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Electric Circuits, 12th edition

Published by Pearson (February 19, 2022) © 2023

  • James W. Nilsson
  • Susan Riedel

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For introductory courses in circuit analysis/theory.

Challenge students to develop the insight of a practicing engineer

Electric Circuits provides thorough coverage of circuit analysis and theory. It presents key concepts in a natural progression, motivating students to build on their knowledge. Step-by-step analysis methods provide a solid foundation for students to develop their problem-solving skills. Over 1200 problems and nearly 200 examples introduce realistic engineering experiences that challenge students to develop the insights of a practicing engineer.

The 12th Edition includes all new assessment problems with answers and completely updated end-of-chapter problems.

Hallmark features of this title

  • Analysis Methods offer step-by-step directions to guide students to a problem's solution.
  • Practical Perspectives introduce real-world circuit examples. Practical applications are demonstrated by performing a quantitative circuit analysis.
  • Fundamental Equations and Concepts are set apart to focus on key principles and navigate through important topics.
  • Examples illustrate concepts in the form of a numeric example. Nearly 200 examples apply a particular concept, often employ an Analysis Method, and exemplify good problem-solving skills.
  • Integration of PSpice and Multisim, popular computer tools for circuit simulation and analysis. Problems suited for exploration with PSpice and Multisim are marked accordingly.

New and updated features of this title

Breadth, depth and variety of problems

  • NEW/UPDATED: 1200 Chapter Problems reinforce problem solving as fundamental to the study of circuit analysis. Nearly all existing problems were revised, and some new problems were added.
  • NEW: Assessment Problems let students stop at key points in a chapter and assess their mastery of an objective by applying it to solve 1 or more problems. Every Assessment Problem is new to the 12th Edition and comes with answers to all parts of the problem posed.

Features of Mastering Engineering for the 12th Edition

  • End-of-Chapter exercises feature wrong-answer feedback and hints that guide students, allowing them to learn from their mistakes and master course concepts.
  • Videos, developed by the author, offer step-by-step solution walkthroughs of many of the Assessment Problems from the text, involving students in the problem-solving process.
  • UPDATED: Introduction to Multisim and Introduction to PSpice Manuals introduce these two popular simulators using examples tied directly to the main text.
  • NEW: Early Alerts use predictive analytics based on a student's work, such as correct answers on the first try. They let you identify and support struggling students as early as possible, even if their scores are not a cause for concern.
  • Tutorial homework problems emulate the instructor's office-hour environment, guiding students through concepts in multi-step problems. Wrong-answer specific feedback is given, along with optional hints to break a problem down further.
  • Adaptive Follow-ups provide extra targeted practice after a homework assignment to address gaps in understanding.
  1. Circuit Variables
  2. Circuit Elements
  3. Simple Resistive Circuits
  4. Techniques of Circuit Analysis
  5. The Operational Amplifier
  6. Inductance, Capacitance, and Mutual Inductance
  7. Response of First-Order RL and RC Circuits
  8. Natural and Step Responses of RLC Circuits
  9. Sinusoidal Steady-State Analysis
  10. Sinusoidal Steady-State Power Calculations
  11. Balanced Three-Phase Circuits
  12. Introduction to the Laplace Transform
  13. The Laplace Transform in Circuit Analysis
  14. Introduction to Frequency Selective Circuits
  15. Active Filter Circuits
  16. Fourier Series
  17. The Fourier Transform
  18. Two-Port Circuits

APPENDICES

  1. The Solution of Linear Simultaneous Equations
  2. Complex Numbers
  3. More on Magnetically Coupled Coils and Ideal Transformers
  4. The Decibel
  5. Bode Diagrams
  6. An Abbreviated Table of Trigonometric Identities
  7. An Abbreviated Table of Integrals
  8. Common Standard Component Values

About our authors

In Memoriam of James W. Nilsson

We remember our beloved author, James W. Nilsson, for his lasting legacy to the electrical and computer engineering field. The first edition of Electric Circuits was published in 1983. As this book evolved over the years to better meet the needs of both students and their instructors, the underlying teaching methodologies Jim established remain relevant, even in the 12th Edition. Jim earned his bachelor's degree at the University of Iowa (1948), and his master's degree (1952) and Ph.D. (1958) at Iowa State University. He joined the ISU faculty in 1948 and taught electrical engineering there for 39 years. He became an IEEE fellow in 1990 and earned the prestigious IEEE Undergraduate Teaching Award in 1992.

Professor Susan A. Riedel, emerita, has been a member of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Marquette University since 1981. She retired in 2012 but continued to teach classes, advise undergraduates and work with graduate students on their research for several years after that. She also held a clinical research appointment in the Department of Orthopaedics at the Medical College of Wisconsin and was a visiting professor in the Bioengineering Unit at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland, as a Fulbright Scholar. She has received many awards for her teaching at Marquette, including the university-wide John P. Raynor SJ Faculty Award for teaching excellence. She has contributed to Electric Circuits since the Third Edition and became solely responsible for the text, supplements, and other supporting materials starting with the Sixth Edition.

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