Circuit Analysis For Dummies

Chapter 6

Getting in the Loop on Mesh Current Equations

In This Chapter

Describing mesh currents

Applying Kirchhoff’s voltage laws (KVL) to mesh-current analysis

Analyzing a couple of circuits

Mesh-current analysis (also known as loop-current analysis) can help reduce the number of equations you need to solve simultaneously when dealing with circuits that have many devices connected in multiple loops. This method is nothing but Kirchhoff’s voltage law adapted for circuits with unique configurations.

In this chapter, I explain how to recognize meshes and assign mesh currents in order to calculate device currents and voltages.

Windowpanes: Looking at Meshes and Mesh Currents

To understand how mesh-current analysis works its magic, you need to know what a mesh is. Meshes occur in planar circuits — circuits that are drawn in a single plane or flat surface, without crossovers. The single plane is divided into a number of distinct areas, each of which looks like a windowpane, and the boundary of each windowpane is called a mesh of the circuit. The mesh can’t enclose any devices — devices must fall on the boundary of the loop.

A mesh current is the current flowing around a mesh of the ...