Branch Current Analysis

Why do we need to apply Branch current analysis?

Before examining the details of the first important method of analysis, let us examine the network in [Fig. 1], to be sure that you understand the need for these special methods. Initially, it may appear that we can use the reduce and return approach to work our way back to the source $E_1$ and calculate the source current $I_{s1}$. Unfortunately, however, the series elements $R_3$ and $E_2$ cannot be combined because they are different types of elements. A further examination of the network reveals that there are no two like elements that are in series or parallel. No combination of elements can be performed, and it is clear that another approach must be defined. It should be noted that the network of [Fig. 1] can be solved if we convert each voltage source to a current source and then combine parallel current sources. However, if a specific quantity of the original network is required, it would require working back using the information determined from the source conversion. Further, there will be complex networks for which source conversions will not permit a solution, so it is important to understand the methods to be described in this chapter. The first approach to be introduced is called branch-current analysis because we will define and solve for the currents of each branch of the network. At this point it is important that we are able to identify the branch currents of the network. In general, In [Fig. 1], the source $E1$ and the resistor $R1$ are in series and have the same current, so the two elements define a branch of the network. It is the same for the series combination of the source $E_2$ and resistor $R3$. The branch with the resistor $R2$ has a current different from the other two and, therefore, defines a third branch. The result is three distinct branch currents in the network of [Fig. 1] that need to be determined. Experience shows that the best way to introduce the branch-current method is to take the series of steps listed here.

Branch-Current Analysis Procedure

• Assign a distinct current of arbitrary direction to each branch of the network.
• Indicate the polarities for each resistor as determined by the assumed current direction.
• Apply Kirchhoff's voltage law around each closed, independent loop of the network.
  The best way to determine how many times Kirchhoff's voltage law has to be applied is to determine the number of "windows" in the network. For networks with three windows, as shown in [Fig. 2], three applications of Kirchhoff's voltage law are required, and so on.
  

  Fig. 2: Determining the number of independent closed loops.
• Apply Kirchhoff's current law at the minimum number of nodes that will include all the branch currents of the network.
  The minimum number is one less than the number of independent nodes of the network. For the purposes of this analysis, a node is a junction of two or more branches, where a branch is any combination of series elements. [Fig. 3] defines the number of applications of Kirchhoff's current law for each configuration in [Fig. 2].
  

  Fig. 3: Determining the number of applications of Kirchhoff's current law required.
• Solve the resulting simultaneous linear equations for assumed branch currents.