1. EENG 2610: Circuit Analysis Class 4: Nodal Analysis
Oluwayomi Adamo
Department of Electrical Engineering
College of Engineering, University of North Texas

2. Nodal Analysis
Nodal analysis is a systematic method to calculate all currents and voltages in circuits that contain multiple nodes and loops.
In nodal analysis the variables in the circuit are selected to be the node voltages. All other unknown variables are expressed in terms of node voltages.
One node is selected as reference node and all other node voltages are defined with respect to the reference node
This node is called ground, symbol:

3. Nodal Analysis
In nodal analysis, we employ KCL equations in such a way that the variables contained in these equations are unknown node voltages of the network.
One of the nodes in an N-node circuit is selected as the reference node, and node voltage at the remaining N-1 non-reference nodes are defined with respect to this reference node.
Exactly N-1 linearly independent KCL equations are needed to determine the N-1 unknown node voltages, which means
Once reference node is selected, our task is to identify remaining N-1 nodes and write one KCL equation for each of the nodes.

4. Circuits Containing only Independent Current Sources
Apply KCL and Ohm’s Law
Write N-1 linearly independent KCL equations
Three techniques to solve simultaneous equations
Gaussian elimination
Matrix analysis
Matlab software or calculator

5. Example 3.1: Determine node voltages and branch currents.

6. Circuits Containing Dependent Current Sources
Write KCL nodal equations using dependent sources as regular sources.
For each dependent source we add one equation expressing the controlling variable in terms of the node voltages
Example 3.3: Find io using nodal analysis.

7. Circuits Containing Independent Voltage Sources
Example 3.5: Determine node voltages

8. Super-node Example 3.6: Find currents in resistors
We do not apply KCL at any node – even the reference node – that contains an independent voltage source.

9. Circuits Containing Dependent Voltage Sources
Example 3.10: Determine voltage VO V1 V3 V2 V4

10. Problem Solving Strategy for Nodal Analysis
Step 1: Define node voltages
First, select one node in the N-node circuit as the reference node, or ground node.
Then, define (N - 1) node voltages with respect to the reference node.
Step 2: If current sources are present
If only independent current sources are present:
Write KCL equations for (N - 1) non-reference nodes.
If dependent current sources are present:
First, write KCL equations for (N – 1) non-reference nodes.
Then, write control equations for dependent current sources.
Step 3:
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11. Step 3: If voltage sources are present
If voltage sources are connected between reference node and a non-reference node
If the source is an independent voltage source, the voltage at the non-reference node is known, determined by the source.
If the source is a dependent voltage source, treat it as independent source when writing KCL equation, but add a control equation for the dependent source.
If voltage sources are connected between two non-reference nodes, we don’t write KCL for these two nodes, instead,
If the source is independent voltage source,
Since the voltage between two nodes is constrained by the voltage source, write a constraint equation to describe this relation.
The surface of the network described by the constraint equation is called super-node. Write a KCL equation for this super-node.
If the source is dependent voltage source,
The source is treated as independent voltage source by writing a constraint equation and a KCL equation for the super-node.
In addition, add a control equation for the dependent source.