Nodal Analysis

NODAL ANALYSIS

A junction point in an electrical circuit is called anode. A potential drop is measured with respect to this point and another node acting as a reference point. Generally ground is taken as a reference point. If n is the number of node then the number of independent KCL equations in nodal analysis is (n - 1) because one node acts as a reference node.

Consider a sample circuit shown in Figure 1.18(a).

The above nodal equations for node 1 and 2 are used to find the voltages at each node.

Steps Involved in Nodal Analysis

Step 1: Identify all independent nodes wherever the current branches out and select a references node.

Step 2: Write the nodal equation using KCL for all nodes except the reference node.

Step 3: Nodal equations are then solved to find nodal voltages and branch currents.

Example 1.9: Using nodal analysis determine nodal voltages for the circuit shown in of figure below.

Solution:

Example 1.10: Find the unknown voltage V, in the circuit shown in figure below. Assume V₁ = 16 V

Example 1.11: For the given circuit write the node voltage equations and determine the currents in each branch for the given network.

Example 1.12: For the circuit shown below using nodal analysis find the voltage V, which makes the current in 10 ῼ as zero.

Example 1.13: For the circuit find the voltage across the 6 2 resistor by using nodal analysis.