ECET 201

Network Theorems, (4 kinds)

There are many kinds of theorems, we will
• Superposition Theorem be studying the first 4
For multiple-source circuits, the circuit current from each source can
be calculated individually, and the results added (superimposed).
• Thevenin's Theorem
Combinations of voltage sources and impedances with two terminals
can be replaced by a single ideal voltage source and a series
resistor.
• Norton's Theorem
Combinations of voltage sources and impedances with two terminals
can be replaced by a single ideal current source and a parallel
resistor.
• The Maximum Power Transfer theorem
It is what should be applied to a system to ensure that the load is
receiving the maximum power from the system
 Superposition Theorem
• The superposition theorem tells us that if a network
has more than one source, the resulting currents and
voltages in the network can be determined by taking
each source independently and superposing the
results.
• The current through or voltage across any element of
a network is equal to the algebraic sum of the
currents or voltages produced independently by each
source.
 Superposition Theorem
• When removing a voltage source form a network
schematic, replace it with a direct connection (short
circuit) of zero ohms. Any internal resistance
associated with the source must remain in the
network

Since the effect of each source will be determined

independently, the number of networks to be
analyzed will equal the number of sources
Superposition Theorem can be used to
1. Analyze networks with two or more sources that
are not in series or parallel
2. Reveal the effect of each source on a particular
quantity of interest
3. For sources of different types (ac & dc) apply a
separate analysis for each type, with the total
result simply the algebraic sum of the results.
Example 9.1

a) Using the superposition theorem, determine the

current through resistor R2

Figure 9.3

Replace the 9 A current source by an open

circuit to determine the effect of the 36 V
voltage source on current I2
 Replace the 36 V current source by
Replace the 9 A current source by an open
a short circuit to determine the
circuit to determine the effect of the 36 V
effect of the 9 A current source on
voltage source on current I2
current I2

Using results from figure 9.3 &

9.4 to determine current I2
 Example 9.1 cont’
• Demonstrate that the superposition theorem is not
applicable to power levels
Power delivered to the 6 Ω resistor,
using results from figure 9.3
Power delivered to the 6 Ω resistor,
using results from figure 9.4

Power delivered to the 6 Ω resistor,

using results from figure 9.5

Power delivered to the 6Ω resistor using the total current of 8 A is not equal to the
sum of the power levels due to each source independently

P1 + P2 = 24 W + 216 W = 240 W ≠ PT = 348 W

Example 9.2

Using the superposition theorem, determine the

current through the 12Ω resistor. Note it is a two
source network
Solution: considering the effects of the 54v source
requires placing the 48v source by a short-circuit
equivalent. As a result 12Ω & 4Ω resistors are in
parallel.
Example 9.2 cont’

Using the current divider rule results in contribution to

I2 due to the 54v source:

Replacing the 54v source by a short circuit equivalent. The result

is a parallel connection for the 12Ω & 24Ω resistors
Example 9.2 cont’

And the source current is

Go over examples
Applying the CDR 9.3 & 9.4

Current I2 due to each source has a different direction &

the net current is the difference of the two and direction of the largest
 Thevenin’s Theorem
• The Thevenin’s theorem, basically gives the
equivalent voltage source corresponding to an active
network.
• If a linear, active, bilateral network is considered
across one of its ports, then it can be replaced by an
equivalent voltage source (Thevenin’s voltage source)
and an equivalent series impedance (Thevenin’s
impedance).
Resulting current
Thevenin resistance
 Thevenin’s Theorem procedure
1. Remove the portion of the network where the
Thevenin’s equivalent circuit is found. (temporarily
remove all the load resistors from the network)
2. Mark the terminals of the remaining two-terminal
network
3. Calculate the RTh by first setting all sources to zero
(voltage sources are replaced by short circuits and current
sources by open circuits), then find the resistance
between the two terminals. (If the internal resistance
of the voltage and/or current sources is included in the
original network, it must remain when the sources are set to
zero.
 Thevenin’s Theorem
5. Draw the Thevenin’s equivalent circuit with the
portion of the circuit previously removed placed
between terminals of the equivalent circuit
Example 9.6

Find the Thevenin’s equivalent circuit for the network

in the shaded area of the network, then find the
current through RL for values 2Ω, 10Ω, & 100Ω
Solution:
1) Remove the portion of the circuit where the Thevenin’s
equivalent is found.
 Example 9.6 cont’
2) Remove the RL resistor and mark the terminals as
a&b

3) R1 & R2 are in series and the Thevenin resistance is

the sum of the two
 Example 9.6 cont’
4) Replace the voltage source. The open circuit voltage ETh os
the same as the voltage drop across the 6Ω resistor

ETh is the open circuit between points a & b

Open circuits can have voltage across it, but current must be zero. R2 & VR2
are in parallel
 Example 9.6 cont’
5) Substituing the Thevenin’s equivalent circuit for the network
Example 9.7

Find the Thevenin equivalent circuit for the network in

the shaded area
1st & 2nd remove portion of network where
Thevenin mark the terminals

3rd Calculate the RTh: R1 & R2 are in series

Example 9.7 cont’
4th Calculate ETh by returning all
sources to their original position &
fining the open circuit voltage
between the marked terminals
• Since an open circuit exist between the two marked terminals,
the current is zero between these terminals & through the 2Ω
resistor. The voltage drop across R2 is

5th Draw the Thevenin equivalent circuit

Go over examples
9.8 through 9.10
Norton’s Theorem

• Norton’s Theorem is the dual of Thevenin’s theorem

• It states that any linear, active, bilateral dc network,
considered across one of its ports, can be replaced
by an equivalent current source (Norton’s current
source) and an equivalent shunt admittance
(Norton’s Admittance).
• In other words, it can be replaced by an equivalent
circuit consisting of a current source and a parallel
resistor
Converting between Thevenin &
Norton equivalent circuits

Norton’s Theorem is the dual of Thevenin’s theorem

 Norton’s Theorem procedure
1. Remove that portion of the network across which the
Norton equivalent circuit is found
2. Mark the terminals of the remaining two-terminal network
3. Calculat RN by setting all sources to zero ( voltage sources
are replaced with short circuits and current sources with
open circuits) then find the resultant resistance between
the two marked terminal
4. Calculate IN by returning all sources to their original
position & then find the short current between the
marked terminals
5. Draw the Norton & Thevenin equivalent circuits with the
portion of the circuit previously removed placed between
the terminals of the equivalent circuit
Example 9.11

Find the Norton equivalent circuit for the network in

the shaded area
1. Remove portion of the network across the Norton equivalent is found

2. Mark the terminals

3. Calculate RN by setting all sources to zero, and

replace the voltage source by short circuit
 Example 9.11 cont’
4. Calculate e IN by returning all sources to their original position, the
find the short circuit current between the marked terminals

Showing that a short circuit connection

between a & b in parallel with R2,
eliminates its effect
 Example 9.11 cont’
5. Draw the Norton equivalent circuit with the portion previously removed

Substituting the Norton equivalent

circuit for the network external to
the resistor RL in figure 9.61

Converting the Norton

equivalent circuit to a
Thevenin equivalent
circuit
 Example 9.12
Find the Norton equivalent circuit for
the network external to the 9Ω
1. Remove portion of the network across the Norton equivalent is found

Identifying
the terminals

3. Calculate RN by setting all sources to zero, and

replace the voltage source by short circuit
 Example 9.12 cont’
4. Calculate e IN by returning all sources to their original position, the
find the short circuit current between the marked terminals

Determining IN for the network

 Example 9.12 cont’

Substituting the Norton equivalent circuit for the network

external to the resistor RL in figure 9.67
 Maximum Power Transfer theorem
• The Maximum Power Transfer theorem states that
for maximum active power to be delivered to the
load, impedance must correspond to the conjugate
of the source
• impedance (or in the case of direct quantities, be
equal to the source impedance).
• A load will receive the maximum power from a
network when its resistance is exactly equal to the
Thevenin resistance of the network applied to the
load
 Max Power Transfer theorem
Defining the condiction for the
Thevenin equivalent network to
maximum power to a load using
be used to validate the maximum
the Thevenin equivalent circuit
power transfer theorem
Maximum Power Transfer theorem
With we can determine the maximum
power delivered to the load by first finding the
curent

Then substitute into the equation

 Max Power Transfer

• The maximum power transfer occurs when the load

voltage and current are on-half (½) their maximum
possible values
Current through the load 

Voltage 

Power 
 PL versus RL for figure 9.79

If the load applied is less than the Thevenin resistance, the power to
the load will drop off rapidly as it gets smaller

If the applied load is greater than the Thevenin resistance, the power
to the load will not as rapidly as it increases
 PL versus RL for figure 9.79

The total power delivered by a supply such as Eth is absorbed by

both the Thevenin equivalent resistance and the load resistance.

Any power delivered by the source does not get to the load is lost to
the Thevenin resistance
Efficiency of operation vs. increasing
values of RL
 Examining a circuit with high efficiency

If efficient is the overriding factor, then the load

should be much larger than the internal
resistance of the supply.

If the maximum power transfer is desired and

efficiency less of a concern, then the conditions
dictated by the maximum power transfer
theorem should be applied
Defining the condition for maximum power to a
load using the Norton equivalent circuit
If the load resistance is fixed and does
not match the applied Thevenin
equivalent resistance, then some effort
should be made to design the system so
that the Tehvenin equivalent resistance
is closer to the fixed applied load

Max power for the Norton

equivalent circuit will be
delivered when
 Example 9.14

A dc generator, battery and laboratory supply are

connected to resistive load RL
a) For each, determine the value of RL for maximum power
transfer to RL
For the dc generator

For the 12 V car battery

For the laboratory supply

 Example 9.14 cont’
b) Under maximum power conditions what are the current
level and the power to the load for each configuration
For the dc generator

For the 12 v car battery

For the dc laboratory supply

 Example 9.14 cont’
c) What is the efficiency of operation for each supply in part (b)
They will be operating under 50% efficiency level
because RL = RTh
d) If a load of 1KΩ were applied to the laboratory supply, what
would the power delivered to the load be?

Compare your answer to the level of pat (b) what is the level
of efficiency The power level is significantly less than
the 20W achieved in part (b)

The efficiency is
 Example 9.14 cont’
e) For the supply determine the value of RL for 75% efficiency

For the dc generator For the

For the battery
laboratory supply
 HW pg 386
• Problem# 1, 5, 9,11, 21, 23, & 31