Module - 02

Thevenin’s Theorem

Norton’s Theorem

Maximum Power Transfer Theorem

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 Thevenin’s Theorem

It states that a linear two-terminal circuit can be

replaced by an equivalent circuit consisting of a
voltage source VTH in series with a resistor RTH,
where
• VTH is the open-circuit voltage at the terminals.
• RTH is the input or equivalent resistance at the
terminals when the independent sources are
turned off.

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 Maximum Power Transfer

If the entire circuit is replaced by its

Thevenin equivalent except for the
load, the power delivered to the load
is:
2
 VTh 
P  i 2 RL    RL
 RTh  RL 

For maximum power dissipated in

RL, Pmax, for a given RTH,
and VTH,
2
V
RL  RTH  Pmax  Th
4 RL
The power transfer profile with
different RL

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 Norton’s Theorem

It states that a linear two-terminal circuit can

be replaced by an equivalent circuit of a
current source IN in parallel with a resistor RN,

Where
IN is the short circuit current through the
terminals.

RN is the input or equivalent resistance

at the terminals when the independent
sources are turned off.

The Thevenin’s and Norton equivalent circuits are related by a source

transformation.

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 Norton’s Theorem

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Example 1: Find the Thevenin equivalent circuit of the circuit shown in Fig., to
the left of the terminals a-b. Then find the current through RL = 6, 16, and 36 .

Solution: 1
We find by turning off the 32-V voltage source (replacing it with a short circuit)
and the 2-A current source (replacing it with an open circuit).

Thevenin,s equivalent circuit

Using Mesh Analysis

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 Using Nodal Analysis

We ignore the 1 resistor since no current

flows through it.

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 Using Source transformation – Thevenin’s & Norton’s equivalent circuit

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Example 2 Using Thevenin’s theorem, find the equivalent circuit to the
left of the terminals a-b in the circuit shown below. Hence find i.

Solution 2

VTH = 6V, RTH = 3, i = 1.5A

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Example 3 Find the Thevenin’s equivalent circuit of the circuit shown
below to the left of the terminals.
Solution 3

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Example 4 Find the Thevenin/Norton’s equivalent of the circuit at terminal a-b.

Set the independent sources equal to zero.

To find IN we short-circuit terminals a and b.

We ignore the 5  resistor because it has been short-circuited.

From these equations, we obtain

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We obtain VTH as the open-circuit voltage across terminals a and b
Using mesh analysis,

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