Program: Mesh
By: Ben Axelrod

This program calculates the loop currents by performing mesh analysis.  The
circuit must be planar.  The thing to remember is that you should assume the
loop currents always goes in the same direction and when you enter the
resistance of a loop, it is the total resistance of the loop.  Here is an
example:

                R1                 R3
      +------/\/\/\/-----+------/\/\/\/--------+
      |                  |                     |            
      |                  |                     |         
      |                  /                     |     
   _______               \                  _______ 
     ___              R2 /                    ___        
  V1  |                  \                V2   |          
      |                  /                     |         
      |                  |                     |         
      |                  |                     |              
      +------------------+---------------------+

V1 = 10 V
V2 = 5 V
R1 = 10 Ohm
R2 = 2 Ohm
R3 = 8 Ohm

(In this example i will assume the mesh currents both go clock-wise)

---------------
Number of loops: 2

Loop 1
Vs: 10
R: 12

Resistance between
loops 1 and 2
R: 2

Loop 2
Vs: -5  (negative because it is opposite the direction of the assumed current)
R: 12

-----------------
Answer:
I1 = .776 A
I2 = -.345 A (negative because it is opposite the direction of the assumed current)

-----------------
That means that the current through R2 is 1.121 A.

questions, or comments? email me at: bmaxelro@syr.edu