10/21/21, 12:57 PM Network Theory - Coupled Circuits

Network Theory - Coupled Circuits

An electric circuit is said to be a coupled circuit, when there exists a mutual inductance between
the coils (or inductors) present in that circuit. Coil is nothing but the series combination of resistor
and inductor. In the absence of resistor, coil becomes inductor. Sometimes, the terms coil and
inductor are interchangeably used.
In this chapter, first let us discuss about the dot convention and then will discuss about
classification of coupling.

Dot Convention

Dot convention is a technique, which gives the details about voltage polarity at the dotted terminal.
This information is useful, while writing KVL equations.
If the current enters at the dotted terminal of one coil (or inductor), then it induces a voltage
at another coil (or inductor), which is having positive polarity at the dotted terminal.
If the current leaves from the dotted terminal of one coil (or inductor), then it induces a
voltage at another coil (or inductor), which is having negative polarity at the dotted
terminal.

Classification of Coupling

We can classify coupling into the following two categories.

Electrical Coupling
Magnetic Coupling
Now, let us discuss about each type of coupling one by one.

Electrical Coupling

Electrical coupling occurs, when there exists a physical connection between two coils (or
inductors). This coupling can be of either aiding type or opposing type. It is based on whether the
current enters at the dotted terminal or leaves from the dotted terminal.

Coupling of Aiding type

Consider the following electric circuit, which is having two inductors that are connected in series.

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10/21/21, 12:57 PM Network Theory - Coupled Circuits

Since the two inductors are connected in series, the same current I flow through both inductors
having self-inductances L1 and L2.

In this case, the current, I enter at the dotted terminal of each inductor. Hence, the induced voltage
in each inductor will be having positive polarity at the dotted terminal due to the current flowing in
another coil.
Apply KVL around the loop of the above electric circuit or network.

d
dII d
dII d
dII d
dII
V
V −
−LL1
1
−
−MM −
−LL2
2
−
−MM =
= 0
0
d
dtt d
dtt d
dtt d
dtt

d
dII d
dII d
dII
V
V =
= L
L1 +
+LL2 +
+22M
M
1 2
d
dtt d
dtt d
dtt

d
dII
V
V =
= (
(LL1 +
+LL2 +
+22M
M))
1 2
d
dtt

The above equation is in the form of V

V =
= L
LEEq
q
d
dII

d
dtt

Therefore, the equivalent inductance of series combination of inductors shown in the above figure
is

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10/21/21, 12:57 PM Network Theory - Coupled Circuits

L
LE = L1 +
q = L1
Eq +LL2 + 2M
2 + 2M

In this case, the equivalent inductance has been increased by 2M. Hence, the above electrical
circuit is an example of electrical coupling which is of aiding type.

Coupling of Opposing type

Consider the following electric circuit, which is having two inductors that are connected in series.

In the above circuit, the current I enters at the dotted terminal of the inductor having an inductance
of L1. Hence, it induces a voltage in the other inductor having an inductance of L2. So, positive
polarity of the induced voltage is present at the dotted terminal of this inductor.
In the above circuit, the current I leaves from the dotted terminal of the inductor having an
inductance of L2. Hence, it induces a voltage in the other inductor having an inductance of L1. So,
negative polarity of the induced voltage is present at the dotted terminal of this inductor.
Apply KVL around the loop of the above electric circuit or network.

d
dII d
dII d
dII d
dII
V
V −
−LL1
1
+
+MM −
−LL2
2
+
+MM =
= 0
0
d
dtt d
dtt d
dtt d
dtt

d
dII d
dII d
dII
⇒
⇒ V
V =
= L
L11
+
+LL2
2
−
−22M
M
d
dtt d
dtt d
dtt

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10/21/21, 12:57 PM Network Theory - Coupled Circuits

d
dII
⇒
⇒ V
V =
= (
(LL1 + L2 −
1 + L2 −22M
M))
d
dtt

The above equation is in the form of V

V =
= L
LEEq
q
d
dII

d
dtt

Therefore, the equivalent inductance of series combination of inductors shown in the above figure
is

L
LE = L1 +
q = L1
Eq +LL2 − 2M
2 − 2M

In this case, the equivalent inductance has been decreased by 2M. Hence, the above electrical
circuit is an example of electrical coupling which is of opposing type.

Magnetic Coupling

Magnetic coupling occurs, when there is no physical connection between two coils (or inductors).
This coupling can be of either aiding type or opposing type. It is based on whether the current
enters at the dotted terminal or leaves from the dotted terminal.

Coupling of Aiding type

Consider the following electrical equivalent circuit of transformer. It is having two coils and these
are called as primary and secondary coils.

The currents flowing through primary and secondary coils are i1 and i2 respectively. In this case,
these currents enter at the dotted terminal of respective coil. Hence, the induced voltage in each
coil will be having positive polarity at the dotted terminal due to the current flowing in another coil.

Apply KVL around primary coil.

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10/21/21, 12:57 PM Network Theory - Coupled Circuits

d
dii1
1
d
dii2
2
v
v1 − L1
1 − L1
−
−MM =
= 0
0
d
dtt d
dtt

d
dii1 d
dii2
⇒
⇒ v
v1 = L1
1 = L1
d
1
+
+MM
2
Equation 1
dtt d
dtt

Apply KVL around secondary coil.

d
dii2
2
d
dii1
1
v
v2 − L2
2 − L2
−
−MM =
= 0
0
d
dtt d
dtt

d
dii2 d
dii1
⇒
⇒ v
v2 = L2
2 = L2
d
2
+
+MM
1
Equation 2
dtt d
dtt

In Equation 1 and Equation 2, the self-induced voltage and mutually induced voltage have the
same polarity. Hence, the above transformer circuit is an example of magnetic coupling, which is
of aiding type.

Coupling of Opposing Type

Consider the following electrical equivalent circuit of transformer.

The currents flowing through primary and secondary coils are i1 and i2 respectively. In this case, the
current, i1 enters at the dotted terminal of primary coil. Hence, it induces a voltage in secondary
coil. So, positive polarity of the induced voltage is present at the dotted terminal of this secondary
coil.

In the above circuit, the current, i2 leaves from the dotted terminal of secondary coil. Hence, it
induces a voltage in primary coil. So, negative polarity of the induced voltage is present at the
dotted terminal of this primary coil.
Apply KVL around primary coil.

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10/21/21, 12:57 PM Network Theory - Coupled Circuits

d
dii1
1
d
dii2
2
v
v1 − L1
1 − L1
+
+MM =
= 0
0
d
dtt d
dtt

d
dii1 d
dii2
⇒
⇒ v
v1 = L1
1 = L1
d
1
−
−MM
2
Equation 3
dtt d
dtt

Apply KVL around secondary coil.

d
dii2
2
d
dii1
1
v
v2 − L2
2 − L2
+
+MM =
= 0
0
d
dtt d
dtt

d
dii2 d
dii1
⇒
⇒ v
v2 = L2
2 = L2
d
2
−
−MM
1
Equation 4
dtt d
dtt

In Equation 3 and Equation 4, self-induced voltage and mutually induced voltage are having
opposite polarity. Hence, the above transformer circuit is an example of magnetic coupling, which
is of opposing type.

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