DC Network and DC network Analysis

DC Network Analysis: An Electronic DC Network is a circuit of interconnected electronic components such as energy source , conductors and energy converters.

Fig 1 contains: 4 components named”R1″ ,”R2″ , “R3” and “V” , One Loop or Mesh named “I” and four nodes named 1, 2, 3 and 4, And it is a single mesh network because it contains only one current loop. Where Fig 2 contains 5 Components named “R1”, “R2”, “R3”, “R4”, “V”. Three Loops or Mesh named “I1”, “I2”, “I3” and six nodes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. And it is a multi mesh network because it contains multiple current loops.

Single and Multi Mesh Network:

A circuit or Network might contain a single closed path or multiple closed paths called Mesh or Loop.

In a single mesh network the same current flows through all the components. But in a multi mesh network various value of current flows through various components.

single mesh network for DC network Analysis
Fig 1: single mesh network
multi mesh network DC network Analysis
Fig 2: multi mesh network

DC Network Analysis:

It is fairly easy to solve a single mesh network. Current and Voltage through each components and nodes in a single mesh network is easy to calculate using basic electronics laws like Ohm’s Law. But a multi mesh network is not easily solvable by using basic electronics laws and formulas , Thus a special analysis should be done on multi mesh networks to solve for current and voltage through each components and nodes which is called DC Network Analysis.

Various laws like Kirchhoff’s laws techniques like nodal analysis, loop current etc and theorems like Norton’s theorem , Thevenin’s theorem etc. are used in DC Network Analysis. In general there are two methods of DC Network Analysis:

Direct Method of DC network Analysis:

In this method the network is analysed as it is; in it’s original form to determine the different voltages and currents through different components and nodes. Direct Method can be used to solve simple networks. Some of the direct methods of network analysis are: Kirchhoff’s Law. Loop analysis, Nodal analysis, superposition theorem, compensation theorem, reciprocity theorem etc.

Network Reduction Method:

In Network Reduction method the original network is converted into a much simpler equivalent circuit for solving different quantities easily. This method can be used to solve complex networks which cannot be solved using direct method. Some of the network reduction methods of network analysis are: Star/Delta Conversion, Thevenin’s theorem, Norton’s theorem etc.