Lecture 12 - Thevenins Theorem and Nortons Theorem

Download as pdf or txt
Download as pdf or txt
You are on page 1of 15

Basic Electrical Engineering

(TEE 101)
Content

This lecture covers:

Procedure to solve an Electrical


Introduction to Introduction to Norton’s Circuit using Thevenin’s
Thevenin’s Theorem Theorem Theorem and Norton’s
Theorem
Introduction to Thevenin’s Theorem

Like any other circuit analysis technique, Thevenin’s Theorem is also used to solve the
complex electrical networks
Using Thevenin’s Theorem we can convert a complex electrical circuit into a simple
one.

Thevenin’s theorem was invented by a German Scientist, Hermann Von Helmholtz


in 1853 and by Leon Charles Thevenin in 1883. L. C Thevenin was an Electrical
Engineer at French Telegraph Services.

This theorem states that: Any linear, bilateral network containing one or more energy
sources and passive elements can be replaced by a simple network containing a single
voltage source and a single resistance in series across the load terminals.
Introduction to Thevenin’s Theorem cont..

That means the Thevenin’s equivalent of any electrical circuit consist of an independent voltage
source and a series resistance across the load terminals.

The voltage source is known as Thevenin’s Voltage (or Open Circuit Voltage). It is represented by
Vth or Voc
The series resistance is known as Thevenin’s Resistance (denoted by Rth)

That implies, to obtain a Thevenin’s Equivalent of any linear bilateral circuit, we need:
1. Thevenin’s Voltage (Vth), and
2. Thevenin’s Resistance (Rth)

Thevenin’s Resistance is the equivalent resistance seen into the network from the open load
terminals when all the sources in the circuit are replaced with their internal resistances.
Thevenin’s Voltage is the open circuit voltage (Voc) and is calculated across the open load
terminals.
Procedure to solve an electrical network using Thevenin’s Theorem

Consider and electrical circuit as shown below:

The whole procedure of solving an electrical circuit using Thevenin's Theorem


can be completed in FOUR steps as listed below:
Step 1: Calculate Rth

Step 2: Calculate Vth

Step 3: Draw the Thevenin’s Equivalent

Step 4: Calculate the Load Current (if required)


The procedure for using this theorem to solve d.c. networks is as under :
Step 1: Calculate the value of Thevenin’s Resistance (Rth)

The value of Rth can be calculated by applying following steps on the


given electrical circuit:

1 (a): Remove the load resistance and make the load terminals open.
(ignore if the load terminals are already open)

1 (b): Now replace each energy source available in the given electrical **Note: The ideal voltage source is
circuit with its internal resistance**. replaced with Short path or Short
circuit and ideal current source is
replaced with open path or open
1(c): Now redraw the circuit after applying steps 1(a) and 1 (b). circuit (The reason is that: an ideal
voltage source has ZERO resistance
and an ideal current sources has
1(d): Now apply the fundamental of equivalent resistance and calculate INFINITE resistance)
the value of Rth across open load terminals.
Step 2: Calculate the value of Thevenin’s Voltage, Vth (or Open Circuit Voltage – Voc)

2(a): To calculate Vth, remove the load resistance and make the load terminals open. (ignore if the load
terminals are already open)

2(b): Now, across these open load terminals, calculate the value of Thevenin’s voltage (Vth).

Because Vth is calculate across the open load terminals, that is why it is also known as open circuit voltage
(Voc)
Step 3: Draw the Thevenin’s Equivalent circuit:
• The Thevenin’s equivalent circuit can be obtained by using the values of Rth and Vth obtained in steps 1
and 2 respectively.
• The Vth and Rth are connected in series across the load terminals.

Step 4: Calculate the load current (IL) in the load resistance (RL) by using the following equation:

Vth
IL 
R th  R L
Introduction to Norton’s Theorem

Like Thevenin’s Theorem, Norton’s Theorem is also used to solve the complex electrical networks

Using Norton’s Theorem we can convert a complex electrical circuit into a simple one.

Norton's theorem was independently derived in 1926 by Siemens & Halske researcher Hans
Ferdinand Mayer (1895–1980) and Bell Labs engineer Edward Lawry Norton (1898–1983).

This theorem states that: Any linear, bilateral network containing one or more energy sources and
passive elements can be replaced by a simple network containing a single current source and a single
resistance in parallel to current source across the load terminals.
Introduction to Norton’s Theorem cont..

That means the Norton’s equivalent of any electrical circuit consist of an independent current source and a
parallel resistance across the load terminals.

The current source is known as Norton’s Current (or Short circuit current). It is represented by IN or ISC

The parallel resistance is known as Norton’s Resistance (denoted by RN)

That implies, to obtain a Norton’s Equivalent of any linear bilateral circuit, we need:
1. Norton’s Current, (IN) and
2. Norton’s Resistance (RN)

Norton’s Resistance is the equivalent resistance seen into the network from the open load terminals when all
the sources in the circuit are replaced with their internal resistances.
Norton’s Current is the short circuit current (ISC) and is calculated through the short load terminals.
Procedure to solve an electrical network using Norton’s Theorem

Consider and electrical circuit as shown below:

The whole procedure of solving an electrical circuit using Norton’s Theorem can
be completed in FOUR steps as listed below:
Step 1: Calculate RN

Step 2: Calculate IN

Step 3: Draw the Norton’s Equivalent

Step 4: Calculate the Load Current (if required)


The procedure for using this theorem to solve d.c. networks is as under :

Step 1: Calculate the value of Norton’s Resistance (RN)

The value of RN can be calculated by applying following steps on the


given electrical circuit:

1 (a): Remove the load resistance and make the load terminals open.
(ignore if the load terminals are already open)

1 (b): Now replace each energy source available in the given electrical
circuit with its internal resistance**. **Note: The ideal voltage source is
replaced with Short path or Short
circuit and ideal current source is
1(c): Now redraw the circuit after applying steps 1(a) and 1 (b). replaced with open path or open
circuit (The reason is that: an ideal
voltage source has ZERO resistance
1(d): Now apply the fundamental of equivalent resistance and calculate and an ideal current sources has
the value of RN across open load terminals. INFINITE resistance)
Step 2: Calculate the value of Norton’s Current IN (or Short Circuit Current – ISC)

2(a): To calculate IN, remove the load resistance and make the load terminals Short.

2(b): Now, through these short load terminals, calculate the value of Norton’s Current (IN).

Because IN is calculate across the short load terminals, that is why it is also known as short circuit
current (ISC)
Step 3: Draw the Norton’s Equivalent circuit:
• The Norton’s equivalent circuit can be obtained by using the values of RN and IN obtained in steps 1 and 2
respectively.
• The IN and RN are connected in parallel across the load terminals. (as shown in figure below)

Step 4: Calculate the load current (IL) in the load resistance (RL) by using the current division rule:

INR N
IL 
RN  RL
Thank You

You might also like