Lab 6: Thevenin’s and Norton’s equivalent circuits

I. Theory Overview

Thevenin’s Theorem for DC circuits states that any two-port linear network may be replaced
by a single voltage source with an appropriate internal resistance. The Thevenin equivalent
will produce the same load current and voltage as the original circuit to any load.
Consequently, if many different loads or sub-circuits are under consideration, using a
Thevenin equivalent may prove to be a quicker analysis route than “reinventing the wheel”
each time. .
The Norton’s equivalent circuit provides equivalence at the terminals only − the internal
construction and characteristics of the original network and the Norton equivalent are usually
quite different. This theorem achieves two important objectives: Provide a way to find any
particular voltage or current in a linear network with one, two, or any other number of
sources. We can concentrate on a specific portion of a network by replacing the remaining
network with an equivalent circuit.

II. Objectives
 To construct Thevenin’s and Norton’s equivalent Circuit.

III. Materials
 DC power sources.
 One multimeter.
 Resistors.

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IV. Schematics

Figure 1.

E= 15 V; R1= 470 Ω; R2= 1 KΩ; R3= 100 Ω; R4= 1 K Ω

V. Procedure:
1. Thevenin’s Theorem:

Simulation
1. Construct the circuit given in Figure1 on Multisim Electronics Workbench.
2. Remove the load resistor RL (R4) and connect a multimeter (or voltmeter) to read the open
circuit voltage between A and B. Simulate and record the voltage. This is Eth for this circuit
between A and B.
3. Remove the E=15-V source. Replace it by a short circuit.
4. Connect a mutimeter in the resistance measurement mode (ohmmeter) between A and B.
5. Run the simulation and record the value of the resistor. This is Rth in Figure 1.

Hardwired Experiment
6. Build circuit of Figure 1 with hardwired components in the laboratory.
7. Repeat step 2-4 and find the values of Eth and Rth experimentally. Considering the
Workbench results as the base compute the percentage errors.

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 Eth Rth
Simulation
Hardwired
Error

Question: Compare between the obtained values with workbench and hardwired.

2. Norton’s Theorem:

Figure 2.

E= 15 V; R1= 470 Ω; R2= 1 KΩ; R3= 100 Ω; R4= 1 KΩ

a. Remove the load resistor R4 (RL), Replace it by a short circuit.

b. Calculate and measure the total current.

𝑰𝑻𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝑬
= 𝑹𝟐.𝑹𝟑
𝑹𝟏+(𝑹𝟐+𝑹𝟑 )

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 Calculated simulated measured
𝑰𝑻𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍

c. Use the current divider to Calculate 𝐼𝑁

𝑰𝑵 𝑹𝟐
𝑰
𝑹𝟐+𝑹𝟑 * 𝑻𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍
=

d. Remove the E=15-V source. Replace it by a short circuit.

e. Remove the wire between A and B.
f. Calculate and measure 𝑹𝑵.

𝑹𝑵=R3+ R1.R2 / (R1+R2)

Calculated simulated measured

𝑹𝑵

g. Draw the Norton’s equivalent circuit of the circuit shown in Figure 1 (with

𝑅𝑁 and the source 𝐼𝑁 ).

h. Compare between Rth and 𝑅𝑁.

i. Interpret your results.

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Guidelines to prepare Thevinen & Norton Theorm lab report:

1. Cover page (Student name, Student id, Section number, Course name).

2. Introduction: [Draw circuit diagrams by hand & write definition of Thevinen

& Norton Theorem].

3. Tables (Fill the tables with measured result values).

4. Calculate simulation values by using multisim and write in the given tables.

5. Multsim circuit diagram (screen shot).