Superposition Theorem

 The superposition theorem extends the use of Ohm’s Law to

circuits with multiple sources.

 In order to apply the superposition theorem to a network,

certain conditions must be met:
1. All the components must be linear, meaning that the current is
proportional to the applied voltage.
Superposition Theorem
Superposition Theorem
2. All the components must be bilateral, meaning that the current
is the same amount for opposite polarities of the source voltage.

3. Passive components may be used. These are components such as

resistors, capacitors, and inductors, that do not amplify or
rectify.

4. Active components may not be used. Active components include

transistors, semiconductor diodes, and electron tubes. Such
components are never bilateral and seldom linear.
Superposition Theorem

 Ina linear, bilateral network that has more than

one source, the current or voltage in any part of
the network can be found by adding algebraically
the effect of each source separately.

 This analysis is done by:

shorting each voltage source in turn.
opening each current source in turn.
Superposition Theorem

R1 R2

15 V 100  20  13 V
V1 10  R3 V2

R2//R3 = 6.6666
R1 R2

15 V 100  20 
V2 shorted
V1 10  R3

REQ = 106.7 , IT = 0.141 A and IR = 0.094 A , IR = 0.047

3 2
10-1: Superposition Theorem (Applied)
R1 R2

15 V 100  20  13 V
V1 10  R3 V2

R1//R3 = 9.099
R1 R2

100  20  13 V
V1 shorted V2
10  R3

REQ = 29.09 , IT = 0.447 A and IR3 = 0.406 A

10-1: Superposition Theorem (Applied)

R1 R2

15 V 100  20  13 V
V1 V2
0.094 A 0.406 A

With V2 shorted
REQ = 106.7 , IT = 0.141 A and IR3 = 0.094 A

With V1 shorted
REQ = 29.09 , IT = 0.447 A and IR = 0.406 A
3

Adding the currents gives IR = 0.5 A

3
Superposition Method (Check)
R1 R2

15 V 100  20  13 V
V1 10  R3 V2
0.5 A

With 0.5 A flowing in R3, the voltage across R3 must

be 5 V (Ohm’s Law). The voltage across R1 must
therefore be 10 volts (KVL) and the voltage across R2
must be 8 volts (KVL). Solving for the currents in R1
and R2 will verify that the solution agrees with KCL.
IR = 0.1 A and IR = 0.4 A
1 2

IR = 0.1 A + 0.4 A = 0.5 A

3
Thévenin and Norton Equivalent Circuits

In this lecture, we’ll learn about an important property

of resistive circuits called Thévenin Equivalence.

M. Leon Thévenin (1857-1926), published

his famous theorem in 1883.
Thévenin’s Theorem applies to circuits containing
resistors, voltage sources, and/or current sources

Thêvenin Equivalent Circuit

Thévenin’s Theorem: A resistive circuit can be represented
by one voltage source and one resistor:

RTh
VTh

Resistive Circuit Thévenin Equivalent Circuit

Definition of a “Port”

Port: Set of any two terminals

PORT

Resistive Circuit PORT

THEVENIN’S THEOREM
 Used to help simplify complex circuits
 States that any linear circuit is equivalent to a single source in
series with a single resistance
 No matter how complex the circuit and no matter how many
voltage and current sources it contains, it is equivalent to a real
voltage source
 We have to replace all of the original circuit lying on one side or
the other of a pair of terminals by its Thevenin equivalent
circuit
THEVENIN’S THEOREM
 The Thevenin equivalent circuit consists of the Thevenin
equivalent voltage, VTH, in series with the Thevenin
equivalent resistance, RTH
 The terminals of this VTH and RTH combination coincide
with the terminals of the portion of the circuit of the
original circuit that was replaced
THEVENIN EQUIVALENT CIRCUIT LAYOUTS
R T H
a
R 1 R 3
a

E T H R 4
E
R 2 R 4

b
b

R 1 x R 3
R T H ' x R 3

E E T H '
R 2 R 4 R 4

y y
PROCEDURE
1. Open-circuit the terminals with respect to which the Thevenin
circuit is desired, i.e. remove all of the circuitry that will not be
replaced by a Thevenin equivalent, leaving the terminals where it
was connected open-circuited
2. The Thevenin equivalent resistance, RTH, is the total resistance at
the open-circuited terminals when all voltage sources are
replaced by short circuits and all current sources are replaced by
open circuits
3. The Thevenin equivalent voltage, VTH, is the voltage across the
open circuited terminals. We can use superposition to calculate
this
PROCEDURE

4 Replace the original circuitry by its Thevenin equivalent

circuit with the Thevenin terminals occupying the same
position as the original terminals. The external circuitry
that was removed in step 1 may now be reconnected.
5 Be certain that the polarity of VTH is such that it produces
current in the external circuitry in the same direction as
the original circuit produced it
 THEVENIN’S THEOREM D.C. NETWORK
STATEMENT: Any linear, active, bilateral dc network having a number of voltage
sources and/or current sources with resistances can be replaced by a simple
equivalent circuit having single voltage source (Vth) in series with a single
resistance (Rth).
Where (Vth) is the open circuit voltage known as Thevenin’s equivalent voltage
across the terminal a-b.
(Rth) is the Thevenin’s equivalent resistance viewed back into the network
from terminal a-b.

Note: independent voltage sources are short circuited and independent current
sources are open circuited. Dependent sources will remain in the circuit.
THEVENIN’S THEOREM D.C. NETWORK
PROCEDURE FOR CONVERTING ANY CIRCUIT INTO
THEVENIN’S EQUIVALENT CIRCUIT AND ITS
CALCULATIONS:
Step 1: Identify and temporarily remove the resistance (load resistance R L) through
which current is required. Suppose these terminals are label as a-b. Therefore a- b
is the open circuited.
Step 2: Find the voltage across the terminal a-b by applying KCL, KVL, Ohm’s law
or Superposition principle. This voltage is the open circuit voltage (V oc) and it is
known as Thevenin’s equivalent voltage (Vth).
Step 3: Set all voltage Sources short circuited and Current Sources open circuited
Step 4: Calculate the resistance as “seen” through the terminals a-b into the
network. This resistance is known as Thevenin’s equivalent resistance (R th).
Step 5: Replace the entire network by Thevenin’s equivalent voltage (V th) in series
with Thevenin’s equivalent resistance (Rth).
Step 6: Reconnect the previously removed resistance (load resistance R L) to this
circuit.
THEVENIN’S THEOREM D.C. NETWORK
Step 7: Calculate the Current through load resistance RL
a
IL
Rth IL
a
Linear, Active,
Bilateral RL RL
Vth
Network
b

Fig. (1a) b
Thevenin’s Equivalent
Network
Fig. (1b)
THEVENIN’S THEOREM D.C. NETWORK
EXAMPLE: Find the current, voltage drop and power loss across the 5 ohm resistor
by applying the Thevenin’s theorem (as shown in fig. 2)

2 ohm 3 ohm 5V

12 V 4 ohm 5 ohm

Fig. 2

SOLUTION: STEP 1: Calculation of Vth

Remove 5 ohm resistor 2 ohm 3 ohm 5V

a

12 V I 4 ohm Vth
b
Fig. 2a
THEVENIN’S THEOREM D.C. NETWORK
Apply KVL in LHS mesh:
12 - 2I - 4I = 0
I = 2A
Apply KVL in RHS mesh :
- Vth + 4I -3I -5 = 0 Put I = 2A

Vth = -3V
STEP 2: Calculation of Rth
2 ohm 3 ohm
a

4 ohm
Rth
b
Fig. 2b
2 and 4 ohm resistance are in parallel and this combination is in series with 3
ohm resistor.
2*4
R th
 2   3  4.33
4
THEVENIN’S THEOREMD.C. NETWORK
STEP 3: Draw the Thevenin’s Equivalent Circuit

Rth = 4.33 ohm

Vth = 3

Fig. 2c: Thevenin’s Equivalent circuit

STEP 4: Connect 5 ohm resistor in the circuit as shown in fig.2d and calculate “ i ”
Rth = 4.33 ohm
i
Vth = 3 RL = 5 ohm

Fig.2d 3 3
i Vth    0.322A
 RL 4.33 5 9.33
Rth
i  0.322A
THEVENIN’S THEOREMD.C. NETWORK

STEP 4: Calculation of Voltage drop across 5 ohm resistor :

V5ohm  i* R  0.322*5  1.62V

STEP 5: Calculation of Power loss across 5 ohm resistor :
Power Loss  (i)2 * R  (0.322)2 *5  0.518w
10-4: Thevenizing a Bridge Circuit

 A Wheatstone Bridge Can

Be Thevenized.
 Problem: Find the
voltage drop across RL.
 The bridge is unbalanced
and Thevenin’s theorem
is a good choice.
 RL will be removed in
this procedure making A
and B the Thevenin
terminals.
Fig. Thevenizing a bridge circuit. (a) Original circuit with terminals A and B across middle resistor
RL.
10-4: Thevenizing a Bridge Circuit

RAB = RTA + RTB = 2 + 2.4 = 4.4 Ω

VAB = −20 −(−12) = −8V

Fig. Disconnect RL to find VAB of −8 V. (c) With source V short-circuited, RAB is 2 + 2.4 = 4.4 Ω.
10-4: Thevenizing a Bridge Circuit

Fig. Thevenin equivalent with RL reconnected to terminals A and B.

NORTON’S THEOREM
 States that any linear circuit is equivalent to a real current source at a
selected set of terminals
 Similar to Thevenin’s theorem, except that the voltage source is
replaced by a current source
 First find the Thevenin equivalent circuit, then convert it to an
equivalent current source
 The Norton equivalent resistance RN = RTH
 The Norton equivalent current IN = VTH/RTH
 IN is the current that flows in the short circuit connected across the
terminals where the Norton equivalent circuit is desired

R T H

IN
E T H R  R N R L
L

28