AbstractNetworks whose dynamic order is less than the number of energy storing elements they contain are considered. By adding parasitic elements, their dynamic order is restored. After selecting the state variables properly, singular perturbation theory is used to analyse the network behaviour with respect to the parasitic elements and to calculate the initial jumps in the network variables. Parasitic elements are seen to play a dominating role in dictating the stability of a network. The need for generalizing the presently available singular perturbation theory is pointed out by means of an example.