Electrical Technology

EEE 101
Objective of Lecture
State Thévenin’s and Norton Theorems.
Chapter 4.5 and 4.6 Fundamentals of Electric Circuits
Demonstrate how Thévenin’s and Norton theorems
ca be used to simplify a circuit to one that contains
three components: a power source, equivalent
resistor, and load.
Thévenin’s Theorem
A linear two-terminal circuit can be replaced with an
equivalent circuit of an ideal voltage source, VTh, in
series with a resistor, RTh.
VTh is equal to the open-circuit voltage at the terminals.
RTh is the equivalent or input resistance when the
independent sources are turned off.
Circuit Schematic:
Thévenin’s Theorem
Definitions for Thévenin’s Theorem

Linear circuit is a circuit where the

voltage is directly proportional to the
current (i.e., Ohm’s Law is followed).

Two terminals are the 2 nodes/2

wires that can make a connection
between the circuit to the load.
Definitions for Thévenin’s Theorem
+
Voc
_

Open-circuit voltage Voc is the voltage, V, when the load is an open

circuit (i.e., RL = ∞).

VOC  VTh
Definitions for Thévenin’s Theorem
Input resistance is the resistance seen by the load
when VTh = 0V.

It is also the resistance of the linear circuit when

the load is a short circuit (RL = 0).

Rin  RTh  VTh iSC

Steps to Determine VTh and RTh
1. Identify the load, which may be a resistor or a part of
the circuit.
2. Replace the load with an open circuit .
3. Calculate VOC. This is VTh.
4. Turn off all independent voltage and currents
sources.
5. Calculate the equivalent resistance of the circuit.
This is RTH.
 The current through and voltage across the load in
series with VTh and RTh is the load’s actual current and
voltage in the originial circuit.
Norton’s Theorem
A linear two-terminal circuit can be replaced with an
equivalent circuit of an ideal current source, IN, in
series with a resistor, RN.
IN is equal to the short-circuit current at the terminals.
RN is the equivalent or input resistance when the
independent sources are turned off.
Definitions for Norton’s Theorem

Open-circuit voltage Isc is the current, i, when the load is a short circuit
(i.e., RL = 0).

I SC  I N
Definitions for Norton’s Theorem
Input resistance is the resistance seen by the load
when IN = 0A.

It is also the resistance of the linear circuit when

the load is an open circuit (RL = ∞).

Rin  RN  VOC I N
Steps to Determine IN and RN
1. Identify the load, which may be a resistor or a part of
the circuit.
2. Replace the load with a short circuit .
3. Calculate ISC. This is IN.
4. Turn off all independent voltage and currents
sources.
5. Calculate the equivalent resistance of the circuit.
This is RTH.
 The current through and voltage across the load in
parallel with IN and RN is the load’s actual current and
voltage in the originial circuit.
Source Conversion
A Thévenin equivalent circuit can easily be
transformed to a Norton equivalent circuit (or visa
versa).
If RTh = RN, then VTh = RNIN and IN = VTh/RTh
Value of Theorems
Simplification of complex circuits.
Used to predict the current through and voltage across
any load attached to the two terminals.
Provides information to users of the circuit.
Example #1
Example #1 (con’t)
Find IN and RN
Example #1 (con’t)
Calculation for IN
Look at current divider equation:

Req Rload RN 1
I load  IN  IN
Rload Rload  RN Rload
RN
2mA  IN
2k  RN

If RTh = RN= 1k, then IN = 6mA

Why chose RTh = RN?
Suppose VTh = 0V and IN = 0mA
Replace the voltage source with a short circuit.
Replace the current source with an open circuit.

Looking towards the source, both circuits have the identical

resistance (1k).
Source Transformation
Equations for Thévenin/Norton Transformations

VTh = IN RTh

IN = VTh/RTh

RTh= RN
Alternative Approach: Example #1
IN is the current that flows when a short circuit is used as
the load with a voltage source

IN = VTh/RTh = 6mA
Alternative Approach
VTh is the voltage across the load when an open short
circuit is used as the load with a current source

VTh = IN RTh = 6V
Example #2
Simplification through Transformation
Example #2 (con’t)
Example #2 (con’t)
Current Source to Voltage Source
Example #2 (con’t)
Current Source to Voltage Source
RTh = 3

VTh = 0.1A (3) = 0.3V

0.3V
Example #2 (con’t)

0.3V
Example #2 (con’t)
Voltage Source to Current Source
RTh = 2

IN = 3V/2 = 1.5A
Example #2 - Solution 1
Simplify to Minimum Number of Current Sources

0.3V
Voltage Source to Current Source
RTh = 6

IN = 0.3V/6 = 50.0mA

0.3V
Example #2 (con’t)
Current Sources in Parallel Add
Example #2 - Solution 2
Simplify to Minimum Number of Voltage Sources

0.3V
Example #2 (con’t)
Transform solution for Norton circuit to Thévenin
circuit to obtain single voltage source/single
equivalent resistor in series with load.
PSpice
Example #2 - Solution 1
Example #2 – Solution 2
Summary
Thévenin and Norton transformations are performed
to:
Simplify a circuit for analysis
Allow engineers to use a voltage source when a current
source is called out in the circuit schematic
Enable an engineer to determine the value of the load
resistor for maximum power transfer/impedance
matching.