DE LA SALLE LIPA

COLLEGE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING

ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
CKTS001 – ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS 1 LABORATORY EXPERIMENT MANUAL

EXPERIMENT #7: SUPERPOSITION THEOREM

I. OBJECTIVE
To study and apply the superposition theorem in the solution of an electric network

II. DISCUSSION

The superposition may be stated as follows:

The current which follows at any point in the network involving more than one
source may be considered to be algebraic sum of the currents which flow as a result
of each source taken separately.

Consider the circuit shown in Fig. 7.1. to apply the superposition theorem to such
a circuit, we first replace the E B source with a short circuit as shown in Fig. 7.2a. I 1A,
I2A, and I3A are computed using Ohm’s law. Then we return source E B and remove
source
EA, replacing it with a short circuit. I1B, I2B, and I3B are then determined using the Ohm’s
law.

We may now combine the results of the two sets of calculations to find the
currents I1, I2, and I3 in Fig. 7.1. We observe in this case that I 1A and I1B oppose each
other, as do I2A and I2B. On the other hand, I3A and I3B reinforce each other.
Consequently, we have:

I1 = I1A – I1B , I2 = I2A – I2B , and I3 = I3A + I3B

The directions in which I1, I2, and I3 will flow are determined by the directions of
the components current. That is in the case of I1, the direction will be the same as the
larger of I1A and I1B. The same is true of I2 with respect to I2A and I2B. For I3, it will be in
the same direction as I3A or I3B.

III. INSTRUMENTS AND COMPONENTS

DESCRIPTION QUANTITY
DC voltmeter 1
DC ammeter 1
DC power supply 1
220 ohm resistor 1
330 ohm resistor 1
470 ohm resistor 1
680 ohm resistor 1
1k ohm resistor 1

1
 DE LA SALLE LIPA
COLLEGE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
CKTS001 – ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS 1 LABORATORY EXPERIMENT MANUAL

IV. PROCEDURE

1. Connect the circuit shown in Fig. 7.1. The values of the resistors and voltages of
the sources will be assigned by your instructor.

2. Measure and record each of the currents I1, I2, and I3.

3. Disconnect the EB source and place a short circuit across the network between
points B and B’.

4. Measure and record the currents I1A, I2A, and I3A

5. Remove the short circuit and reconnect the E B source and place a short circuit
across the network between points A and A’.

6. Measure and record the currents I1B, I2B, and I3B.

7. Compute I1’, I2’, and I3’ using the measured component currents.

8. Compute the percent difference between each of the pairs of values of I1, I2, and
I3.

V. CIRCUIT DIAGRAM

Fig. 7.1 The Experimental Circuit

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COLLEGE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
CKTS001 – ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS 1 LABORATORY EXPERIMENT MANUAL

Fig.7.2 Application of Superposition Theorem

VI. DATA AND RESULTS

I1 I2 I3 I1A I2A I3A I1B I2B I3B I1’ I2’ I3’

0.012 0.002 0.009 -0.010 -0.013 0.019 -0.022 -0.011 -0.008 12 -2 11
A A A A A A A A A mA mA mA

Percent difference between I1 and I1’ = 0%

Percent difference between I2 and I2’ = 0%

Percent difference between I3 and I3’= 20%

VII. PROBLEMS

1. If the superposition theorem is used to solve an electric network, how do you

determine the actual direction of the currents?

The total current in any part of a linear circuit is equal to the algebraic sum of the
currents produced by each source separately. For example, to calculate the current
through resistor R in a two-loop circuit, the individual current supplied by each battery is
calculated with the other battery replaced by a short circuit.

Source: Hyperphysics (n.d.). Superposition: Two-Loop Problem. Retrieved from

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/electric/suppos.html#c1

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 DE LA SALLE LIPA
COLLEGE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
CKTS001 – ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS 1 LABORATORY EXPERIMENT MANUAL

2. Apply superposition to the circuit of figure shown to find I1, I2 and I3.

i2

i1
i3

By KVL at mesh 𝑰𝟏

145−(22 + 15 + 33) 𝐼1 + 15 𝐼2 + 33 𝐼3 = 0

→ Eq. 1 𝟏𝟒𝟓 = 𝟕𝟎 𝑰𝟏 −𝟏𝟓 𝑰𝟐 −𝟑𝟑 𝑰𝟑

By KVL at mesh 𝑰𝟐

−(47 + 15 + 33) 𝐼2 + 15 𝐼1 + 47 𝐼3 = 0

→ Eq. 2 𝟎 = 𝟏𝟓 𝑰𝟏 −𝟗𝟓 𝑰𝟐 + 𝟒𝟕 𝑰𝟑

By KVL at mesh 𝑰𝟑

−(33 + 47 + 25) 𝐼3 + 47 𝐼2 + 33 𝐼3 = 0

→ Eq. 3 𝟎 = 𝟑𝟑 𝑰𝟏 + 𝟒𝟕 𝑰𝟐 −𝟏𝟎𝟓 𝑰𝟑

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COLLEGE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
CKTS001 – ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS 1 LABORATORY EXPERIMENT MANUAL

Using Kramer’s Rule:

145 70−15−33 I 1
[ ] [ ][ ]
0 = 15−95 47 I 2
0 33 47−105 I 3

70−15−33 70−15
[ ][ ]
∆= 15−95 47 15−95
33 47−105 33 47
∆=( 698250−23265−23265 ) −( 103455+154630+23625 ) i 1=
N 1 1126070
=
∆ 370010
∆=370010 i 1=3.04 A

145−15−33 145−15 N 2 453270

N 1=
[0−95 47
0 45−105 ][ ]
0−95
0 47
i 2= =
∆ 370010
i 2=1.23 A
N 1=( 1446375+0+ 0 )−( 0+320305+0 )
N 1=1126070 N 3 556800
i 3= =
∆ 370010
i 3=1.50 A
70145−33 70 145
N 2=
[
15 0 47
330−105 ][ ] 15 0
33 0
N 2=( 0+ 224895+0 )− ( 0+0−228375 )
N 2=453270

70−15 145 70−15

[ ][ ]
N 3= 15−95 0 15−95
33 47 0 33 47

i2

I3
I1 i3
i1 i2 I2

I1 = i1 I3 = i3 – i2
I2 = i2 I3 = 1.50A –
I1 = 3.04A
I2 = 1.23A 1.23A
I3 = 0.27A

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COLLEGE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
CKTS001 – ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS 1 LABORATORY EXPERIMENT MANUAL

VIII. CONCLUSION

When dealing with circuit containing two or more sources, the superposition
theorem is used to simplify the network calculations. In evaluating the separate currents
and aimed to make it combined, all other voltage sources are being replaced by short
circuits, meaning their voltage is set to zero, and all other current sources by open
circuits which is also equal to zero.

In using the superposition theorem with circuit currents and voltages, one should
consider that all the components must be linear; that is, for all resistive components, the
current must be proportional to the applied voltage which satisfies the Ohm’s law.

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 DE LA SALLE LIPA
COLLEGE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
CKTS001 – ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS 1 LABORATORY EXPERIMENT MANUAL

EXPERIMENT #8: THEVENIN’S THEOREM

I. OBJECTIVE

To study the equivalent circuit of an electric source using Thevenin’s theorem.

II. DISCUSSION

Thevenin’s theorem states that a linear network terminating on two points a

and b and containing any number of emfs may be replaced by a single emf and a
series resistance between a and b. The series resistance is the resistance of the
network measured between a and b with the emfs short-circuited. The emf is equal to
the open-circuit voltage measured between a and b. If the emfs are constant, the
series resistance is the open circuit voltage between a and b divided by the current
flowing in a short-circuit applied between a and b.

Thevenin’s theorem implies that a source can be considered to consist of a

constant voltage source in series with a resistance. Fig. 8.1 shows the thevenized
circuit of an electric source, such as a battery or generator. In this circuit, E O is the
constant voltage source, RO is the series resistance and the terminals a and b are the
output terminals. If a load is connected to the output terminals, a current will flow
through the series elements. This is shown in Fig. 8.2. The current will be I = E O / (RO
+ RL). Note that the voltage across terminals a and b will drop when a load resistor is
connected across it. All electric sources will experience a voltage drop across its
terminals when delivering a load. This voltage drop affects the performance of
circuits connected to the source externally. The performance of electric sources
could be studied by using its Thevenin’s equivalent.

III. INSTRUMENTS AND COMPONENTS

DESCRIPTION QUANTITY
DC voltmeter 1
DC ammeter 1
DC power supply 1
220 ohm resistor 1
330 ohm resistor 1
470 ohm resistor 1
680 ohm resistor 1
1k ohm resistor 2

7
 DE LA SALLE LIPA
COLLEGE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
CKTS001 – ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS 1 LABORATORY EXPERIMENT MANUAL

IV. PROCEDURE

1. Connect the circuit shown in Fig. 8.3.

2. Measure and record the current I in the 1k ohm resistor.
3. Disconnect the 1k ohm resistor.
4. Measure and record EO, the voltage across terminals a and b.
5. Disconnect the voltage source EA and place a short circuit across the network
between A and A’.
6. Using the VOM, measure the resistance RO between a and b.
7. Compute I’ = EO / (RO + RL) where RL = 1k ohms. Compute the percent difference
between I and I’. Record these values.
8. Repeat steps 2 to 7 using the circuit shown in Fig. 8.4.

V. CIRCUIT DIAGRAMS

Fig. 8.1 Thevenized circuit-electric source Fig. 8.2 Thevenized circuit of

electric source with load

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COLLEGE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
CKTS001 – ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS 1 LABORATORY EXPERIMENT MANUAL

Fig. 8.3 The Experimental Circuit (1) Fig. 8.4 The Experimental Circuit (2)

VI. DATA AND RESULTS

Circuit I EO RO I’ % Diff
Fig. 8.3 0.005 A 7.11 V 407.3 Ω 0.005 A 0%
Fig. 8.4 0.0001 A 0.003 A 539.2 Ω 0.0003 A 107.69%

VII. PROBLEMS

1. When do we use Thevenin’s theorem?

Thevenin’s theorem is used in analyzing complicated circuits which consists of

one or more voltage or current source and resistors that are arranged in the usual
parallel and series connections. Also, it is being used in the circuit analysis of power or
battery systems and other interconnected resistive circuits where it will affect the
adjoining part of the circuit.

Source: Electronics Tutorial (2019). Retrieved from

https://www.electronicstutorials.ws/dccircuits/dcp_7.html

2. What is meant by the open-circuit voltage, in Thevenin’s theorem?

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 DE LA SALLE LIPA
COLLEGE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
CKTS001 – ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS 1 LABORATORY EXPERIMENT MANUAL

V OC is called as the Thevenin's equivalent voltage. It is the open-circuit

voltage measured at the two terminals of interest.
A

V OC

Source: Basic Electronics Tutorial (n.d.) Retrieved from

https://www.electronicstutorial.net/dccircuits/thevenins-theorem/

3. What is meant by the resistance of the network “looking back into the network,” in
Thevenin’s theorem?

The resistance the network “looking back into the network,” in Thevenin’s
theorem denotes an open circuit resistance across the two terminals but with all the
sources being killed. Although the terminals are open, an ohmmeter across them would
read the value of the resistance as the remaining paths in the network, without any
sources operating.

4. Use the Thevenin’s theorem to find I3 in the circuit shown.

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COLLEGE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
CKTS001 – ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS 1 LABORATORY EXPERIMENT MANUAL

VIII. CONCLUSION

Thevenin's theorem states that any linear voltage source can be represented as
an ideal voltage source, V TH , in series with a Thevenin resistor of resistance, RTH . To
find the Thevenin source voltage, removing the load resistor from the original circuit and
calculating voltage across the open connection points where the load resistor used to be
is necessary. Meanwhile, to find the Thevenin resistance, removing all power sources in
the original circuit (voltage sources shorted and current sources open) and calculating
total resistance between the open connection points should be done.

In real-life scenario, the Thevenin’s theorem is useful in analyzing power systems

and other circuits where one resistor in the circuit is subject to change. Re-
calculation of the circuit is necessary with each trial value of load resistance, to
determine voltage across it and current through it.

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 DE LA SALLE LIPA
COLLEGE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
CKTS001 – ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS 1 LABORATORY EXPERIMENT MANUAL

EXPERIMENT # 9: NORTON’S THEOREM

I. OBJECTIVES

1. To study the use of Norton’s theorem.

2. To compare Norton’s theorem with Thevenin’s theorem.

II. DISCUSSION

Norton’s and Thevenin’s theorems are similar in that both state that any two
terminal network of resistances and sources of emf may be replaced by a single
source and a single internal resistance.

But Norton considers this source to consist of a generator producing a constant

current equal to the short-circuit current at the two terminals of the original network.
The internal resistance has to be in parallel with this constant current source and is
defined in the same manner as the Thevenin’s equivalent resistance.

Norton’s equivalent circuits are used extensively in the study of electronic

circuits.

III. INSTRUMENTS AND COMPONENTS

DESCRIPTION QUANTITY
DC voltmeter 1
DC ammeter 1
DC power supply 1
220 ohm resistor 1
330 ohm resistor 1
470 ohm resistor 1
680 ohm resistor 1
1k ohm resistor 2

IV. PROCEDURE

1. Connect the circuit shown in Fig. 9.2.

2. Measure and record the current I in the 1k ohm resistor.

3. Disconnect the 1k ohm resistor.

4. Measure and record IO, the current indicated by an ammeter connected across
points a and b.

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COLLEGE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
CKTS001 – ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS 1 LABORATORY EXPERIMENT MANUAL

5. Disconnect the voltage source E and replace by a short-circuit.

6. Using the VOM, measure the resistance RO between a and b.

7. Compute for I’. Refer to Fig. 9.1. Compute the percent difference between I and
I’. Record these values.

8. Repeat steps 2 to 7 using the circuit shown in Fig. 9.3.

V. CIRCUIT DIAGRAM

(a) (b)

Fig. 9.1 Norton’s equivalent circuit (a) no load and (b) with load.

Fig. 9.2 The Experimental Circuit (1) Fig. 9.3 The Experimental Circuit (2)

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COLLEGE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
CKTS001 – ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS 1 LABORATORY EXPERIMENT MANUAL

VI. DATA AND RESULTS

Circuit I IO RO I’ % diff
Fig. 9.2 0.005 A 0.017 A 407.3 Ω 0.005 A 0%
Fig. 9.3 0.0001 A 0.0001 A 539.1 Ω 0.00004 A 85.71%

VII. PROBLEMS

1. What happens to the terminal voltage of a Norton’s equivalent circuit when a load
resistor is connected to it?

In case that the original load resistor was reconnected, the Norton’s
equivalent circuit can be analyzed as a simple parallel arrangement.

2. What is the difference between a Thevenin’s equivalent circuit and a Norton's

equivalent circuit?

Thevenin’s theorem is a voltage form of an equivalent circuit while Norton’s

theorem is a current form of an equivalent circuit. In other words, Norton's theorem
uses a current source, whereas Thevenin's theorem uses a voltage source.
Thevenin's theorem uses a resistor in series, while Norton's theorem uses a resistor
set in parallel with the source.

Source: Parameswaran G. (2017). What is the difference between Thevenin's and

Norton's theorem? Retrieved from https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-difference-
between-Thevenins-and-Nortons-theorem

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COLLEGE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
CKTS001 – ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS 1 LABORATORY EXPERIMENT MANUAL

3. Use the Norton’s theorem to find I3 in the circuit shown.

VIII. CONCLUSION

Norton’s Theorem states that it is possible to simplify any linear circuit to an

equivalent circuit with just a single current source and parallel resistance connected to a
load. In finding the current, placing a direct wire (short) connection between the load
points and determining the resultant current is needed. On the other hand, in calculating
the resistance, take the original circuit (with the load resistor still removed), remove the
power sources (voltage sources replaced with wires and current sources replaced with
breaks). After such, the total resistance from one load connection point to the other will
be known.

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