BeginnerTopic 27 of 106Electrical Engineering

Mesh-current analysis

Apply KVL around loops to solve for loop currents.

In depth

Assign a circulating current to each independent loop and write KVL around it. Current sources need supermeshes. Efficient for circuits with many series elements. Planar circuits only.

Key points

  • Number of meshes = branches-nodes+1
  • Impedance matrix
  • Use consistent directions
Example

A two-mesh bridge circuit is solved with two equations.

Why it matters

Mesh analysis suits circuits with several voltage sources arranged in loops, and it is used for power and motor circuits.

Where this is used

  • Solving the loop currents in a circuit with two batteries.
  • Finding the current in a transformer model with coupled loops.
  • Analysing a mains circuit with several sources in series.

Frequently asked questions

What is Mesh-current analysis?

Apply KVL around loops to solve for loop currents.

Why is it important to understand mesh-current analysis?

Mesh analysis suits circuits with several voltage sources arranged in loops, and it is used for power and motor circuits.

When should I use mesh instead of node analysis?

Mesh analysis suits circuits with many voltage sources in series. Node analysis suits circuits with many current sources in parallel.

What is a mesh?

A loop that contains no other loop inside it, which is the basic unit for choosing loop currents in a planar circuit.

How is Mesh-current analysis used in practice?

Typical applications include solving the loop currents in a circuit with two batteries, finding the current in a transformer model with coupled loops and analysing a mains circuit with several sources in series.

What should I learn before Mesh-current analysis?

Study "Node-voltage analysis" first (topic 26 of 106 in Electrical Engineering). It covers the groundwork this topic builds on.

What are the key points of Mesh-current analysis?

Number of meshes = branches-nodes+1. Impedance matrix. Use consistent directions.

Can you give an example of Mesh-current analysis?

A two-mesh bridge circuit is solved with two equations.

What comes after Mesh-current analysis?

The next topic is "Superposition theorem", which builds directly on this one.

How difficult is Mesh-current analysis?

It is classed as Beginner in Electrical Engineering (topic 27 of 106). It is an entry-level topic. It relies only on basic school mathematics and the ideas introduced earlier in this discipline.

Learning path

Want to practise? Open the interactive course for quick checks, quizzes, simulations and progress tracking.

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