FURTHER NETWORK 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

1. Open circuit at terminal A and B and remove external resistance R4

20V

B
4 6 12

2. Short-circuit voltage source

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)

Note: This theorem is an analogue of Thevenin's, sometimes called a DUAL.

Alternatively, we find the Thevenin equivalent and perform a source conversion on the voltage to give a parallel current source.

Consider the following circuit

R1 V R2

R3

A R4

B Using Nortons theorem, it can be transformed into

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

MAXIMUM POWER TRANSFER THEOREM

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

The power absorbed by the load RL is P = R .I 2

L

Since the current is I= Hence, power is VT ( RT + RL )

2

VT P = RL ( RT + RL ) With VT and RT constant, varying RL gives a maximum value of P, when dP =0 dRL

Thus differentiating we have,

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

DEPENDENCE OF DELIVERED POWER ON THE VALUE OF RL

0.25 0.3

0.2 P( Rl) Power 0.1 0 0

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

Note: The Thevenin source dissipates a further 2.25W in RT.

You can now attempt all exercises in Tutorial Sheet 3