Mapua University

School of Electrical, Electronics and

Computer Engineering

Muralla St. Intramuros, Manila,

Philippines

Experiment 5:
Superposition Theorem and Linearity

Submitted by:

Brosoto, Christian Lorenz S.

EEA101L/E06

October 9, 2023

Submitted to:

Engr. Marianne Sejera

1. To investigate the effects of multiple active linear sources in a network.

2. To verify that the linear response at any point in a linear circuit having several independent

linear sources is equivalent to the algebraic sum of individual responses produced by each

independent source acting alone.

3. To illustrate the principle of Linearity.

Laboratory Equipment

Quantity Apparatus

1 pc Circuit 1 trainer kit (EEC471-2 and EEC470)

1 pc Circuit 1 trainer power supply (Feedback Power supply PS445)

3 pc Analog D.C. Ammeter (100mA dc)

1 pc Electronic V.O.M.

1 set Connecting wires

Theoretical Discussion

A linear element is a passive element that has a linear voltage-current relationship. By a

“linear voltage-current relationship” it meant that by multiplying a current through the element by

a constant K result in multiplying the across element by the same constant K. One passive element

that is defined to have linear voltage-current relationship is the resistor.

Figure 1
(20 V source is on)

Figure 2
(15 V source is on)
 Figure 3
(Both 20V and 15V sources are on)

Table 1 Measured Values:

Measured R1 R2 R3 R4 R5

Resistances 31 Ω 119 Ω 220 Ω 99 Ω 119 Ω

20V 15V V1 V2 V3 V4 V5 I1 I2 I3

ON ON 1.55V 5.95V 13.2V -0.99V -1.19V 0.05A -0.01A 0.06A

Measured ON OFF V1’ V2’ V3' V4’ V5’ I1’ I2’ I3’

Values 2.48V 9.52V 8.8V 3.96V 4.76V 0.08A 0.04A 0.04A

OFF ON V1’’ V2’’ V3’’ V4’’ V5’’ I1’’ I2’’ I3’’

-0.93V -3.57V 4.4V -4.95V -5.95V -0.03A -0.05A 0.02A

Calculated ON ON V1 V2 V3 V4 V5 I1 I2 I3

Values 1.55V 5.95V 13.2V -0.99V -1.19V 0.05A -0.01A 0.06A

20V 15V V1 V2 V3 V4 V5 I1 I2 I3

ON ON 1.46V 5.7V 12.9V -0.97V -1.19V 0.05A -0.03A 0.09A

Measured ON OFF V1’ V2’ V3' V4’ V5’ I1’ I2’ I3’

Values 2.36V 9.15V 5.50V 3.83V 4.61V 0.08A 0.04A 0.04A

OFF ON V1’’ V2’’ V3’’ V4’’ V5’’ I1’’ I2’’ I3’’

-0.9V -3.45V 4.4V -4.8V -5.8V -0.03A -0.07A 0.05A

Calculated ON ON V1 V2 V3 V4 V5 I1 I2 I3

Values 1.46V 5.7V 12.9V -0.97V -1.19V 0.05A -0.03A 0.09A

Mesh Analysis

• 20𝑉 = 370𝐼1 ′ − 220𝐼2 ′ …. Eq. 1

• 0 = −220𝐼1 ′ + 438𝐼2 ′ …. Eq. 2

Solving for currents:

➢ 𝐼1′ = 0.08 𝐴

➢ 𝐼2′ = 0.04 𝐴

➢ 𝐼3′ = 𝐼1′ − 𝐼2′ ; 𝐼3′ = 0.04 𝐴

Solving for voltages:

• 𝑉1′ = (𝐼1′ )(𝑅1 ) ; 𝑉1′ = (0.08𝐴)(31Ω)

➢ 𝑉1′ = 2.48 𝑉

• 𝑉2′ = (𝐼1′ )(𝑅2 ) ; 𝑉2′ = (0.08𝐴)(119Ω)

➢ 𝑉2′ = 9.52 𝑉

• 𝑉3′ = (𝐼3′ )(𝑅3 ) ; 𝑉3′ = (0.04𝐴)(220Ω)

➢ 𝑉3′ = 8.8 𝑉

• 𝑉4′ = (𝐼2′ )(𝑅4 ) ; 𝑉4′ = (0.04𝐴)(99Ω)

➢ 𝑉4′ = 3.96 𝑉

• 𝑉5′ = (𝐼2′ )(𝑅5 ) ; 𝑉5′ = (0.04𝐴)(119Ω)

➢ 𝑉5′ = 4.76 𝑉
 Mesh Analysis:

• 0 = 370𝐼1 ′′ − 220𝐼2 ′′ …. Eq. 1

• −15 𝑉 = −220𝐼1 ′′ + 438𝐼2 ′′ ….

Eq. 2

Solving for currents:

➢ 𝐼1′′ = −0.03 𝐴

➢ 𝐼2′′ = −0.05 𝐴

➢ 𝐼3′′ = 𝐼1′′ − 𝐼2′′ ; 𝐼3′′ = 0.02 𝐴

Solving for voltages:

• 𝑉1′′ = (𝐼1′′ )(𝑅1 ) ; 𝑉1′′ = (−0.03𝐴)(31Ω)

➢ 𝑉1′′ = −0.93 𝑉

• 𝑉2′′ = (𝐼1′′ )(𝑅2 ) ; 𝑉2′′ = (−0.03𝐴)(119Ω)

➢ 𝑉2′′ = −3.57 𝑉

• 𝑉3′′ = (𝐼3′′ )(𝑅3 ) ; 𝑉3′′ = (0.02𝐴)(220Ω)

➢ 𝑉3′′ = 4.4 𝑉

• 𝑉4′′ = (𝐼2′′ )(𝑅4 ) ; 𝑉4′′ = (−0.05𝐴)(99Ω)

➢ 𝑉4′′ = −4.95 𝑉

• 𝑉5′′ = (𝐼2′′ )(𝑅5 ) ; 𝑉5′′ = (−0.05𝐴)(119Ω)

➢ 𝑉5′′ = −5.95 𝑉
Algebraic Summation for Currents:

• 𝐼1 = 𝐼1′ + 𝐼1′′

➢ (0.08𝐴) + (−0.03𝐴)

➢ 0.05 A

• 𝐼2 = 𝐼2′ + 𝐼2′′

➢ (0.04𝐴) + (−0.05𝐴)

➢ - 0.01 A

• 𝐼3 = 𝐼3′ + 𝐼3′′

➢ (0.04𝐴) + (0.02𝐴)

➢ 0.06 A

Algebraic Summation for Voltages:

• 𝑉1 = 𝑉1′ + 𝑉1′′ • 𝑉3 = 𝑉3′ + 𝑉3′′

➢ (2.48 𝑉) + (−0.93 𝑉) ➢ (8.8 𝑉) + (4.4 𝑉)

➢ 1.55 V ➢ 13.2 V

• 𝑉2 = 𝑉2′ + 𝑉2′′ • 𝑉4 = 𝑉4′ + 𝑉4′′

➢ (9.52 𝑉) + (−3.57 𝑉) ➢ (3.96 𝑉) + (−4.95 𝑉)

➢ 5.95 V ➢ - 0.99 V

• 𝑉5 = 𝑉5′ + 𝑉5′′

➢ (4.76 𝑉) + (−5.95 𝑉)

➢ - 1.19 V
Questions and Problems

1. What does a negative response in superposition imply?

2. How many responses are obtained from an N number of independent sources present in a

given circuit?

3. Is it possible to eliminate dependent sources on superposition?

4. What are the possible limitations of the superposition theorem?

5. Determine the voltage Vx using superposition shown in Fig. H and verify your answers

through MatLab.

6. Determine the voltage across 5-ohm resistance using superposition shown in Fig. I and

verify your answers through MatLab.

1. In the context of the superposition theorem applied to electrical circuits, if you observe a

negative response, it suggests that the assumed direction and magnitude of the current

resulting from the contribution of a single source may be in the opposite direction

compared to the actual current flow in the circuit.

2. For an ‘N’ number of independent sources, there are also equivalent ‘N’ numbers of

responses. When dealing with ‘N’ independent sources in a circuit, you will have an

equivalent number of responses. The superposition theorem states that each of these

independent sources generates its unique response within the circuit. The total or collective

response of the circuit is then determined by adding together the individual responses in an

algebraic manner, resulting in an overall linear response.

3. The superposition theorem does not allow for the removal of dependent sources since they

are intricately linked to various parameters that can be calculated under different values of

independent sources. When applying the theorem, it is essential to eliminate only the

independent sources while keeping the dependent sources intact.

4. The superposition theorem is a fundamental tool in analyzing linear electrical circuits with

multiple sources. While it provides valuable insights, it has several limitations that

engineers and students should be aware of. Firstly, the superposition theorem is only

applicable to linear circuits, assuming that circuit elements exhibit a linear response to

voltage or current changes. In real-world scenarios, components may not always behave
 linearly, especially under extreme conditions. Secondly, it's limited to linear passive

components like resistors, capacitors, and inductors. Non-linear components such as

diodes, transistors, or operational amplifiers cannot be analyzed using superposition.

Thirdly, the theorem exclusively applies to circuits with multiple independent sources. It

doesn't work for circuits involving dependent or nonlinear sources. Additionally, for

circuits with numerous sources, superposition can become cumbersome and

mathematically complex. Analyzing each source separately and then combining results

may not be practical. Moreover, superposition isn't well-suited for directly calculating

power dissipation or other performance metrics; additional techniques are required for such

calculations.

5. Solution:

When 15 V and 10 A sources are turned off:

1 1 −1
➢ 𝑅𝑋′ = (2 + 1+3+4)

➢ = 1.6 Ω

1.6 Ω
➢ 𝑉𝑋′ = (10 𝑉) (2 Ω +1.6 Ω )

➢ 𝑉𝑋′ = 40⁄8 𝑉
When 10 V and 10 A sources are turned off:

➢ (3Ω + 4Ω + 1Ω) = 8 Ω

1 1 −1
➢ 𝑅𝑥′′ = (2 Ω + 2 Ω) =1Ω

1Ω
➢ 𝑉𝑥′′ = (15𝑉) (1 Ω +8 Ω) = 5⁄3 𝑉

When 10 V and 15 V sources are turned off:

4Ω +1Ω
➢ 𝐼 ′′′ = (10𝐴) (4Ω+1Ω+3Ω+1Ω ) = 5.56 𝐴

50 1 1 −1
➢ 𝑉 ′′′ = ( 9 𝐴) (2Ω + 2Ω) = 50⁄9 𝑉

➢ 𝑉𝑋 = 𝑉𝑋′ + 𝑉𝑋′′ + 𝑉𝑋′′′

40 5 50 35
➢ 𝑉𝑋 = 𝑉+3 𝑉+ 𝑉 ; 𝑉𝑋 = 𝑉 𝑜𝑟 17.67 𝑉
8 9 3
 6. Solution:

When 12 V source is turned off:

Mesh Analysis

➢ 2𝐼1′ − 11𝐼2′ + 5𝐼3′ = 0 …. Eq. 1

➢ 2𝐼1′ − 7𝐼2′ + 7𝐼3′ = 0 …. Eq. 2

➢ 𝐼1′ − 𝐼3′ = 7𝐴 …. Eq. 3

Solving for Currents

➢ 𝐼1′ = 5.88 𝐴

➢ 𝐼2′ = 0.56 𝐴

➢ 𝐼3′ = −1.12 𝐴

Solving for Vx’:

➢ 𝑉𝑋′ = 𝑅𝑋′ (𝐼2′ − 𝐼3′ )

➢ 𝑉𝑋′ = (5 Ω)(0.56 𝐴 + 1.12 𝐴)

➢ 𝑉𝑋′ = 8.4 𝑉

When 7 A source is turned off:

Solving for Vx’’:

5
➢ (−6.72 ) (7 ) = −4.8 𝑉

➢ 𝑉𝑋 = 𝑉𝑋′ + 𝑉𝑋′′

➢ 𝑉𝑋 = 8.4 𝑉 − 4.8 𝑉

➢ 𝑉𝑋 = 3.5 𝑉
Attachments: