THEVENIN’s

and
NORTON’s
THEOREM
 THEVENIN’s THEOREM
• Thevenin’s theorem states the following:
Any two-terminal, linear bilateral dc network
can be replaced by an equivalent circuit
consisting of a voltage source and a series
resistor, as shown in Fig

Thevenin equivalent circuit

• 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, where
VTh is the open-circuit voltage at the terminals
and RTh is the input or equivalent resistance at
the terminals when the independent sources
are turned off.
The following sequence of steps will lead to the proper
value of RTh and VTh.

• Remove that portion of the network across

which the Thevenin equivalent circuit is to be
found. In above Fig. (a), this requires that the
load resistor RL be temporarily removed from
the network.

• Mark the terminals of the remaining two-

terminal network.
RTh:
• Calculate RTh by first setting all sources to zero
(voltage sources are replaced by short circuits,
and current sources by open circuits) and then
finding the resultant resistance between the
two marked terminals. (If the internal
resistance of the voltage and/or current
sources is included in the original network, it
must remain when the sources are set to zero).
(Note: Leave dependent voltage sources as
unchanged)
VTh:
• Calculate VTh by first returning all sources to
their original position and finding the open-
circuit voltage between the marked terminals.
(This step is invariably the one that will lead to
the most confusion and errors. In all cases,
keep in mind that it is the open-circuit
potential between the two terminals marked
in step 2).
Conclusion:
• Draw the Thevenin equivalent circuit with the
portion of the circuit previously removed
replaced between the terminals of the
equivalent circuit. This step is indicated by the
placement of the resistor RL between the
terminals of the Thevenin equivalent circuit as
shown in above Fig.(b).
 NORTON’s THEOREM
• The theorem states the following
Any two-terminal, linear bilateral dc network
can be replaced by an equivalent circuit
consisting of a current source and a parallel
resistor, as shown in Fig.
• 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, where
IN is the short-circuit current through the
terminals and RN is the input or equivalent
resistance at the terminals when the
independent sources are turned off.
Procedure to find Norton Equivalent Circuit:
• All steps are same as Thevenin’s theorem
except fourth step i.e., instead of finding VTH ,
here in this theorem “IN ” has to be find.
• RN = RTH
IN:
• Calculate IN by first returning all sources to
their original position and then finding the
short-circuit current between the marked
terminals. It is the same current that would be
measured by an ammeter placed between the
marked terminals.
Application:
• When there is a need to determine the
current, voltage and power delivered to a
single “load” resistance by the remainder of
the circuit.
Or
• To find the response for different values of the
load resistance
• Find the Thevenin equivalent circuit of the
circuit shown in Fig., to the left of the
terminals a-b. Then find the current through
RL = 6, 16, and 36 .
• Find the Thevenin equivalent circuit of the
circuit shown in Fig.