Outline to Finding Thevenin and Norton Equivalents

Remember: (1) isc flows from positive terminal to negative terminal (2) When attaching test sources, the positive terminal is always in the direction of the current (3) Killing a source = Voltage sources become short circuits; Current sources become open circuits Does your circuit have any DEPENDENT SOURCES? Yes No Is the circuit too difficult to find R eq directly? Yes No Are many R in parallel to terminal ab? Yes No (1) Use nodal analysis to find VOC . (2) Kill all sources. Find R eq . Tough Luck. Find VOC and iSC by nodal analysis We MUST use a test source. Kill all independent sources. Will defining a test voltage make solving node voltages, currents, and/or dependent source values easier than if a test current was assigned? Yes No (1) Connect a 10V test voltage source across terminal ab. Define i test (2) Use nodal analysis to find all important node voltages. (3) Use nodal analysis or current divider to find i test . (1) Connect a 10 A current source across terminal ab. Define Vtest . (2) Use nodal analysis to find all important node voltages. (3) Use nodal analysis or voltage div. to find Vtest .

(1) Short terminal ab. Remove all R to the short.

Use nodal to find iSC (2) Kill all sources Find R eq . Find the 3rd unknown given: VOC = iSC Req Open

Find R eq : Vtest = i test R eq Short

Will leaving terminal ab open or shorting the terminal simplify the original circuit significantly? Neither Tough. Choose the left or right and solve. Find 3rd unknown: VOC = i SC R eq

(1) Simplify circuit or solve for unknown voltages. (1a) Redraw circuit if you want to. (2) Use nodal analysis to find VOC .

(1) Short terminal ab. (2) Simplify circuit/ solve for unknown voltages. (2a) Redraw if it makes things clearer for you (3) Use nodal analysis to find iSC .