Determine the currents in this electrical network

Join the discussion
Registration is free. Ask a follow-up in this thread, or start your own.
3 replies · 2K views
Edge Of Pain
Messages
21
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


This is quite an easy problem but I'm not sure if I set up my equations correctly, and I want confirmation.

We are given the following circuit:

attachment.php?attachmentid=467003&d=1443975912.png


And our task is to determine the loop currents [itex]i_{1}, i_{2}, i_{3}, i_{4}[/itex].

Homework Equations



Kirchhoff's first law: sum of currents entering and leaving a loop = 0.
Kirchhoff's second law: sum of electromotive forces = sum of potential difference of loop.
Ohm's law: V = IR.

The Attempt at a Solution


Just apply Kirchoff's laws and Ohm's laws to get the following:

loop 1:
[itex]50(i_{1} - i_{2}) + 30(i_{1} - i_{3}) = 120V[/itex]

loop 2:
[itex]50(i_{2} - i_{1}) + 15i_{2} + 10(i_{2} - i_{3}) + 25(i_{2} - i_{4}) = 120V[/itex]

loop 3:
[itex]30(i_{3} - i_{1}) + 10(i_{3} - i_{2}) + 20(i_{3} - i_{4}) + 5i_{3} = 120V[/itex]

loop 4:
[itex]25(i_{4} - i_{2}) + 10i_{4} + 30i_{4} + 15i_{4} + 20(i_{4} - i_{3}) = 120V[/itex]

I'm not concerned about finding the numerical values, I'm just wondering if I've set these equations up correctly. Are some of these supposed to be -120 volts on the right hand side? If so, how do I determine that?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Only one loop has voltage sources in it, and that's Loop 1. So the RHS of all but the first equation should be zero.

Now, you'll want to be a bit careful about the voltage in Loop 1. Note that one lead is labeled +120 V and the other -120 V. How do you think that might come about? Pencil in what the "missing" circuitry might look like.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Edge Of Pain
gneill said:
Only one loop has voltage sources in it, and that's Loop 1. So the RHS of all but the first equation should be zero.

Now, you'll want to be a bit careful about the voltage in Loop 1. Note that one lead is labeled +120 V and the other -120 V. How do you think that might come about? Pencil in what the "missing" circuitry might look like.

In that case, RHS of all the equations should be 0 except for loop 1 which should be 240V (potential difference). Is that correct?
 
Edge Of Pain said:
In that case, RHS of all the equations should be 0 except for loop 1 which should be 240V (potential difference). Is that correct?
Yup. Be sure to get its polarity right in your equation.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Edge Of Pain