Loop Analysis or Node Analysis

1. Loop Analysis or Node Analysis

       This method of analysis is specially useful for the circuits that have many nodes and loops.The difference between application of kirchhoff's laws and loop analysis is, in loop analysis instead of branch currents, the loop currents are considered for writing the equations. The another difference is, i this method, each branch of the network may carry more than one current. The total branch current must be decided by the algebraic sum of all currents through that branch. While in analysis using kirchhoff's laws, each branch carries only one current. The advantage of this method is that for complex networks the number of unknowns reduces which greatly simplifies calculation network.

       Consider following network shown in the Fig.1. There are two loops. So assuming two loops currents as I₁ and I₂.

Fig. 1

 Key point : While assume loop currents, consider the loops such that each element of the network will be include at least once in any of the loops.

       Now branch B-E carries two currents; I₁ from B to E and I₂ from E to B. So net current through branch B-E will (I₁ - I₂ ) and corresponding drop across must be as shown below in the Fig.2. 

Fig. 2

       Consider loop A - B - E - F - A,

       For branch B-E, polarities of voltage drops will be B +ve, E -ve for current I₁ while E +ve, B -ve for current I₂ flowing through R₃.

       Now while writing loop equations assume main loop current as positive and remaining loop current must be treated as negative for common branches.

       Writing loop equations for the network shown in the Fig.3.

Fig. 3

      For loop A - B - E - F - A,
      -I₁R₁ - I₁R₃ + I₂R₃ + V₁ = 0
       For loop B - C - D - E - B,
       - I₂R₂ - V₂ - I₂ R₃ + I₁R₃ = 0
       By solving above simultaneous equations any unknown branch current can be determined.

1.2 Points to Remember For Loop Analysis

1.  While assuming loop currents make sure that at least one loop current links with every element.
2. No two loops should be identical.
3. Choose minimum number of loop currents.
4. Convcurrent sources if present, into their equivalent voltage sources for loop analysis, whenever possible.
5. If current in a particular branch is required, then try to choose loop current in such a way that only one loop currents links with that branch.

1.2 Supermesh

Key point : If there exists a current source in any of the branches of the network then a loop can not be defined through the current source as drop across the current source is unknown, from KVL, point of view.

       For example, consider the network shown in the Fig.4. In this circuit, branch B-E consists of a current source. So loop A-B-E-F-A can not be defined as loop from KVL point of view, as drop across the current source is not known.

Fig. 4

        In such case, to get the required equation interms of loop currents, analyse the branch consisting of a current source independently. Express the current source interms of the assumed loop currents. For example, in the Fig.4 analyse the branch BE. The current source is of IA  in the direction of loop current I₂. So I₂ is more than I₁ and we can write an equation,

                I = I₂ - I₁

       So all such branches, consisting current sources must be analysed independently. Get the equations for current sources interms of loop currents. Then apply KVL to the remaining loops which are existing without involving the branches consisting of current sources. The loop existing, around a current source which is common to the two loops is called supermesh. In the Fig.4, the loop A-B-C-D-E-F-A is supermesh.

1.3 Steps for the Loop Analysis

Step 1 : Choose the various loops.
Step 2 : Show the various loop currents and the polarities of associated voltage drops.

Step 3: Before applying KVL, look for any current source. Analyse the branch consisting of current source independently and express the current source value interms of assumed loop currents. Repeat this for all the current sources.

Step 4 : After the step 3, apply KVL to those loops, which do not include any current source. A loop can not defined through current source from KVL point of view. Follow the sign convention.

Step 5 : Solve the equations obtained in step 3 and step 4 simultaneously, to obtain required unknowns.

Example 1 : For the circuit shown in the Fig.5, find the current through 30 Ω resistance using mesh analysis.

Fig. 5

Solution : The various loop currents are shown in the Fig. 5(a).

Fig. 5(a)

       Apply KVL to the various loops,
       Loop 1,     -15I₁- 20I₁ + 20I₂ + 100 = 0
                       +35I₁- 20I₂ = 100                                  .........(1)
       Loop 2,  -5I₂ - 30I₂ + 30I₃ - 20I₂ + 20I₁ = 0
                      -20I₁ - 55I₂ + 30I₃ = 0                             .........(2)
        Loop 3, -5I₃  -100 - 30I₃ + 30I₂ = 0
                        30I₂  -35I₃ = 100                                    ...........(3)

                                         I₂  = D₂/D = -35000/21875 = -1.6 A
                                          I₃ = D₃/D = -92500/21875 = -4.2285 A

                                       I_{30 Ω} = I₂  - I₃ = -1.6 - (- 4.2285) = 2.6285 A ↓
        As I₂ - I₃ is positive, currents flows in the assumed direction of  I₂ .

Example 2 :  In the circuit shown in the Fig.6, use the loop analysis to find the power delivered to the 4 Ω resistor.

Fig. 6

Solution : The various loop currents are shown in the Fig.5(a). The problem consists of current sources hence follow supermesh steps.

       Loops can not be defined through current sources. So analyse the branches consisting of sources first.
       From branch A-B we can write,
            I₃ = 2 A                                      .........(1)
       From branch DG we can write,
            I₂ - I₁= 8 A                                 ..........(2)
       Now apply KVL to the loop without current source i.e.
       loop C-D-E-H-G-F-C,
           -1 x I₃ - 1 x I₁ -3I₃ - 3I₂  - 4I₂ +24 = 0
           4I₃ + 7I₂  + I₁= 24                        .........(3)
       Using equation (1) and equation (2) in (3) we get,
          8+7I₂ +(I₂  - 8) = 24
          8 I₂ = 24
          I₂ = 3 A
       This is current through 4 Ω resistor. So power delivered to the 4 Ω resistor is,
           P = I₂² x 4 = 3² x 4 = 36 W