Topics to be Discussed

• Superposition Theorem.
• Thevenin’s Theorem.
• Norton’s Theorem.

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Network Theorems
Some special techniques, known as network
theorems and network reduction methods,
have been developed.
These drastically reduce the labour needed to
solve a network.
These also provide simple conclusions and
good insight into the problems.

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Superposition Theorem
In a linear, bilateral d.c. network containing more than one energy source, the
resultant potential difference across or current through any element is equal to
the algebraic sum of potential differences or currents for that element produced
by each source acting alone with all other independent ideal voltage sources
replaced by short circuits and all other independent ideal current sources
replaced by open circuits (non-ideal sources are replaced by their internal
resistances).
Procedure. The procedure for using this theorem to solve d.c. networks is as under :
(i) Select one source in the circuit and replace all other ideal voltage sources by short
circuits and ideal current sources by open circuits.
(ii) Determine the voltage across or current through the desired element/branch due
to single source selected in step (i).
(iii) Repeat the above two steps for each of the remaining sources.
(iv) Algebraically add all the voltages across or currents through the element/branch
under consideration. The sum is the actual voltage across or current through that
element/branch when all the sources are acting simultaneously.

Ch. 4 Network Theorems 3

 Superposition Theorem

The response (current or voltage) in a linear

network at any point due to multiple sources
(current and/or emf)
can be calculated by summing the effects of each
source considered separately,
While taking the response from one particular
source, all other sources would be “turned OFF”
or “made inoperative” by replacing them with
their internal resistances.
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“Turning off” the sources

Internal resistance of ideal voltage source is zero, that means a short circuit.

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Internal resistance of ideal current source is infinity, that means an open circuit.

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Explanation -

Ch. 4 Network Theorems 7

Ch. 4 Network Theorems 8
Application
Problem : Consider two 1-V batteries in
series with a 1-Ω resistor. Let us apply
the principle of superposition, and find
the power delivered by both the batteries.
(Draw the circuit)

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Solutions : Powers delivered by each source
working at a time are

P1 = 1 W and P2 = 1 W

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Therefore, the total power delivered by both the
sources working together is
P = P1 + P2 = 1 + 1 = 2 W Click
Is it OK ?
No. The above answer is obviously wrong,
because it is a wrong application of Click
the superposition theorem.
The right answer to the above problem, of
course, is
V 2 (V1  V2 ) 2 (1  1) 2
P    4W
R R 1
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Example 1
Find the current I in the network given,
using the superposition theorem.

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Solution :
First, consider the current source of 0.5 A working
alone,

0.5  0.3  0.15

I1     0.375 A
0 .1  0 .3 0 .4
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Next, consider the voltage source of 80 mV working
alone,

3
80  10
I2   0.2 A
0.1  0.3
 I  I 1  I 2  0.175 A
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Example 2

Using superposition theorem, find current ix

in the network given.

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Solution :
The response due to 10-V source working alone,

10
i1   0.05A
50  150
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The response due to 40-A source working
alone,

150
i2  40   30 A
50  150
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Lastly, the response due to 120-A source
working alone,

50
i3  120   30 A
50  150
Note the negative sign in this response.

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In the end, the total response due to all the
sources working together is

ix  i1  i2  i3
 0.05  30  30
 0.05 A

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Example 4 In the circuit shown in Fig. (i), the internal resistances of
the batteries are 0·12 Ω and 0·08 Ω. Calculate (i) current in load (ii)
current supplied by each battery.

Ch. 4 Network Theorems 20

Ch. 4 Network Theorems 21
Thevenin’s Theorem

It was first proposed by a French telegraph

engineer, M.L. Thevenin in 1883.
There also exists an earlier statement of the
theorem credited to Helmholtz.
Hence it is also known as Helmholtz-
Thevenin Theorem.
Also, it is very useful when we wish to find
the response in a single resistance only, in a
big network.
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Thevenin’s Theorem

Any two terminals AB of a network composed

of linear passive and active elements may
by replaced by a simple equivalent circuit
consisting of
1. an equivalent voltage source VTh, and
2. an equivalent resistance RTh in series.

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The voltage VTh is equal to the potential
difference between the two terminals AB caused
by the active network with no external
resistance connected to these terminals. Hence, it
is called open-circuit voltage, Voc.

The series resistance RTh is the equivalent

resistance looking back into the network at the
terminals AB with all the sources within the
network made inactive, or dead.

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Illustrative Example 5

Using Thevenin’s theorem, find the current in

resistor R3 of 2 Ω.

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Solution :
1. Designate the resistor R3 as “load”.

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2. Pull out the load resistor and enclose the
remaining network within a dotted box.

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3. Temporarily remove the load resistor R2,
leaving the terminals A and B open .

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4. Find the open-circuit voltage across the
terminals A-B,
28  7 21
I   4.2 A;
4 1 5
VAB  7  4.2  1  11.2 V

5. This is called Thevenin's voltage,

VTh = VAB = 11.2 V.

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6. Turn OFF all the sources in the circuit

7. Find the resistance between terminals A and

B. This is the Thevenin's resistance, RTh.
Thus, R  1  || 4   1 4  0.8 Ω
Th
1 4
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8. The circuit within the dotted box is replaced by
the Thevenin’s equivalent, consisting of a voltage
source of VTh in series with a resistor RTh,

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9. The load resistor R3 is again connected to
Thevenin’s equivalent forming a single-loop
circuit.
• The current I3 through this resistor is easily
calculated,
VTh 11.2
I3   4 A
RTh  R2 0.8  2
Important Comment
The equivalent circuit replaces the circuit within
the box only for the effects external to the box.

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Example 6
Using Thevenin’s Theorem, find the current in
the ammeter A of resistance 1.5 Ω connected in
an unbalanced Wheatstone bridge shown.

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Solution :

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 12
I1   0.75 A and
12  4
12
I2   1.5 A
26
 VTh  Voc  VAB  VAD  VBD
 0.75  4  1.5  6  6 V

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To determine RTh, we replace the voltage sources
by a short-circuit, and find resistance between A
and B.

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• Thus, the Thevenin’s equivalent is as
shown in Fig. (d).
• Now, you can easily calculate current I.
Click
VTh 6
 I   1 A
RTh  RL 4.5  1.5

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Norton’s Theorem

It is dual of Thevenin’s Theorem.

A two terminal network containing linear
passive and active elements can be replaced
by an equivalent circuit of a constant-current
source in parallel with a resistance.

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The value of the constant-current source is
the short-circuit current developed when the
terminals of the original network are short
circuited.

The parallel resistance is the resistance

looking back into the original network with
all the sources within the network made
inactive (as in Thevenin’s Theorem).

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 Example 7
Obtain the Norton’s equivalent circuit with respect
to the terminals AB for the network shown, and
hence determine the value of the current that
would flow through a load resistor of 5 Ω if it were
connected across terminals AB.

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Solution : When terminals A-B are shorted

10 5
 I N  I1  I 2    2.5 A
5 10

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Turning OFF the sources,

5 10 10
 RN   Ω
5  10 3

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 RN (10 / 3)
IL  IN  2 .5   1A
RN  RL (10 / 3)  5

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