Circuit Theorems

Chap. 4 Circuit Theorems

• Introduction
• Linearity property
• Superposition
• Source transformations
• Thevenin’s theorem
• Norton’s theorem
• Maximum power transfer

Ch04_Circuit Theorems 2
 4.1 Introduction

A large Simplify
complex circuits circuit analysis

Circuit Theorems

‧Thevenin’s theorem ‧ Norton theorem

‧Circuit linearity ‧ Superposition
‧source transformation ‧ max. power transfer
Ch04_Circuit Theorems 3
 4.2 Linearity Property

Homogeneity property (Scaling)

i  v  iR
ki  kv  kiR

Additivity property
i1  v1  i1 R
i2  v2  i2 R
i1  i2  (i1  i2 ) R  i1 R  i2 R  v1  v2
Ch04_Circuit Theorems 4
• A linear circuit is one whose output is
linearly related (or directly proportional) to its
input
• Fig. 4.1 i

V0
I0

Ch04_Circuit Theorems 5
• Linear circuit consist of
– linear elements vs  10V  i  2A
– linear dependent sources vs  1V  i  0.2A
– independent sources vs  5mV  i  1mA
2
• v 2
p i R  : nonlinear
R

Ch04_Circuit Theorems 6
 Example 4.1

• For the circuit in fig 4.2 find I0 when vs=12V a

nd vs=24V.

Ch04_Circuit Theorems 7
 Example 4.1

• KVL
12i1  4i2  vs  0 (4.1.1)
 4i1  16i2  3v x  vs  0 (4.1.2)
v x  2i1
(4.1.2) becomes
 10i1  16i2  vs  0 (4.1.3)
Eqs(4.1.1) and (4.1.3) we get
2i1  12i2  0  i1  6i2
Ch04_Circuit Theorems 8
 Example 4.1
Eq(4.1.1), we get
vs
 76i2  vs  0  i2 
76
When vs  12V
12
I 0  i2  A
76
When vs  24V
24
I 0  i2  A
76
Showing that when the source value is doubled, I0
doubles.

Ch04_Circuit Theorems 9
 Example 4.2

• Assume I0 = 1 A and use linearity to find the

actual value of I0 in the circuit in fig 4.4.

Ch04_Circuit Theorems 10
 Example 4.2
If I 0  1A, then v1  (3  5) I 0  8V
I1  v1 / 4  2A, I 2  I1  I 0  3A
V2
V2  V1  2 I 2  8  6  14V, I 3   2A
7
I 4  I 3  I 2  5A  I S  5A
I 0  1 A  I S  5A
I 0  3A  I S  15A

Ch04_Circuit Theorems 11
 4.3 Superposition
• The superposition principle states that the
voltage across (or current through) an element
in a linear circuit is the algebraic sum of the
voltages across (or currents through) that
element due to each independent source acting
alone.
• Turn off, killed, inactive source:
– independent voltage source: 0 V (short circuit)
– independent current source: 0 A (open circuit)
• Dependent sources are left intact.
Ch04_Circuit Theorems 12
• Steps to apply superposition principle:
1. Turn off all independent sources except one
source. Find the output (voltage or current) due
to that active source using nodal or mesh
analysis.
2. Repeat step 1 for each of the other independent
sources.
3. Find the total contribution by adding
algebraically all the contributions due to the
independent sources.

Ch04_Circuit Theorems 13
 How to turn off independent
sources
• Turn off voltages sources = short voltage
sources; make it equal to zero voltage
• Turn off current sources = open current
sources; make it equal to zero current

Ch04_Circuit Theorems 14
• Superposition involves more work but simpler
circuits.
• Superposition is not applicable to the effect on
power.

Ch04_Circuit Theorems 15
 Example 4.3

• Use the superposition theorem to find in the

circuit in Fig.4.6.

Ch04_Circuit Theorems 16
 Example 4.3

Since there are two sources,

let V  V1  V2
Voltage division to get
4
V1  ( 6)  2 V
48
Current division, to get
8
i3  (3)  2A
48
Hence v2  4i3  8V
And we find
v  v1  v2  2  8  10V
Ch04_Circuit Theorems 17
 Example 4.4

• Find I0 in the circuit in Fig.4.9 using

superposition.

Ch04_Circuit Theorems 18
Example 4.4

Fig. 4.10

Ch04_Circuit Theorems 19
Example 4.4

Fig. 4.10

Ch04_Circuit Theorems 20
 4.5 Source Transformation

• A source transformation is the process of repla

cing a voltage source vs in series with a resistor
R by a current source is in parallel with a resist
or R, or vice versa

Ch04_Circuit Theorems 21
 Fig. 4.15 & 4.16

vs
vs  is R or is 
R

Ch04_Circuit Theorems 22
 Equivalent Circuits
i i

+ +
v v

- -

v  iR  vs
v v vs
vs i 
-is
R R

Ch04_Circuit Theorems 23
• Arrow of the current source
positive terminal of voltage source
• Impossible source Transformation
– ideal voltage source (R = 0)
– ideal current source (R=)

Ch04_Circuit Theorems 24
 Example 4.6

• Use source transformation to find vo in the

circuit in Fig 4.17.

Ch04_Circuit Theorems 25
 Example 4.6
Fig 4.18

Ch04_Circuit Theorems 26
 Example 4.6

we use current division in Fig.4.18(c) to get

2
i (2)  0.4A
28
and
vo  8i  8(0.4)  3.2V

Ch04_Circuit Theorems 27
 Example 4.7

• Find vx in Fig.4.20 using source transformation

Ch04_Circuit Theorems 28
 Example 4.7

Applying KVL around the loop in Fig 4.21(b) gives

 3  5i  v x  18  0 (4.7.1)
Appling KVL to the loop containing only the 3V voltag
e source, the 1 and vx yields
resistor,
 3  1i  v x  0  v x  3  i (4.7.2)

Ch04_Circuit Theorems 29
 Example 4.7

Substituting this into Eq.(4.7.1), we obtain

15  5i  3  0  i  4.5A
Alternatively
 v x  4i  v x  18  0  i  4.5A
thus
v x  3  i  7.5V

Ch04_Circuit Theorems 30
 4.5 Thevenin’s Theorem

• Thevenin’s theorem states that a linear two-te

rminal circuit can be replaced by an equivalent
circuit consisting of a voltage source VTh in ser
ies with a resistor RTh where VTh is the open cir
cuit voltage at the terminals and RTh is the inpu
t or equivalent resistance at the terminals when
the independent source are turn off.

Ch04_Circuit Theorems 31
 Property of Linear Circuits

i
+
Any two-terminal v Slope=1/Rth
Linear Circuits
- v
Vth
Isc

Ch04_Circuit Theorems 32
 Fig. 4.23

Ch04_Circuit Theorems 33
 How to Find Thevenin’s Voltage

• Equivalent circuit: same voltage-current

relation at the terminals.
• VTh  voc : open circuit voltage at a  b

Ch04_Circuit Theorems 34
How to Find Thevenin’s Resistanc
e
• RTh  Rin :
input  resistance of the dead circuit at a  b.
 a  b open circuited
 Turn off all independent sources

Ch04_Circuit Theorems 35
CASE 1
• If the network has no dependent sources:
– Turn off all independent source.
– RTH: can be obtained via simplification of either pa
rallel or series connection seen from a-b

Ch04_Circuit Theorems 36
 Fig. 4.25

CASE 2
• If the network has dependent s
ources
– Turn off all independent sources.
– Apply a voltage source vo at a-b
vo
RTh 
io

– Alternatively, apply a current so

urce io at a-b vo
RTh 
io
Ch04_Circuit Theorems 37
• The Thevenin’s resistance may be negative, in
dicating that the circuit has ability providing p
ower

Ch04_Circuit Theorems 38
 Fig. 4.26

Simplified circuit
VTh
IL 
RTh  RL

RL
VL  RL I L  VTh
RTh  RL

Voltage divider

Ch04_Circuit Theorems 39
 Example 4.8
• Find the Thevenin’s equivalent circuit of the circuit
shown in Fig 4.27, to the left of the terminals a-b.
Then find the current through RL = 6,16,and 36 .

Ch04_Circuit Theorems 40
 Find Rth

RTh : 32V voltage source  short

2A current source  open
4  12
RTh  4 || 12  1   1  4
16

Ch04_Circuit Theorems 41
 Find Vth
VTh :
(1) Mesh analysis
 32  4i1  12(i1  i2 )  0 , i2  2A
i1  0.5A
VTh  12(i1  i2 )  12(0.5  2.0)  30V
(2) Alternatively, Nodal Analysis
(32  VTh ) / 4  2  VTh / 12
VTh  30V

Ch04_Circuit Theorems 42
 Example 4.8
(3) Alternatively, source transform
32  VTH VTH
2
4 12
96  3VTH  24  VTH  VTH  30V

Ch04_Circuit Theorems 43
Fig. 4.29
 Example 4.8
To get iL :
VTh 30
iL  
RTh  RL 4  RL
RL  6  I L  30 / 10  3A
RL  16  I L  30 / 20  1.5A
RL  36 I L  30 / 40  0.75A

Ch04_Circuit Theorems 44
 Example 4.9

• Find the Thevenin’s equivalent of the circuit in

Fig. 4.31 at terminals a-b.

Ch04_Circuit Theorems 45
 Example 4.9

• (independent + dependent source case)

To find RTh : Fig(a)
independent source  0
dependent source  intact
vo 1
vo  1V, RTh  
io io

Ch04_Circuit Theorems 46
 Example 4.9

• For loop 1,
 2v x  2(i1  i2 )  0 or v x  i1  i2
But  4i  vx  i1  i2
 i1  3i2

Ch04_Circuit Theorems 47
 Example 4.9
Loop 2 and 3 :
4i2  2(i2  i1 )  6(i2  i3 )  0
6(i3  i2 )  2i3  1  0
Solving these equations gives
i3  1 / 6A.
1
But io  i3  A
6
1V
 RTh   6
io
Ch04_Circuit Theorems 48
 Example 4.9
To get VTh : Fig(b) Mesh analysis
i1  5
 2v x  2(i3  i2 )  0  v x  i3  i2
4(i2  i1 )  2(i2  i1 )  6i2  0  12i2  4i1  2i3  0
But 4(i1  i2 )  v x
i2  10 / 3.
VTh  voc  6i2  20V

Ch04_Circuit Theorems 49
 Example 4.10
• Determine the Thevenin’s
equivalent circuit in
Fig.4.35(a).
• Solution
(dependent source only case)
vo
VTh  0 RTh 
io
Nodal anaysis :
io  ix  2ix  vo / 4

Ch04_Circuit Theorems 50
 Example 4.10

But ix  0  v v
o
 o
2 2
vo vo vo vo
io  ix       or vo  4io
4 2 4 4
vo
Thus RTh   4 : Supplying power
io

Ch04_Circuit Theorems 51
 Example 4.10

Ch04_Circuit Theorems 52
 Example 4.10

Ch04_Circuit Theorems 53
 4.6 Norton’s Theorem

• Norton’s theorem states that a linear two-

terminal circuit can be replaced by equivalent
circuit consisting of a current source IN in
parallel with a resistor RN where IN is the
short-circuit current through the terminals and
RN is the input or equivalent resistance at the
terminals when the independent source are
turn off.

Ch04_Circuit Theorems 54
 Fig. 4.37

Slope=1/RN
v
Vth
-IN

Ch04_Circuit Theorems 55
 How to Find Norton Current

• Thevenin and Norton

resistances are equal:
RN  RTh
• Short circuit current
from a to b :
VTh
I N  isc 
RTh

Ch04_Circuit Theorems 56
Thevenin or Norton equivalent cir
cuit :
• The open circuit voltage voc across terminals a
and b
• The short circuit current isc at terminals a and b

• The equivalent or input resistance Rin at termin

als a and b whenVall independent
Th  voc source are tur
n off. IN  isc
VTh
RTh   RN
RTh
Ch04_Circuit Theorems 57
 Example 4.11

• Find the Norton equivalent circuit of the

circuit in Fig 4.39.

Ch04_Circuit Theorems 58
 Example 4.11

To find RN Fig 4.40( a ) :

RN  5 || (8  4  8)
20  5
 5 || 20   4
25

Ch04_Circuit Theorems 59
 Example 4.11
To find iN (Fig.4.40(b))
short  circuit terminals a and b .
Mesh : i1  2A, 20i2  4i1  i2  0
i2  1A  isc  IN

Ch04_Circuit Theorems 60
 Example 4.11
Alternative method for IN VTh
IN 
RTh
VTh : open  circuit voltage across terminals a and b
( Fig 4.40(c)) :

Mesh analysis :
i 3  2 A, 25i 4  4i 3  12  0
 i 4  0.8A
 voc  VTh  5i 4  4V

Ch04_Circuit Theorems 61
 Example 4.11
Hence, VTh
IN   4 / 4  1A
RTh

Ch04_Circuit Theorems 62
 Example 4.12

• Using Norton’s theorem, find RN and IN of the

circuit in Fig 4.43 at terminals a-b.

Ch04_Circuit Theorems 63
 Example 4.12
To find RN Fig.4.44(a)
 4 resistor shorted
 5 || v || 2i : Parallel
o x
Hence, ix  vo / 5  1 / 5  0.2

vo 1
 RN    5
io 0.2

Ch04_Circuit Theorems 64
 Example 4.12
To find I N Fig .4.44(b)

 4 ||10v || 5 || 2ix : Parallel

10  0
ix   2.5A,
4 10
isc  ix  2 ix   2(2.5)  7 A
5
 I N  7A

Ch04_Circuit Theorems 65
4.8 Maximum Power Trandfer

2
2  VTH 
p  i RL    RL
 RTH  RL 

Fig 4.48

Ch04_Circuit Theorems 66
 Fig. 4.49

• Maximum power is transferred to the load wh

en the load resistance equals the Thevnin resist
ance as seen the load (RL = RTH).

Ch04_Circuit Theorems 67
 2
dp 2  ( RTH  RL )  2 RL ( RTH  RL ) 
 VTH  4 
dRL  ( RTH  RL ) 
 ( RTH  RL  2 RL ) 
2
V  TH 3  0
 ( RTH  RL ) 
0  ( RTH  RL  2 RL )  ( RTH  RL )
RL  RTH
2
V
pmax  TH

4 RTH
Ch04_Circuit Theorems 68
 Example 4.13

• Find the value of RL for maximum power

transfer in the circuit of Fig. 4.50. Find the
maximum power.

Ch04_Circuit Theorems 69
 Example 4.13
6  12
RTH  2  3  6 12  5   9
18

Ch04_Circuit Theorems 70
 Example 4.13
 12  18i1  12i2 , i2  2 A
 12  6ii 1  3i2  2(0)  VTH  0  VTH  22V
RL  RTH  9
2 2
V 22
pmax  TH
  13.44W
4 RL 4  9

Ch04_Circuit Theorems 71
 Homework Problems

• Problems 6, 10, 21, 28, 33, 40, 47, 52, 71

Ch04_Circuit Theorems 72