Lecture 5 and 6 (Thevenin and Norton Theorem)

Thevenin Theorem:

Thevenin theorem converts a complex circuit to a simple circuit containing a voltage source in
series with an impedance with respect to the terminals a and b selected across an element of
interest.

Circuit Analysis Technique based on Thevenin Theorem:

Step 1: Mark terminals a and b across the element of interest (in which we are interested to find
either current or voltage) in the given network/circuit and remove that element to create open
circuit across terminals a and b as illustrated in Figure (1).

Figure (1)

Step 2: Find the open circuit voltage Vab, preferably using KCL (remember to always consider a
and b as nodes). This voltage is Thevenin voltage VT. That is Vab = VT, illustrated in Figure (2).

Figure (2)

Step 3: Find the impedance across open terminals a and b Zab by short circuiting all active
voltage sources and replacing all active current sources by open circuit. This is the Thevenin
impedance ZT. That is Zab = ZT as illustrated in Figure (3)

Figure (3)

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Step 4: Form the Thevenin equivalent circuit with a and b terminals containing Thevenin voltage
source Vab in series with impedance Zab calculated with respect to a and b. Connect the
removed element across a and b in the Thevenin equivalent circuit and applying KVL to the
single loop formed to calculate the current and then the voltage. This is illustrated in Figure (4).
The voltage can also be calculated by using the voltage divider rule.

Figure (4)

Example 1: In the circuit shown in Figure (5), find Io using technique based on Thevenin
theorem.

Figure (5)

Solution: The element of interest is 2Ω resistor in which Io is to be determined.

Step 1: Remove the element from the given circuit to create an open circuit with terminals a and
b as shown in the resultant circuit as shown in Figure (6) below.

Figure (6)

Step 2: Form the nodal equations using KCL. Please remember to assign node voltages to a and
b. However, in this case b is at the reference node (ground), so it is at zero potential as shown in
the circuit of Figure (7).

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 Figure (7)

In the circuit shown in Figure (7), applying KCL at node V1, we have:

V1  12 V1  V2
0  2 
2 1

Or 8  3V1  2V2 1

Similarly applying KCL to node V2, we have:

V2 V2  V1
4 
 j1 1

or 4  jV2  V2  V1

or 4  V1  (1  j1)V2 2

Solve the nodal equations, preferably using Cramer’s rule. Arranging Eq (1) and (2) in matrix
form:

8  3  2  V1 
4   1 1  j1 V 
    2 

In order to find Vab, we need V1 only since: Vab = Va – Vb. Since b is connected to the ground
so that Vb = 0, so that Vab = V1. Therefore: Likewise, the determinant of square matrix is:

  3(1  j1)  2  1  j3

To find V1, we have to take the determinant of cofactor matrix of V1 that is:

8  2 
1  det    8(1  j1)  8  16  j8
4 1  j1

1 16  j8
Thus: V1  Vab  VT    4  j4
 1  j3

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Step 3: Find the impedance with respect to and b following the rule as mentioned for step 3.
Thus accordingly the circuit is transformed as shown in Figure (8) below:

Figure (8)

It can be seen that 1Ω and –j1Ω are in series and this combination is in parallel with 2Ω resistor.
Thus: (1 – j1) // 1. Thus:

Zab = ZT = 0.8 – j0.4

Step 4: With VT and ZT, the Thevenin equivalent circuit of the given circuit with respect to a and
b terminal is obtained to which the element of interest is re-connected to find the unknown
quantity asked in question. This is shown in Figure (9).

Figure (9)

VT 4  j4
Thus: I0    1.6  j1.2  2  36.86 ° A
ZT  2 0.8  j 0.4  2

Norton Theorem:

Norton theorem converts a complex circuit to a simple circuit containing a current source in
parallel with an impedance with respect to the terminals a and b selected across an element of
interest.

Circuit Analysis Technique based on Norton Theorem:

Step 1: Mark terminals a and b across the element of interest (in which we are interested to find
either current or voltage asked in question) in the given circuit and remove that element and
apply a short circuit between the open terminals a and b as illustrated in Figure (10).

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 Figure (10)

Step 2: Find the short circuit current Iab, preferably using KVL (remember to always try to
associate only one assigned loop current with the short circuit current through a and b). This
short circuit current is then the Norton current IN. Thus Iab = IN.

Step 3: Find the impedance Zab across open terminals a and b by short circuiting all active
voltage sources and replacing all active current sources by open circuit. This impedance is then
ZN, the Norton equivalent impedance. Thus: Zab = ZN, and is same as the Thevenin equivalent
impedance.

Step 4: Form the Norton equivalent circuit with a and b terminals containing Norton current
source IN in parallel with impedance calculated with respect to a and b. Connect the removed
element across a and b in the Norton equivalent circuit and applying KCL to the single node
formed to calculate the voltage and then the current. This is illustrated in Figure (11). The current
can also be calculated by using the current divider rule.

Figure (11)

Example 2: Using Norton theorem find the voltage Vo according to the indicated polarity in the
circuit shown in Figure (12) below.

Figure (12)

Solution: The element of interest is the 1Ω resistor across which we are asked to find Vo. As
usual there are 4-steps, we will go stepwise to solve for current Vo.
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Step 1: Mark terminals a and b across the element of interest (in which we are interested to find
voltage across 1Ω resistor as asked in question) in the given circuit and remove that element and
apply a short circuit between the open terminals a and b. This is shown in Figure (13) below.

Figure (13)

Step 2: Identify the loops and assign loop currents. In identifying loops and assigning loop
currents, remember try to associate only one loop current with the current source and the short
circuit link between a and b. This will make calculations simpler. In the resultant circuit as
obtained and shown above, there are 4 loops, but let us be careful in selecting them and assigning
loop currents in them. Careful consideration will show that the selection of loops and assigning
loop currents can be as shown in Figure (14). We can note that there is only one loop current i2
with the current source and only ne loop current i4 with the short circuit. In this way one of the
loop current; namely i2 is known and is: i2 = –2A. This will reduce the number of loop equation
from 4 to 3, since we need not form loop equation for loop with loop current i2. On the other
hand the short circuit of Norton current will be simply i4.

Figure (14)

Form the loop equations using KVL. For the loop with current i1, we have:

 6   ji1  1(i1  i2  i3  i4 )

With putting known value of i2, rearranging, we have:

 4  (1  j1)i1  i3  i4 1

For loop with assign current i3, we have:

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  6  12  j 2i3  1(i1  i2  i3  i4 )

With putting known value of i2, rearranging, we have:

8  i1  (1  j 2)i3  i4 2

For loop with assign current i4, we have:

 6  12  i4  1(i1  i2  i3  i4 )

With putting known value of i2, rearranging, we have:

8  i1  i3  2i4 3

Arranging Eq (1), (2) and (3) in matrix form:

 4 (1  j1) 1 1 i1 

 8  1 (1  j 2) 1 i3 
  
 8   1 1 2 i4 

In order to find Iab, we need i4. The determinant of square matrix (3 x 3) in the present case is:

(1  j 2) 1 1 1  1 1
  (1  j1)  1  1
 1 2 1 2 (1  j 2) 1
 

  (1  j1)(2  j 4 1)  (1)  1(1 1  j 2)

Or   4  j1

To find i4 we have to take the determinant of cofactor matrix of i4 that is:

(1  j1) 1  4

 4  det  1 (1  j 2) 8   16  j 24
 1 1 8 

 4 16  j 24
Thus: i4    5.17  j 4.70
 4  j1

Step 3: Find the Norton impedance with respect to terminals a and b (reopened). The circuit will
look like as shown in Figure (15).

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 Figure (15)

It can be seen from the above circuit that there are three elements in parallel (1, –j1 and j2) and
then this combination is in series with the 1Ω resistor at a. Thus:

Zab = ZN = 1.8 – j0.4

Step 4: Obtaining the Norton equivalent circuit of the given circuit with respect to terminals a
and b and then finding the quantity asked in question. The Norton circuit is shown in Figure (16)
below to which the removed element is re-connected at a and b.

Figure (16)

In this case the quantity asked in question is the voltage Vo, across 1Ω resistor. This voltage can
be found using the KCL at the single node formed with node voltage V0 that is:

V0 V0
5.17  j 4.70   °A
1 (1.8  j 0.4)

Thus: V0  3.6  j 2.8  4.5637.87 ° Volts

Source Conversion

Source conversion, converting Norton current source to Thevenin voltage source and vice versa
can greatly simplify circuit analysis. In complex circuits there are portions which can be
regarded as Norton or Thevenin equivalent sources. For example given a Thevenin equivalent
circuit, we can convert it into Norton equivalent circuit as illustrated in Figure (17).

Given the Thevenin source to the left in Figure (17) with terminals a and b marked, apply a short
circuit across a and b (middle in figure 17). Calculate the short circuit current by simply applying
Ohms law as:

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 120
Iab  I N   60 A
2

Figure (17)

The same 2Ω resistor, which was in series in the Thevenin equivalent circuit, is now connected
in parallel with the 6A current source to get the Norton equivalent circuit (right in figure 17). To
get the Thevenin equivalent circuit from given Norton equivalent circuit, we go in the reverse
order in accordance with the illustration in Figure (17) above.

Given the Norton circuit, we can find the open circuit voltage across a and b terminals simply by
multiplying the current source current with the parallel connected resistor. That is:

Vab  VT  60  2  120 volts

The same resistor connected in parallel in the Norton circuit is then connected in series with the
voltage source as illustrated in Figure (18).

Figure (18)

Example 3: Find the current Io according to the indicated direction in the circuit shown in
Figure (19) below.

Figure (19)

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Solution: The circuit has apparently 5 loops. However with only one loop current associated
with the current source, the number of loops will reduce to 4 (4 loop equations). On the other
hand it can be noted that we can end up 4 nodal equations (with base line as reference node).
Thus in either case, we will have to solve 4 equations, which is tedious. However, source
conversion can help us to reduce the effort needed. In the given circuit, the 12 volts source in
series with 2Ω resistor to the left-side can be converted to Norton equivalent as already
illustrated in Figure (17). Likewise the portion in the circuit to the right with current source of
2A in parallel with 1Ω resistor can be converted to Thevenin equivalent circuit as illustrated in in
Figure (18). Thus the resultant circuit will look as shown in Figure (20).

Figure (20)

In the circuit of Figure (20) there are two 2Ω resistors in parallel (left-side) and two, 1Ω resistors
in series (right-side). The circuit then simplifies to that shown in Figure (21).

Figure (21)

In the circuit of Figure (21) it can be seen that the 6A current in parallel with 1Ω resistor forms a
Norton circuit which can be converted to equivalent Thevenin circuit, so that the circuit will
further simplify to that as shown in Figure (22).

Figure (22)

The 1Ω and 2Ω resistors are in series which equals to 3Ω when added. Thus the 6 volts voltage
source with 3Ω in series (Thevenin circuit) can be converted to Norton as shown in Figure (23).

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 Figure (23)

The 3Ω and 0 – j1Ω are in parallel that results in (0.3 – j0.9)Ω. The final circuit is shown in
Figure (24).

Figure (24)

Either KVL or KCL application is convenient since in both cases we end with 2 equations. First
we will use KCL. In the circuit of Figure (24), we note that there are two possible nodes for
which the nodal equations can be built up. This situation of identification of nodes is shown in
Figure (25).

Figure (25)

There is a super node with pure voltage source of 6 volts between the two selected nodes, so the
equation defining the super node is:

V1 V2  6 1

The other equation will be the super-node equation in which case we will simultaneously
consider the two nodes V1 and V2. Applying KCL at node V1 and V2 simultaneously, we have:

V1 V V 2
2  2  2
(0.3  j 0.9) j 4 2

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Or 2  (0.33  j1)V1  j0.25V2  0.5V2  1

Rearranging: 3  (0.33  j1)V1  (0.5  j0.25)V2 2

Solve the nodal equations, preferably using Cramer’s rule. Arranging Eq (1) and (2) in matrix
form:

6  1 1  V1 
3  (0.33  j1) (0.5  j 0.25) V 
    2 

The determinant of square matrix is:

  1(0.5  j0.25)  1(0.33 j1)  0.83 j0.75

In order to find the current in the inductor Io, we need V2 only. To find V2, we have to take the
determinant of cofactor matrix of V2 that is:

 1 6
 2  det    1.02  j 6
(0.33  j1) 3

2 1.02  j6
Thus: V2    2.92  j 4.6
 0.83  j0.75

Find the quantity asked in question. In this case it is the current Io that is:

V2  2.92  j 4.6
I0    1.15  j 0.73  1.36147.6 ° A
j4 j4

Now let us use KCL to find Io. The loops according to the rules are selected as shown in Figure
(26), associating only one loop current with the current source so that according to Figure (26),
the known loop current is:

i1  20 A

Figure (26)

The loop equations are as follows:

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For the loop with current i2, we have:

 6   j 4i2  j 4i3  (i2  i1 )(0.3  j 0.9)

With putting known value of i1, rearranging, we have:

 5.4  j1.8  (0.3  j3.1)i2  j 4i3 3

For loop with assign current i3, we have:

 2  2i3  j 4(i3  i2 )

Rearranging, we have:

 2   j 4i2  (2  j 4)i2 4

Arranging Eq (3) and (4) in matrix form:

 5.4  j1.8 0.3  j3.1  j 4  i2 

 2     j4 2  j 4 i3 
  

In order to find Io, we need both the unknown currents; i2 and i3. The determinant of square
matrix (3 x 3) in the present case is:

  (0.3  j3.1)(2  j 4)  16

Or   4.2  j7.4

To find i2 we have to take the determinant of cofactor matrix of i2 that is:

 5.4  j1.8  j 4 
 2  det   3.6  j33.2
 2 2  j 4

 2  3.6  j33.2
Therefore: i2    3.6  j1.55
 4.2  j7.4

To find i3 we have to take the determinant of cofactor matrix of i3 that is:

0.3  j3.1  5.4  j1.8

 3  det    6.6  j 27.8
  j4 2 

 3 6.6  j 27.8
Therefore: i3    2.45  j 2.28
 4.2  j7.4

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Thus: I o  i2  i3  3.6  j1.55  (2.45  j 2.28)  1.15  j 0.73  1.36147.6 A

Current Divider Rule:

 Z2   Z1 
I1  I   and I 2  I  
 Z1  Z 2   Z1  Z 2 

Voltage Divider Rule:

 Z1   Z2 
V1  V   and I 2  V  
 Z1  Z 2   Z1  Z 2 

Practice Problems for Examination

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My dear students please go through the examples and report any mistakes
during interactive session. Also please try the examination problems, so that
any difficulties can be removed during the interactive session.

Dr. Muhammad Naeem Arbab

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