Thevenin’s Theorem

&
Maximum Power Transfer
Lab 003

Electrical Networks

Professor Fernando Hernandez Arias

Report Written By Galib F. Rahman & Andy Gomez
CET 3525 Section E213
March 05 2018
 Table of Contents

Objective 2

Procedure 3

Results 5

Conclusion 9

References 9

1
 Objective
The objective of this laboratory exercise is to verify the validity of Thevenin’s
Theorem via comparison of experimental and theoretical results. In addition we demonstrated the
effect of Maximum Power Transfer, once the condition of R​L​ = R​Th​ was satisfied.

Theory
Thevenin’s Theorem states that it is possible to simplify any linear circuit, no matter how
complex, to an equivalent circuit with just a single voltage source and series resistance connected to
a load. The qualification of “linear” is identical to that found in the Superposition Theorem, where
all the underlying equations must be linear (no exponents or roots). If we’re dealing with passive
components (such as resistors, and later, inductors and capacitors), this is true. However, there are
some components (especially certain gas-discharge and semiconductor components) which are
nonlinear: that is, their opposition to current changes with voltage and/or current. As such, we
would call circuits containing these types of components, nonlinear circuits. Thevenin’s Theorem is
particularly useful in the analysis of power systems and other circuits where one particular resistor
in the circuit (called the “load” resistor) is subject to change, and re-calculation of the circuit is
necessary with each trial value of load resistance, to determine voltage across it and current
through it.

The Maximum Power Transfer Theorem states that 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 the
maximum.

Materials
Resistors External Variable DC Power Supply Digital Multimeter

100 Ω 12 Volts Breadboard

220Ω 16 Volts Jumper Wires

2.2 kΩ 20 Volts

330 Ω 24 Volts

470 Ω

1 kΩ Potentiometer

10 kΩ Potentiometer

2
 Procedure
In this laboratory, the circuit labeled as ​Figure 001 shown below was constructed
and used in Part I of this experiment. Prior to the construction of this circuit, our team was asked to
measure each resistor selected to construct the circuit and record the measured values. This data
would be later used to calculate margin of error in our measurements.

Then, transformed the circuit into our Thevenin Equivalent Circuit shown below.
Calculations were performed in order to find the value of the Thevenin Resistance and Thevenin
Voltage. The Load voltage stays the same because it is not used in our calculations to find the
Thevenin Resistance. ​Figure 001(b)​ shows the Thevenin Equivalent circuit used:

In Part 2, we verified the Maximum Power Transfer Theorem, which states that “​maximum
amount of power will be dissipated in the load resistance when the value of the load resistance is
exactly equal to the resistance of the power source.”​ Upon construction of the circuit shown in ​Figure
002​, we collected the measured voltage across the various load resistances and deduced the power
dissipated by said resistor. We then, demonstrated the relationship between the resistance and
power transmission on the graph shown in ​Graph 12.1.

3
 In Part 3 of this laboratory exercise we verified the conditions for maximum power transfer
using simulation software ​MultiSim 14​.

First we constructed the following circuit:

Next we determined the Thevenin voltage

(​E​Th​) by measuring the open circuit voltage ​V​ab​:

Afterwards we determined the Thevenin resistance R​Th by introducing a 1 k​Ω

potentiometer and adjusted the resistance until the potential difference reached half of the
Thevenin voltage (​E​Th.​).

Next we verified the conditions at which the circuit would undergo maximum power
transfer by varying the resistance values of the potentiometer and measuring the varying voltage

4
across said potentiometer. From the voltages we deduced the power across this load resistance and
graphed the resistance vs. power & the resistance vs. voltage (as shown in ​Graph 12.2​ and ​12.3​)

Results
Table 12.1

Calculated Measured % Difference

E​Th 4.80V 4.83V 0.62%

R​Th 2.32kΩ 2.31kΩ 0.43%

Table 12.2

5
 I​L I​L (Series-Parallel)

1.72mA 1.72 mA

Table 12.3

V​L I​L​ (From V​L​)

Original (Figure 001) 0.806V 1.7mA

Thevenin Equivalent 0.796V 1.64mA

(Figure 001(b))

6
Table 12.4

R​L​(Ω) V​L​(V) P​L​ (mW)

0 0 0

50 1.036 24.47

100 1.78 31.684

200 2.92 42.632

300 3.65 44.408

R​L(Measured) =
​ 334
3.7 40.99

400 4.39 44.18

600 5.14 44.03

800 5.65 39.9

1000 6 36

Table 12.5

Theory Experimental

R​L 330 Ω
​ 400 Ω
​

V​L 4V
​ 4.39 V
​

7
Graph 12.1

Graph 12.1 demonstrates the increase of power transmission

as the load resistance reaches the Thevenin resistance and it’s
gradual decrease as the impedance exceeds R​Th​. The data
represented is based on the circuit constructed shown in
Figure 002.

Graphs 12.2 and 12.3 are based on the following circuit below:

These graphs demonstrate the validity of the ​Maximum Power

Transfer Theorem and the increase of potential difference across the load resistor as the resistance
increased.

Graph 12.2 Graph 12.3

8
 Conclusion
In this laboratory exercise we were successful in implementing a Thevenin
equivalent circuit using Thevenin’s theorem, which demonstrated characteristics similar to the
original circuit. We also verified the occurrence of maximum power transfer at which the load
resistance reached the same impedance of the Thevenin resistance and a voltage potential half of
the Thevenin voltage.

References
● “Thevenin’s Theorem.” ​All About Circuits​,
www.allaboutcircuits.com/textbook/direct-current/chpt-10/thevenins-theorem/​.

● “Maximum Power Transfer Theorem.” ​All About Circuits​,

www.allaboutcircuits.com/textbook/direct-current/chpt-10/maximum-power-transfer-theo
rem/​.

● “Maximum Power Transfer Theorem in DC Theory.” ​Basic Electronics Tutorials,​ 3 May

2018, ​www.electronics-tutorials.ws/dccircuits/dcp_9.html​.