DREAM INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

Thakurpukur, B.H.Road, Kolkata-700104
Basic Electrical Engineering
Course Code: ES-EE-101
Study Material
Module – 1: DC Circuits (Part - 2)

Current Divider Rule and Voltage Divider rule:

Electric Circuits are classified into two main types namely series circuit and parallel circuit based on the
arrangement of components in the circuit. A series circuit is one in which the components are chain
connected, while a parallel circuit is one in which all the circuit components are connected between two
common points. Series circuits and parallel circuits act as voltage divider circuits and current divider circuits,
respectively. Read through this article to find out more about Current Division Rule and Voltage Division
Rule.
Current Division Rule
A parallel circuit acts as a current divider as it divides the total circuit current in its all branches. Figure1
shows a current divider circuit in which the total circuit current I has been divided into currents I1 and I2 in
two parallel branches with resistances R1 and R2. Although, we can notice that the voltage drop across both
resistances is same, i.e., V.
According to Ohm’s law,

Equations (4) and (5) give the expressions of current division rule. From these equations, we may state that
the current in any of the parallel branches is equal to the ratio of opposite branch resistance to the sum of all
resistances, multiplied by the total circuit current.
1)Voltage divider Rule:
A series circuit acts as a voltage divider as it divides the total supply voltage into different voltages across
the circuit elements. Figure2 shows a voltage divider circuit in which the total supply voltage V has been
divided into voltages V1 and V2 across two resistances R1 and R2. Although, the current through both
resistances is same, i.e., I.
Hence, from equations of voltage division rule, it may be said that the voltage across a resistor in a series
circuit is equal to the product of the value of that resistor and the total supply voltage, divided by the total
resistance of the series resistors.

Numerical Example (1)

Find the currents I1 and I2 in the parallel circuit shown in Figure3.
Numerical Example (2)
Find the voltage across resistors R1 and R2 in the circuit shown in Figure-4.

Summary of Voltage division and current division rule:

 A parallel circuit acts as a current divider circuit because it divides the total circuit current in its all
branches.
 A series circuit acts as a voltage divider circuit because it divides the total supply voltage in different
voltages across various component of the circuit.
 The current division rule states that the current in any of the parallel branches of a parallel circuit is
equal to the ratio of opposite branch resistance to the sum of all resistances, multiplied by the total
current.
 The voltage division rule states that the voltage across any of the series components in a series circuit
is equal to the product of value of that resistance and the total supply voltage, divided by the total
resistance of the series circuit.
 Network Theorem:
Any complicated network i.e. several sources, multiple resistors are present if the single element response
is desired then use the network theorems. Network theorems are also can be termed as network reduction
techniques. Each and every theorem got its importance of solving network. Let us see some important
theorems with DC and AC excitation with detailed procedures.

Thevenin’s Theorem and Norton’s theorem (Introduction):

Thevenin’s Theorem and Norton’s theorem are two important theorems in solvingNetwork problems having
many active and passive elements. Using these theorems, the networks can be reduced to simple equivalent
circuits with one active source and one element. In circuit analysis many a times the current through a branch
is required to be found when it’s value is changed with all other element values remaining same. In such
cases finding out every time the branch current using the conventional mesh and node analysis methods is
quite awkward and time consuming. But with the simple equivalent circuits (with one active source and one
element) obtained using these two theorems the calculations become very simple. Thevenin’s and Norton’s
theorems are dual theorems.

Thevenin’s Theorem Statement:

Any linear, bilateral two terminal network consisting of sources and resistors(Impedance),can be replaced
by an equivalent circuit consisting of a voltage source in series with a resistance (Impedance).The equivalent
voltage source VTh is the open circuit voltage looking into the terminals(with concerned branch element
removed) and the equivalent resistance RTh while all sources are replaced by their internal resistors at ideal
condition i.e. voltage source is short circuit and current source is open circuit.

Figure (a) shows a simple block representation of a network with several active / passive elements with the
load resistance RL connected across the terminals ‘a & b’ and figure (b) showsthe Thevenin equivalent
circuit with VTh connected across RTh & RL .

Main steps to find out VTh and RTh :

1. The terminals of the branch/element through which the current is to be found out are marked as say a &
b after removing the concerned branch/element.
2. Open circuit voltage VOC across these two terminals is found out using the conventional network
mesh/node analysis methods and this would be VTh .
3. Thevenin resistance RTh is found out by the method depending upon whether the network contains
dependent sources or not.
a. With dependent sources: RTh = Voc / Isc
b. Without dependent sources : RTh = Equivalent resistance looking into the
concerned terminals with all voltage & current sources replaced by their internal
impedances (i.e. ideal voltage sources short circuited and ideal current sources open
circuited)
4. Replace the network with VTh in series with RTh and the concerned branch resistance (or)
load resistance across the load terminals(A&B) as shown in below fig.

Example: Find VTH, RTH and the load current and load voltage flowing through RL resistor as shown in
fig. by using Thevenin’s Theorem?

Fig.(a)

Solution:

The resistance RL is removed and the terminals of the resistance RL are marked as A & B as shown in the
fig. (1)

Fig.(1)
Calculate / measure the Open Circuit Voltage. This is the Thevenin Voltage (VTH). We have already
removed the load resistor from fig.(a), so the circuit became an open circuit as shown in fig (1). Now we
have to calculate the Thevenin’s Voltage. Since 3mA Current flows in both 12kΩ and 4kΩ resistors as this
is a series circuit because current will not flow in the 8kΩ resistor as it is open. So 12V (3mA x 4kΩ) will
appear across the 4kΩ resistor. We also know that current is not flowing through the 8kΩ resistor as it is
open circuit, but the 8kΩ resistor is in parallel with 4k resistor. So the same voltage (i.e. 12V) will appear
across the 8kΩ resistor as
4kΩ resistor. Therefore 12V will appear across the AB terminals. So,VTH = 12V

Fig(2)
All voltage & current sources replaced by their internal impedances (i.e. ideal voltage sources short circuited
and ideal current sources open circuited) as shown in fig.(3)

Fig(3)
Calculate /measure the Open Circuit Resistance. This is the Thevenin Resistance (RTH)We have Reduced
the 48V DC source to zero is equivalent to replace it with a short circuit as shown in figure (3) We can see
that 8kΩ resistor is in series with a parallel connection of 4kΩ resistor and 12k Ω resistor. i.e.:
8kΩ + (4k Ω || 12kΩ) ….. (|| = in parallel with) RTH = 8kΩ + [(4kΩ x 12kΩ) / (4kΩ + 12kΩ)] RTH = 8kΩ
+ 3kΩ
RTH = 11kΩ

Fig(4)

Connect the RTH in series with Voltage Source VTH and re-connect the load resistor across the load
terminals(A&B) as shown in fig (5) i.e. Thevenin circuit with load resistor. This is the Thevenin’s equivalent
circuit
RTH

VTH

Fig(5)
Now apply Ohm’s law and calculate the total load current from fig 5. IL = VTH/ (RTH + RL)= 12V / (11kΩ
+ 5kΩ) = 12/16kΩ
IL= 0.75mA (Answer)
And VL = ILx RL= 0.75mA x 5kΩ
VL= 3.75V (Answer)

Norton’s Theorem Statement:

Any linear, bilateral two terminal network consisting of sources and resistors(Impedance), can be replaced
by an equivalent circuit consisting of a current source in parallel with a resistance (Impedance),the current
source being the short circuited current across the load terminals and the resistance being the internal
resistance of the source network looking through the open circuited load terminals.

Figure (a) shows a simple block representation of a network with several active / passive elements with the
load resistance RL connected across the terminals ‘a & b’ and figure (b) shows the Norton equivalent
circuit with IN connected across RN & RL .
Main steps to find out IN and RN:
1. The terminals of the branch/element through which the current is to be found out are
marked as say a & b after removing the concerned branch/element.

2. Open circuit voltage VOC across these two terminals and ISC through these two terminals
are found out using the conventional network mesh/node analysis methods and they are
same as what we obtained in Thevenin’s equivalent circuit.
3. Next Norton resistance RN is found out depending upon whether the network contains
dependent sources or not.
a) With dependent sources: RN = Voc / Isc
b) Without dependent sources : RN = Equivalent resistance looking into the concerned
terminals with all voltage & current sources replaced by their internal impedances
(i.e. ideal voltage sources short circuited and ideal current sources open circuited)
4. Replace the network with IN in parallel with RN and the concerned branch resistance
across the load terminals(A&B) as shown in below fig
Example: Find the current through the resistance RL (1.5 Ω) of the circuit shown in thefigure (a) below
using Norton’s equivalent circuit.?

Fig(a)
Solution: To find out the Norton’s equivalent ckt we have to find out IN = Isc ,RN=Voc/ Isc.
Short the 1.5Ω load resistor as shown in (Fig 2), and Calculate / measure the Short Circuit Current. This is
the Norton Current (IN).

We have shorted the AB terminals to determine the Norton current, IN. The 6Ω and 3Ω are then in parallel
and this parallel combination of 6Ω and 3Ω are then in series with 2Ω.So the Total Resistance of the circuit
to the Source is:-
2Ω + (6Ω || 3Ω) ….. (|| = in parallel with) RT = 2Ω + [(3Ω x 6Ω) / (3Ω + 6Ω)]
RT = 2Ω + 2Ω
RT = 4Ω IT = V / RT
IT = 12V / 4Ω= 3A..
Now we have to find ISC = IN… Apply CDR… (Current Divider Rule)… ISC = IN = 3A x [(6Ω / (3Ω +
6Ω)] = 2A.
ISC= IN = 2A.
 Fig(3)
All voltage & current sources replaced by their internal impedances (i.e. ideal voltage sources short circuited
and ideal current sources open circuited) and Open Load Resistor. as shown in fig.(4)

Fig(4)

Calculate /measure the Open Circuit Resistance. This is the Norton Resistance (RN) We have Reduced the
12V DC source to zero is equivalent to replace it with a short circuit as shown in fig(4), We can see that 3Ω
resistor is in series with a parallel combination of 6Ω resistor and 2Ω resistor. i.e.:
3Ω + (6Ω || 2Ω) ….. (|| = in parallel with) RN = 3Ω + [(6Ω x 2Ω) / (6Ω + 2Ω)]
RN = 3Ω + 1.5Ω
RN = 4.5Ω

Fig(5)

Connect the RN in Parallel with Current Source IN and re-connect the load resistor. This is shown in fig (6)
i.e. Norton Equivalent circuit with load resistor.

Fig(6)
Now apply the Ohm’s Law and calculate the load current through Load resistance across the terminals A&B.
Load Current through Load Resistor is
IL = IN x [RN / (RN+ RL)]
IL= 2A x (4.5Ω /4.5Ω +1.5kΩ) IL = 1.5A IL = 1. 5A
Superposition Theorem:
The principle of superposition helps us to analyze a linear circuit with more than one current or voltage
sources sometimes it is easier to find out the voltage across or current in a branch of the circuit by
considering the effect of one source at a time by replacing the other sources with their ideal internal
resistances.
Superposition Theorem Statement:
Any linear, bilateral two terminal network consisting of more than one sources, The total current or voltage
in any part of a network is equal to the algebraic sum of the currents or voltages in the required branch with
each source acting individually while other sources are replaced by their ideal internal resistances. (i.e.
Voltage sources by a short circuit and current sources by open circuit)
Steps to Apply Super Position Principle:
1. Replace all independent sources with their internal resistances 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.
Example: By Using the superposition theorem find I in the circuit shown in figure?

Fig.(a)
Solution: Applying the superposition theorem, the current I2 in the resistance of 3 Ω due to the
voltage source of 20V alone, with current source of 5A open circuited [ as shown in the figure.1
below ] is given by :
 Fig1

I2 = 20/(5+3) = 2.5A

Similarly the current I5 in the resistance of 3 Ω due to the current source of 5A alone with voltage
source of 20V short circuited [ as shown in the figure.2 below ] is given by :

Fig.2

I5= 5 x 5/(3+5) = 3.125 A

The total current passing through the resistance of 3Ω is then = I2 + I5= 2.5 + 3.125 = 5.625 A

Let us verify the solution using the basic nodal analysis referring to the node marked with V in fig.(a).Then we get :

(V-20) / 5 + V/3 = 5

3V-60+5V=15× 5

8V-60=75

8V=135 V=16.875

 The current I passing through the resistance of 3Ω =V/3 = 16.875/3 = 5.625 A .