loop mesh analysis

Thread Starter

lemon

Joined Jan 28, 2010
125
Hi:
I have the attached circuit to analyse using Loop and Mesh analysis.
I think I am ok with this method when all components are resistors, but in this circuit there are also a capacitor and an inductor. Do I just continue with the analysis as normal, ignoring the non-resitor components, or do I need to account for them in some way?
thanks
 

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thatoneguy

Joined Feb 19, 2009
6,359
You need to account for them.

You also need to account for time

Assuming the sources are DC, which they are marked as,
Call the point at which the power goes on as t=0

At t=0, the inductor will look like an open circuit, and the capacitor will look like a short circuit.

at t >> 0 the inductor will appear as a short circuit, and the capacitor will look like an open circuit.
 

steveb

Joined Jul 3, 2008
2,436
The thing is, it's not clear what the exact question is. The problem is vague as stated. The voltage sources seem to be written as batteries, which implies DC. Also, there is no switch to indicate that the battery voltages are switched in.

If the problem is asking for the DC solution, then the method is to leave all capacitors open and to short all coils. Then solve in the normal way for resistors.
 

Thread Starter

lemon

Joined Jan 28, 2010
125
I'm totally lost by this. I'm only just learning the standard loop mesh analysis with resistors. Could somebody direct me to the pages where I can study this method with circuits like the one above please?

@SteveB
What facts would you need to make this problem clear SteveB?
 
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steveb

Joined Jul 3, 2008
2,436
@SteveB
What facts would you need to make this problem clear SteveB?
You haven't clearly defined the problem to us, and perhaps not even to yourself.

Are you trying to do a DC solution? If so, the method I mentioned is correct and simple, and uses techniques you already know.

Are you trying to solve a transient solution where the batteries are switched in? if so, thatoneguy is giving you the correct gist of it, and we can direct you to more formal theory on that method.

Or, maybe your DC voltages are mislabeled and they are supposed to be AC sources with given frequency? If so, that would be a different approach (called phasor analysis).

Basically, before you can find an answer, you have to know the question. Also, in order for us to help properly, you have to inform us of the constraints of the question.

My gut feeling is that the first case is the one of interest, but you need to confirm it, as this is just a guess on my part. If that is true, then the coils are capacitors are inserted to give you a new twist to your method of finding DC solutions. You need to know that caps are like opens and coils are like shorts; so, you are basically replacing these components with equivalent resistance.
 

thatoneguy

Joined Feb 19, 2009
6,359
Assuming DC Analysis (t>>0) [time is much greater than zero, and a steady state has been reached]

The inductor is just more wire with resistance of 0Ω, and the capacitor would be completely erased.

You could then solve for currents from the various voltage sources, assuming the inductor is a short circuit and there is nothing where the capacitor is shown.

Assuming Transient analysis:

It gets fairly difficult, so if you haven't been shown how to calculate transient or AC analysis in class, assume DC analysis.
 

Thread Starter

lemon

Joined Jan 28, 2010
125
I don't see how that would happen. If I remove the capacitor, I can see that maybe loop 2 will disappear. But then there are two voltage sources which would make it impossible to put the results in matrix form.

So if I do the analysis using the same technique as before and loop 2 goes, I get: Please see attached image
 

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Thread Starter

lemon

Joined Jan 28, 2010
125
Actually, I should have shown the file which our tutor gave us. He stated that the file 'CY2B9 Electronics Tutorials Autumn 2011 v4' is a guide for the questions in the Assignment CY2B9 Assignment v8. Both these files can be found here: https://public.me.com/defunktlemon

He said:

Ignoring the first 4 pages , hand-written tutorial questions/model answers are numbered from 1 to 23.

Assignment Q1 has Examples 1-4. But to be honest I'm having difficulty seeing the relationships as none of these circuits are RLC.

If anyone had time and patients please help and advise on this.
thank you.
 

Thread Starter

lemon

Joined Jan 28, 2010
125
Hi:
Actually I may have confused things here. The question didn't ask me to perform loop-mesh analysis. The question only stated:

For the network shown in Figure Q1-1, perform the loop analysis. But that probably means the same thing right.

If so, If I assume it is a DC network and leave all capacitors open and to short all coils. Then solve in the normal way for resistors, I will only have two loop currents and the question seems to be asking for 3. Would I just assume, therefore, that i2 and i3 are equal?
 

thatoneguy

Joined Feb 19, 2009
6,359
That is correct, after seeing redrawn, had a brain fart moment.

It should solve fine if you have the voltages, treat the inductor as a piece of wire, the same way you totally erased the cap.
 

Thread Starter

lemon

Joined Jan 28, 2010
125
ok- I have a reply from my query to my tutor. He said, all that is required to do is: Please first draw the corresponding current loops and write the corresponding expressions for them assuming voltage drops across the elements
 

Thread Starter

lemon

Joined Jan 28, 2010
125
so - based upon what I have drawn last
and what my tutor has said
should i take it that the drawing is correct, except I should delete the inductor, and i should now write the corresponding expressions for them assuming voltage drops across the elements?
 
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