7.08 Superposition theorem.

Consider the circuit shown below.

superposition theorem

The superposition theorem gives a method for finding the currents in the circuit, which then enables all the voltage drops to be calculated. The procedure is described below.

* Note, to add the branch currents while taking into account their direction, may actually require one current to be subtracted from another. i.e. If both currents are flowing in the same direction, you simply add them, but if the currents are flowing in opposite directions, you subtract the smaller current from the larger one. The resultant current will flow in the same direction as the larger current.