Outline

❑ Introduction
❑ Thevenin’s theorem
❑ Norton’s theorem
❑ Numerical Examples

2
 INTRODUCTION
Thevenin’s Theorem Application
• It often occurs in practice that a particular element in a circuit is
variable (usually called the load) while other elements are fixed.
• As a typical example, a household outlet terminal may be connected
to different appliances constituting a variable load.
• Each time the variable element is changed, the entire circuit has to be
analyzed all over again.
• To avoid this problem, Thevenin’s theorem provides a technique by
which the entire fixed part of the circuit is replaced by a very simple
equivalent of a voltage source in series with an impedence.
3
 INTRODUCTION
Thevenin’s Theorem Application Example

4
 INTRODUCTION
Thevenin’s Theorem
R2 Vth= Thevenin’s equivalent voltage
voltage R5 Rth= Thevenin’s equivalent resistance
A
R1

V1 I1 R3 R4 R6 Load Terminals
+ -

+ -
B
V2 Rth
A

Thevenin equivalent circuit

+ -
Vth Load Terminals

B
5
 INTRODUCTION
Thevenin’s Theorem application areas

6
 INTRODUCTION
Thevenin’s Theorem application areas

μA peak

kΩ

10 kΩ

7
 THEVENIN’S THEOREM
Statement: A linear two-terminal circuit can be replaced by an
equivalent circuit consisting of a voltage source VTh in series with a
resistor RTh, where VTh is the open-circuit voltage at the terminals and
RTh is the input or equivalent resistance at the terminals when the
independent sources are turned off.

Linear Circuit: A linear circuit is one whose output is linearly related

(or directly proportional) to its input i.e. containing only linear
elements eg. R, L, C, transformer

8
 THEVENIN’S THEOREM
How to find Thevenin equivalent voltage VTh and resistance RTh ?
• The two circuits given below are said to be equivalent if they have
the same voltage-current relation at their terminals.

(a) Original Circuit (b) Thevenin equivalent circuit

9
 THEVENIN’S THEOREM
• If the terminals a-b are made open-circuited (by removing the load), no
current flows, then the open circuit voltage across the terminals a-b is
equal to the voltage source VTh.
• Thus, VTh is the open-circuit voltage across the terminal i.e. VTh = voc
• The input resistance (or equivalent resistance) of the dead circuit (all
independent sources turned off) at the terminals a-b in the Fig (a) must
be equal to RTh in Fig. (b) (input resistance with VTh turned off).
• Thus, RTh is the input resistance at the terminals when the
independent sources are turned off, i.e. RTh = Rin

10
 THEVENIN’S THEOREM
Finding the Thevenin equivalent resistance RTh:

Case 1: When the networks has no Dependent Sources

• Turn off all the independent sources, then RTh is the input resistance
of the network looking between terminals a and b.

Case 2: When the networks has Dependent Sources

• Turn off all independent sources, apply voltage source vo across
terminals a-b and determine the resulting current io. Then RTh = vo ∕ io.
• Alternatively, insert a current source io across terminals a-b and find
the terminal voltage vo. Again RTh = vo ∕ io.
11
 THEVENIN’S THEOREM
Steps to determine Thevenin’s Equivalent Resistance (RTH)
and Voltage (VTH):

• Remove load resistor RL or any component connected across the

terminals a-b through which Thevenin equivalent is required.
• Determine RTH by shorting all voltage sources and open-
circuiting all current sources, and then calculating the circuit’s total
resistance as seen from the open terminals a-b.
• Determine VTH by calculating the voltage between open
terminals a-b (by usual circuit analysis methods).
12
 THEVENIN’S THEOREM
Example: To find Thevenin equivalent between terminals ‘a’ and ‘b’
Case 1: No dependent source

13
 THEVENIN’S THEOREM
Step1: Remove all the independent sources.
a) Replace voltage source by short circuit
b) Replace current source by open circuit
20Ω

a 10Ω 20Ω
b

10Ω 10Ω 10Ω

14
 THEVENIN’S THEOREM
Step2: Finding RTh
20Ω

a 10Ω 20Ω a 10Ω 10Ω

b b

10Ω 10Ω 10Ω 10Ω 10Ω 10Ω

15
 THEVENIN’S THEOREM
Step2: Finding RTh

a 10Ω 10Ω a 30Ω

b b

30Ω 30Ω
10Ω 10Ω 10Ω 10Ω
10Ω

Star to Delta transformation

16
 THEVENIN’S THEOREM
Step2: Finding RTh
a 30Ω a 30Ω b
b

30Ω 30Ω 7.5Ω 7.5Ω

10Ω
10Ω

a 30Ω b

RTh = 30||15 = 10Ω 15Ω

17
 THEVENIN’S THEOREM
Step3: Finding VTh

a 10Ω 10Ω
b
10V
10Ω 10Ω 10Ω
30V i1 i2
50V

Source Transformations
18
 THEVENIN’S THEOREM
Step3: Finding VTh
a 10Ω 10Ω
For loop 1: b
30  50  30i1  10i2  0 10V
10Ω 10Ω
 2  3i1  i2 (1) 10Ω
For loop 2: 30V i1 i2
50V
50  10  30i2  10i1  0
 6  i1  3i2 (2)
On solving (1) and (2), i1 = 0, i2 = 2A

19
 THEVENIN’S THEOREM
Step3: Finding VTh

Applying KVL to the output loop,

vab  10i1  30  10i2  0
 vab  10 V

Therefore,
VTh  vab  10 V Thevenin Equivalent Circuit

20
 THEVENIN’S THEOREM
Example: To find Thevenin equivalent between terminal ‘a’ and ‘b’
Case 2: With dependent source
Turn off all
independent sources,
apply voltage source
v0 at terminals a and b
and determine the
resulting current i0.
Then RTh = v0 ∕i0.

21
 THEVENIN’S THEOREM
Step 1. Remove dependent sources
5A current source is replaced by open circuit and set v0 = 1V.

22
 THEVENIN’S THEOREM
Step 2. Find RTh

KVL for loop 1:

But,

Therefore,

23
 THEVENIN’S THEOREM
Mesh analysis for loop 2 and 3,

On solving we get, i0 = −i3 = 1/6 A.

Therefore,

24
 THEVENIN’S THEOREM
Step 3. Find VTh
We have to find voc for this circuit.
Applying mesh analysis we get,

and

25
 THEVENIN’S THEOREM
On solving (1),(2),(3) and (4), we get, i2 = 10/3 =>

The Thevenin equivalent circuit is shown below.

26
 NORTON’S THEOREM
Statement: 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.

Why are we using Norton’s Theorem?

• Simplifies the network in terms of currents instead of voltages.
• It reduces a network to a simple parallel circuit with a current
source and a resistor.

27
 NORTON’S THEOREM

Original circuit Norton equivalent circuit

28
 NORTON’S THEOREM
Steps to determine Norton’s equivalent Resistance (RN)
and Current (IN):
• Calculate RN in the same way as RTh.
• Using source transformation, the Thevenin and Norton
resistances are equal i.e. RN = RTh.
• To find the Norton current IN, we determine the short-circuit
current flowing from terminal a to b.
• This short-circuit current is the Norton equivalent current IN.

29
 NORTON’S THEOREM
Close relationship between Norton’s and Thevenin’s theorems:

30
 NORTON’S THEOREM
Since VTh, IN, and RTh/N are related, to determine the Thevenin or
Norton equivalent circuit we find:

• The open-circuit voltage voc across terminals a and b (= VTh)

• The short-circuit current isc at terminals a and b (= IN)

• The equivalent input resistance Rin at terminals a and b

when all independent sources are turned off (= RTh/N)

31
 NORTON’S THEOREM
Example of Norton Theorem
Case 1: Without dependent source

INorton = (28/4) + (7/1) = 14 A

RNorton = (4||1) = 0.8 Ω
32
 NORTON’S THEOREM
Example of Norton Theorem
Case 2: With dependent source

33
 NORTON’S THEOREM
Step 1: Compute RN. Set the
independent sources equal to zero
and connect a voltage source v0 = 1V
to the terminals.

We ignore the 4-Ω resistor because it

is short-circuited. Hence, ix = 0.

Also due to the short circuit, the 5-Ω

resistor, the voltage source, and the
dependent current source are all in
parallel.
34
 NORTON’S THEOREM
Step 2: Compute IN. Short-circuit
terminals a and b and find the current isc,
as indicated in the figure.

Note from this figure that the 4Ω

resistor, the 10V voltage source, the 5Ω
resistor, and the dependent current
source are all in parallel. KCL at node a:

Hence,

35
 NORTON’S THEOREM

7A = 5Ω

Original circuit Norton equivalent

36
 NUMERICAL
Q1. Find the Thevenin equivalent of the circuit shown below across
terminals a-b. Then find the current through RL = 6Ω and 36Ω respectively.

37
 NUMERICAL
Soln:
Step 1. Find RTh by turning off
the 32V voltage source
(replacing it with a short circuit)
and the 2A current source
(replacing it with open circuit).

38
 NUMERICAL
Step 2. Make a-b open circuit. Find VTh by applying mesh/node analysis.

=> i1 = 0.5A

39
 NUMERICAL
Step 3. Finding current through RL

a) When RL= 6Ω

a) When RL= 36Ω

Thevenin equivalent circuit

40
 NUMERICAL
Q2. Find the Thevenin equivalent of the given circuit at terminals a-b.

41
 NUMERICAL
Soln:
Step 1. Find RTh. We excite the circuit with 1A current source.
The reduced circuit is shown

=1A

42
 NUMERICAL
KCL at node a:

Also we have,

= 1A

Substituting (2) in (1), we have

Negative sign in resistance indicates that

the circuit is supplying power. Resistors
cannot supply power, it’s the dependent
current source that supplies power.
43
 NUMERICAL
Step 2: Finding VTh
i1
KCL at node a:
i1 + ix = 2ix
=> i1 = ix
=> νab = -2ix = -4ix
=> νab = ix = 0
Since we don’t have any independent
sources in the given circuit, the value of
=> VTh = νab = 0 Thevenin equivalent voltage VTh is zero.
Thus, the Thevenin equivalent circuit is just a negative (-4Ω)
resistance across a-b i.e. a “dependent voltage source” with νab = 4iba
44
 NUMERICAL
Q3. Find the Thevenin equivalent of the given circuit at terminals a-b.

45
 NUMERICAL
Soln:
Step 1. Finding VTh.

Applying KVL to the loop,

=0

But Vo = 10k I ,

46
 NUMERICAL
Step 2: To find RTh , remove independent voltage source 70V and apply a
1-V independent source to excite the circuit at the terminals a-b
We have

And

47
 NUMERICAL
Q4. Determine the Thevenin equivalent circuit between terminals a-b.

48
 NUMERICAL
Soln:
Step 1: Finding RTh.
Remove independent sources
i.e replace voltage source by
short circuit and current
source by open circuit.

Then we have,

49
 NUMERICAL
Step 2: Finding VTh.
KCL at node 1:

KCL at node 2:

Solving (1) and (2), =>

50
 NUMERICAL
Q5. Find the Thevenin and Norton equivalents at terminals a-b
of the circuit shown below.

51
 NUMERICAL
Soln:
Step 1: Finding RTh/N. Replace current sources by open-circuits and
voltage source by short-circuit.
20  5
RTh  5 ||(14  6) 
20  5
 RTh  4   RN

Step 2: Finding VTh. Apply source transformation to 1A current source

and apply nodal analysis.
14  6  VTh VTh
 3
14  6 5
 VTh  8V
52
 NUMERICAL
And,

a a
RTh = 4 Ω

_
RN = 4 Ω
VTh = 8 V + IN = 2 A
Therefore,
b b
Thevenin Norton Equivalent
Equivalent Circuit Circuit
53
 NUMERICAL
Q6. Find the Norton equivalent at terminals a-b of the circuit shown.

54
 NUMERICAL
Soln:
Step 1: Finding RN.
Set the independent sources
to zero. This leads to the
reduced circuit shown.
Thus,

55
 NUMERICAL
Step 2: Finding IN. Short-circuit terminals a and b.
Ignore the 5-Ω resistor because it has been short-circuited.
Applying mesh analysis,

On solving, we get

a
Norton’s Equivalent
RN = 4 Ω
IN = 1 A

b 56
 UNSOLVED NUMERICAL
Q1. Using Thevenin’s theorem, find the equivalent circuit to the left of the
terminals in the circuit below. Then find I.

Ans: VTh = 90 V, RTh = 45 Ω, I = 1.5 A. 57

 UNSOLVED NUMERICAL
Q2. Find the Thevenin equivalent circuit of the circuit shown below to the
left of the terminals.

Ans: VTh = 5.333 V, RTh = 444.4 mΩ.

58
 UNSOLVED NUMERICAL
Q3. Determine the Thevenin equivalent circuit shown below, as seen by the
7Ω resistor. Then calculate the current flowing through the 7Ω resistor.

Ans: VTh = 80 V, RTh = 9.069 Ω. 59

 UNSOLVED NUMERICAL
Q4. Obtain the Thevenin equivalent at terminals a-b of the circuit shown
below.

Ans: VTh = 38 V, RTh = 20 Ω. 60

 UNSOLVED NUMERICAL
Q5. Find Norton equivalent resistance RN and current IN at terminals a-b of
the circuit shown below.

Ans: IN = 4.5 A, RN = 90 Ω. 61
 UNSOLVED NUMERICAL
Q6. Find the Norton equivalent with respect to terminals a-b in the circuit
shown below.

Ans: IN = 666.67 mA, RN = 10 Ω. 62

 UNSOLVED NUMERICAL
Q7. Find Norton equivalent resistance RN and current IN at terminals a-b of
the circuit shown below.

Ans: IN = 10 A, RN = 1 Ω. 63
 UNSOLVED NUMERICAL
Q8. Determine the Norton equivalent at terminals a-b for the circuit below.

Ans: IN = 3 A, RN = -4 Ω. 64
 UNSOLVED NUMERICAL
Q9. Obtain the Norton equivalent of the circuit in fig shown below, to the
left of terminals a-b. Use the result to find current i.

Ans: IN = - 0.4 A, RN = 10 Ω, i = 2.4 A. 65

 UNSOLVED NUMERICAL
Q10. Given the circuit in Fig below, obtain the Norton equivalent as viewed
from terminals: (a) a-b (b) c-d.

Ans: (a) IN = 7 A, RN = RTh = 2 Ω, VTh = 14 V. (b) IN = 12.667 A, RN = RTh = 1.5 Ω, VTh = 19 V.

66
 UNSOLVED NUMERICAL
Q11. Obtain the Norton equivalent at terminals a-b of the circuit in Fig.

Ans: IN = -20 mA, RN = 100 kΩ. 67

 UNSOLVED NUMERICAL
Q12. Use Norton’s theorem to find Vo in the circuit of Fig.

Ans: IN = -1 mA, RN = 20 kΩ. 68

 UNSOLVED NUMERICAL
Q13. Obtain the Thevenin and Norton equivalent circuits at terminals a-b for
the circuit in Fig.

Ans: (a) IN = 16.667 A, RN = RTh = 10 Ω, VTh = 166.67 V. 69

 UNSOLVED NUMERICAL
Q14. Determine the Thevenin and Norton equivalents at terminals a-b of the
circuit in Fig.

Ans: (a) IN = 1.7778 A, RN = RTh = 22.5 Ω, VTh = 40 V. 70

 REFERENCES

1. Edward Hughes; John Hiley, Keith Brown, Ian McKenzie Smith,

“Electrical and Electronic Technology”, 10th edition, Pearson Education
Limited, Year: 2008.

2. Alexander, Charles K., and Sadiku, Matthew N. O., “Fundamentals of

Electric Circuits”, 5th Ed, McGraw Hill, Indian Edition, 2013.

71