Objective of Lecture

 State Thévenin’s and Norton Theorems.

 Demonstrate how Thévenin’s and Norton theorems
can be used to simplify a circuit to one that contains
three components: a power source, equivalent resistor,
and load.
Thévenin’s Theorem
 A linear two-terminal circuit can be replaced with an
equivalent circuit of an ideal voltage source, V Th, in
series with a resistor, RTh.
 V Th is equal to the open-circuit voltage at the terminals.
 RTh is the equivalent or input resistance when the
independent sources in the linear circuit are turned off.
Circuit Schematic:
Thévenin’s Theorem
Definitions for Thévenin’s Theorem

Linear circuit is a circuit where the

voltage is directly proportional to the
current (i.e., Ohm’s Law is followed).

Two terminals are the 2 nodes/2

wires that can make a connection
between the circuit to the load.
Definitions for Thévenin’s Theorem
+
Voc
_

Open-circuit voltage Voc is the voltage, V, when the load is an open

circuit (i.e., RL = ∞W).

VOC  VTh
Definitions for Thévenin’s Theorem
 Input resistance is the resistance seen by the load
when V Th = 0V.

 It is also the resistance of the linear circuit when

the load is a short circuit (RL = 0W).

Rin  RTh  VTh iSC

Steps to Determine VTh and RTh
1. Identify the load, which may be a resistor or a part of
the circuit.
2. Replace the load with an open circuit .
3. Calculate VOC. This is V Th.
4. Turn off all independent voltage and currents sources
in the linear 2-terminal circuit.
5. Calculate the equivalent resistance of the circuit.
This is RTh.
 The current through and voltage across the load in
series with V Th and RTh is the load’s actual current and
voltage in the original circuit.
Norton’s Theorem
 A linear two-terminal circuit can be replaced with an
equivalent circuit of an ideal current source, IN, in
parallel with a resistor, RN.
 IN is equal to the short-circuit current at the terminals.
 RN is the equivalent or input resistance when the
independent sources in the linear circuit are turned off.
Circuit Schematic:
Norton’s Theorem
Definitions for Norton’s Theorem

Short-circuit current Isc is the current, i, when the load is a short circuit
(i.e., RL = 0 W).

I SC  I N
Definitions for Norton’s Theorem
 Input resistance is the resistance seen by the load
when IN = 0 A.

 It is also the resistance of the linear circuit when

the load is an open circuit (RL = ∞ W).

Rin  RN  VOC I N
Steps to Determine IN and RN
1. Identify the load, which may be a resistor or a part of
the circuit.
2. Replace the load with a short circuit .
3. Calculate ISC. This is IN.
4. Turn off all independent voltage and currents sources
in the linear 2-terminal circuit.
5. Calculate the equivalent resistance of the circuit.
This is RN.
 The current through and voltage across the load in
parallel with IN and RN is the load’s actual current and
voltage in the original circuit.
Source Conversion
 A Thévenin equivalent circuit can easily be
transformed to a Norton equivalent circuit (or visa
versa).
 If RTh = RN, then V Th = RNIN and IN = V Th/RTh
Voltage Polarity and Current Flow
Value of Theorems
 Simplification of complex circuits.
 Used to predict the current through and voltage across
any load attached to the two terminals.
 Provides information to users of the circuit.
Why chose RTh = RN?
 Suppose V Th = 0V and IN = 0mA
 Replace the voltage source with a short circuit.
 Replace the current source with an open circuit.

 Looking towards the source, both circuits have the identical

resistance (1kW).
Source Transformation
Equations for Thévenin/Norton Transformations

V Th = IN RTh

IN = V Th/RTh

RTh= RN
Example #1
For the circuit shown below.

R1 R2

12kΩ 8kΩ

Vs R3 RL
48 V 4kΩ 5kΩ

 Find VTH, RTH , and the load current, IL, flowing through and load voltage, VL,
across the load resistor by using Thevenin’s Theorem.
 Find RN, IN, the load current, IL, flowing through and Load Voltage , VL, across
the load resistor by using Norton’s Theorem.
Example #2
Simplification through Transformation
Example #2 (con’t)
Example #2 (con’t)
Find Req to obtain a Norton equivalent circuit
Example #2 (con’t)
Current Source to Voltage Source
RTh = 3W

VTh = 0.1A (3W) = 0.3V

0.3V
Example #2 (con’t)

0.3V
Example #2 (con’t)
Voltage Source to Current Source
RTh = 2W

IN = 3V/2W = 1.5A
Example #2 - Solution 1
 Simplify to Minimum Number of Current Sources

0.3V
Example #2 (con’t)
Voltage Source to Current Source
RTh = 6W

IN = 0.3V/6W = 50.0mA

0.3V
Example #2 (con’t)
Example #2 (con’t)
Current Sources in Parallel Add
Example #2 - Solution 2
 Simplify to Minimum Number of Voltage Sources

0.3V
Example #2 (con’t)
Transform solution for Norton circuit to Thévenin
circuit to obtain single voltage source/single equivalent
resistor in series with load.
PSpice
Example #2 - Solution 1
Example #2 – Solution 2
Summary
 Thévenin and Norton transfomrations are performed
to simplify a circuit for analysis and design.
 Two techniques were described.
 Examples using the source transformation technique were
given.