Alexander-Sadiku

Fundamentals of Electric Circuits

Chapter 4
Circuit Theorems

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 Circuit Theorems - Chapter 4

4.1 Motivation
4.2 Linearity Property
4.3 Superposition
4.4 Thevenin’s Theorem
4.5 Norton’s Theorem
4.6 Maximum Power Transfer

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 4.2 Linearity Property (1)
It is the property of an element describing a linear relationship between cause
and effect.
A linear circuit is one whose output is linearly related (or directly proportional)
to its input.

Homogeneity (scaling) property

v=iR → kv=kiR

Additive property

v1 = i1 R and v2 = i2 R

→ v = (i 1 + i2 ) R = v 1 + v 2 3
 4.3 Superposition Theorem (1)

It states that the voltage across (or current through) an element

in a linear circuit is the algebraic sum of the voltage across (or
currents through) that element due to EACH independent
source acting alone.

The principle of superposition helps us to analyze a linear

circuit with more than one independent source by calculating
the contribution of each independent source separately.

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 4.3 Superposition Theorem (2)

We consider the effects of 3A and 6V one by one,

then add the two effects together for final v.

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 4.3 Superposition Theorem (3)

Steps to apply superposition principle

1. Turn off all independent sources except one source. Find the
output (voltage or current) due to that active source using
nodal or mesh analysis.

2. Repeat step 1 for each of the other independent sources.

3. Find the total contribution by adding algebraically all the

contributions due to the independent sources.

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 4.3 Superposition Theorem (4)

Two things have to be keep in mind:

1. When we say turn off all other independent sources:

 Independent voltage sources are replaced by 0 V
(short circuit) and
 Independent current sources are replaced by 0 A
(open circuit).

2. Dependent sources are left intact because they are

controlled by circuit variables.

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 4.5 Thevenin’s Theorem (1)

It states that a linear two-terminal circuit (Fig.

a) can be replaced by an equivalent circuit (Fig.
b) consisting of a voltage source VTH in series
with a resistor RTH,

where

• VTH is the open-circuit voltage at the terminals.

• RTH is the input or equivalent resistance at the

terminals when the independent sources are turned
off.

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Thevenin equivalent is a simple voltage divider!
 Steps to converts any circuit into its Thévenin equivalent
1. Remove the load from the circuit.
2. Label the resulting two terminals. We will label them as ‘a’ and ‘b’,
although any notation may be used.
3. Set all sources in the circuit to zero.
4. Determine the Thévenin equivalent resistance, RTh, by calculating the
resistance “seen” between terminals ‘a’ and ‘b’. It may be necessary
to redraw the circuit to simplify this step.
5. Replace the sources removed in Step 3, and determine the open-
circuit voltage between the terminals. If the circuit has more than
one source, it may be necessary to use the Superposition Theorem.
In that case, it will be necessary to determine the open-circuit
voltage due to each source separately and then determine the
combined effect. The resulting open-circuit voltage will be the value
of the Thévenin voltage, ETh.
6. Draw the Thévenin equivalent circuit using the resistance determined
in Step 4 and the voltage calculated in Step 5. As part of the
resulting circuit, include that portion of the network removed in Step
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Thevenin equivalent
Thevenin’s Theorem
Example 5

Find Thevenin’s equivalent to the

left of the terminals a & b in the
circuit shown below. Hence find
the current when .

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*Refer to in-class illustration, textbook, answer VTH = 30V, RTH = 4W, i = 3A, 1.5A & 0.75A
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*Refer to in-class illustration, textbook, answer VTH = 30V, RTH = 4W, i = 3A, 1.5A & 0.75A
Thevenin’s Theorem
Example 5

Find Thevenin’s equivalent to the

left of the terminals a & b in the
circuit shown below.

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*Refer to in-class illustration, textbook, answer VTH = 20V, RTH = 6W
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*Refer to in-class illustration, textbook, answer VTH = 20V, RTH = 6W
 Norton’s Theorem
It states that a linear two-terminal circuit can be
replaced by an equivalent circuit of a current
source IN in parallel with a resistor RN,

Where

• IN is the short circuit current through

the terminals.

• RN is the input or equivalent resistance

at the terminals when the independent
sources are turned off.

The Thevenin’s and Norton equivalent circuits are related

by a source transformation. 17
 Steps to convert cct in to Norten’s equivalent
1. Remove the load from the circuit.

2. Label the resulting two terminals. We will label them as a and b.

3. Set all sources to zero !

4. Determine the Norton equivalent resistance, RN. It may be necessary to

redraw the circuit to simplify this step.
5. Replace the sources removed in Step 3, and determine the current which
would occur in a short if the short were connected between terminals a
and b. If the original circuit has more than one source, it may be
necessary to use the Superposition Theorem.

6. Sketch the Norton equivalent circuit using the resistance determined in

Step 4 and the current calculated in Step 5. As part of the resulting
circuit, include that portion of the network removed in Step 1.
 Norton’s Theorem
Example 7

Find the Norton equivalent

circuit of the circuit shown
below.

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*Refer to in-class illustration, textbook, RN = 1W, IN = 10A.