Superposition Theorem States That

Superposition theorem
Superposition theorem states that:
In a linear circuit with several sources the voltage and current responses
in any branch is the algebraic sum of the voltage and current responses due to
each source acting independently with all other sources replaced by their internal
impedance.
OR
In any linear circuit containing multiple independent sources, the current or

voltage at any point in the network may be calculated as algebraic sum of the
individual contributions of each source acting alone
The process of using Superposition Theorem on a circuit:
To solve a circuit with the help of Superposition theorem follow the following
steps:
law implies, because Superposition theorem is applicable only to linear

circuits and responses.
Replace all the voltage and current sources on the circuit except for one
of them. While replacing a Voltage source or Current Source replace it
with their internal resistance or impedance. If the Source is an Ideal
source or internal impedance is not given then replace a Voltage source
with a short; so as to maintain a 0 V potential difference between two
terminals of the voltage source. And replace a Current source with an
Open; so as to maintain a 0 Amps Current between two terminals of the
current source.
Determine the branch responses or voltage drop and current on every
Repeat step 2 and 3 for every source the circuit has.

Now algebraically add the responses due to each source on a branch to
find the response on the branch due to the combined effect of all the
sources.
The superposition theorem is not applicable for the power, as power is
directly proportional to the square of the current which is not a linear function.
Steps:
1) Select any one source and short all other voltage sources and open all
current sources if internal impedance is not known. If known replace them by
their impedance.
2) Find out the current or voltage across the required element, due to the
source under consideration.
3) Repeat the above steps for all other sources.
4) Add all the individual effects produced by individual sources to obtain the
total current in or across the voltage element.
Problem 1
Find Ia in circuit shown below, where only the current source is kept in the
circuit. The 5V is zeroed out yielding a 0V source, or a short. The 9V is zeroed
out, making it a short also.
Note that the 8K resistor is shorted out (that is, 8K in parallel with 0 yields 0.
Note that the 3mA flowing up through the 2K will split left and right at the top.
Part of it will flow through the 1K and part of it will flow through the 4K. Let's use
the label "I4" for the current flowing right through the 4K resistor. If we combine
the parallel 6K and 7K (6K||7K = 3.2K) and then add the series 4K, the total
resistance on the right is 7.2K. Now we can use a current divider to find that I4 =
[1K / (1K + 7.2K)] * 3mA = 0.37mA. Note that the 2K does not enter into this
computation because the entire 3mA flows through it. The 3mA does not split
until it gets to the junction at the top of that branch.
Now that we know I4, we can then split it again through the 6K and the 7K.
Ix = [7K/(6K+7K)]*I4 = 0.20 mA.
Problem 2
Using the superposition theorem, determine the voltage drop and current
across the resistor 3.3K as shown in figure below.
Solution:
Step 1: Remove the 8V power supply from the original circuit, such that the
new circuit becomes as the following and then measure voltage across resistor.
Here 3.3K and 2K are in parallel, therefore resultant resistance will be

1.245K.
Using voltage divider rule voltage across 1.245K will be
V1= [1.245/(1.245+4.7)]*5 = 1.047V
Step 2: Remove the 5V power supply from the original circuit such that the
new circuit becomes as the following and then measure voltage across resistor.
Here 3.3K and 4.7K are in parallel, therefore resultant resistance will be
1.938K.
Using voltage divider rule voltage across 1.938K will be
V2= [1.938/(1.938+2)]*8 = 3.9377V

Therefore voltage drop across 3.3K resistor is V1+V2 =
1.047+3.9377=4.9847
Reciprocity Theorem
The reciprocity theorem states that in a linear passive bilateral network by

changing the voltage source from branch 1 to branch2, the current I in the branch 2
appears in branch 1.
1. Verify the reciprocity theorem for the given network.
Find the current in branch AB

RT = 2+[3 // (2+2 //2)]
IT =V/RT =20/3.5 = 5.71A
Apply current division technique for the circuit to find current through branch AB
= 5.71 x 3/6
= 2.855A
Current in branch AB = 2.855 x 2/4 = 1.43A
Interchanging the source to branch AB
Total resistance RT
IT = 20/3.23 = 6.19A
Apply current division technique for the circuit to find current through branch CD
= 6.19 x 2/5.2
= 2.38A
Current in branch CD = 2.38 x 3/5 = 1.43A
Hence reciprocity theorem verified.
2. Verify the reciprocity theorem for the given circuit diagram.
Apply current division technique for the circui

= 10 x 2/5 = 4A
Replace the current source and find the open circuit voltage
Apply current division technique

=10 x 3/5 = 6
Volta
Objectives
its application to solve dc circuits.

theorem over conventional circuit
reduction techniques in situations where load changes.
Introduction
A simple circuit is considered to illustrate the concept of equivalent circuit and it

is always possible to view even a very complicated circuit in terms of much
simpler equivalent source and load circuits. Subsequently the reduction of
computational complexity that involves in solving the current through a branch for
different values of load resistance ( RL ) is also discussed. In many applications,
a network may contain a
variable component or element while other elements in the circuit are kept
constant. If the solution for current ( I ) or voltage (V ) or power ( P ) in any

Superposition Theorem States That

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Superposition Theorem States That

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Superposition Theorem States That

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Superposition theorem

Superposition theorem states that:

In any linear circuit containing multiple independent sources, the current or

The process of using Superposition Theorem on a circuit:

law implies, because Superposition theorem is applicable only to linear

Repeat step 2 and 3 for every source the circuit has.

3) Repeat the above steps for all other sources.

Ix = [7K/(6K+7K)]*I4 = 0.20 mA.

Here 3.3K and 2K are in parallel, therefore resultant resistance will be

Using voltage divider rule voltage across 1.245K will be

V1= [1.245/(1.245+4.7)]*5 = 1.047V

Using voltage divider rule voltage across 1.938K will be

V2= [1.938/(1.938+2)]*8 = 3.9377V

The reciprocity theorem states that in a linear passive bilateral network by

1. Verify the reciprocity theorem for the given network.

Find the current in branch AB

IT =V/RT =20/3.5 = 5.71A

Interchanging the source to branch AB

2. Verify the reciprocity theorem for the given circuit diagram.

Apply current division technique for the circui

Apply current division technique

its application to solve dc circuits.

A simple circuit is considered to illustrate the concept of equivalent circuit and it

You might also like