Determination of Voltage Sign in Electrical Circuit

 In applying Kirchhoff’s laws to specific problems, particular attention should be paid to the algebraic signs of voltage drops and e.m.fs., otherwise results will come out to be wrong. Following sign conventions is suggested : 

(a) Sign of Battery E.M.F. 

A rise in voltage should be given a + ve sign and a fall in voltage a −ve sign. Keeping this in mind, it is clear that as we go from the −ve terminal of a battery to its +ve terminal (Fig. 2.3), there is a rise in potential, hence this voltage should be given a + ve sign. If, on the other hand, we go from +ve terminal to −ve terminal, then there is a fall in potential, hence this voltage should be preceded by a −ve sign. It is important to note that the sign of the battery e.m.f. is independent of the direction of the current through that branch.

It is important to note that the sign of the battery e.m.f. is independent of the direction of the current through that branch. 

(b) Sign of IR Drop 

Now, take the case of a resistor (Fig. 2.4). If we go through a resistor in the same direction as the current, then there is a fall in potential because current flows from a higher to a lower potential. Hence, this voltage fall should be taken −ve. However, if we go in a direction opposite to that of the current, then there is a rise in voltage. Hence, this voltage rise should be given a positive sign. It is clear that the sign of voltage drop across a resistor depends on the direction of current through that resistor but is independent of the polarity of any other source of e.m.f. in the circuit under consideration. Consider the closed path ABCDA in Fig. 2.5. As we travel around the mesh in the clockwise direction, different voltage drops will have the following signs.