Verification of Maximum Power Transfer Theorem
Verification of Maximum Power Transfer Theorem
AIM
To find the value of resistance RL in which maximum power is transferred to the load resistance.
APPARATUS REQUIRED
THEORY
Maximum power transfer states, the maximum amount of power will be dissipated by a
load resistance when that load resistance is equal to the Thevenin/Norton resistance of the
network supplying the power. If the load resistance is lower or higher than the Thevenin/Norton
resistance of the source network, its dissipated power will be less than maximum. The theorem
was originally misunderstood (notably by Joule) to imply that a system consisting of an electric
motor driven by a battery could not be more than 50% efficient since, when the impedances were
matched, the power lost as heat in the battery would always be equal to the power delivered to
the motor. In 1880 this assumption was shown to be false by either Edison or his colleague
Francis Robbins Upton, who realized that maximum efficiency was not the same as maximum
power transfer. To achieve maximum efficiency, the resistance of the source (whether a battery or
a dynamo) could be made close to zero. Using this new understanding, they obtained an
efficiency of about 90%, and proved that the electric motor was a practical alternative to the heat
engine.
PROCEDURE
1. Connections are given as per the circuit diagram.
2. By giving various values of the resistance in DRB, note the ammeter reading.
3. Calculate the power and plot the power Vs resistance graph.
4. Note the maximum power point corresponding resistance from the graph.
CIRCUIT DIAGRAM
To find Rth
CALCULATION
RESULT
Thus the value of unknown resistance in which the maximum power is transferred to the load
was found.
Theoretical load resistance =
Practical load resistance =
Maximum power =