FINAL DATA SHEET

Experiment 8: Thevenins and Nortons theorem

Table 8.1 Thevenins Theorem

Measured Values

Calculated Values

Trial
R1 = 2
R1 = 4
R1 = 6
R1 = 2
R1 = 4
R1 = 6

Vth
3V
3V
3V
3V
3V
3V

Rth
2.4
2.4
2.4
2.4
2.4
2.4

I R1
682mA
468.75mA
357.14mA
682mA
468.75mA
357.14mA

V R1
1.36V
1.87V
2.14V
1.36V
1.87V
2.14V

In
1.25A
1.25A
1.25A
1.25A
1.25A
1.25A

Rn
2.4
2.4
2.4
2.4
2.4
2.4

I R1
682mA
468.75mA
357.14mA
682mA
468.75mA
357.14mA

V R1
1.36V
1.87V
2.14V
1.36V
1.87V
2.14V

Table 8.2 Nortons Theorem

Measured Values

Calculated Values

Trial
R1 = 2
R1 = 4
R1 = 6
R1 = 2
R1 = 4
R1 = 6

SAMPLE CALCULATIONS
Thevenins theorem:
(
(
(

)
)

(
)
)

Nortons theorem:

DISCUSSION
In electrical circuit theory, Thevenins theorem for linear electrical networks
states that any combination of voltage sources, current sources and resistors with two
terminals is electrically equivalent to a single voltage source V and a single series
resistor R. For single frequency AC systems, the theorem can also be applied to
general impedances, not just resistors. Any complex network can be reduced to a
Thevenin's equivalent circuit consist of a single voltage source and series resistance
connected to a load.
The Thevenins theorem is especially useful in analyzing 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 advantage in performing the Thevenin conversion to a simpler circuit is
that it makes load voltage and load current easier to solve than in the original
network. However, Thevenins theorem is only useful for determining what happens to a
single resistor in a network: the load.
The steps to follow for Thevenins theorem are as follows:
(1) Find the Thevenin source voltage by removing the load resistor from the
original circuit and calculating voltage across the open connection points where
the load resistor used to be.
(2) Find the Thenevin resistance by removing all power sources in the original
circuit (voltage source shorted and current sources open) and calculating total
resistance between the open connection points.
(3) Draw the Thevenin equivalent circuit, with the Thevenin voltage source in
series with the Thevenin resistance. The load resistor re-attaches between the
two open points of the equivalent circuit.
(4) Analyze voltage and current for the load resistor following the rules for
series circuits.

The Nortons theorem states that it is possible to simplify any linear circuit, no
matter how complex, to an equivalent circuit with just a single current source and
parallel resistance connected to a load. Just as with Thevenins theorem, the
qualification of linear is identical to that found in the Superposition Theorem: all
underlying equations must be linear.

The same advantages seen with Thevenins theorem apply to Nortons theorem
as well: if you wish to analyze load resistor voltage and current over several different
values of load resistance, you can use the Norton equivalent circuit again and again,
applying nothing more complex than simple parallel circuit analysis to determine what
is happening with each trial load.
The steps to follow for Nortons theorem are as follows:
(1) Find the Norton source current by removing the load resistor from the
original circuit and calculating current through a short (wire) jumping across the
open connection points where the load resistor used to be.
(2) Find the Norton resistance by removing all power sources in the original
circuit (voltage sources shorted and current sources open) and calculating total
resistance between the open connection points.
(3)
Draw the Norton equivalent circuit, with the Norton current source in
parallel with the Norton resistance. The load resistor re-attaches between the
two open points of the equivalent circuit.
(4) Analyze voltage and current for the load resistor following the rules for
parallel circuits.

So to summarize everything, the Thevenins theorem is a way to reduce a

network to an equivalent circuit composed of a single voltage source, series resistance,
and series load. While Nortons theorem is a way to reduce a network to an equivalent
circuit composed of a single current source, parallel resistance, and parallel load.

CONCLUSION
The experiment focuses on the application of Thevenins and Nortons theorem.
The data were simulated using TINA PRO software. The first part of the experiment is
about Thevenins theorem which states that in the analysis of a complex resistive
circuit, it is possible to replace everything except the load resistor by an equivalent
circuit containing only an independent voltage source (VTH) in series with a resistor
(RTH), and the response measured at the load resistor will remain unchanged.
Measuring the values required, it resulted to 3V and 2.4
respectively.
Connecting variable load resistances in the circuit, and connecting two voltage sources
the group were required to measure the current and voltage that flow through the
different load resistances and these values were recorded it table 8.1. From these
values, it was observed that VTH and RTH are constant all throughout different
resistance values; 2 , 4 , and 6 . This proves the Thevenins theorem which states
that in the analysis of a complex resistive circuit, it is possible to replace everything
except the load resistor by an equivalent circuit containing only an independent
voltage source VTH in a series with a resistor RTH, and the response measured at the
load resistor will remain unchanged. For the calculated values in this part, we used the
formulas RTH=

, VTH=

), IR1=

and VR1=

).

The second part of the experiment is about the Nortons theorem. Nortons
theorem bears a close resemblance to Thevenins theorem. It states that a complex
resistive circuit can be changed into an equivalent circuit (except the load resistor)
which consists only of an equivalent resistance (R N) connected in parallel to an
independent current source (IN). The Norton current (IN) is equal to the short circuit
passing through the load/output terminal when these terminals are shorted. The Norton
resistance (RN) on the other hand is obtained in the same manner as the Thevenin
resistance (RTH). The group replaced the open circuit with an ammeter and the
measured value was denoted as the Norton Current IN. Norton resistance was
measured the same value as the Thevenin resistance and it resulted to 2.4.
Connecting different load resistance values in the circuit as that in the first part of the
experiment, we were to measure IR1 and VR1 and we used the simulation to identify
its values and these values were recorded in Table 8.2. From these values it was
observed that IN and RN are also constant. This shows the principle of Nortons theorem
which states that a complex resistive circuit can be changed into an equivalent circuit
(except the load) which consists of an equivalent resistance R N connected in parallel
with an independent source IN. For the calculated values in this part of the experiment,
we used the formulas RN=

, IR1=

), and VR1=

The generalized Thevenin theorem is applied to solve asymmetrical series faults

in the same form as it is currently used to solve short-circuits. Equations for
calculating the symmetrical components of the current across the asymmetrical zone

are obtained: these equations depend only on the Thevenin's impedances of the
sequence networks and the current across the point at which the series fault will take
place. The currents at any other point in the power system are also obtained. The
method is illustrated through a numerical example.

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS AND PROBLEMS

1.

What technique is applied to convert a Thevenins equivalent circuit into a

Nortons equivalent circuit or vice versa?

Source transformation is applied. A voltage source in series with an

internal resistance is equivalent to a current source in parallel with the
same internal resistance.
V thevenin = (I norton) x (R internal)
I norton = (V thevenin) / (R internal)
R internal = (V thevenin) / (I norton)

2.

What does a dead circuit in the Thevenins and Nortons theorem mean?

3.

A "dead circuit" means that all independent sources have been zeroed
out. Zeroing out a source means that independent voltage sources are
converted to short circuits while independent current sources are
converted to open circuits.

How is a dead circuit analyzed through the Thevenins theorem?

In Thevenins theorem, the simplest approach is to excite the circuit with

either 1V voltage source or a 1A current source and other methods can
be used in solving for the equivalent resistance.

4.

How is a dead circuit analyzed through the Nortons theorem?

In Nortons theorem, also it is needed to excite the circuit then get the
equivalent resistance. Since Thevenin and Norton equivalent circuits are
related, formulas can be used to get the short circuit current.

5.

What are the limitations of the Thevenins and Nortons theorems?

The Thevenins and Norton theorems are only applicable to linear circuits.
Thus, it cannot be used directly for solving power supplied in the circuit.

6.

Determine the Thevenin equivalent circuit and the Norton equivalent circuit
shown in the figure below.

For
:
KVL:
= 8 +20(
Supermesh 2 & 3: 0=
KCL: 20=

(1)
(2)
(3)

Equate 2 & 3:

Substitute

For
Mesh 1: 1 =
Mesh 2: 0 =

(1)
(2)

Equate 1 & 2:

For

7.

Determine the Thevenin equivalent circuit and the Norton equivalent circuit
shown in the figure below.

For
Mesh 1:
Mesh 2:
Where

=0

(1)
(2)

Substitute 2 to 1
Substitute

to 2

For
Mesh 1:
Mesh 2: -1=
Equate 1 and 2

For

(1)
(2)

where

REFERENCES

http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/textbook/direct-current/chpt-10/theveninstheorem/
http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/textbook/direct-current/chpt-10/nortons-theorem/
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/electric/norton.html
http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/textbook/direct-current/chpt-10/thevenin-nortonequivalencies/