Norton’s Throrem

Learning Outcomes of Topic

To make students understand the
• Concept of Norton's Theorem.
• Application of Norton's Theoremto electric circuits.
• Limitation of Norton's Theorem.

Video Link:-https://youtu.be/DdLA8rntWEY
Description: Norton’ Theorem

Norton’s Theorem states that – A linear active network consisting of the independent or
dependent voltage source and current sources and the various circuit elements can be
substituted by an equivalent circuit consisting of a current source in parallel with a resistance.
The current source being the short-circuited current across the load terminal and the
resistance being the internal resistance of the source network.

Figure: 1 Norton Equivalent Circuit

Norton’s equivalent circuit resembles a practical current source. Hence, it is having a current
source in parallel with a resistor.
The current source present in the Norton’s equivalent circuit is called as Norton’s equivalent
current or simply Norton’s current IN.
The resistor present in the Norton’s equivalent circuit is called as Norton’s equivalent resistor
or simply Norton’s resistor RN.

The Norton’s theorems reduce the networks equivalent to the circuit having one current
source, parallel resistance and load. Norton’s theorem is the converse of Thevenin’s
Theorem. It consists of the equivalent current source instead of an equivalent voltage source
as in Thevenin’s theorem.

The determination of internal resistance of the source network is identical in both the
theorems.

In the final stage that is in the equivalent circuit, the current is placed in parallel to the
internal resistance in Norton’s Theorem whereas in Thevenin’s Theorem the equivalent
voltage source is placed in series with the internal resistance.

Explanation of Norton’s Theorem

To understand Norton’s Theorem in detail, let us consider a circuit diagram given below:

Figure: 2 Circuit1
In order to find the current through the load resistance IL as shown in the circuit diagram
above, the load resistance has to be short-circuited as shown in the diagram below:
 Figure: 3 Circuit 2

Now, the value of current I flowing in the circuit is found out by the equation

And the short-circuit current ISC is given by the equation shown below:

Now the short circuit is removed, and the independent source is deactivated as shown in the
circuit diagram below and the value of the internal resistance is calculated by:
 Figure: 4 Circuit 3

So,

As per Norton’s Theorem, the equivalent source circuit would contain a current source in
parallel to the internal resistance, the current source being the short-circuited current across
the shorted terminals of the load resistor. The Norton’s Equivalent circuit is represented as

Figure: 5 Norton Circuit

Finally, the load current IL calculated by the equation shown below

Where,

IL is the load current

Isc is the short circuit current
Rint is the internal resistance of the circuit
RL is the load resistance of the circuit

Steps for Solving a Network Utilizing Norton’s Theorem

Step 1 – Remove the load resistance of the circuit.

Step 2 – Find the internal resistance Rint of the source network by deactivating the constant
sources.

Step 3 – Now short the load terminals and find the short circuit current ISC flowing through
the shorted load terminals using conventional network analysis methods.

Step 4 – Norton’s equivalent circuit is drawn by keeping the internal resistance Rint in
parallel with the short circuit current ISC.

Step 5 – Reconnect the load resistance RL of the circuit across the load terminals and find the
current through it known as load current IL.

Summery
The basic procedure for solving a circuit using Nortons Theorem is as follows:
1. Remove the load resistor RL or component concerned.
2. Find RS by shorting all voltage sources or by open circuiting all the current sources.
3. Find IS by placing a shorting link on the output terminals A and B.
4. Find the current flowing through the load resistor RL.

Application

•  Thevenin's Theorem is especially useful in analyzing power systems and other

circuits where one particular resistor in the circuit (called the “load” resistor) is
subject to change, and re-calculation of the circuit is necessary with each trial
value of load resistance, to determine voltage across it and current through it.
• Source modeling and resistance measurement using the Wheatstone bridge provide
applications for Thevenin’s theorem.
• Reduce the number of components required to establish the same characteristics at the
output terminals.

Practice Problems (FAQs)

1. State and explain Norton’s Theorem.

 2. Give the examples to apply and solve Norton’s Theorem.
3. Elaborate the limitations of Norton’s Theorem.
4. Discuss the application of Norton’s Theorem.

Simulation Link:-
 http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/electric/Norton.html
 https://vlab.amrita.edu/?sub=1&brch=75&sim=312&cnt=4

References
• E-Books:-
1. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/
304513870_Basics_of_Electrical_Engineering_-
_a_text_book_for_first_year_B_Tech_students_of_Engineering_all_specializations
2. https://electricalanswers.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/a-textbook-of-electrical-
technology-volume-i-basic-electrical-engineering-b-l-theraja.pdf
• Websites:-
1. https://www.autodesk.com/products/eagle/blog/use-thevenins-theorem/
2. https://circuitglobe.com/what-is-thevenins-theorem.html
 Videos:-
1. https://youtu.be/DdLA8rntWEY

References for Further Higher Learning

1. http://www.ee.iitm.ac.in/vinita/pdf/ee2015/Lecture_18_Scribe.pdf
2. https://vlab.amrita.edu/?sub=1&brch=75&sim=313&cnt=1

Self Study Topics

Simplification techniques that focus on terminal behavior.
 Thévenin’s Theorem
 Norton’s Theorem

Mooc’s Content Courses:

1. https://www.my-mooc.com/en/mooc/solar-energy-photovoltaic-
pv-technologies/
2. https://www.my-mooc.com/en/mooc/fundamentals-of-current-
flow/
3. https://www.my-mooc.com/en/mooc/electric-and-conventional-
vehicles/

3.