I1 -> R1
A
R3
B
W
1k?
1k?
R2
V
8V
2k?
R4
I4
2k?
R5
Rtotal =
Figure 1: Ladder Circuit
Then calculate the total current I1:
I1=Vs/Rtotal =
Having Rtotal and Itotal, we can determine each individual current and voltage:
The voltage drop on R1:
VR1=I1*R1 =
(Ohm's law)
VA, the voltage @ node A:
Two parallel 6 ?
Two series 3 ?
Two parallel 6 ?
Two series 3 ?
Figure 2: Reducing a Ladder Network
VA = VS-VR1=
(by Kirchhoff's Voltage Law)
I2, the current in R2:
I2=VA/R2=
(Ohm's Law)
I3, the current in R3:
I3 =I1-I2=
(by Kirchhoff's Current Law)
The voltage drop on R3:
VR3=I3*R3 =
VB, the voltage @ node B:
VB = VA-VR3=
(by Kirchhoff's Voltage Law)
I4, the current in R4:
I4 =VB/R4=
(Ohm's Law)