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Foundations of Circuit Analysis: Passive Sign Convention: Depiero Ee 201

This document discusses the passive sign convention used in circuit analysis. The passive sign convention ensures conservation of energy by defining that passive circuit elements like resistors can only absorb power, with current flowing into the positive terminal. The sign convention is helpful for assigning voltage and current polarities. It determines whether power is absorbed or delivered by defining active elements to deliver power, with current flowing out of the positive terminal. For passive elements, the sign convention defines current flowing into the positive terminal results in power being absorbed.

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49 views

Foundations of Circuit Analysis: Passive Sign Convention: Depiero Ee 201

This document discusses the passive sign convention used in circuit analysis. The passive sign convention ensures conservation of energy by defining that passive circuit elements like resistors can only absorb power, with current flowing into the positive terminal. The sign convention is helpful for assigning voltage and current polarities. It determines whether power is absorbed or delivered by defining active elements to deliver power, with current flowing out of the positive terminal. For passive elements, the sign convention defines current flowing into the positive terminal results in power being absorbed.

Uploaded by

bwNorY
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Foundations of Circuit Analysis:

Passive Sign Convention


DePiero
EE 201
Learning Objectives
Apply the passive sign convention and
compute power dissipated by circuit
elements.
Passive Sign Convention Ensures
Conservation of Energy
Energy is Conserved When:
Total energy generated in a circuit equals
the total energy dissipated.
Ignoring issue of energy storage for now
Sign convention also helpful when
assigning voltage polarities in analysis
problems.
Sign Convention Determines
Power Absorption/Delivery
In these cases, V>0 and
I>0.
Passive devices (resistors)
can only absorb power. I
enters (+)
Active sources typically
deliver power. I leaves (+)
Active sources can also
absorb power. I enters (+)
P>0.
Absorbed
P<0.
Delivered
P>0.
Absorbed
Using Passive Sign Convention
Works for an arbitrary direction for I flow
1) Label active elements (if unspecified).
Suggestion: Assume power is delivered.
For a voltage source, define I flowing out the (+) terminal.
For a current source, define +V terminal where I flows out.
If power is actually absorbed, then a V or I quantity will
evaluate to a negative value.
2) Label passive elements (resistors).
Power always absorbed. I flows in (+) terminal.
3) As needed, compute power absorbed.
If positive I flows into (+) terminal -> Power absorbed.
V>0 and I>0 in the above definitions!

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