DC Electrical Circuit Analysis: Superposition
Channel: Electronics with Professor Fiore
Date: 2020-09-27

In this video we examine the Superposition theorem. Superposition can be applied to multi-source complex circuits so long as they are linear bilateral networks (which will be the case if the circuit only consists or resistors, voltage sources and/or current sources). In essence, superposition considers the contribution of each source acting alone.

A series of simplified circuits are created, one for each source, where the remaining sources are replaced by their ideal internal resistance (a short for voltage sources and an open for current sources). 

Each of these single-source circuits is then solved for the desired currents and voltages using standard series-parallel analysis techniques. The contributions from each circuit are then summed, being mindful of voltage polarities and current directions.

Superposition requires that the circuit be linear and bilateral. It cannot be used to find power directly as power is a square law function. Power can be determined by finding either the final current or voltage and then using power law. 

Reference: DC Electrical Circuit Analysis, Chapter 6, section 3.

My free texts and lab manuals are available for download at my college web site https://www.mvcc.edu/jfiore and at my personal site http://www.dissidents.com 
Inexpensive print and kindle copies are available at Amazon https://www.amazon.com/author/jimfiore

If you like my texts and videos, and would like to help defray the costs of making and maintaining them, consider making a modest donation at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ProfessorFiore