Circuits Question Node Voltage Method

In summary, the conversation involves a student struggling to find the power in a circuit and using the node voltage method to solve for the node voltages. They encounter difficulty in finding the correct answer and receive help from others to check their work. They eventually realize their mistake and successfully find the power in the circuit.
  • #1
GreenPrint
1,196
0

Homework Statement



I'm having problems finding the power.

I should my work to get the node voltages. Apparently they are correct. I showed how I got to those answers as well just in case they were wrong but I don't think they are.

http://img547.imageshack.us/img547/8812/capturebu.png

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution



I see from the reference node, which is at a potential of zero, that node 1 is 8 volts higher so...

[itex]V_{1} = 8[/itex]

I then write the equations for the rest of the nodes

[itex]\frac{V_{2} - 8}{3} + \frac{V_{2} - 3 - V_{4}}{4} + \frac{V_{2} - V_{3}}{2} = 0[/itex]
[itex]\frac{V_{3} - V_{2}}{2} + \frac{V_{3}}{1} + \frac{v_{3} - 6 - V{4}}{3} = 0[/itex]
[itex]\frac{V_{4} + 3 - V(2)}{4} + \frac{V_{4} + 6 - V{3}}{3} + \frac{V_{4} - V{5}}{2} = 0[/itex]
[itex]\frac{V_{5} - V{4}}{2} + 2 - 3 = 0[/itex]

I than simplify these equations

[itex](\frac{1}{3} + \frac{1}{4} + \frac{1}{2})V_{2} - \frac{1}{2}V_{3} - \frac{1}{4}V_{4} = -( -\frac{8}{3} - \frac{3}{4})[/itex]
[itex]-\frac{1}{2}V_{2} + (\frac{1}{2} + 1 + \frac{1}{3})V_{3} - \frac{1}{3}V_{4} = -(-\frac{6}{3})[/itex]
[itex]-\frac{1}{4}V_{2} - \frac{1}{3}V_{3} + (\frac{1}{4} + \frac{1}{3} + \frac{1}{2})V_{4} - \frac{1}{2}V_{5} = -(\frac{3}{4} + \frac{6}{3})[/itex]
[itex]0V_{2} + 0V_{3} - \frac{1}{2}V_{4} + \frac{1}{2}V_{5} = -(2-3)[/itex]

I than simplify these equations further

[itex]\frac{13}{12}V_{2} - \frac{1}{2}V_{3} - \frac{1}{4}V_{4} + 0V_{5} = \frac{41}{12}[/itex]
[itex]-\frac{1}{2}V_{2} + \frac{11}{6}V_{3} - \frac{1}{3}V_{4} + 0V_{5} = 2[/itex]
[itex]-\frac{1}{4}V_{2} - \frac{1}{3}V_{3} + \frac{13}{12}V_{4} - \frac{1}{2}V_{5} = -\frac{11}{4}[/itex]
[itex]0V_{2} + 0V_{3} - \frac{1}{2}V_{4} + \frac{1}{2}V_{5} = 1[/itex]

I than define matrix A to be

[itex]\frac{13}{12} -\frac{1}{2} -\frac{1}{4} 0[/itex]
[itex]-\frac{1}{2} \frac{11}{6} -\frac{1}{3} 0[/itex]
[itex]-\frac{1}{4} -\frac{1}{3} \frac{13}{12} -\frac{1}{2}[/itex]
[itex]0 0 -\frac{1}{2} \frac{1}{2}[/itex]

I than define matrix B to be

[itex]\frac{41}{12}[/itex]
[itex]2[/itex]
[itex]-\frac{11}{4}[/itex]
[itex]1[/itex]

I than do

[itex]C = A^{-1}B[/itex]
C = 4.22
2.26
.1
2.1

So

[itex]V_{1} = 8[/itex]
[itex]V_{2} = 4.22[/itex]
[itex]V_{3} = 2.26[/itex]
[itex]V_{4} = .1[/itex]
[itex]V_{5} = 2.1[/itex]

Then

[itex]I_{x} = \frac{V{2} - V_{1}}{3} = \frac{4.22 - 8}{3} = -1.26[/itex]
[itex]I_{y} = \frac{V_{3}}{1} = 2.26[/itex]
[itex]I_{z} = \frac{V_{4} - V_{5}}{2} = \frac{.1-2.1}{2} = -1[/itex]

The answer key says

[itex]I_{x} = -1.26[/itex]
[itex]I_{y} = 2.26[/itex]
[itex]I_{z} = -1[/itex]


So I guess I'm close within round off error

However for

[itex]P_{6V} = IV = \frac{V_{3}-V_{4}}{3}6 = \frac{2.26 - .1 - 6}{3}6 = -7.68[/itex]

The answer key says

[itex]P_{6V} = (-1.28)(6) = -7.68[/itex]

The answer key used the mesh current method. I don't like the mesh current method and try to use the node voltage method always. Either way I should still get the same answer which I don't. I'm not exactly sure why I don't. Thanks for any help.
 
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  • #2
GreenPrint said:

Homework Statement



I'm having problems finding the power.

I should my work to get the node voltages. Apparently they are correct. I showed how I got to those answers as well just in case they were wrong but I don't think they are.

http://img547.imageshack.us/img547/8812/capturebu.png

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



I see from the reference node, which is at a potential of zero, that node 1 is 8 volts higher so...

[itex]V_{1} = 8[/itex]

I then write the equations for the rest of the nodes

[itex]\frac{V_{2} - 8}{3} + \frac{V_{2} - 3 - V_{4}}{4} + \frac{V_{2} - V_{3}}{2} = 0[/itex]
[itex]\frac{V_{3} - V_{2}}{2} + \frac{V_{3}}{1} + \frac{v_{3} - 6 - V{4}}{3} = 0[/itex]
[itex]\frac{V_{4} + 3 - V(2)}{4} + \frac{V_{4} + 6 - V{3}}{3} + \frac{V_{4} - V{5}}{2} = 0[/itex]
[itex]\frac{V_{5} - V{4}}{2} + 2 - 3 = 0[/itex]

I than simplify these equations

[itex](\frac{1}{3} + \frac{1}{4} + \frac{1}{2})V_{2} - \frac{1}{2}V_{3} - \frac{1}{4}V_{4} = -( -\frac{8}{3} - \frac{3}{4})[/itex]
[itex]-\frac{1}{2}V_{2} + (\frac{1}{2} + 1 + \frac{1}{3})V_{3} - \frac{1}{3}V_{4} = -(-\frac{6}{3})[/itex]
[itex]-\frac{1}{4}V_{2} - \frac{1}{3}V_{3} + (\frac{1}{4} + \frac{1}{3} + \frac{1}{2})V_{4} - \frac{1}{2}V_{5} = -(\frac{3}{4} + \frac{6}{3})[/itex]
[itex]0V_{2} + 0V_{3} - \frac{1}{2}V_{4} + \frac{1}{2}V_{5} = -(2-3)[/itex]

I than simplify these equations further

[itex]\frac{13}{12}V_{2} - \frac{1}{2}V_{3} - \frac{1}{4}V_{4} + 0V_{5} = \frac{41}{12}[/itex]
[itex]-\frac{1}{2}V_{2} + \frac{11}{6}V_{3} - \frac{1}{3}V_{4} + 0V_{5} = 2[/itex]
[itex]-\frac{1}{4}V_{2} - \frac{1}{3}V_{3} + \frac{13}{4}V_{4} - \frac{1}{2}V_{5} = -\frac{11}{4}[/itex]
Recheck the coefficient for V4 in the above equation. Everything else looks okay to this point.
 
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  • #3
Never mind I figured it out
 
  • #4
Oh. For the final answer for the power. I forgot to subtract 6

((2.236-6-.016)/3)6 = -7.56

let me check the coeffecent for V4
 
  • #5
ok i got it thanks
 

FAQ: Circuits Question Node Voltage Method

1. What is the Node Voltage Method?

The Node Voltage Method is a technique used in circuit analysis to determine the voltage at each node in a circuit. It involves setting up a system of equations using Kirchoff's Current Law (KCL) and solving for the unknown node voltages.

2. How is the Node Voltage Method different from other circuit analysis methods?

The Node Voltage Method is different from other methods, such as the Mesh Current Method, because it is based on the concept of nodal analysis, which focuses on the voltages at individual nodes rather than the current flow through individual elements. It is also more efficient for solving circuits with multiple voltage sources.

3. What are the steps for using the Node Voltage Method?

The steps for using the Node Voltage Method are as follows:
1. Identify and label all nodes in the circuit.
2. Select a reference node and assign it a voltage of 0.
3. Write KCL equations for each non-reference node, using the unknown node voltages and known current sources.
4. Solve the resulting system of equations to determine the node voltages.
5. Use Ohm's Law to find any desired currents or voltages in the circuit.

4. What are the limitations of the Node Voltage Method?

The Node Voltage Method may not be suitable for solving circuits with non-linear elements, such as diodes or transistors. It also relies on the assumption that all currents are flowing into or out of a node, which may not always be the case in more complex circuits. Additionally, it may become more tedious and time-consuming to solve circuits with a large number of nodes.

5. Can the Node Voltage Method be used for circuits with multiple voltage sources?

Yes, the Node Voltage Method can be used for circuits with multiple voltage sources. However, in these cases, it is important to use the superposition principle to analyze each source individually and combine the results to find the final node voltages. This involves turning off all other voltage sources while analyzing one source at a time and considering the effects of each source on the final solution.

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