Lab – 9: Maximum Power Transfer Theorem

9.1 Objective:
The objective of this these lab is to analyze that how maximum power will be transferred to load
resistor. This experiment will allow the experimental verification of the theoretical analysis.
9.2 Equipment Required

Table 9.1: List of equipment required

Instrument Power Supplies Components Miscellaneous

Digital DC Power Supply (01) Resistor Connecting Wire
multimeter(01) Wire stripper

9.3 Introduction
The maximum power transfer theorem states that, to obtain maximum external power from a
source with a finite internal resistance the resistance of the load must equal the resistance of the
source as viewed from its output terminals .The theorem results in maximum power transfer
across the circuit, and not maximum efficiency. If the resistance of the load is made larger than
the resistance of the source then efficiency is higher, since a higher percentage of the source
power is transferred to the load, but the magnitude of the load power is lower since the total
circuit resistance goes up.
In the figure 9-1 shown below If the load resistance is smaller than the source resistance, then
most of the power ends up being dissipated in the source, and although the total power dissipated
is higher, due to a lower total resistance, it turns out that the amount dissipated in the load is
reduced.
 Figure 9-1: Maximum Power Transfer

In the graph 9-2 shown below as the R L increases from zero ohm so power is also increase but
the maximum power will be achieved when the value of RL becomes equal to RTH.

Figure 9-2: Graph of Maximum Power Transfer

Power absorbed by the load resistor:

Vth 2
P=( ) RL , where Rth=RL .
Rth + RL
9.3.1 Steps to Solve the Maximum Power transfer Theorem:
I. Remove the load resistance of the circuit.
II. Find the Thevenin’s resistance (Rth) of the source network looking to the open
circuited load terminals. You should short the voltage source and open the load
resistance and find the Rth.
III. Same according to Thevenin’s theorem find the V th according to Thevenin theorem.
For these you should remove the load resistance with V o.c and find the Vo.c .
IV. Now for the maximum power transfer the load resistance should be equal to the
load resistance.

9.4 Exercise
I. Connect the circuit shown in figure 9-3 below. With VTH=5V and RTH=3.3k
II. Change the value of RL to (Change the variable resistor from 1.8k upto 5k).
III. For each value of RL measure the voltage "VL", record it in table 9-1 in the report and
 calculate power on load RL.
IV. Plot the curve of the power against the load resistance in figure 9-4.
V. Record the value of RL at which maximum power occurs and record this value of
maximum power

Figure 9-3

Table 9-2
S.N RL RL VL VL PL PL
o (Measured) (Calculated) (Measured) (Calculated) (Measured) (Calculated)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
 Figure 9-4: Plot the PmaxVs RL

9.5 Exercise
a). Connect the circuit shown below in the figure 9-5.
b). When the load impedance RL draws maximum power.
Ans.
______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________ .
c). Find the maximum power delivered to the load by using maximum power transfer theorem
for the given circuit in figure 9-5.
Pmax(Measured)= ___________________.
Pmax(Calculated)=___________________.
 Figure 9-5

9.6 Exercise:
a). Connect the circuit shown below in the figure 9-6
b). Find RL for maximum transfer. ___________ .
c).Find also the maximum power transferred to RL _______________ .
Pmax(Measured)= ___________________.
Pmax(Calculated)=___________________.

Figure 9-6
ASSESSMENT SHEET

Student Name: ______________________ Reg. #: _________________

PLOs Excellent Good Satisfactory Poor Score

3.0 2.0 1.0 0

Apparatus PLO-5 Can independently Can setup and Can setup and Cannot setup or
Usage setup, operate and handle the handle the handle the
handle the apparatus apparatus with apparatus with apparatus
minimal help some help

Data PLO-5 All required data is Data recorded Data recorded Data recorded
Acquisition recorded and and presented is and presented is only with
presented accurately complete but partially considerable
and completely in the accuracy is not as complete. The assistance from
required format per requirement. required format instructor
The required is followed but
format is with few
followed deficiencies

Workstation PLO-8 Student hands Student does

over the not hand over
NA NA workstation in the workstation
the required in the required
manner manner

Data PLO-4 Analyzes and Analyzes and Analyzes data Unable to

Interpretation interprets data interprets data correctly analyze and
correctly for all correctly for few however unable interpret data
tasks/ experiments in
tasks/ to interpret it for any tasks/
the lab
experiments in for tasks/ experiments in
the lab experiments in the lab
the lab

Total Score in Lab /10

Instructor Signature: _________________

Date: _________________