SOURCE TRANSFORMATION

1 Superposition
Superposition principle is as follow:

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.

Steps to apply superposition principle are as follow:

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As per the superposition theorem the value of current i1, i2, i3 is now
calculated as

EXAMPLE 1.1:

Find current through R2 using superposition principle.

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SOLUTION 1.1:

Replace V2 with a short and find the current through R2 due to V1

The current through R2 due to V1 is

Then find the current through R2 due to V2

3
The current through R2 due to V2 is

EXAMPLE 1.2:

Use the superposition theorem to find v in the circuit in figure below

SOLUTION 1.2:

Find the current to 4 due to 6V source

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Find the current to 4 due to 3A source

Use current divider

EXAMPLE 1.3: Find the current through R3 by using superposition principle.

SOLUTION 1.3:

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EXAMPLE 1.4:

For the circuit in figure below, use the superposition theorem to find i

SOLUTION 1.4:

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IT (S1) = i(S1) = = 2 A -> downward
6

Use mesh analysis

16ia − 4ib + 24 = 0  4ia − ib = −6

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7ib − 4ia = 0  ia = ib
4

i(S 2 ) = ib = −1A -> upward

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 Use nodal analysis

v2 − 0 v2 − v1
3= +  24 = 3v2 − 2v1
8 4
v2 − v1 v1 − 0 v1 − 0 10
= +  v2 = v1
4 4 3 3
v1 = 3V

v1 3
i(S 2 ) = = = 1A -> downward
3 3

Finally, i = 2 − 1 + 1 = 2 A

PROBLEM 1.1:

Find i in the circuit in figure below using the superposition principle.

Answer: 0.75 A

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2 Thevenin’s Theorem
To form of any two terminal resistive circuit consists of an equivalent
voltage source (VTH) and an equivalent resistance (RTH).

The Thevenin equivalent voltage (VTH) is the open circuit (no load) voltage
between two output terminals in a circuit.

The Thevenin equivalent resistance (RTH) is the total resistance appearing

between two terminal in a given circuit with all sources is replaced by their
internal resistance.

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EXAMPLE 2.1:

Find the Thevenin equivalent between terminal A and B of the circuit below.

SOLUTION 2.1:

First, remove R, then find the potential difference between A and B.

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 VS replaced
by short RTH

EXAMPLE 2.2:

Find the Thevenin equivalent circuit of the circuit shown in figure below.
Then find the current through RL = 6, 16, and 36 .

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SOLUTION 2.2:

We find RTh by turning off the 32-V voltage source (replacing it with a short
circuit) and the 2-A current source (replacing it with an open circuit).

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EXAMPLE 2.3:

Reduce the circuit below to its Thevenin equivalent as viewed from

terminals A and B. If R3 is 68 , calculate current through it.

SOLUTION 2.3:

VTH

Applying KVL, it gives

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− 6 + I (100 + 50) + 1.5 = 0  I =
4.5
= 0.03 A
150

VTH = VR 2 = 0.03(50) = 1.5V

A A

RTH RTH

B B

RTH =
(100 )(50) = 33.33
100 + 50

RTH
33.33 

VTH
1.5 V

VTH 1.5
Current through R3 : I = = = 14.8mA
RTH + R3 33.33 + 68

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3 Norton’s Theorem
Norton’s theorem states that a linear two-terminal circuit can be replaced by
an 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
sources are turned off.

To determine the IN, we need to find the current through between two
terminal.

RN = RTH

IN

Original circuit Short the terminal to get IN

Isc or IN

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 Norton equivalent circuit

EXAMPLE 3.1:

Find the Norton equivalent between terminal A and B

SOLUTION 3.1:

First short the RL, then total resistance, RT

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EXAMPLE 3.2:
Find the Norton equivalent circuit.

SOLUTION 3.2:
Find the RN

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EXAMPLE 3.3:
Find the Norton equivalent circuit.

B
SOLUTION 3.3:
Find RN first by disconnect current source and short voltage supply.

RN

100  and 200  resistor not connected to terminal A. So RN is just 50.

To find IN,

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 Q IN

I1

P
Grounding at node P and apply KCL at node Q, it gives
 −3−0
I N = I1 + 1  I N = 1 +   = 0.96 A
 50 
Sketch Norton equivalent circuit

RN
IN

PROBLEM 3.1:
Find the Norton AND Thivenin equivalent circuit of the circuit in FIGURE
BELOW?

ANSWER: RN = 3, IN = 4.5 A.

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PROBLEM 3.2:
Find the Norton equivalent circuit of the circuit

ANSWER: RN = 1, IN = 10 A

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