A presentation on describe the concepts of

Super-node and Super-mesh for network

analysis.
 Objective
Supernode analysis :- a technique used in electrical circuit analysis to simplify the process of solving circuits with voltage
sources between non-reference nodes. The objective of supernode analysis is to reduce the number of equations required to solve
the circuit by combining two non-reference nodes into a single node, called a supernode .
The following are the steps involved in supernode analysis:
1.Identify the total number of nodes in the circuit.
2.Select one node as the reference node and assign it a ground potential of zero volts.
3.Assign voltage designations to the non-reference nodes.
4.Check for supernodes.
5.Develop the KCL equations for each non-reference node.
6.Solve the equations to find the unknown node voltages.
Supernode analysis can be used to solve circuits with voltage sources between non-reference nodes more efficiently than nodal
analysis .
Supermesh analysis :- a technique used in electrical circuit analysis to simplify the process of solving circuits with current
sources between non-reference nodes. The objective of supermesh analysis is to reduce the number of equations required to solve
the circuit by combining two meshes into a single mesh.
The following are the steps involved in supermesh analysis:
1.Identify the total number of meshes in the circuit.
2.Assign mesh currents to each mesh and check for supermeshes.
3.Develop the KVL equations for each mesh and supermesh.
4.Solve the equations to find the unknown mesh currents.
Supermesh analysis is used to solve circuits with current sources between non-reference nodes more efficiently than mesh
analysis.
 INTRODUCTION

When two or more sources are present in a network, and they are connected in such a way that they are not mutually
in series or in parallel, special network solution methods like mesh analysis or nodal analysis must be employed. The
application of these two techniques being described earlier for Direct Current networks, they are well applied in
Alternating Current network analysis too. The difference is that in Alternating Current application the complex
numbers (i.e., impedances) are used as the coefficients of the equations (instead of real numbers i.e., resistances as
done in Direct Current applications) and the variables (like currents and voltages) have phasors instead of scalar
voltage or currents.
In addition to application of mesh or nodal analysis in Alternating Current networks, application of network theorems
like Thevenin's theorem, Norton theorem, superposition theorem, Millman's theorem, Reciprocity theorem and
Maximum Power Transfer theorems are also shown in this chapter in steady state conditions. Since the discussion of
theoretical aspects have been well covered in the chapter showing their Direct Current applications, hence in
theoretical discussions regarding these theorems here, only the variations required in Alternating Current application
are considered.
Supernode Analysis in Network theory
The two nonreference nodes form supernode if the voltage source (dependent or independent) is connected between
two nonreference nodes. As shown below in Figure 1, 1 V voltage source is connected between nodes 1 and 2, so
node 1 and node 2 forms supernode.

Procedure (steps) for applying Nodal Analysis: –

1.Identify the total number of nodes.
2.One node selected as reference node, and it is assigned to have ground (zero) potential and the remaining nodes
called as nonreference node and we assign voltage designations to nonreference nodes. And at last check for
supernode.
3.Develop the KCL equations for each nonreference node.
4.Solve the equations to find the unknown node voltages.
Note:- Apply both KCL and KVL to determine the node voltages.
Example:
For the given network, find nodal voltages V1 and V2.

Solution:
As shown in the above Figure, given in the question, 1 V voltage source is connected between nodes 1 and 2, so node
1 and node 2 forms supernode. Thus this problem is based on supernode.
Step 1: – The total number of nodes is 3.
Step 2: – Node 0 is selected as reference node and it is assigned to have ground (zero) potential. The remaining node
1 and node 2 are considered as non-reference node shown in Figure 1. Here, node 1 and node 2 forms supernode.
Step 3 and Step 4: – Apply both KCL and KVL to determine the node voltages.
 Apply KCL to supernode as shown in Figure 2,
2+(V1–0)1+(V2–0)1+(V2–2)1=0
V1+2V2=0 ……(1)
Apply KVL to the loop having current I as shown in Figure 2,
–V1–1+V2=0
V1–V2=1 ……(2)
Put Eq.(2) in Eq.(1), we get
3V2+1=0
V2=–13 V
From Eq.(1),
V1+2V2=0
V1+2(–13)=0
V1=23 V.
Supermesh Analysis in Network theory
A super mesh forms when two meshes have a common current source (dependent or independent). Consider a circuit
as shown below in Figure 1 in which the current source branch is common between meshes 1 and 2 so remove the
current source branch and super mesh forms as shown in Figure 2.

Procedure (steps) for applying mesh analysis:

1.Identify the total number of meshes.
2.Assign the mesh currents and check for super mesh in the circuit.
3.If super mesh found, develop the KVL equation for it.
4.Solve the equations to find the mesh currents.
Example:
For the given network, find current I using Mesh analysis.

Solution:
As shown above, Figure is given in example 1, 2 A current source is connected between meshes 1 and 2 so this
problem is based on supermesh.
Step 1: – The total number of meshes is 2.
Step 2: – Let us assign mesh currents I1 and I2 for meshes 1 and 2 respectively as shown in Figure 1. As shown in
Figure 1, 2 A current source should be removed from the circuit because 2 A current source is connected between
meshes 1 and 2.

Figure 1.
Step 3: – The reduced circuit having supermesh shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2.

Apply KVL to supermesh

– 4 + I1+I2+2=0 From Equation (1) ,
I1+I2=2 ….(1) I1+I2=2
Apply KCL to node 0, Put equation (3) in equation (1), we get
I2–I1=2 0+I2=2
I2=I1+2 ….(2) I2=2
Put equation (2) in equation (1), we get also
I1+I1+2=2 I=I2
2I1+2=2 Therefore,
I1=0 A ….(3) I=2 A.
 Conclusion

Super-node and Super-mesh are two techniques used in circuit analysis to simplify complex circuits. They are helpful
in solving circuits that have multiple voltage sources or current sources and involve both series and parallel
combinations of electric component.

A super mesh forms when two meshes have a common current source (dependent or independent) . A super mesh can
be used to solve a circuit by developing the KVL equation for it .

A super node is a theoretical construct that can be used to solve a circuit. This is done by viewing a voltage source on
a wire as a point source voltage in relation to other point voltages located at various nodes in the circuit, relative to a
ground node assigned a zero or negative charge
 Reference
Books
1. Networks and Systems, D. Roy Chowdhury, New Age International Publishers
2. Network Analysis and Synthesis, C.L. Wadhwa, New Age International Publishers
3. Circuit and Networks: Analysis and synthesis, A. Sudhakar & S.S. Palli 4 th edition. Tata Mc Graw Hill Education Pvt. Ltd.
4. Circuit theory, Dr. Abhijit Chakrabarty, Dhanpat Rai & Co Pvt. Ltd.

Websites
5. Super Mesh Analysis (theory, steps & examples) – Electricalworkbook
6. Supernode (circuit) – Wikipedia
7. Supernode (theory, steps & examples) – Electricalworkbook
8. Nodal Analysis - Definition, Types, Steps And Examples (byjus.com)
THANK YOU