Solve the circuit and find the power of sources:
Problem 1226 - 1
V_S=10V, I_S=4 A, R_1=2 \Omega, R_2=6 \Omega, R_3=1 \Omega, R_4=2 \Omega.

Solution:
There are three meshes in the circuit. So, we need to assign three mesh currents. It is better to have all the mesh currents loop in the same direction (usually clockwise) to prevent errors when writing out the equations.

Problem 1226 - 7
A mesh current is the current passing through elements which are not shared by other loops. This is to say that for example the current of the voltage source is I_1, the current of R_2 is I_2 and so on. But how about elements shared between two meshes? Current of such elements is the algebraic sum of both meshes. For example if we assume the current of R_1 is defined with direction from top to bottom, its current would be I_1-I_2. If one assume the inverse direction, i.e. from bottom to top, it would be I_2-I_1.
Now, lets write the equation for mesh of I_1 (Mesh I). A mesh equation is in fact a KVL equation using mesh currents. We start from a point and calculate algebraic sum of voltage drops around the loop:
First the voltage source:
-V_S+...
Now we have reached R_1 from its upper node. So its current is I_1-I_2 and we have:
-V_S+R_1 \times (I_1-I_2) + ...
One important point that you should remember and it always help you to validate the equation is that the current part for resistors is always equal to the current of the mesh that we are writing the equation for minus the current of the other mesh. Of course this is only valid if you respect the convention to

  • define all the mesh currents in the same direction
  • go around the loop at the same direction as the mesh current that you defined while writing the equation


Let’s continue writing the equation. The next element, which is also the last element, is R_3. Without further thinking we can say that the term associated with this element is R_3 \times (I_1-I_3). (Why?)
-V_S+R_1 \times (I_1-I_2) + R_3 \times (I_1-I_3)=0.
The equation for Mesh I is done. The next mesh is Mesh II. But wait! what is the voltage across the current source to write in the mesh KVL equation? We don’t know. There are two ways to resolve this issue:

    1. Assign a voltage to the current source (V_{I_S}). Write equations using V_{I_S} and later add equations of Mesh II and III to get rid of V_{I_S}.
    1. Write the equation for the Supermesh II & III.

A supermesh is a larger loop which has both meshes inside.
Let’s try both methods.
1) Using V_{I_S}
Problem 1226 - 4

Mesh II:
R_1 \times (I_2-I_1) + R_2 \times (I_2) -V_{I_S}=0
Note that for R_1, unlike the equation for Mesh I, the current is I_2-I_1. This is because we are walking around the loop with the direction of I_2, or briefly it is because we are writing the equation for mesh of I_2.

Mesh III:
R_3 \times (I_3-I_1) + V_{I_S} + R_4 \times (I_3) =0.

Let’s add two equations:
R_1 \times (I_2-I_1) + R_2 \times (I_2) -V_{I_S} + R_3 \times (I_3-I_1) + V_{I_S} + R_4 \times (I_3)=0+0
Simplifying:
R_1 \times (I_2-I_1) + R_2 \times (I_2) + R_3 \times (I_3-I_1) + R_4 \times (I_3)=0

2) Supermesh
Here is the supermesh:
Problem 1226 - 5
Around the loop clockwise:
R_1 \times (I_2-I_1) + R_2 \times (I_2) + R_4 \times (I_3) + R_3 \times (I_3-I_1)=0.
As you can see, we were able to write the equation in one shot. That is why the supermesh method is preferred.

Now, we have two equations: one for Mesh I and one for the supermesh. But there are three unknowns: I_1, I_2 and I_3. So we need another equation. The third equation comes from the current source by writing KCL one of its nodes. We choose the node which is not shared by third loop which is the loop at the right hand side for this example. This way we minimize the number of terms in the equation. Note that the current of R_2 and R_4 are I_2 and I_3, respectively, but the terms for R_2 and R_3 are more complicated because of I_1 involvement.
Let’s apply KCL for the right hand side node. I_2 and I_S are entering to the node and I_3 is leaving.
Problem 1226 - 6
-I_2-I_S+I_3=0

Now we have all three equations:

\left\{ \begin{array}{l}-V_S+R_1 \times (I_1-I_2) + R_3 \times (I_1-I_3)=0 \\ R_1 \times (I_2-I_1) + R_2 \times (I_2) + R_4 \times (I_3) + R_3 \times (I_3-I_1)=0 \\ -I_2-I_S+I_3=0 \end{array} \right.

Let’s substitute values:
V_S=10V, I_S=4 A, R_1=2 \Omega, R_2=6 \Omega, R_3=1 \Omega, R_4=2 \Omega.
\left\{ \begin{array}{l}2(I_1-I_2) + (I_1-I_3)=10 \\ 2 (I_2-I_1) + 6I_2 + 2I_3 + I_3-I_1=0 \\ -I_2+I_3=4 \end{array} \right.
\left\{ \begin{array}{l}3I_1-2I_2-I_3=10 \\ -3I_1 + 8I_2 + 3I_3 =0 \\ -I_2+I_3=4 \end{array} \right.
4.9166
\left\{ \begin{array}{l}I_1=4.92 A \\I_2=0.25 A \\I_3=4.25 A \end{array} \right.

The circuit is solved. Any other voltage or current in the circuit can be easily found using mesh currents. To find power of sources, we need current of the voltage source and voltage across the current source.
For the voltage source, current is equal to I_1 as it is located at the unshared part of Mesh I. The current is entering from the negative terminal. Therefore, the active sign convention should be used to find the sign of power:
P_{V_S}=-V_S \times I_1=-49.2 W < 0 (supplying power).
Take a look here if you are would like to know how power of independent sources should be calculated.

For the current source, the voltage is V_{I_S} and can be calculated by KVL equation of mesh II:

R_1 \times (I_2-I_1) + R_2 \times (I_2) -V_{I_S}=0
V_{I_S}=2 \times (0.25-4.92) + 6 \times 0.25=-7.84 V

Here, the current is entering from the positive terminal. So, the passive sign convention should be used:
P_{I_S}=V_{I_S} \times I_S=-7.84 \times 4= -31.36 W < 0 (supplying power).

Now, it is on you to find the power of all resistors and validate that the power conservation law is satisfied.

Published by Yaz

Hi! Yaz is here. I am passionate about learning and teaching. I try to explain every detail simultaneously with examples to ensure that students will remember them later too.

Join the Conversation

18 Comments

  1. good examples, it really helps coming here. Can you please help me on diodes, bipolar junction transistors, digital electronics and analogue electronics, please:-)

  2. now i am able to understand the concep of mesh 😀 thanks sir it really helpful for me

  3. This website was… how do you say it? Relevant!! Finally I’ve found something which helped me.
    Thanks a lot!

  4. I don’t understand why V(is) is positive in Mesh 3 while it is negative in Mesh 2. Shouldn’t the voltage drops across the loop equal the voltage source on the loop?

  5. With the below circuit, mesh current method analysis can be known easily. In the circuit, loop currents I1 and I2 are applied in the clockwise direction

  6. For solving the above circuit using mesh analysis, we have three unknown currents, and accordingly, we should form three equations and in addition apply the concept of supermesh analysis.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.