4 NETWORK THEOREMS

4.1 Superposition
4.2 Source Transformation
4.3 Thevenin’s Theorem
4.4 Norton’s Theorem
4.5 Maximum Power Transfer

4.1 SUPERPOSITION

The superposition theorem states that the voltage across (or current through) an
element in a circuit is the algebraic sum of the voltages across (or currents
through) that elements due to each independent source acting alone.

The principle of superposition helps us to analyze a linear circuit with more than
one independent source by calculating the contribution of each independent source
separately.

How to apply the superposition theorem?

Consider one independent source at a time while other independent sources are
turned-off :
- independent voltage source : 0 V (short circuit)
- independent current source : 0 A (open circuit)

Dependent sources are left intact because they are controlled by circuit variables.

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Example 4.1

Use the superposition theorem to find v in the circuit of Figure 4.2.

Figure 4.2

Example 4.3

Apply superposition to find i in the circuit of Figure 4.3.

Figure 4.3

Solution :

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4.2 SOURCE TRANSFORMATION

A source transformation is the process of replacing a voltage source vs in series

with a resistor R by a current source is in parallel with a resistor R, or vice versa.

 Equivalent resistance (source off) : R

vs
 Short-circuit current from a to b : isc   is
R
vs
vs  is R or is 
R

 The source transformation is also applicable to dependent sources.

Example 4.4

Use source transformation in the circuit of Figure 4.4 to find vo.

Figure 4.4

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Solution :

4.3 THEVENIN’S THEOREM

Thevenin’s theorem states that a linear two-terminal circuit can be replaced by an

equivalent circuit consisting of a voltage source VTh in series with a resistor RTh.

Here,
- VTh is the open-circuit voltage at the terminals
- RTh is the input or equivalent resistance at the terminals when the
independent sources are turn off.

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Simplifying Circuits by Thevenin’s Theorem

Example 4.5

Find the Thevenin’s equivalent circuit to the left of the terminals a-b in Figure 4.5.
Then find the current through RL = 6, 16, and 36 Ω.

Figure 4.5

Solution :

Thevenin resistance RTh calculation :

Short 32-V voltage source and open 2-A current source.

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To get IL for RL = 6, 16, or 36 Ω

4.4 NORTON’S THEOREM

Norton’s theorem states that a linear two-terminal circuit can be replaced by an

equivalent circuit consisting of a current source IN in parallel with a resistor RN.

Here,
- IN is the short-circuit current through the terminals
- RN is the input or equivalent resistance at the terminals when the
independent sources are turn off.

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Thevenin’s and Norton’s resistances are equal.
RN  RTh
The short-circuit current through the terminals IN is given by
V
I N  i SC  Th
RTh

Example 4.6

Find the Norton equivalent circuit of Figure 4.6.

Figure 4.6

Solution :

To find RN, we have to short-circuit the voltage source and open-circuit the
current source. Thus
RN  5 //(8  4  8)
20  5
 5 // 20   4
25

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Short circuit between terminals a and b.
Mesh analysis: i1  2 A
 12  20i2  4i1  0
→ i2  1A  iSC  I N

Alternative method for IN :

VTh
IN 
RTh

VTh : open circuit voltage across terminals a and b

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Mesh analysis :
Loop 1 : i3  2 A
Loop 2 : 25i4  4i3  12  0 → i4  0.8 A
 voc  VTh  5i4  4V
Hence,
VTh 4V
IN    1A
RTh 4

4.5 MAXIMUM POWER TRANSFER

Maximum power is transferred to the load when the load resistance equals the
Thevenin resistance as seen from the load. RL  RTh 

The maximum power transferred is obtained by

2
 VTh  VTh
2

p  i RL  
2
 RL 
 RTh  RL  4 RTh

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Example 4.7

Find the value of RL for maximum power transfer in the circuit of Figure 4.7. Find
maximum power.

Figure 4.7

Solution :

Loop 1 : -12 + 18i1 – 12i2 = 0

Loop 2 : i2 = -2 A

2
→ i1 =  A
3

To get VTh by applying KVL around Loop 3 :

-12 + 6i1 + 3i2 + 2(0) + VTh = 0 → VTh = 22 V

2
V 22 2
Set RL = RTh = 9 Ω → Pmax = Th   13.44W
4 RL 4  9

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Tutorial 4 : Network Theorems

Q1. Use superposition principal to find i in Figure Q1.

6Ω

i
12 V 2Ω 3Ω 4A

(i=3A)
Figure Q1

Q2. Determine vo in the circuit in Figure Q2 using the superposition principle.

( vo = -125 mV)

Figure Q2

Q3. Using the superposition principle, find io in the circuit shown in Figure Q3.

6 mA
( io = 4.058 mA)

1 kΩ 2 kΩ 3 kΩ

io
30 V 4 kΩ 5 kΩ 15 V

Figure Q3

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Q4. Apply the superposition principle to find vo in the circuit of Figure Q4.

( vo = 8 V )

Figure Q4

Q5. Use superposition to solve for υx in the circuit of Figure Q5.

( vx = -26.67 V )

Figure Q5

Q6. Use Thevenin’s theorem to find vo in Figure Q6.

Figure Q6

( vo = -125 mV )

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Q7. Obtain the Thevenin equivalent at terminals a-b and use the result to get vx
for the circuit in Figure Q7.

Figure Q7

( RTh= 28 Ω, VTh = -160 V, vx = -48 V )

Q8. Find the Thèvenin equivalents at terminals a-b for the circuit in Figure Q8.

Figure Q8

( RTh = 4 Ω, VTh = -8 V )

Q9. Find the Thevenin equivalent looking into terminals a-b of the circuit in
Figure Q9 and solve for ix.

Figure Q9

( RTh = 10 Ω, VTh = 0 V )

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Q10. Find the Norton equivalent looking into terminals a-b of the circuit in
Figure Q10.

Figure Q10
( RN = 28 Ω, IN = 3.286 A )

Q11. Obtain the Norton equivalent of the circuit in Figure Q11 to the left of
terminals a-b. Use the result to find current i

Figure Q11
( RN = 10 Ω, IN = -0.4 A, i = 2.93 A )

Q12. Given the circuit in Figure Q12, obtain the Norton equivalent as viewed
from terminals (a) a-b (b) c-d

Figure Q12

(a ) RN = 2 Ω, IN = 7 A, (b) RN = 1.5 Ω, IN = 12.67 A

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Q13. Use Norton’s theorem to find current I in the circuit of Figure Q13.

( RN = 2.33 Ω, IN = 1.875 A )

Figure Q13

Q14. For each circuit in Figure Q14, maximum power is to be transferred to the
load RL. Determine the appropriate value for RL in each case.

(a) (b)
5 mA
4.7 Ω
1Ω
47 Ω
2Ω RL RL
1V
680 Ω

Figure Q14 (a) RL = 5.37 Ω, (b) RL = 727 Ω )

Q15. Determine the value of RL for maximum power in Figure Q15.

4.7 Ω 8.2 Ω

8.2 Ω
1.5 V 1 mA 15 Ω RL
8.2 Ω

Figure Q15 ( RL = 11.1 Ω )

Q16. Determine the maximum power that can be delivered to the variable
resistor R in the circuit of Figure Q16.

( Pmax = 20.77 W )
Figure Q16

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