Worked Examples, Chapter 4

Worked Example 1
Q From the circuit shown below determine the current through the 10
resistor using (a) Thévenin’s
theorem, and (b) Norton’s theorem.

A
E2 6V
R1 1Ω
R3 10 Ω
R2 1.5 Ω
E1 9V
B

A
(a) With the 10
resistor removed the circuit is as below.

A
I
E2 6V
R1 1Ω

Eo
R2
E1 9V
1.5 Ω

Since the batteries are in series aiding, then

E
E1  E2 volt
9  6
15 V
R
R1  R2 ohm
1  1.5
2.5

E 15
I

amp

6 A
R 2.5
E0
E1  I R1 volt
9  (6  1)
E0
3 V

R1 R2 1.5
From the diagram below, R0
ohm

R1  R2 2.5

164 R0
0.6

 Supplementary Worked Examples 165

R1 1Ω R2 1.5 Ω Ro

The Thévenin equivalent circuit is shown below.

Ro
0.6 Ω R3
VAB
10 Ω
Eo 3V

R0 and R3 act as a simple potential divider, so

E0 R3 3  10
VAB
volt

R0  R3 10.6
VAB
2.83 V
VAB 2.83
I10



R3 10
I10

0.283 A Ans

E1 9
(b) I1


9 A (From the diagram below).
R1 1
E2 6
I2


4A
R2 1.5
I SC
I1  I 2 amp
9  4
I SC
5 A

I1 A I2

E2 6V
R1
1Ω
Isc

E1 9V R2
1.5 Ω

and from part (a), R0
0.6

166 Supplementary Worked Examples

From the Norton equivalent circuit shown below

A
I

Isc Ro R3
5A 0.6 Ω 10 Ω

R0 0.6
I
 I SC
5
R0  R3 10.6
I
0.283 A Ans