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Thevenin Theorem

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43 views23 pages

Thevenin Theorem

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MASTER PIECE
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THEVENIN’S

THEOREM
Thevenin’s theorem as applied to d.c. circuits is stated below :
Any linear, bilateral network having terminals A and B can be replaced by a single source of
e.m.f. VTh in series with a single resistance RTh .
(i) The e.m.f. VTh is the voltage obtained across terminals A and B with load, if any removed
i.e. it is open-circuited voltage between terminals A and B.
(ii) The resistance RTh is the resistance of the network measured between terminals A and B
with load removed and sources of e.m.f. replaced by their internal resistances. Ideal voltage
sources are replaced with short circuits and ideal current sources are replaced with open
circuits.
Explanation
Example 1 -Using Thevenin’s theorem, find the current in resistor R3 of
2 Ω.
• 1. Designate the resistor R3 as “load”.
• 2. Pull out the load resistor and enclose the remaining network within
a dotted box.
• 3. Temporarily remove the load resistor R2, leaving the terminals A and
B open .
• 4. Find the open-circuit voltage across the terminals A-B,

28  7 21
I   4.2 A;
4 1 5
VAB  7  4.2  1  11.2 V
• 5. This is called Thevenin's voltage,
VTh = VAB = 11.2 V.
• 6. Turn OFF all the sources in the circuit

• 7. Find the resistance between terminals A and B. This is the


Thevenin's resistance, RTh. Thus,

1 4
RTh  1  || 4    0.8 Ω
1 4
• 8. The circuit within the dotted box is replaced by the Thevenin’s
equivalent, consisting of a voltage source of VTh in series with a
resistor RTh,
• 9. The load resistor R3 is again connected to Thevenin’s equivalent
forming a single-loop circuit.
• The current I3 through this resistor is easily calculated,

VTh 11.2
I3   4 A
RTh  R2 0.8  2
Example-2 Using Thevenin’s theorem, find the current in 6 Ω resistor in Fig.
Advantages of Thevenin’s Theorem
The Thevenin equivalent circuit is always an equivalent voltage source (VTh) in series with
an equivalent resistance (RTh) regardless of the original circuit that it replaces. Although the
Thevenin equivalent is not the same as its original circuit, it acts the same in terms of output
voltage and current. It is worthwhile to give the advantages of Thevenin’s theorem.
(i) It reduces a complex circuit to a simple circuit viz. a single source of e.m.f. VTh in series
with a single resistance RTh .
(ii) It greatly simplifies the portion of the circuit of lesser interest and enables us to view the
action of the output part directly.
(iii) This theorem is particularly useful to find current in a particular branch of a network as
the resistance of that branch is varied while all other resistances and sources remain
constant.
(iv) Thevenin’s theorem can be applied in successive steps. Any two points in a circuit can
be chosen and all the components to one side of these points can be reduced to Thevenin’s
equivalent circuit.
Norton’s theorem
Norton’s theorem as applied to d.c. circuits may be stated as under :
Any linear, bilateral network having two terminals A and B can be replaced by a current source of
current output IN in parallel with a resistance RN.
(i) The output IN of the current source is equal to the current that would flow through AB when A and
B are short-circuited.
(ii) The resistance RN is the resistance of the network measured between A and B with load removed
and the sources of e.m.f. replaced by their internal resistances. Ideal voltage sources are replaced
with short circuits and ideal current sources are replaced with open circuits.
Explanation-
Procedure for Finding Norton Equivalent Circuit
(i) Open the two terminals (i.e. remove any load) between which we want to find Norton equivalent circuit.
(ii) Put a short-circuit across the terminals under consideration. Find the short-circuit current flowing in the
short circuit. It is called Norton current IN.
(iii) Determine the resistance between the two open terminals with all ideal voltage sources shorted and all ideal
current sources opened (a non-ideal source is replaced by its internal resistance). It is called Norton’s resistance
RN . It is easy to see that RN = RTh .
(iv) Connect IN and RN in parallel to produce Norton equivalent circuit between the two terminals under
consideration.
(v) Place the load resistor removed in step (i) across the terminals of the Norton equivalent circuit. The load
current can now be calculated by using current-divider rule. This load current will be the same as the load
current in the original circuit.
Example1-Obtain the Norton’s equivalent circuit with respect to the terminals AB for the network shown, and hence
determine the value of the current that would flow through a load resistor of 5 Ω if it were connected across terminals AB.

10 5
 I N  I1  I 2    2.5 A
5 10
5 10 10
 RN   Ω
5  10 3
RN (10 / 3)
IL  IN  2 .5   1A
RN  RL (10 / 3)  5
Example2
Using Norton’s theorem, find the current in 8 Ω resistor of the network shown in Fig.

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