Lab 10: Mesh and Nodal Analysis

Construct the circuit:

1. Use mesh analysis to predict the loop currents (I_Loop1, I_Loop2, I_Loop3) of the circuit. Make sure to label the loop currents and indicate their directions. Include all your calculations and organize your work. Write your calculation results in the table (1a).
   
2. Energize the circuit and measure all the loop currents.
   
   1. Implement the circuit on the breadboard
      
   2. Measurement the loop currents.
      
      Record your measured values in the table (1b).
      
3. Use PSpice to simulate the loop currents. Recored the loop currents in the table (1c).
   
4. Compare the following two sets of data:
   
   • Compare the PSpice (1c) and theoretical loop currents (1a) using a percent difference. How do they compare?
     
   • Compare the theoretical (1a) and experimental loop currents (1b) using a percent difference. How do they compare?
     
5. Using your loop currents (I_Loop1, I_Loop2, I_Loop3) from (1a) to predict and measure the voltages V₂ and V₃ (across R₂ and R₃), and compare them with measured values using a percent difference. How do they compare?
   
   Record your results in the table (1f) ~ (1h).
   

Construct the circuit:

1. Use node analysis to predict the node voltages of the circuit. Make sure to label all the nodes. Include all your calculations and organize your work.
   
2. Energize the circuit and measure the node voltages.
   
   1. Implement the circuit on the breadboard
      
   2. Measurement the node voltage.
      
      Record your measured values in the table (2b).
      
3. Use PSpice to simulate the node voltages. Recored the node voltages in the table (2c)
   
   
4. Compare the following two sets of data:
   
   • Compare the PSpice (2C) and theoretical node voltages (2a) using a percent difference. How do they compare?
     
   • Compare the theoretical (2a) and experimental node voltages (2b) using a percent difference. How do they compare?
     
   Organized all your data values into a table!
5. Using your node voltages (V₂, V₃) from (2a) to predict and measure the currents I₁, I₂, and I₃ (which current through resistors R₁, R₂ and R₃), and compare them with measured values using a percent difference. How do they compare?
   
   Record your results in the table (2f) ~ (2h).
   

Construct the circuit:

1. Use Node analysis to predict the voltage V₅ and Mesh analysis to predict the current i₅. Write your results in the table (3a).
   
2. Energize the circuit and measure the voltage V₅ and current I₅.
   
   1. Implement the circuit on the breadboard.
      
   2. Measurement V₅ voltage and I₅ current.
      
      Record your measured values in the table (3b).
      
3. Use PSpice to simulate the voltage drop (V₅) and the current through (I₅) resistor-R₅. Use PSpice to simulate the voltage drop (V₅) and the current through (I₅) resistor-R₅.
   
4. Compare the predicted (3a) and measured results (3b) using a percent difference? How do they compare?
   
5. Many times one is faced with the question of which method to use in a particular problem. This laboratory activity does not prepare one to make such choices but only shows that the methods work and are solid. From your experience in this activity, summarize in your own words which method you prefer and why for this circuit.