Thvenin's Theorem (5.3, 8.

8)

Dr. Holbert March 8, 2006

ECE201 Lect-13

Thevenins Theorem
Any circuit with sources (dependent and/or independent) and resistors can be replaced by an equivalent circuit containing a single voltage source and a single resistor. Thevenins theorem implies that we can replace arbitrarily complicated networks with simple networks for purposes of analysis.
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Implications
We use Thevenins theorem to justify the concept of input and output resistance for amplifier circuits. We model transducers as equivalent sources and resistances. We model stereo speakers as an equivalent resistance.
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Independent Sources (Thevenin)

RTh
Voc +

Circuit with independent sources

Thevenin equivalent circuit

ECE201 Lect-13

No Independent Sources

RTh

Circuit without independent sources

Thevenin equivalent circuit

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Example: CE Amplifier
+10V

Vin

1kW
+ 2kW Vo

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Small Signal Equivalent

Ib + 1kW 50W 100Ib 2kW + Vo Vin

ECE201 Lect-13

Thevenin Equivalent @ Output

Ib + 1kW 50W 100Ib 2kW + Vo Vin

RTh + Voc

Vo

ECE201 Lect-13

Computing Thevenin Equivalent

Basic steps to determining Thevenin equivalent are
Find voc Find RTh (= voc / isc)

ECE201 Lect-13

Thevenin/Norton Analysis
1. Pick a good breaking point in the circuit (cannot split a dependent source and its control variable).
2. Thevenin: Compute the open circuit voltage, VOC. Norton: Compute the short circuit current, ISC. For case 3(b) both VOC=0 and ISC=0 [so skip step 2]

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Thevenin/Norton Analysis
3. Compute the Thevenin equivalent resistance, RTh (or impedance, ZTh). (a) If there are only independent sources, then short circuit all the voltage sources and open circuit the current sources (just like superposition). (b) If there are only dependent sources, then must use a test voltage or current source in order to calculate RTh (or ZTh) = VTest/Itest (c) If there are both independent and dependent sources, then compute RTh (or ZTh) from VOC/ISC.
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Thevenin/Norton Analysis
4. Thevenin: Replace circuit with VOC in series with RTh, ZTh. Norton: Replace circuit with ISC in parallel with RTh, ZTh. Note: for 3(b) the equivalent network is merely RTh (or ZTh), that is, no voltage (or current) source.

Only steps 2 & 4 differ from Thevenin & Norton!

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Class Examples
Learning Extension E5.3 Learning Extension E5.5

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Thevenin AC Steady State

Thevenins theorem also applies to AC steady state analysis. An arbitrary linear circuit can be replaced by an equivalent source and impedance. The determination of source and impedance values is essentially the same as for resistor circuits.
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Independent Source(s)
ZTh

Voc

+ Thevenin equivalent circuit

Circuit with one or more independent sources

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No Independent Sources

ZTh

Circuit without independent sources

Thevenin equivalent circuit

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Class Example
Learning Extension E8.14(b)

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