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“In the name of Allah, The Most Beneficent, The Most Merciful”
20
Lab 05
THEVENIN AND NORTON
THEOREMS

Prepared By:
Suhaimi Puteh
suhaimiputeh@ump.edu.my
Telephone: +6094245828
Fakulti Kejuruteraan Pembuatan, UMP

Lab Instructor(s)
Suhaimi Puteh
Mohd Azraai Razman

Lab Location
Makmal Mekatronik FKP, UMP

Lab Objectives

By the end of his lab, students should be able to demonstrate Thevenin and Norton theorems
from using MULTISIM and NI ELVIS II with real components practicality.

Group Information

No Student ID Student Names Section

1
2
3
4

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In this lab, students are required to have ample understanding on Thevenin and Norton
theorems. The objectives of this lab exercises is to ensure students familiarise with DC circuit
calculations for these theorems. This lab sheet is structured as follows:

i. Background and fundamentals of Thevenin and Norton theorems

ii. PART I: PRELIMINARY EXERCISE
iii. PART II: EXPERIMENT
a. Experiment A: Load current measurement in complex circuit
b. Experiment B: Thevenin and Norton Theorem
iv. References

Background and fundamentals of Thevenin and Norton theorems

Thevenin Theorem

Thevenin source voltage VTH is equal to the open circuit voltage of the original network.
Based on the figure below, the equivalent circuit of Thevenin is acquired through RL.

RA RC RD

Vs RB  
+ IS RL
-

Figure 1.1

Solution

1. Mark terminal A-B and remove RL

RA RC RD

 A
Vs RB   B
+ IS
-  

Figure 1.1 (a)

2. Obtain RTH by zero the sources

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RA RC RD

     A
RB B
     

Figure 1.1 (b)

RTH = (RA//RB) + RC + RD

3. Obtain VTH by open the A-B terminal

RA X RC Y RD

 A +
Vs RB   B VTH
+ IS
-   -

Figure 1.1 (c)

Note that there is no current flow at RD. There are several methods that can be used to acquire
VTH, either network analysis, node analysis or superposition theorem. Given below is the
solution for circuit in Figure 1.1 (c) by using node analysis:

KCL at node x, ∑ I at node=0

V X −V S V X V X −V Y
+ + =0
RA RB RC

KCL at node y, ∑ I at node=0

V Y −V X
−I S =0
RC

Solve these two equations using simultaneous equations to obtain VX and VY. Hence the
Thevenin voltage is given by
VTH = V5A = VY
4. Sketch Thevenin equivalent circuit including RL

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RTH
 A

+ VTH B RL
-  

Figure 1.1 (d)

Norton Theorem

Norton current is equal to the short-circuit current. Based on the same figure as previous,
Figure 1.1 the equivalent circuit of Norton is acquired through RL

Solution

1. Mark terminal A-B and remove RL

RA RC RD

 A
Vs RB   B
+ IS
-  

Figure 1.2 (a)

2. Obtain RTH by zero the sources

RA RC RD

     A
RB B RN
     

Figure 1.2 (b)

RTH = (RA//RB) + RC + RD

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3. Obtain IN open the A-B terminal

RA X RC Y RD

 A
Vs RB   B IN
+ IS
-  

Figure 1.2 (c)

Similarly, several methods can be used to obtain IN. Use the simplest method for your
analysis.

KCL at node x, ∑ I at node=0

V X −V S V X V X −V Y
+ + =0
RA RB RC

KCL at node y, ∑ I at node=0

V Y −V X VY
−I S + =0
RC RD

Use Cramer’s rule to solve VX and VY. Thus;

VY
IN=
RD

4. Sketch Norton equivalent circuit including RL

RTH
 A

RN B RL
+ VTH
-  

Figure 1.2 (d)

PART I: PRELIMINARY EXERCISE

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Important Note: You are required to do this exercise BEFORE the lab session

12 Ω 10 Ω IL
A
A

18 V + 150 Ω 100 Ω RL
-

B
 

Figure 1 Complex circuit

i. For the circuit in Fig. 1, calculate IL at RL = 0 Ω; 10 Ω; 20 Ω; 30 Ω; 50 Ω; 100 Ω and

200 Ω. Record your results in Table 1
ii. What are the two component of a Thevenin and Norton equivalent circuit?
iii. Define Thevenin equivalent voltage, VTH
iv. Define Thevenin equivalent resistence, RTH
v. For the circuit in Fig. 1, determine the Thevenin and Norton equivalent circuit as
viewed from terminals A and B. Hence, calculate IL at at RL = 0 Ω; 10 Ω; 20 Ω; 30 Ω;
50 Ω; 100 Ω and 200 Ω.
vi. State the maximum power transfer theorem. Show that for maximum power transfer,
RL = RTH
vii. Discuss briefly the importance of Thevenin and Norton Theorems in circuit analysis
viii. Perform the circuit analysis using PSPICE to validate your results.

Table 1

PART II: EXPERIMENT OF AC CIRCUIT

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This experiment is divided into two; series load measurements and Thevenin and Norton
Theorem.

OBJECTIVES

a. To obtain Thevenin and Norton equivalent circuit from a complex circuit.

b. To perform comparison analysis between the complex circuit and the Thevenin and
Norton equivalent circuits.
c. To show that Thevenin and Norton theorems are the simplest method to analyze load
variation in a complex circuits.
d. To determine the value of load resistances for which maximum power is transferred.

PARTS AND EQUIPMENTS

i. Variable resitor
ii. Ampere meter
iii. Volt meter
iv. Multimeter
v. Dc power supply
vi. Connection wire

PROCEDURES
Precaution:
i. Set the supply voltage value to the correct experimental value before connect it to
the circuit
ii. Make sure the multimeter or ammeters are connected at a right terminal
iii. Do not switch on the supply until the instructor checks all connections

Experiment A: Load current measurement in complex circuit.

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i. Circuit connection as Figure 1

12 Ω 10 Ω IL
A
A

18 V + 150 Ω 100 Ω RL
-

B
 

Figure 1 Complex circuit

ii. Measure and record the ammeter readings for load resistance RL = 0 Ω; 10 Ω; 20 Ω;
30 Ω; 50 Ω; 100 Ω and 200 Ω. Record your results in Table 2

Experiment II: Thevenin and Norton Theorem

i. From Fig. 1, open the terminals A and B, by using provided meters:

a. Measure the Thevenin equivalent resistance, RTH at terminals A and B

RTH =
b. Measure the open circuit voltage at terminals A and B.
c. Measure the short circuit current at terminals A and B.
Record the measure values in Table 3

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ii. Use the measured value of equivalent resistance, R TH and open circuit voltage, VTH,
connect the circuit as in Fig. 2, measure and record ammeter reading in Table 4.

RTH
A
A

VTH + RL
-

B
 

Figure 2 Circuit

iii. Connect the circuit as shown in Fig. 3. Turn the voltage knob anti clockwise to obtain
the minimum voltage. Then adjust the voltage supply (E) to the Norton current IN.
Measure load current and record your reading in a table 5.

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IN 10 Ω A
A  A

RN
E + RL
-

B
 

Figure 3 Circuit

REFERENCES

Charles K. Alexander, Matthew N. O. Sadiku, Fundamentals of Electric Circuits 5th

edition, McGraw-Hill International Edition.

Allan R. Hambley, Electrical Engineering Principles and applications 5th Edition, Pearson

BFM 2831 Fundamental_of_Electrical_Engineering_Lab_AC_Circuit Suhaimi-FKP-2013/2014