What is the Difference Between Loop and Mesh?

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The main difference between a loop and a mesh lies in the presence of other paths or loops within the closed path of a circuit. Here are the key differences between loop and mesh:

  • Loop: A loop is any closed path through a circuit where no node is encountered more than once. It is a closed path in a circuit, but it may contain other paths or loops inside it.
  • Mesh: A mesh is a closed path in a circuit that contains no other paths or loops inside it. It is a special form of a loop that has no other loops in it. A mesh is a restricted quiet loop, containing no other loops.

In summary, a loop is a closed path in a circuit without repeating nodes, while a mesh is a special type of loop that does not contain any other loops or paths inside it. A mesh is also a loop, but a loop may or may not be a mesh.

Comparative Table: Loop vs Mesh

The main differences between a loop and a mesh in the context of circuit analysis are as follows:

Loop Mesh
A loop is any closed path through a circuit where no node is encountered more than once. A mesh is a closed path in a circuit with no other paths inside it.
A loop can be a closed path that can or cannot be divided into other closed paths. A mesh is a closed path that cannot be further divided into other closed paths.
In a loop, other paths may be included inside. A mesh is a loop that contains no other loops.
Loops are used in various techniques of circuit analysis. Meshes are commonly used in mesh analysis or the mesh current method, which is applied to analyze and solve complex electrical circuits by assigning currents to elementary loops.

In summary, a loop is a closed path through a circuit where no node is encountered more than once, while a mesh is a closed path in a circuit with no other paths inside it. A loop may or may not be a mesh, and meshes are commonly used in mesh analysis or the mesh current method for analyzing complex electrical circuits.