Anatomy of a Circuit

Nodes

A node is any point in a circuit that connects two or more elements. The voltage at all points on the node is constant.

Fig. 15 Example of a node.

Branches

A branch is any circuit element connecting two nodes.

Fig. 16 Example of three different branches.

Loops

A loop is any closed path in a circuit. Closed means that it begins and ends at the same node.

Fig. 17 Seven different loops.

Meshes

A mesh is a loop with no intermediate branches.

Fig. 18 Only \(I_1\), \(I_2\), and \(I_3\) are meshes.