Thevenin's and Norton's Theorems
Thevenin's and Norton's Theorems
Thevenin's and Norton's Theorems
Two further network theorems to simplify complex circuits using the concept of equivalence .
THEVENIN'S THEOREM
Any two terminal linear network of sources and resistors can be replaced by a single voltage source in series with a resistor.
Assume the following circuit R1 V R2 B Using the Thevenin theorem, it can reduced to a simpler circuit A RT VT B R4 R3 A R4
STEPS TO DETERMINE THE THEVENIN EQUIVALENT Open-circuit the terminals at which the Thevenin equivalent circuit is required and remove the external circuit (RL), Replace all voltage sources by short circuits, Replace all current sources by open circuits, Calculate the Thevenin equivalent resistance, RT, ( the total resistance seen from the open circuit terminals ), Calculate The Thevenin equivalent voltage, VT, (the voltage across the open circuit terminals), Replace the original circuit by its Thevenin equivalent circuit and add the external circuit (RL).
EXAMPLE For the circuit shown above, calculate the values of VT and RT if R1 = 4, R2 = 12, R3 = 6 and SOLUTION
4 20V 12 6
V = 20V
A R4 B
6 12
20V
B
4 6 12
B 3. Calculate RT
(4 and 12 in parallel), then (3 in series with 6)
6 12*4 =3 12+4
RT = 9
4. Calculate the open circuit voltage between terminals A and B (i.e. the voltage across the 12 resistor equal to VAB).
4 20V
C
12
Note: since circuit open at A, potentials at A and C are equal. C 4 Using the voltage divider 12 20V principle, we get 12 V12 = 20 = 15V = VT 12 + 4 5. Finally, we have the Thevenins equivalent B
RT=9 VT=15V
A R4 B
NORTON'S THEOREM Any two terminal linear network of sources and resistors can be replaced by a single current source in parallel with a resistor. The value of the current source is equal to the current that flows between the terminals when they are shortcircuited; the value of the resistor is equal to the resistance measured between the terminals when all sources are disabled (same as in Thevenins)
Alternatively, we find the Thevenin equivalent and perform a source conversion on the voltage to give a parallel current source.
R1 V R2
R3
A R4
IN
RN
R4
PROCEDURE TO FIND NORTON EQUIVALENT 1. Remove external circuits (here R4) from the terminals A and B, 2. Short-circuit all voltage sources and open-circuit all current sources (here short-circuit V source), 3. Determine the Norton parallel resistance, RN seen looking in at terminals A and B, 4. With the voltage source in circuit, place a short circuit across the terminals A-B, and determine the current flowing from A to B in the short circuit. This is the value of IN , in the Norton equivalent. 5. R4 may now be added in parallel with the Norton current source IN and parallel resistor, RN.
EXAMPLE Find the Norton equivalent circuit at A-B, in the circuit above, when R1 = 100, R2 =100, R3 = 400 and V=9V.
100 9V 100 400
A R4 B
SOLUTION 1. Remove R4 and disable the voltage source (short-circuit) 2. Calculate the resistance RN seen from A-B (400 in series with the two parallel 100). 100 * 100 RN = 400 + = 450 100 + 100
3. With the voltage source in circuit, short-circuit terminals A and B and calculate short circuit current.
9 9 I total = = = 0.05 = 50 mA 400 * 100 180 100 + 400 + 100 100 I SC = I N = 0.05 = 0.01 = 10 mA 500
This gives the Norton Equivalent
10mA
450
R4
In many applications, we require that the maximum power available from a source to be transferred to a load resistor, RL. Using a Thevenin equivalent circuit connected to a load RL, We wish to find the value of the load, RL, which allows delivery of maximum power from the source. RT VT RL
dP VT 2 2 = + RL .VT . dRL ( RT + RL ) ( RT + RL )3
dP 2 RL . + RT 2.RL 2 RT RL = VT = VT =0 ( R + R )3 ( R + R )3 dRL T T L L
This will be zero when the numerator is zero, i.e. when
RT = RL
Thus the power delivered to the load is a maximum when the resistance of the load is equal to the internal resistance of the source or network. The actual value of the maximum power transferred to RL is obtained by putting RL = RT in the power equation 2 2 V2 V VT Pmax = RL = RL T = T 4 RL ( RL + RL ) 2 RL Note that the source delivers double the power i.e. 2Pmax because of RT
0 0
RL Rl RT=1
EXAMPLE Find the value of the load resistor RL that will result in the maximum power transfer. What is the value of Pmax?
30
18V
150
RL
SOLUTION First, we find the Thevenin equivalent circuit of the shaded part of the circuit, i.e. remove RL. The Thevenin voltage VT, VT = (150 / (150+30)). 18 = 15V
The Thevenin resistance, RT, is RT = (30 x 150)/ (30 + 150) = 25 = 25 For maximum power transfer, RL = RT Pmax = VT2 / (4RL) = 152 / ( 4 x 25 )
= 2.25W