Kirchhoff's Laws are two fundamental principles in electrical circuit theory that govern the behavior of current and voltage in electrical networks, enabling the analysis of complex circuits.
Kirchhoff's Current Law (KCL), also called the first law, states that the total current entering a junction (or node) in a circuit equals the total current leaving that junction, reflecting the conservation of electric charge. This law is crucial for analyzing current flow in parallel circuits and nodes.
Kirchhoff's Voltage Law (KVL), also called the second law, states that the sum of all voltage drops (or potential differences) around any closed loop in a circuit is equal to zero, embodying the conservation of energy. This means that the total energy gained, equals the total energy lost in a closed path. KVL is essential for analyzing series circuits and loops.
Together, these laws provide a systematic approach to solving for unknown currents and voltages in electrical circuits by setting up equations based on the topology of the circuit, applicable to both DC and AC systems under steady-state conditions.
