Can any circuit with multiple voltage sources be solved without superposition?

Join the discussion
Registration is free. Ask a follow-up in this thread, or start your own.
2 replies · 2K views
CC4
Messages
3
Reaction score
1
TL;DR
When, if ever, is it necessary to use the superposition principle in order to solve a circuit?
When, if ever, is it necessary to use the superposition principle in order to solve a circuit?

Can any circuit with multiple independent voltage sources be solved without superposition?
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
Welcome to PF.
Superposition can be applied only to linear systems. It cannot be applied to systems that have non-linear resistance, or that generate harmonic distortion.

CC4 said:
When, if ever, is it necessary to use the superposition principle in order to solve a circuit?

Can any circuit with multiple independent voltage sources be solved without superposition?
Superposition is implicit in the application of Kirchhoff's current and voltage laws to any circuit where voltages are added in series, or currents merge or separate at a node.
 
Reply
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: anorlunda and hutchphd