Superposition
In a linear circuit with several sources, the response is the sum of the responses to each source acting alone, with the others replaced by their internal resistance (a short for a voltage source).
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How it works
V1 alone (V2 shorted): IR2′ = V1 / (R1 + R2 ∥ R3) · R3 / (R2 + R3) = 2.571 mA
V2 alone (V1 shorted): IR2″ = V2 / (R3 + R1 ∥ R2) · R1 / (R1 + R2) = 857.1 µA
Both together: IR2 = I′ + I″ = 3.429 mA
Try it on the bench
- Click S2 to replace V2 with a short. The meter shows V1’s share.
- Now put V2 back and short V1 with S1. Add the two readings: they equal the reading with both in.
Parts on the bench
- 2 × Bench power supply
- 2 × Changeover switch
- 3 × Resistor
- Digital multimeter
In the course
Zen’s Electronics Design Mastery, module “DC Circuit Analysis”.