Network Theorems

Dr. K Sainadh Singh

Associate Professors
Dept of EEE.
Network Theorems
• This chapter introduces a number of theorems that have application
throughout the field of electricity and electronics.

• Not only can they be used to solve networks, but they also provide an
opportunity to determine the impact of a particular source or element
on the response of the entire system.

• These theorems use fundamental rules or formulas and basic equations

of mathematics to analyze basic components of electrical or
electronics parameters such as voltages, currents, resistance, and so
on.
Network Theorems – In Curriculum
1. Thevinen’s,
2. Norton’s,
3. Superposition,
4. Reciprocity,
5. Maximum Power Transfer,
6. Compensation,
7. Millman’s and
8. Tellegen's theorems

Note: Only for D.C. Excitation

Thevinen’s Theorem
• Simplifies analysis of complex circuits
• Allows us to replace all of the elements with a combination of just one
voltage source and one resistor

Statement:
“Any linear circuit containing several voltages and resistances can be
replaced by just one single voltage in series with a single resistance
connected across the load.”
Thevinen’s Theorem
• Therefore,

Original Circuit Thevenin Equivalent Circuit

• In the new circuit:

- VTH is the open circuit voltage at the terminals i.e., The Voltage between A and B.
- RTH is the input or equivalent resistance at the terminals when the sources are turned off.
The equivalent resistance between A and B.
Thevinen’s Theorem
• To draw your new equivalent circuit follow these steps:

1. Remove your load and label your terminals a and b.

2. Solve for VTH.
3. Solve for RTH.
4. Draw your new equivalent circuit.
Thevinen’s Theorem
• Illustration:

1. Remove the load and label the terminals a and b.

Thevinen’s Theorem
• Illustration:

2. Solve for VTH.

• The Thevenin voltage is the voltage between
a and b with the load removed.
• Follow the path of current leaving the source to
see if it divides and it goes through the 40 Ohms resistor.
• In this case this is a closed loop where the voltage between a and b
Vab = VTH ,and is also the voltage drop across the 40Ω resistor, that can
be solved using the VOLTAGE DIVISION RULE .

𝟒𝟎
𝑽𝒂𝒃 = 𝑽𝒕𝒉 = 𝟐𝟎× = 𝟒. 𝟒𝑽
(𝟒𝟎 + 𝟔𝟎 + 𝟖𝟎)
Thevinen’s Theorem
• Illustration:

3. Solve for RTH.

Turn off your Source.
- If it is a Voltage source (Es) - Short Circuit.
- If it’s a Current source (Is) - Open Circuit.
• Then RTH is the value of resistance between terminals a and b.

%𝟏
𝟏 𝟏
𝑹𝒂𝒃 = 𝑹𝒕𝒉 = + = 𝟑𝟏𝛀
𝟒𝟎 𝟖𝟎 + 𝟔𝟎
Thevinen’s Theorem
• Illustration:

4. Draw your new equivalent circuit.

Draw your new Thevenin equivalent circuit plugging ETH, RTH , and RLD
THEVENIN’S THEOREM: Example 10.1.
Find VX by first finding VTH and RTH to the left of A-B.

12 W 4W A
•
+

30 V +
_ 6W 2W VX
_
•
B
Figure 10.8: Circuit for Example 10.1.

First remove everything to the right of A-B.

 THEVENIN & NORTON
THEVENIN’S THEOREM: Example 10.1. continued
12 W 4W A
•

30 V +
_ 6W

•
B
Figure 10.9: Circuit for finding VTH for Example 10.1.

(30)(6)
VAB = = 10V
6 + 12
Notice that there is no current flowing in the 4 W resistor
(A-B) is open. Thus there can be no voltage across the
resistor.
 THEVENIN & NORTON
THEVENIN’S THEOREM: Example 10.1. continued
We now deactivate the sources to the left of A-B and find
the resistance seen looking in these terminals.

12 W 4W A
•
RTH
6W

•
B
Figure 10.10: Circuit for find RTH for Example 10.10.

We see,
RTH = 12||6 + 4 = 8 W
 THEVENIN & NORTON
THEVENIN’S THEOREM: Example 10.1. continued
After having found the Thevenin circuit, we connect this
to the load in order to find VX.
RTH A
12 W 4W A •
• 8W
+ +
30 V +
_ 6W 2W VX VTH + 10 V VX
_ 2W
_ _
• B
•
B

Figure 10.11: Circuit of Ex 10.1 after connecting Thevenin

circuit.

(10)( 2)
VX = = 2V
13
2+8
Thevinen’s Theorem
Limitations of Thevinen’s Theorem
• If the circuit consists of non linear elements, this theorem is not
applicable.
• Also to the unilateral networks it is not applicable.
• There should not be magnetic coupling between the load and circuit
to be replaced with the thevinen’s equivalent.
• There should not be controlled sources on the load side which care
controlled from some other parts of the network.
Norton’s Theorem

• “Any two terminal linear network that constitute independent sources

and linear resistances can be replaced with an equivalent circuit,
consisting of a current source with a parallel resistor.”

• Magnitude of this equivalent current source is equal to the short

circuit current flowing through the load terminals and

• The equivalent resistance is the resistance at the load terminals, when

all the sources in a given circuit are replaced by their internal
resistances.
Norton’s Theorem

• In below figure a part of a network , constituting of sources (either

voltage or current or both) and resistances is replaced with a current
source and a parallel resistor such that current flowing through the
load is same in both cases.
Norton’s Theorem
Steps to Analyse the Norton’s Theorem
1. Consider the given circuit and short the load terminals after disconnecting
the load resistance from output or load terminals.
2. Determine the short circuit current IN, through the shorted terminals by
applying any of the circuit reduction techniques like mesh analysis or nodal
analysis or superposition theorem
3. Redraw the given circuit by replacing all the practical sources in the circuit
with their internal voltages or simply short circuit voltages sources and open
circuit the current sources . And also make sure to open or remove the short
circuited terminals of the load.
4. Calculate the resistance that exists between the load terminals by looking
from the load terminals. This resistance is equivalent Norton’s resistance RN
5. Insert the resistance in parallel with a current source IN which forms a
Norton’s equivalent circuit.
6. Now reconnect the load to the Norton’s equivalent circuit and calculate the
current, voltage.
Example: Find the current through 3 ohm resistor by Norton’s Theorem for
the network shown in fig.1a
R1 a R2
6 ohm 1 ohm
24V 3 ohm R3 12V

Fig. 1a b
SOLUTION:
STEP 1: Calculation of RN (calculation is same as Rth). Redraw the circuit by
removing the 3 ohm resistor and short circuit the voltage sources as
shown in fig. 1b
 Fig. 1b R2
6 ohm a 1 ohm R1 and R2 are in parallel
R 1R 2 6´1
RN = = = 0.857W
R 1 + R 2 6 +1
b

RN

Short circuit the terminals a-b and the current Step2: Calculation of
flow through a-b is IN Norton’s Current IN :
R1 R2
Fig. 1c
I1 a I2
24V IN 12V
24 12
I N = I1 + I 2 = + = 16A
6 1
b
Step2: Draw the Norton’s Equivalent Circuit:

IN 16A RN 0.857 ohm

Step3: Calculation of Current through R3, Reconnect R3 to Norton’s

Equivalent Circuit (Fig. 1e)

Apply Current divider rule

RN =
IN=16A 0.857 R3 = IL
3 Ohm RN
ohm IL = I N
RN + RL

0.857
I L =16 = 3.55A
0.857 + 3
Superposition Theorem
If there are several sources acting simultaneously in an electrical circuit, then the current through any
branch of the circuit is summation of currents which would flow through the branch for each source
keeping all other sources dead.

Illustration:
Case(i): Case(ii):
• Two 1.5 Volt batteries present in the circuit. • Now, we replace the left side battery by a short
• At this condition, the current through 1 ohm circuit as shown.
resistance is 1.2 ampere. • In this case the current flowing through the 1
ohm resistance is 0.6 ampere.
Superposition Theorem
Illustration:
Case(iii):
• Now, we replace the right side battery by a short circuit as shown.
• In this case the current flowing through the 1 ohm resistance is
also 0.6 ampere.

Observation:
1.2 = 0.6 + 0.6

• So, we can say, if we connect a branch of an electrical circuit with numbers of voltage and current
sources total current flowing through this branch is the summation of all individual currents,
contributed by the each individual voltage or current source.
• This simple conception is mathematically represented as Superposition Theorem.
 Superposition Theorem
• Instead of having two sources as shown in the illustration, if there are n number of sources
acting in a circuit due to which I current flows through a particular branch of the circuit.

• If someone replaces all the sources from the circuit by their internal resistance (turnoff) except
first source which is now acting along in the circuit and giving current I1 through the said
branch, then he reconnects the second source and replaces the first source by its internal
resistance.
• Now the current through that said branch for this second source alone can be assumed I2.
 Superposition Theorem
• Similarly, if he reconnects the third source and replaces the second source by its internal
resistance.
• Now the current through that said branch for this third source, alone is assumed I3.

• Similarly, when nth source acts alone in the circuit and all other sources are replaced by their
internal electrical resistances, then said In current flows through the said branch of the
circuit..
Superposition Theorem
Now according to Superposition theorem, current through the branch when all the sources are
acting on the circuit simultaneously, is nothing but summation of these individual current caused
by individual sources acting alone on the circuit.

𝑰 = 𝑰𝟏 + 𝑰𝟐 + 𝑰𝟑 … … … … + 𝑰𝒏

Note:
• Electrical sources may be of two kinds mainly, one is voltage source and other is
current source.
• For superposition theorem, the voltage sources are replaced by short circuits and
sources are replaced by open circuits.
Superposition Theorem
The different steps of Superposition theorem as follows,

• Step – 1:
Replace all but one of the sources by their internal resistances.

• Step – 2:
Determine the currents in various branches using simple Ohm’s law.

• Step – 3:
Repeat the process using each of the sources turn – by turn as the sole source each
time.

• Step – 4:
Add all the currents in a particular branch due to each source. This is the desired
value of current at that branch when all the sources acting on the circuit
simultaneously.
Superposition Theorem
ü This theorem is only applicable to linear circuit i.e. circuit consisting of
resistances in which Ohm’s law is valid.

• In the circuits having non-linear resistances such as thermionic valves,

metallic rectifiers this theorem will not be applicable.

• This theorem is a more laborious one than many other circuit theorems.

ü But main advantage of this method is that, it avoids solutions of two or

more simultaneous equations.

ü But after a little practice with this method, equations can be written
directly from the original circuit diagram and labour in drawing extra
diagrams can be saved.
Tutorial-1
By superposition theorem, find the current in resistance 2 Ohm R in Fig.
Tutorial-1
Step: 1
At first, find the current through 2Ω resistor with 48V source acting alone. Hence replace the 24 V
source by a short circuit.
Tutorial-1
Step: 2.
Now consider the 24V source alone and replace 48 V source by a short circuit.
Tutorial-1
Finally, add the two currents considering their direction.

Here the two currents are flowing into the 2Ω resistor with the same direction. So the total current
flowing through 2Ω will be the algebraic sum of I2Ω(48V) and I2Ω(24V)..
Tutorial-2
Find the current through 5Ω resistor using superposition theorem.
Tutorial-2
If you look the above circuit, it has a current and a voltage source. To reduce the complexity of the
problem convert 5A current source in to its equivalent voltage source.
Tutorial-2
Step: 1 Step: 2 Step: 3
Maximum Power Transfer Theorem
• This theorem deals with transfer of maximum power from a source to load.

Statement:
“In d.c. circuits, maximum power is transferred from a source to load when the load resistance
is made equal to the internal resistance of the source as viewed from the load terminals with
load removed and all e.m.f. sources replaced by their internal resistances.”

Illustration:
Maximum Power Transfer Theorem - Proof
Maximum Power Transfer Theorem – Proof
Maximum Power Transfer Theorem – Proof
Tutorial-1
Find the value of resistance R to have maximum power transfer in the circuit shown in Fig. Also obtain
the amount of maximum power. All resistances are in ohms.

RTH A
12 W 4W A •
• 8W
+ +
+
30 V +
_ 6W 2W VX VTH _ 10 V 2 W RLVX
RL _
_
B
• •
B
Reciprocity Theorem
This theorem permits us to transfer source from one position in the circuit to another.

Statement:
“In any linear, bilateral network, if an e.m.f. ‘E’ acting in a branch ‘X’ causes a current ‘I’ in
branch ‘Y’, then the same e.m.f. ‘E’ located in branch ‘Y’ will cause a current ‘I’ in branch ‘X’.
However, currents in other parts of the network will not remain the same.”

Explanation:
• Consider the circuit shown in Fig. (i).
• The e.m.f. E (=100 V) acting in the branch FAC produces a current I amperes in branch CDF
and is indicated by the ammeter.
• According to reciprocity theorem, if the e.m.f. E and ammeter are interchanged as shown in
Fig. (ii), then the ammeter reading does not change i.e. the ammeter now connected in
branch FAC will read I amperes.
Tutorial 1:
Verify the reciprocity theorem for the network shown in Fig. Also find the transfer resistance.
Tutorial 1:
Millman’s Theorem
• Millman’s theorem is a combination of Thevenin’s and Norton’s
theorems.

• It is used to reduce any number of parallel voltage/current sources to an

equivalent circuit containing only one source.

• It has the advantage of being easier to apply to some networks than

mesh analysis, nodal analysis or superposition.

• This theorem can be stated in terms of voltage sources or current

sources or both.
Millman’s Theorem
1. Parallel voltage sources.
• Millman’s theorem provides a method of calculating the common voltage across different parallel-
connected voltage sources.
• Statement:
“The voltage sources that are directly connected in parallel can be replaced by a single equivalent
voltage source”
• Fig (i) shows three parallel-connected voltage sources E1, E2 and E3.
• Then common terminal voltage VAB of these parallel voltage sources is given by ;

𝑬𝟏 𝑬 𝑬
)𝑹 + 𝟐)𝑹 + 𝟑)𝑹 ∑ 𝑰𝒏
𝟏 𝟐 𝟑
𝑽𝑨𝑩 = =
𝟏) + 𝟏) + 𝟏) 𝟏
𝑹𝟏 𝑹𝟐 𝑹𝟑 ∑
𝑹𝒏

• This voltage represents the ‘Thevenin’s voltage VTh.’

• The denominator represents ‘Thevenin’s resistance RTh.’
• Therefore, parallel-connected voltage sources in Fig (i) can be replaced by a single voltage source as
shown in Fig (ii).
• If load RL is connected across terminals AB,
then load current IL is given by ;
𝑽𝑻𝒉
𝑰𝑳 =
𝑹 +𝑹
Millman’s Theorem
2. Parallel Current sources.
• Statement:
“The current sources that are directly connected in parallel can be replaced by a single equivalent
current source.”
• The current of this single current source is the algebraic sum of the individual source currents.
• The internal resistance of the single current source is equal to the combined resistance of the
parallel combination of the source resistances.

3. Voltage sources and current sources in parallel.

• The Millman’s theorem is also applicable if the circuit has a mixture of parallel voltage and current
sources.
• Each parallel-connected voltage source is converted to an equivalent current source.
• The result is a set of parallel-connected current sources and we can replace them by a single
equivalent current source.
• Alternatively, each parallel- connected current source can be converted to an equivalent voltage
source and the set of parallel- connected voltage sources can be replaced by an equivalent voltage
source.
Tutorial-1:
Find the current in the 1 k Ω resistor in Fig. by finding Millman equivalent voltage source with respect to
terminals x – y.
Tutorial-1:
Tutorial-2:
Find an equivalent voltage source for the circuit shown in Fig. What is the load current?
Tutorial-2:
Compensation Theorem

Statement:
“The compensation theorem states that any resistance R in a branch of a network in which
current I is flowing can be replaced, for the purpose of calculations, by a voltage equal to – IR.”

• It follows from Kirchhoff’s voltage law that the current I is unaltered if an e.m.f. – IR is substituted
for the voltage drop IR.

“If the resistance of any branch of a network is changed from R to (R + ∆R) where the current
was originally I, then the change of current at any point in the network may be calculated by
assuming than an e.m.f. – I∆R has been introduced into the modified branch while all other
sources have their e.m.f.s. suppressed and are represented by their internal resistances only.”
Compensation Theorem
Illustration:
Consider the circuit shown in Fig. (i).
• The various branch currents in this circuit are :

𝟓𝟎
𝑰𝟏 = = 𝟐 𝑨𝒎𝒑𝒔, 𝑰𝟐 = 𝑰𝟑 = 𝟏 𝑨𝒎𝒑.
𝟐𝟎 + 𝟓

• Now suppose that the resistance of the right branch is increased to 20Ω
i.e. ∆R = 20 – 10 = 10 Ω and a voltage V = – I3 ∆R = – 1 × 10 = – 10 V
is introduced in this branch and voltage source replaced by a short
• The circuit becomes as shown in Fig. (ii).
• The compensating currents produced by this voltage are also indicated.
• When these compensating currents are algebraically added to the
original Currents in their respective branches, the new branch currents
will be as shown in Fig.(iii).

• The compensation theorem is useful in bridge and potentiometer circuits,

where a slight change in one resistance results in a shift from a null
condition.
Tellegen’s Theorem
• This theorem has been introduced in the year of 1952 by Dutch Electrical Engineer Bernard D.H.
Tellegen.
• This is a very useful theorem in network analysis.
• Statement:
“For a network consisting of n elements, if i1, i2, i3 .... in are the instantaneous
currents flowing through the elements satisfying KCL and v1, v2, v3 ... vn are the
instantaneous voltages across these elements satisfying KVL, then,

𝒗𝟏 𝒊𝟏 + 𝒗𝟐 𝒊𝟐 + 𝒗𝟑 𝒊𝟑 + ⋯ … … … … . +𝒗𝒏 𝒊𝒏 = 𝟎 𝑜𝑟 ∑𝒏𝒊;𝟏 𝒗𝒏 𝒊𝒏 = 𝟎
• Now ‘vi’ is the instantaneous power.

• Therefore, Tellegen’s theorem can also be stated as under :

“The sum of instantaneous powers for n branches in a network is always zero.”

• This theorem is valid for any lumped network that contains elements linear or non-linear, passive
or active, time variant or time invariant.
Tellegen’s Theorem
Explanation.
Let us explain Tellegen’s theorem with a simple circuit shown in Fig.
• The total resistance offered to the battery = 8 Ω + (4 Ω || 4 Ω) = 10 Ω.
Therefore, current supplied by battery is I = 100/10 = 10A.
• This current divides equally at point A.
• Voltage drop across 8 Ω = – (10 × 8) = – 80 V
• Voltage drop across 4 Ω = – (5 × 4) = – 20 V
• Voltage drop across 1 Ω = – (5 × 1) = – 5 V
• Voltage drop across 3 Ω = – (5 × 3) = – 15 V
• According to Tellegen’s theorem, Sum of instantaneous powers = 0
or 𝒗𝟏 𝒊𝟏 + 𝒗𝟐 𝒊𝟐 + 𝒗𝟑 𝒊𝟑 + 𝒗𝟒 𝒊𝟒 + 𝒗𝟓 𝒊𝟓 = 𝟎
or (100 × 10) + (–80 × 10) + (–20 × 5) + (–5 × 5) + (–15 × 5) = 0
or 1000 – 800 – 100 – 25 – 75 = 0
or 0 = 0 which is true
Thus Tellegen’s theorem stands proved.