Lab 2
PSpice Analysis of DC Circuits
OBJECTIVES
Use PSpice Circuit Simulator to check laboratory circuits and homework problems
EQUIPMENT
PSpice Program
THEORY
A dc circuit is a circuit in which the voltages of all independent voltage sources and the currents of all independent current sources have constant values. All of the currents and voltages of a dc circuit, including mesh currents and node voltages, have constant values. PSpice can analyze a dc circuit to determine the values of the node voltages and also the values of the currents in voltage sources. PSpice uses the name “Bias Point” to describe this type of analysis. The name “Bias Point” refers to the role of dc analysis in the analysis of a transistor amplifier.)
In this lab we consider four examples. The first example illustrates analysis of circuits containing independent sources while the second is dependent sources. The third illustrates the use of PSpice to check the node or mesh equations of a circuit to verify that these equations are correct. The final example uses PSpice to compare two dc circuits.
There is a six-step procedure to organize circuit analysis using PSpice. This procedure is stated as follows:
Step 1. Formulate a circuit analysis problem.
Step 2. Describe the circuit using Schematics. This description requires three activities.
a. Place the circuit elements in the Schematics workspace.
b. Adjust the values of the circuit element parameters.
c. Wire the circuit to connect the circuit elements and add a ground.
Step 3. Simulate the circuit using PSpice.
Step 4. Display the results of the simulation, for example, using probe.
Step 5. Verify that the simulation results are correct.
Step 6. Report the answer to the circuit analysis problem.
Part 1: DC Circuits Containing Independent Sources
Simulating a DC Circuit
Apply the six-step procedure to simulate the PSpice circuit shown to determine the (i) voltage v6Ω,PS across the 6Ω resistor, the (ii) power P24V,PS of the 24V-source, and (iii) power P2A,PS of the 2A-source. Are the source passive or active? Explain your reasoning.
Don’t forget the ground!
Note: current direction is indicated by where the red dashed line appears on the element.
Verify that the simulation results are correct
Predict the (i) voltage v6Ω,thy, powers (ii) P24V,thy, and (iii) P2A,thy using simple circuit techniques. Compare the predicted values with the PSpice values using a percent difference. How do they compare? Are the source passive or active?
Part 2: DC Circuits Containing Dependent Sources
PSpice can be used to simulate circuits that contain dependent sources. The PSpice symbols used to represent dependent sources are labeled as E, F, G and H (see table to the right) and are located in the analogy library.
Simulating a CCCS
Simulate the equivalent PSpice circuit
Verify that the simulation results are correct
Predict the (i) voltage va,thy across the 10Ω-resistor, the (ii) power P120V,PS of the 120V-source, and (iii) power P0.2va,PS of the 0.2va-source using Simple Circuit Techniques. Compare the predicted values with the PSpice values va,PS, P120V,PS, and P0.2va,PS using a percent difference. How do they compare? Are the sources passive or active? Explain your reasoning.
Part 3: Mesh and Node Equations
Consider the circuit below where the loop currents and node voltages have been labeled.
Simulating a Mesh and Node circuit
Use PSpice to determine the node voltages (vb, vc, vd)PS and the loop currents (i1, i2, i3, i4)PS.
Hints for Mesh circuits. PSpice calculates currents for every element. As stated earlier, the current direction is indicated by where the red dashed line appears on the element. However, at times, there are branches that do not have any element whatsoever (i.e., a bare wire). In this case, one can add a 0V- source (which is an ammeter), which contributes nothing to the circuit but PSpice will register this as an element and provide a current when it is simulated.
Verify that the simulation results are correct
The objective of this example is to use PSpice to determine if the following equations are correct.
a. Substitute the PSpice values (vb, vc, vd)PS to verify the above node equations. Are the node equations consistent with the PSpice values?
b. Substitute the PSpice values (i1, i2, i3, i4)PS to verify the above mesh equations. Are the mesh equations consistent with the PSpice values?
c. If you can perform matrix operations on your calculator, solve the system of equations for (i) Node and (ii) Mesh and compare the predicted values with the PSpice results using a percent difference. How do they compare?
Part 4: Challenge PSpice Circuit
Simulate the challenge circuit shown below.
Verify that the power values of the voltage and current sources
From the simulated PSpice values, read off the voltages and currents from all six sources in the circuit. In Excel, setup a table of v(V), i(A), P(W), and PPS(W) where PPS(W) is the power rating given by clicking on the Power in PSpice. Which are passive and active?
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