Electric Circuit Analysis Johnny C Tan Pdf 2021 [updated] May 2026

Introduction

Electric circuit analysis is a fundamental subject in electrical engineering, and a reliable textbook is essential for students to grasp the concepts. Johnny C. Tan's "Electric Circuit Analysis" (2021) is a popular textbook that aims to provide a comprehensive introduction to circuit analysis. This review will examine the content, organization, and overall quality of the textbook in PDF format.

Content Overview

The textbook covers the basic principles of electric circuit analysis, including:

Introduction to electric circuits
Circuit analysis techniques (e.g., nodal analysis, mesh analysis)
Circuit theorems (e.g., Thevenin's theorem, Norton's theorem)
Resistive circuits
Capacitive and inductive circuits
Sinusoidal steady-state analysis
Three-phase circuits

The content is well-structured, and each chapter builds upon the previous ones, making it easy to follow. The author provides numerous examples, illustrations, and practice problems to reinforce understanding.

Key Features

Some notable features of the textbook include:

Clear explanations: Tan's writing style is clear, concise, and easy to understand, making complex concepts more accessible to students.
Abundant examples and illustrations: The textbook includes many worked examples, diagrams, and illustrations to help students visualize and comprehend the material.
Practice problems: Each chapter ends with a set of practice problems, allowing students to test their understanding and reinforce their learning.
MATLAB integration: The author incorporates MATLAB examples and simulations to demonstrate circuit analysis concepts and provide students with practical experience.

Strengths

Comprehensive coverage: The textbook covers a wide range of topics in electric circuit analysis, providing a solid foundation for students.
Accessible language: Tan's writing style is approachable and easy to understand, making the subject more engaging and less intimidating.
Useful examples and illustrations: The abundance of examples and illustrations helps students to grasp complex concepts and visualize circuit behavior.

Weaknesses

Lack of advanced topics: The textbook focuses on fundamental circuit analysis concepts and does not cover more advanced topics, such as circuit synthesis or optimal control.
Limited discussion of circuit simulation software: While MATLAB is used to demonstrate circuit analysis concepts, the textbook could benefit from a more in-depth discussion of other circuit simulation software, such as SPICE.

Organization and Structure

The textbook is well-organized, with each chapter building upon the previous ones. The author uses a logical and consistent approach to present the material, making it easy to follow.

Target Audience

The textbook appears to be aimed at undergraduate students in electrical engineering or related fields, such as electronics engineering or computer engineering.

Comparison to Other Textbooks

Compared to other popular textbooks in electric circuit analysis, such as "Electric Circuits" by James W. Nilsson and Susan A. Riedel, "Circuit Analysis" by K. V. Iyer, or "Fundamentals of Electric Circuits" by Charles K. Alexander and Matthew N. O. Sadiku, Tan's textbook seems to offer a more accessible and example-rich presentation of the material.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Electric Circuit Analysis" by Johnny C. Tan (2021) is a well-written and comprehensive textbook that provides a solid introduction to electric circuit analysis. The textbook's clear explanations, abundant examples, and practice problems make it an excellent resource for undergraduate students. While it may not cover advanced topics or discuss circuit simulation software in-depth, it is a valuable resource for students seeking to understand the fundamentals of circuit analysis.

Rating

Based on the review, I would rate the textbook as follows: electric circuit analysis johnny c tan pdf 2021

Content: 4.5/5
Organization and structure: 4.5/5
Writing style: 4.5/5
Examples and illustrations: 5/5
Practice problems: 4.5/5
Overall: 4.5/5

Recommendation

I recommend "Electric Circuit Analysis" by Johnny C. Tan (2021) as a primary textbook for undergraduate courses in electric circuit analysis. It is also a useful resource for students seeking to review and reinforce their understanding of circuit analysis concepts.

Electric Circuit Analysis Johnny C. Tan is a concise and highly practical textbook frequently used in undergraduate engineering courses, particularly within the Philippines . While originally published in 1990 by National Book Store

, it remains a staple for students due to its straightforward approach to fundamental concepts Core Content & Structure The text is designed for a one-semester course and is divided into two primary sections: steady-state direct-current (DC) analysis and steady-state sinusoidal waveform (AC) Foundational DC Analysis

: Includes the nature of electricity, variables like Ohm's Law, and equivalent resistance calculations for series and parallel networks Advanced Methods : Covers complex topics such as Nodal Analysis Mesh Analysis , and network theorems like the Maximum Power Transfer Theorem AC Fundamentals

: Introduces phasors, phasor algebra, and sinusoidal alternating current waveforms Energy Storage & Transients

: Detailed sections on batteries, capacitors, and the transient response of RL and RC circuits Key Strengths Problem-Oriented Learning

: The book is well-regarded for its extensive collection of numerical examples and practice problems, which mirror the types of questions found in board exams Accessibility

: Unlike more theoretical texts, Tan focuses on a "rigorous treatment" of DC circuits as a foundation, making the transition to AC analysis feel like a natural extension rather than a new subject Compact Reference The content is well-structured, and each chapter builds

: At approximately 278 pages, it serves as an efficient study guide for students who need to master the essentials without wading through excessive theory Limitations Dated Examples

: Since the original text dates back to 1990, it lacks modern computational integration (like MATLAB or advanced SPICE tutorials) found in contemporary 2021-era textbooks Limited Scope

: It is strictly an introductory text; those looking for deep dives into three-phase power or complex magnetic circuits may need supplemental materials This is an excellent review-style textbook

for students preparing for engineering board exams or those who prefer a "bottom-up" approach to circuit theory. It is widely available in digital formats on and physical copies through retailers like or a specific chapter breakdown from this book?

Electric Circuit Analysis - Johnny C. Tan (Incomplete) - Scribd

1. Textbook Overview

Electric Circuit Analysis by Johnny C. Tan is widely recognized for its practical approach to circuit theory. The 2021 edition typically updates classical theory with modern applications, often emphasizing the transition from theoretical calculations to computer-aided simulation (using software like PSpice or Multisim).

Target Audience: Engineering students (Electrical, Electronics, Computer) and technicians. Prerequisites: A solid understanding of College Physics (Electricity & Magnetism) and Calculus (Differentiation and Integration).

Who is Johnny C. Tan? Understanding the Author’s Approach

Before dissecting the PDF, it is crucial to understand the pedagogical style of Johnny C. Tan. Unlike many Western textbooks that bury the student in theoretical derivations, Tan’s approach is distinctly problem-solving oriented. Based on the curriculum used in many Asian and Southeast Asian engineering programs (notably the Philippines and Malaysia), Tan’s book is renowned for:

Step-by-step methodologies: Each theorem (Superposition, Thevenin, Norton) is presented as a checklist.
Localized notation: Using standard IEEE/ANSI symbols but with a focus on clarity for non-native English speakers.
Abundant worked examples: Each chapter typically contains 15–20 fully solved problems before the exercise sets.

The 2021 edition represents a modernization of this classic teaching style, updating examples to reflect contemporary component values (e.g., using standard E12/E24 resistor series) and including more practice problems on operational amplifiers (Op-Amps) and first-order RC/RL circuits. Theory First: Brief

Chapter 2: Resistive Circuits

Series and parallel resistors.
Voltage and current divider rules.
Delta-Wye (Pi-Tee) transformations.
Tan's signature: A unique tabular method for solving ladder networks.

The Pedagogical Approach

Unlike American textbooks that often span 1,200 pages with excessive real-world tangents, Tan’s work is concise, direct, and problem-centric. The 2021 edition follows a "scaffolded learning" approach:

Theory First: Brief, digestible explanations of Ohm’s Law, Kirchhoff’s Laws, and Thevenin’s Theorem.
Worked Examples: Step-by-step solutions that show algebraic manipulation, not just the final answer.
Graded Problems: Exercises ranging from simple resistive networks to complex transient analysis.

Q4: Is this book enough for the FE (Fundamentals of Engineering) exam?

A: Partially. Tan covers DC and transient analysis well, but the FE exam also requires AC steady-state (phasors) and three-phase systems. You would need a supplementary text for AC analysis.