Mesh Analysis

Another method of analyzing circuits and the counterpart of nodal analysis is the mesh analysis. Also known as loop analysis or the mesh-current method. A mesh is a loop which does not contain any other loops within it. The current through a mesh is known as mesh current.

The steps in determining mesh currents:

• Assign the meshes found in the circuit as mesh currents i1, i2, … , in.

• Apply KVL to each of the assigned meshes to form equations. Use Ohm’s law (V=IR) to express the voltages in terms of the mesh currents.

• Solve the formed equations from step 2 to get the value of the unknown mesh currents. 

Example circuit: