Vietnam National Universities – HCMC

International University
School of Biomedical Engineering
Department of Medical Instrumentations

Principles of EE I Laboratory
BM054IU

Lab 4
Mesh and Nodal Analysis
of AC Circuits

Instructor:
Assoc. Prof. Pham Thi Thu Hien

Submitted by
Full name Student ID Contribution (%)

Ho Chi Minh City

Semester 1, 2023 - 2024
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 Vietnam National Universities – HCMC
International University
School of Biomedical Engineering
Department of Medical Instrumentations

1. Pre-lab
*You must provide all calculations in-details in separate sheets and/or simulation results
as attachments.
Theory
Question 1. What are Kirchhoff's Laws? How can we use these Laws to analyse AC
circuits using Node-voltage and Mesh-current method? Give an example for each method.
Question 2. What is the principle of Phase-shift Oscillators? Give an example of a simple
circuit to get the output voltage lagging 60 degrees with respect to the input voltage.
Question 3. Do the simulations of 3 experiments on Multisim live or download Multisim
here. (Multisim live AC circuits tutorial)
Experiment 1: Mesh-current Analysis
1. Using the Mesh-current technique calculate the mesh current I1 and I2 of the circuit
shown in Figure 1. Assume C1 = 0.01 μF, R1 = 22 kΩ, R2 = 10 kΩ, C2 = 0.01 μF, f =
500 Hz, V1 = 5 V, and V2 = 3.37 V lagging 46˚ with respect to V1. Express the results
in phasor form (i.e. magnitude and angle). Show all your calculations. Using the
calculated mesh current, calculated the voltage drop in each impedance (V Z1, VZ2, and
VZ3). Using these results complete Table 1 on the Laboratory Data Section.

+ - - +

Figure 1. AC network used in the mesh-current analysis.

2. Using Multisim, run a transient simulation (from 0 to 10 ms) of the circuit shown in
Figure I.
a. Plot on the same graph the input voltages V1 and V2. Make sure that the magnitudes
of V1 and V2 are correct (be careful with peak and peak-to-peak values) and that
V2 lags V1 by 46˚.
b. Plot on the same graph the input voltage V1 and the voltage across Z1. Using the
cursors of Probe, measure the magnitude and phase of the voltage drop across Z 1.
Use this value to complete Table 1.
c. Plot on the same graph the input voltage V1 and the voltage across Z2 and measure
the magnitude and phase of the voltage drop across Z2. Use this value to complete
Table 1.

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 Vietnam National Universities – HCMC
International University
School of Biomedical Engineering
Department of Medical Instrumentations

d. Plot on the same graph the input voltage V1 and the voltage across Z3 and measure
the magnitude and phase of the voltage drop across Z3. Use this value to complete
Table 1.
e. Plot on the same graph but under different y-axis the input voltage V1 and the mesh
currents I1 and I2. Measure the magnitude and phase of each mesh current. Use
these values to complete Table 1.
Experiment 2: Phase-shifting Network

Figure 2. AC network used in the Phase-shifting Network.

1. For the circuit presented in Figure 2, mathematically obtain the output voltage V2.
Express V2 in phasor form. Show all your calculations. Assume R3 = 330 Ω, C3 = 1μF,
f = 500 Hz, and V1 = 5 V.
2. Using Multisim, run a transient simulation (from 0 to 10 ms) for the circuit shown in
Figure 2. Plot on the same graph the input voltages V1 and output voltage V2. What is
the magnitude of V2? What is the phase difference between the input voltage V1 and
the output voltage V2? Express V2 in phasor form and compare with the output voltage
calculated in previous question.
Experiment 3: Node-voltage Analysis
Like DC circuits, node-voltage or nodal analysis of AC circuit is based on Kirchhoff’s
current law. The procedure for setting up and solving an AC circuit by the node-voltage
method is the same as that for DC circuits. Remember, that equations must be solved using
phasors and phasor algebra.

Figure 3. AC circuit used in the node-voltage analysis.

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 Vietnam National Universities – HCMC
International University
School of Biomedical Engineering
Department of Medical Instrumentations

1. Using the node-voltage method calculate the node voltages V11 and V22 of the circuit
presented in Figure 3 where R1 = 1 kΩ, C1 = 0.22 μF, R2 = 1 kΩ, C2 = 0.22 μF, R3 = 1
kΩ, f = 500 Hz, and V1 = 5 V. Express the results in phasor form. Show all your
calculations. Use these results to complete Table 2 on the Laboratory Data Section.
2. Run a transient simulation (from 0 to 10 ms) for the circuit shown in Figure 3.
a. Plot on the same graph the input voltage V1 and the node voltages V11 and V22.
Measure the magnitude and angle of the node voltages V11 and V22. Use these
results to complete Table 2 on the Laboratory data section.
b. Obtain the phasor form of the simulated node voltages V11 and V22. Compare them
with the phasor form of node voltages V11 and V22 calculated in 3 above.
2. Lab objectives
In this laboratory, you will investigate:
1. The AC mesh-current technique.
2. The AC node-voltage technique.
3. Generation of an AC source using a phase-shifting network.
3. Background information
The general approach to mesh analysis for independent sources includes the same sequence
of steps appearing in Lab 2. In fact, throughout this section the only change from the dc
coverage will be to substitute impedance for resistance and admittance for conductance in the
general procedure.
3.1. Mesh analysis for AC circuits.
The fundamental steps are the following:
• Assign a distinct current in the clockwise direction to each independent closed loop
of the network. It is not necessary to choose the clockwise direction for each loop
current. However, it eliminates the need to choose a direction for each application.
Any direction can be chosen for each loop current with no loss in accuracy as long as
the remaining steps are followed properly.
• Indicate the polarities within each loop for each impedance as determined by the
assumed direction of loop current for that loop.
• Apply Kirchhoff's voltage law around each closed loop in the clockwise direction.
Again, the clockwise direction was chosen to establish uniformity and to prepare us
for the format approach to follow.
o If an impedance has two or more assumed currents through it, the total current
through the impedance is the assumed current of the loop in which Kirchhoff's
Voltage Law is being applied, plus the assumed currents of the other loops passing
through in the same direction, minus the assumed currents passing through in the
opposite direction.

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 Vietnam National Universities – HCMC
International University
School of Biomedical Engineering
Department of Medical Instrumentations

o The polarity of a voltage source is unaffected by the direction of the assigned loop
currents.
• Solve the resulting simultaneous linear equations for the assumed loop currents.
3.2. Nodal analysis for AC circuits
The fundamental steps are the following:
• Determine the number of nodes within the network.
• Pick a reference node and label each remaining node with a subscripted value of
voltage: V1, V2, and so on.
• Apply Kirchhoff's current law at each node except the reference. Assume that all
unknown currents leave the node for each Kirchhoff's Current Law application.
• Solve the resulting equations for the nodal voltages.
4. List of Equipment and Components
No. Description Quantity
1 10 kΩ resistor 1
2 330 Ω resistor 1
3 22 kΩ resistor 1
4 1 kΩ resistor 3
5 100 Ω resistor – “testing” resistor 1
6 0.01uF capacitor 2
7 0.22uF capacitor 2
8 1uF capacitor 1
9 Breadboard 1
10 Function generator 1
11 Oscilloscope 1
12 Digital multimeter 1
13 Probes and connecting wires
5. Safety precautions (in case of any possible lab hazards)
• Make sure that the power has been switched off safely after using electrical equipment.
• If the power cannot be switched off, operate the device with just one hand. This will
stop a circuit from entering your heart, which might be fatal.
• Internal energy storage systems, such as capacitors, must be discharged.
• When handling high voltage, put on insulating gloves made of leather, strong cotton,
or rubber.

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 Vietnam National Universities – HCMC
International University
School of Biomedical Engineering
Department of Medical Instrumentations

• When dealing with electrical devices, only use tools and equipment with non-
conducting handles.
• Never make wire changes while the circuit is connected to a power source.
• Never plug leads into power source unless they are connected to an established circuit.
• Avoid using moist hands or other wet objects to interact with circuits.
• Verify that circuits are properly grounded in relation to the power source.
• Avoid using extremely flammable substances close to electrical equipment.
• Before turning on the power, double check circuits for good connections and polarity.
When wiring components into a circuit, especially electrolytic capacitors, always
observe polarity.
• Before conducting a measurement, double-check that the test instruments are set for the
correct function and range.
6. Experimental procedure
*Using DMM, check the value of electronic components before starting the experiment.
6.1. Mesh-current Analysis and Phase-shifting Network
Step 1. Construct the AC circuit shown in Figure 4 below.

Figure 4. AC network used in the Phase-shifting Network.

Step 2. Supply a sinusoidal power source of 5V amplitude (Vp) and frequency of 500Hz
to the circuit using a Function Generator. Using the oscilloscope, connect Channel 1 across the
input voltage source V1 and Channel 2 across the output V2. Measure V2 magnitude and phase.
V2 in polar form: ……… ∠ ………
When setting up a laboratory procedure to verify the mesh-current analysis, it is not
practical to use two different signal generators in the same circuit. Remember that phasor
algebra is based on the assumption that all currents and voltages have an identical frequency.
However, a signal generator tends to have frequency drift (i.e. the output frequency of the
generator changes with time); therefore, it is not possible for two generator to produce exactly
the same frequency over a long period of time (such as the circuit in Figure 1). In order to
overcome this, we ‘simulate’ a second source using a phase-shifting network delay. The circuit
shown in Figure 1 is practically implemented as shown in Figure 5.

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 Vietnam National Universities – HCMC
International University
School of Biomedical Engineering
Department of Medical Instrumentations

Step 3. Construct the AC circuit shown in Figure 5. Supply a sinusoidal power source of
5V amplitude (Vp) and frequency of 500Hz to the circuit using a Function Generator.

+
+ Z1 - Z2
-
- Z3 +

Figure 5. Practical implementation of the circuit shown in Figure 1.

Using Oscilloscope to measure Step 4 to 8 and fill the Table 1. All the answer should
be in the polar form.
Step 4. Measure the input voltages V1 and V2. Make sure that the amplitudes of V1 and V2
are correct and that V2 lags V1 by 46˚(be careful with peak and peak-to-peak values).
Step 5. Use channel 1 to measure the input voltage V1. Use channel 2 to measure the
magnitude and phase of the voltage dropping across Z2.
Step 6. To measure voltage dropping across Z1, keep the probes for channels 1 and 2 in
the same position in step 5. Select the “Menu” button next to “Ch2” and slect “Ch1-Ch2” mode
on the Oscilloscope. This will give you the voltage dropping across Z1.
Step 7. To measure voltage dropping across Z3, connect channel 1 of the oscilloscope to
V2 and channel 2 to Z2. Select the “Menu” button next to “Ch2” and slect “Ch1-Ch2” mode on
the Oscilloscope. This will give you the amplitude voltage dropping across Z3. To identify the
phase of VZ3, take the phase of Ch1 compared to Ch2 + phase shift of V2 (in step 2).
Step 8. Use channel 1 to measure the input voltage V1. Use channel 2, a differential voltage
probe and a “testing” resistor to mearsure the mesh current I1 and I2.
Table 1. Mesh-current Analysis
Theoretical Simulated Measured
VZ1

VZ2

VZ3

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 Vietnam National Universities – HCMC
International University
School of Biomedical Engineering
Department of Medical Instrumentations

I1

I2
6.2. Node-voltage Analysis
Step 1. Construct the AC circuit shown in Figure 6 below.

Figure 6. AC circuit used in the Node-voltage Analysis

Step 2. Use a Function Generator to create a sinusoidal waveform with a frequency of 500
Hz and a voltage of 5Vp. Using the oscilloscope, connect Channel 1 to measure the input
voltage source V1 and Channel 2 to measure respectively V11 and V22. Write the answer in
polar form.
Table 2. Node-voltage Analysis
Theoretical Simulated Measured
V11

V22

7. Clean-up
Each group is responsible for their Lab bench. After the Lab exercise is over, all
equipment should be powered down and all probes, cords, etc. returned to their proper position.
Do not cut and drop wires on the Lab bench. Lose cut wires have caused many short circuits.
Your Lab grade will be affected if your bench is not tidy when you leave the Lab.
8. Discussion
Compare the errors between theoretical and simulated values, theoretical and measured
values, and simulated and measured values in each experiment.
9. Manual information
• This manual is developed by:
o Assoc. Prof. Pham Thi Thu Hien, Instrutor
o M.S. Nguyen Le Y, Lab Technician
o Ngo Minh Khoi, Teaching assistant
• Last updated: Semester 1, 2023-2024