Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering

Lecture Handouts
Course Code &Name: :  19EC13301 &Analog Electronic Circuits Semester/Year
Class : III Semester B.Tech. (I.T) III / II
Faculty Name : M. Sweetline Sonia
Unit : I Lecture No. : 2 Date of lecture:
Topic of Lecture: Thevenin’s theorem-Introduction
Introduction :
 Thévenin’s theorem, is probably one of the most interesting in that it permits the
reduction of complex networks to a simpler form for analysis and design.
Prerequisite knowledge for Complete learning of Topic:
 Requires knowledge in Kirchhoff’s laws, determinants, crammer’s rule.
Detailed Content of the Lecture:
Thévenin’s theorem, is probably one of the most interesting in that it permits the
reduction of complex networks to a simpler form for analysis and design.
Thévenin’s theorem states the following: “Any two-terminal dc network can be
replaced by an equivalent circuit consisting solely of a voltage source and a
series resistor” as shown in Fig.

Fig. 2.1 Thevenin’s theorem equivalent circuit

Here we need to find current through RL using Thevenin‘s theorem.

Open circuit the AB terminals to find the Thevenin‘s voltage.
Thevenin‘s voltage ,
Vth = E1. R3 / (R1+R3) ----1 from Fig.

Thevenin‘s resistance,
Rth = (R1.R3)/ (R1+R3) + R2 ----2 from Fig.

Now draw the thevenin‘s equivalent circuit as shown in Fig. with calculated values.

Steps to Analyze Electric Circuit through Thevenin‘s Theorem:

1. Open the load resistor.
2. Calculate / measure the open circuit voltage. This is the Thevenin Voltage (VTH).

1
 3. Open current sources and short voltage sources.
4. Calculate /measure the Open Circuit Resistance. This is the Thevenin Resistance
(RTH).
5. Now, redraw the circuit with measured open circuit Voltage (VTH) in Step (2) as
voltage source and measured open circuit resistance (RTH) in step (4) as a series
resistance and connect the load resistor which we had removed in Step (1). This is the
equivalent Thevenin circuit of that linear electric network or complex circuit
which had to be simplified and analyzed by Thevenin’s Theorem. You have done.
6. Now find the Total current flowing through load resistor by using the Ohm‘s Law:
IT = VTH/ (RTH+ RL).

Outcome / Application:
 Thevenin's Theorem is especially useful in analyzing power systems and other
circuits
 To simplify any linear circuit
Video Content / Details of website for further learning (if any):
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veAFVTIpKyM
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTDgziJC-q8
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8udwPc5pCoA
Important Books/Journals for further learning including the page nos.:
 J. Millman & Halkins & Satyebranta Jit, “Electronic Devices & Circuits”, Tata
McGraw Hill, 2nd Edition, 2010
 David A. Bell, “Electronic Devices and Circuits”, Oxford University Press, 5th
Edition, 2008.
 Robefi T. Paynter, ‘”Introducing Electronics Devices and Circuits”,
Pearson Education, 7th Edition , 2006.
 Adel .S. Sedra, Kenneth C. Smith, “Micro Electronic Circuits”, 6th Edition, Oxford
University Press, 2010
 Salivahanan, “Electronic Devices and Circuits” 2nd edition Tata McGraw-Hill
Education, 2011

Subject Teacher Verified by HOD