanding and designing
more complex circuits.
• Circuit analysis is a layer of abstraction. It is based off of
other abstractions, while other abstractions are built off of it.
Physics Electronics
Circuit Analysis Systems
3. Linear Circuit Elements
Ohm’s Law
Series & Parallel Circuits
Voltage & Current Dividers
Kirchhoff’s Current Law (KCL)
Nodal Analysis
Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law (KVL)
Loop Analysis
Source Transformation
Thévenin & Norton Equivalence
Superposition Theorem
What will be covered in this video?
5. Nodes, Branches, and Loops
• A node is a junction of
connecting wires. Every
point on a node is at the
same potential (same
voltage).
• A branch just another
name for any circuit
element between two
nodes.
• A loop is a closed path
that begins and ends at
the same node.
Loop Loop
Loop
Branch
Branch Branch
Branch
Branch
Node Node Node
Node
6. Ohm’s Law
• 𝑉 = 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒
• 𝐼 = 𝐶𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡
• 𝑅 = 𝑅𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒
• 𝑉 = 𝐼𝑅 or 𝐼 =
𝑉
𝑅
or R =
𝑉
𝐼
• Ohm’s Law makes it possible to
solve for an unknown current,
voltage, or resistance.
• In this case,
𝐼 =
30𝑉
75Ω
= 0.4𝐴
30V
I = ?
75Ω
7. Series Circuits
• There is only one path for current,
so the current is the same
everywhere in the circuit.
• 𝑅𝑒𝑞 = 𝑅1 + 𝑅2+ . . . + 𝑅𝑛
• 𝑅𝑒𝑞 = 100Ω + 50Ω = 150Ω
• Applying Ohm’s Law,
𝐼 =
30𝑉
𝑅𝑒𝑞
=
30𝑉
150Ω
= 0.2𝐴
50Ω
100Ω
30V
I = ?
8. • All resistors share a common voltage, but
the currents through each depend on the
value of each resistor.
•
1
𝑅𝑒𝑞
=
1
𝑅1
+
1
𝑅2
+ . . . +
1
𝑅𝑛
• 𝑅𝑒𝑞 =
1
150Ω
+
1
100Ω
−1
= 60Ω
𝐼 =
30𝑉
𝑅𝑒𝑞
=
30𝑉
60Ω
= 0.5𝐴
𝐼 =
30𝑉
150Ω
= 0.2𝐴
𝐼 =
30𝑉
100Ω
= 0.3𝐴
Parallel Circuits
30V
150Ω 100Ω
Ohm’s Law
9. Voltage Dividers
• A voltage divider creates a voltage
which is some fraction of its voltage
source.
• It is a series circuit where the output
voltage is (usually) taken across the
second resistor.
𝑅𝑒𝑞 = 50Ω
𝐼 =
10𝑉
50Ω
= 0.2𝐴
𝑉𝑜𝑢𝑡 = 𝐼𝑅2 = 0.2𝐴 10Ω = 2.0𝑉
10V
40Ω
10Ω Vout
10. Voltage Dividers
• We can write a general equation that
describes the output of any two-resistor
voltage divider.
• 𝑅𝑒𝑞 = 𝑅1 + 𝑅2
• 𝐼 =
𝑉𝑠
𝑅𝑒𝑞
• 𝑉𝑜𝑢𝑡 = 𝐼𝑅2
• ∴ 𝑉𝑜𝑢𝑡 =
𝑉𝑠
𝑅𝑒𝑞
𝑅2 = 𝑉
𝑠
𝑅2
𝑅1+𝑅2
• Most generally, 𝑉𝑜𝑢𝑡 = 𝑉
𝑠
𝑅𝑥
𝑅𝑒𝑞
VS
R1
R2 Vout
11. Voltage Dividers
• Attaching a load reduces the divider’s
output voltage.
• 𝑉𝑜𝑢𝑡 = 𝑉
𝑠
𝑅2
𝑅1+𝑅2
• 𝑉𝑜𝑢𝑡 = 𝑉
𝑠
𝑅2 || 𝑅𝐿
𝑅1+ 𝑅2 || 𝑅𝐿
where 𝑅2 || 𝑅𝐿 < 𝑅2
• If the load resistance is much greater the
resistance of R2 then the output voltage
only drops a bit.
• i.e. The load current should be much less
than the divider current.
RL
VS
R1
R2
12. Current Dividers
• A current divider creates a current
which is some fraction of its current
source.
• It is a parallel circuit where the output
current is observed in one of the
branches.
• 𝑅𝑇 =
1
𝑅1
+
1
𝑅2
−1
• 𝐼𝑜𝑢𝑡 = 𝐼𝑠
𝑅𝑇
𝑅𝑋+𝑅𝑇
IS R1 R2
RX
RT
Iout
13. Kirchhoff's Current Law (KCL)
• Kirchhoff’s Current Law states that all
currents entering a node equals all
currents exiting a node.
• The sum of all currents in a node = 0.
• 𝐼1 + 𝐼2 + 𝐼3+ . . . + 𝐼𝑛 = 0
• Entering a node = positive (+I)
• Exiting a node = negative (-I)
𝑗=1
𝑛
𝐼𝑗 = 0
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Entering Exiting
Current
(mA)
Current Entering & Exiting a Node
14. 12mA
• Find 𝐼1 and 𝐼2 using KCL.
• Ask yourself: Do I need to find one
current before I can find the other?
• KCL at Node B
𝐼2 + 12𝑚𝐴 − 4𝑚𝐴 = 0
𝐼2 = −8𝑚𝐴
• KCL at Node A
−𝐼1 − 𝐼2 + 2𝑚𝐴 = 0
−𝐼1 + 8𝑚𝐴 + 2𝑚𝐴 = 0
𝐼1 = 10𝑚𝐴
Kirchhoff's Current Law (KCL)
4mA
2mA
𝑰𝟏
𝑰𝟐
Node A
Node B
+8𝑚𝐴
−8𝑚𝐴
15. Nodal Analysis with KCL
• Nodal analysis is a process that uses KCL
to determine node voltages.
• A reference node (ground) is used to
make life easier.
• A current through a resistor is described
by Ohm’s Law
𝐼 =
𝑉𝑥 − 𝑉𝑦
𝑅
• To find node voltages, write a KCL
equation for each node, except the
reference node. (N-1)
𝐼
Vx Vy
+
-
+
-
Reference Node
(ground)
R
18. Kirchhoff's Voltage Law (KVL)
• Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law states that all
voltage “drops” must equal all voltage
“rises” in a closed loop.
• That is, the sum of all voltages in a
closed loop = 0.
• 𝑉1 + 𝑉2 + 𝑉3+ . . . + 𝑉
𝑛 = 0
𝑗=1
𝑛
𝑉
𝑗 = 0
V1 V2 V3 V4
19. Kirchhoff's Voltage Law (KVL)
V3
V2
V4
V1
𝑰
𝑰
Voltage Drop (+V)
𝑰
Voltage Drop (+V)
𝑰
Voltage Rise (-V)
20. Kirchhoff's Voltage Law (KVL)
𝑰
A
B
15V
6V 3Ω
2Ω
3Ω
1Ω
• Find 𝑉𝐴𝐵 using KVL.
• First, we need to find the current
around the loop.
• KVL starting at B
15 + 3𝐼 + 1𝐼 − 6 + 3𝐼 + 2𝐼 = 0
9 = −9𝐼
𝐼 = −1𝐴
𝑉𝐴𝐵 = 𝐼(2Ω)
𝑉𝐴𝐵 = −1𝐴 2Ω = −2𝑉
21. Loop Analysis with KVL
• Loop analysis is a process that uses
KVL to determine loop currents.
• Loop currents are assigned to all
independent loops.
• To solve for all loop currents, write
a KVL equation for all independent
loops and then solve.
𝑰𝟏 𝑰𝟐
… + 𝑅 𝐼1 − 𝐼2 …
… + 𝑅 𝐼2 − 𝐼1 …
23. Source Transformation
• Thévenin circuit: Voltage source in series with a resistor
• Norton circuit: Current source in parallel with a resistor
• Source transformation allows simple conversion between
these circuits.
𝐼𝑁𝑜 =
𝑉𝑇ℎ
𝑅
𝑉𝑇ℎ = 𝐼𝑁𝑜 ∙ 𝑅
𝑅𝑇ℎ = 𝑅𝑁𝑜 = 𝑅
25. Thévenin’s & Norton’s Theorems
• To find 𝑅:
• 1.) Detach the load resistor (if present).
• 2.) Set all sources equal to 0.
Voltage source Short-circuit
Current source Open-circuit
• 3.) Find the equivalent resistance “looking in” from
the two output terminals.
26. Thévenin Equivalent Circuits
• To find 𝑉𝑇ℎ :
• 1.) Detach the load resistor
(if present).
• 2.) Find the open-circuit voltage 𝑉𝑂𝐶
across the circuit’s output
terminals.
𝑉𝑂𝐶 = 𝑉𝑇ℎ
Use any form of analysis
(nodal, loop, voltage divider,
source transformation, etc.)
VOC
Known Circuit
28. Norton Equivalent Circuits
• To find 𝐼𝑁𝑜 :
• 1.) Detach the load resistor
(if present).
• 2.) Short circuit the output terminals
• 3.) Find the short-circuit current 𝐼𝑆𝐶
through the shorted output.
𝐼𝑆𝐶 = 𝐼𝑁𝑜
Use any form of analysis
(nodal, loop, voltage divider,
source transformation, etc.)
ISC
Known Circuit
30. Superposition Theorem
• Superposition says that a circuit with
multiple sources can be solved by this
process:
1.) Set all sources = 0, except one.
2.) Solve necessary currents and
voltages, using only that source.
3.) Repeat Step 2 for each source.
4.) “Superimpose” the solutions onto
each other.
• Use the symbol prime ( ′ ) to differentiate
variables with the same name.
𝑰𝟏 = 𝑰′𝟏 + 𝑰′′𝟏
𝑰𝟐 = 𝑰′𝟐 + 𝑰′′𝟐
32. Ending Remarks
• The key to solving circuit problems quickly and correctly is practice!
• Each technique is not terribly difficult on its own. The challenging part is
identifying which technique (or combination of techniques) is appropriate
for a given circuit.
• Experiment with circuits on your own!
The components used in this video are inexpensive and easily obtained
through distributors such as Mouser and DigiKey.
Use simulation software such as LTSpice (free) to verify your findings
and to learn more about circuit behavior.