• To introduce the basic techniques and methods used to analyse linear electrical circuits.
• To provide knowledge of the response of linear electrical circuits to d.c., a.c. and transient energisations.

• Demonstrate knowledge of the graphical representation of active and passive circuit elements.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the quantity symbols and unit symbols of voltage, current, resistance, conductance, inductance, capacitance, reactance, susceptance, impedance and admittance.
• Understand how resistance, inductance and capacitance elements are used to form equivalent circuit models to represent real physical devices and systems.
• Understand energy, power, current and voltage sources.
• Comprehend Kirchhoff's laws, Ohm's law and Thevenin and Norton's theorems.
• Comprehend the principle of superposition and the maximum power transfer theorem.
• Derive the current and voltage divider formulations.
• Understand the behaviour of simple series and parallel circuits.
• Understand a.c. representation in the time domain.
• Show how a.c. voltages and currents can be represented in the frequency domain using phasors.
• Derive from first principles the impedance relations for resistance, inductance and capacitance elements.
• Understand the frequency response of a.c. circuits and the phenomenon of resonance.
• Using the fundamental differential and integral relations between voltage and current, derive the transient response for simple networks.

30 one-hour lectures

6 one-hour tutorials

• Analyse simple series and parallel a.c. and d.c. circuits.
• Apply nodal, loop and mesh analysis to a.c. and d.c. circuits.
• Compare time domain and phasor analysis techniques for simple a.c. circuits.
• Apply a.c. analysis techniques to obtain the amplitude and phase response of simple networks.
• Analyse the transient response of simple networks.

This module is assessed using three components, which are weighted as follows:

1. Two-hour written examinations 90%

2. 40-minute written test 10%

In order to pass the module and obtain 10 credits, the minimum overall pass mark of 40% must be achieved in items (1) and (2) combined.

Network elements

Network theorems

Methods of analysis of dc circuits

Transient response

AC circuit theory and phasors

Electrical resonance

Edminster J.A: 'Schaum’s Outline of Theory and Problems of Electric Circuits', McGraw-Hill, 1995, TK 454.E3.

Smith R.J, Dorf R.C: 'Circuits, Devices and Systems: a First Course in Electrical Engineering', John Wiley & Sons, London, 1992, TK 145.S6.

Fiddler J.K, Ibbotson L: 'Introductory Circuit Theory'.
McGraw-Hill, 1989 - 2nd Edition, TK 454.P4.

Irwin D.J: 'Basic Engineering Circuit Analysis' Wiley 4th Edition 1993.

Nilsson J.W, Riedel S: 'Electric Circuits', Addison-Wesley 5th Edition 1996.