Superposition theorem

Superposition theorem is based on the concept of linearity between the response

and excitation of an electrical circuit.

It states that the response in a particular branch of a linear circuit when multiple independent
sources are acting at the same time is equivalent to the sum of the responses due to each
independent source acting at a time.

In this method, we will :-

1.consider only one independent source at a time. So, we have to eliminate the
remaining independent sources from the circuit.

2.We can eliminate the voltage sources by shorting their two terminals and similarly,
3.Eliminate the current sources by opening their two terminals.

Procedure of Superposition Theorem

1. Select any one source and short all other voltage sources and open all current sources
if the internal impedance is not known. If known replace them by their impedance.
2. Find out the current or voltage across the required element, due to the source under
consideration.
3. Repeat the above steps for all other sources.
4. Add all the individual effects produced by individual sources to obtain the total
current in or across the voltage element.
Examples :
1) Using the superposition theorem, determine the voltage drop and
current across the resistor 3.3K as shown in the figure below.

Solution: Step 1: Remove the 8V power supply from the original circuit, such that
the new circuit becomes as the following and then measure the voltage across a
resistor.
Here 3.3K and 2K are in parallel, therefore resultant resistance will be 1.245K.

Using voltage divider rule voltage across 1.245K will be

V1= [1.245/(1.245+4.7)]*5 = 1.047V

Step 2: Remove the 5V power supply from the original circuit such that the new
circuit becomes as the following and then measure the voltage across a resistor.

Here 3.3K and 4.7K are in parallel, therefore resultant resistance will be 1.938K.

Using voltage divider rule voltage across 1.938K will be

V2= [1.938/(1.938+2)]*8 = 3.9377V

Therefore voltage drop across a 3.3K resistor is V1+V2 = 1.047+3.9377=4.9847

Thevenin’s Theorem
Thevenin’s Theorem states that “Any linear circuit containing several voltages and
resistances can be replaced by just one single voltage in series with a single resistance
connected across the load“.

The basic procedure for solving a circuit using Thevenin’s Theorem is as follows:
 1. Remove the load resistor RL or component concerned.
 2. Find RTh by shorting all voltage sources or
by open circuiting all the current sources.
 3. Find VTh by the usual circuit analysis
methods.
 4. Find the current flowing through the load
resistor RL.

Nortons Theorem states that “Any linear circuit containing several energy sources and
resistances can be replaced by a single Constant Current generator in parallel with a
Single Resistor“.

The basic procedure for solving a circuit

using Nortons Theorem is as follows:
 1. Remove the load resistor RL or component
concerned.
 2. Find RS by shorting all voltage sources or by
open circuiting all the current sources.
 3. Find IS by placing a shorting link on the output terminals A and B.
 4. Find the current flowing through the load resistor RL.

Example- For the circuit shown in fig.8.4 (a), find the current L I through 6 Ω resistor using Thevenin’s
theorem.
Solution: Step-1: Disconnect 6 from the terminals ‘a’ and ‘b’ and the corresponding circuit diagram is
shown in fig. (b). Consider point ‘g’ as ground potential and other voltages are measured with
respect to this point.

Step-2: Apply any suitable method to find the Thevenin’s voltage ( ) (or potential between the
terminals ‘a’ and ‘b’). KVL is applied around the closed path ‘gcag’ to compute Thevenin’s voltage.

( note ‘a’ is higher potential than ‘b’)