Network Theorem

A theorem is a relatively simple rule used to solve a problem, derived from a more
intensive analysis using fundamental rules of mathematics. In electric network analysis, the
fundamental rules are Ohm’s law and Kirchhoff’s law.

Common DC Circuit Theory Terms:

 Circuit – a circuit is a closed loop conducting path in which an electrical

current flow.
 Path – a single line of connecting elements or sources.
 Node – a node is a junction, connection or terminal within a circuit were two or
more circuit elements are connected or joined together giving a connection
point between two or more branches. A node is indicated by a dot.
 Branch – a branch is a single or group of components such as resistors or a
source which are connected between two nodes.
 Loop – a loop is a simple closed path in a circuit in which no circuit element or
node is encountered more than once.
 Mesh – a mesh is a single closed loop series path that does not contain any
other paths. There are no loops inside a mesh.
 Parameters – the various elements of an electric circuit like resistance,
inductance, and capacitance.
 Passive Network – one which contains no source of emf in it.
 Active Network – one which contains one or more than one sources of emf
 Linear Circuit – circuit whose parameters are constant.
 Non-linear Circuit – circuit whose parameters change with voltage or current.

Two general approaches to network analysis:

 Direct Method – the network is left in its original form while determining its
different voltages and currents. Such methods are usually restricted to fairly
simple circuits and include Kirchhoff’s law, Superposition theorem, Mesh loop
and Nodal analysis.
 Network Reduction Method – the original network is converted into a much
simpler equivalent circuit for rapid calculation of different quantities. This method
can be applied to simple as well as complicated networks. Ex: are Wye-Delta
conversion, Thevenin’s theorem and Norton’s theorem
Wye-Delta and Delta-Wye Conversion
Kirchhoff’s Law
Named after the German physicist, Gustav Robert Kirchhoff (1824 – 1887)
 Current Law (KCL) – the algebraic sum of the currents at any junction or node of an
electric circuit zero.
 Voltage Law (KCL) – the algebraic sum of the emf’s and the resistance voltage
drops in any closed loop of an electric circuit is zero.
Sign Conversion for Kirchhoff’s Law:
 Current towards the node, positive current.
 Current away from the node, negative current.
 In a voltage source, if the loop enters on minus and goes out on plus, positive emf.
 In a voltage source, if the loop enters on plus and goes out on minus, negative emf.
 In a resistance, if the loop is the same as the current direction, negative resistance
voltage drop.
 In a resistance, if the loop direction is opposite to the current direction, positive
resistance voltage drop.

By KCL:
At junction b: I1 + I2 – I3 = 0

By KVL:
For loop fabef: E1 – I1R1 – I3R3 = 0
For loop dcbed: E2 – I2R2 – I3R3 = 0
For loop fabcdef: E1 – I1R1 + I2R2 = 0
Maxwell’s Mesh Method
This method involves a set of independent loop currents assigned to as many meshes
as it exist in the circuit and these currents are employed in connection with appropriate
resistances when KVL equations are written.

By KVL:
for loop A: E1 – IA (R1 + R3) – IB R3 = 0
for loop B: E2 – IB (R2 + R3) – IA R3 = 0
Note: Mesh currents IA and IB are evaluated by simultaneous substitutions of the equations
formulated from each loop or mesh using KVL.
I1 = |IA| I2 = |IB| I3 = |IA + IB|

Superposition Theorem
In a network of resistors, the current in any resistor is equal to the algebraic sum of
the currents delivered by each independent source assuming that each source is acting alone
or independently with respect to the others.

Example:
Note: If a source (either a current or a voltage source) is acting alone, the other current
sources are open circuited while the other voltage sources are short circuited.
STEP 1: If E1 is acting alone.

STEP 2: If E2 is acting alone.

Note: The currents I1’, I2’, I3’, I1”, I2” & I3” are evaluated using basic electric circuit
principles.
I1 = |I1’ – I1”| I2 = |I2’ – I2”| I3 = |I3’ – I3”|

Nodal Node Theorem

Using this method, a circuit with “n” nodes, has a solution with only “n-1” number of
equations needed.
Example:

Note: Since there are three (n = 3) nodes in this circuit, therefore only two equations are
needed to solve this problem.
By KCL at node a: I1 = I 2 + I 3
E1−V a V a V a −V b
= +
R1 R2 R3

By KCL at node b: I4 = I 3 + I 5
V b V a−V b E 2−V B
= +
R4 R3 R5

Note: Node voltages Va and Vb are evaluated by simultaneous substitutions of the equations
from formulated using KCL and correspondingly, currents flowing through each
resistance can be solved.

Thevenin’s Theorem
If a given resistor be connected between any two terminals of a linear network, the
resulting steady state current through the resistor is the ratio of the potential difference Eo
(between the two points prior to the connection) and the sum of the values of the resistance
Ro (resistance looking back into the network measured in the two points prior to the
connection) and the connected resistance RL. Named after the French telegraph engineer,
Charles Leon Thevenin (1857 – 1926).
Thevenin’s equivalent circuit:
c

Eo
I=
Ro+ R

Example: Solve for I3.

Step 1: Open circuit R3, and solve for the voltage across then open circuited terminals.
Step 2: Compare Ro (short circuit all independent voltage sources and open circuit all
independent current sources).

R1 R 2
Ro =
R1 + R 2

Step 3: Construct the Thevenin’s equivalent circuit and solve the resulting current.

Eo
I 3=
R o + R3

Norton’s Theorem
This theorem is analogous to Thevenin’s theorem expect that instead of the open
circuit test, this theorem uses the short circuit test and the equivalent circuit is a parallel
circuit. Named after the American engineer, E. L. Norton (1898).
Norton’s equivalent circuit:
 I sc ( Rc )
I=
Ro + R

Example: Solve for I1.

Step 1: Short circuit R1 and solve the short circuit current that flows towards the
branch.

Note: Isc is completed using any methods (Kirchhoff’s, Maxwell, Nodal, etc.) of analyzing
network problems.
Step 2: Compute Ro

R2 R 3
Ro =
R 2+ R3

Note: Ro is completed using the basic principles of finding the total resistance of a given
circuit.

Step 3: Construct the Norton’s equivalent circuit and solve for I1.
 I sc ( Ro )
I 1=
R o + R1