Explain Superposition Theorem

Electronics & Electrical Digital Electronics Miscellaneous

The superposition theorem is used in solving a network in which two or more sources are present and connected not in series or in parallel.

Statement of Superposition Theorem

If two or more voltage or current sources are acting simultaneously in a linear network, the resultant current in any branch is the algebraic sum of the currents that would be produced in it, when each source acts alone and all other independent sources are replaced by their internal resistances.

Explanation of Superposition Theorem

In the circuit given below, we have to find the branch currents viz. i₁, i₂, i₃ by using superposition theorem.

Step 1 – Take the source V₁ alone at first, replacing V₂ by short circuit.

Here, the branch current i’₁, i’₂, i’₃ are,

$$i'_{1}=\frac{V_{1}}{\frac{R_{2}R_{3}}{R_{2}+R_{3}}+R_{1}}$$

$$i'_{2}=i'_{1}\frac{R_{3}}{R_{2}+R_{3}}$$

$$i'_{3}=i'_{1}-i'_{2}$$

Step 2 – Take the source V₂ alone, and replacing the V₁ by short circuit.

Here, the branch currents i"₁, i"₂, i"₃ are,

$$i"_{2}=\frac{V_{2}}{\frac{R_{1}R_{3}}{R_{1}+R_{3}}+R_{2}}$$

$$i"_{2}=i"_{2}\frac{R_{3}}{R_{1}+R_{3}}$$

$$i"_{3}=i"_{2}-i"_{1}$$

Step 3 – By applying superposition theorem,

$$i_{1}=i'_{1}-i"_{1}$$

$$i_{2}=i"_{2}-i'_{1}$$

$$i_{3}=i'_{3}+i"_{3}$$

Note – During the application of superposition theorem, the direction of currents calculated for each source should be taken care of.

Steps for Solution of a Network using Superposition Theorem

Step 1 – Take only one independent source and deactivate the other independent sources (Voltage source replaced by a short circuit and current source is replaced by an open circuit). Obtain the branch currents.

Step 2 – Repeat the step 1 for each of the independent sources.

Step 3 – To determine the net branch current using superposition theorem, add the currents obtained in the step 1 and step 2 for each branch. If the currents obtained in step 1 and step 2 are in same direction then add then and if the respective currents are in the opposite direction in each step, then take the direction of original current as reference and subtract the current of opposite direction. The net current in each branch is then calculated.