THEVENIN’S

THEOREM
 THEVENIN’S THEOREM

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 VThis the
open-circuit voltage at the
terminals and RTh is the input or
equivalent resistance at the
terminals when the independent
sources are turned off.
 THEVENIN’S THEOREM

Two cases in finding the Thevenin’s Resistance:

1. If the network has no dependent

sources, turn off all independent
sources. RTh is the input
resistance of the network looking
between terminals a and b.
2. If the network has dependent
sources, turn off all independent
sources. As with superposition,
dependent sources are not to be
turned off because they controlled
by circuit variables.
 THEVENIN’S THEOREM
Apply a voltage source Vo at the terminals a and b and
determine the resulting current io. Then RTh = vo/io as
shown in figure below;
 THEVENIN’S THEOREM
Thevenin’s theorem is very important in circuit analysis. It
helps simplify a circuit. A large circuit may be replaced by
a single independent voltage source and a single resistor.
The replacement technique is a power tool in circuit
design.
 EXAMPLE # 1
Find the thevenin equivalent circuit of the circuit
shown below to the left of the terminals a-b. Then
find the current through RL = 6, 16, and 36 ohms.
 SOLUTIONS
Turn off the 32-V voltage To find Vth, consider the circuit
source by replacing it with a below and applying mesh
short circuit and the 2-A analysis to the two loops,
current source by replacing
it with an open circuit..

32 - 4i1 - 12(i1 – i2) = 0, i2 = -2 A

solving for i1 ; i1 = 0.5 A. Thus,
VTh = 12(i1 – i2) = 12(0.5 + 2.0) = 30 V
VTh = 30 V
 SOLUTIONS

The Thevenin equivalent • if RL = 6 Ω

circuit is shown below.

• if RL = 16 Ω

• if RL = 36 Ω
 EXAMPLE # 2
Using Thevenin’s theorem, find the equivalent circuit to
the left of the terminals in the circuit below. Then find I.
 SOLUTION
solving for RTh : solving for VTh :
6-Ω 6-Ω 6-Ω 6-Ω +

RTh +
4-Ω _ 4-Ω VTh
18v 3A
_
To find Vth, consider the circuit
below and applying mesh
analysis to the two loops,
18 - 6i1 - 6i2 - 4i2 = 0
18 – 6i1 – 10i2 = 0; 3 A = i2 – i1
i1 = i2 - 3
 SOLUTION

18 – 6(i2 – 3) = 0 RTh
I
18 – 6i2 + 18 = 0
6i2 = 36, i2 = 6 A +
_ 1-Ω
i1 = 6 – 3 = 3 A VTh
VTh = 4i2 = 4(6) = 24 volts
 EXAMPLE # 3

Find v in the circuit using TEC.

Ans. v = 10 volts
 EXAMPLE # 4

Find vo in the circuit using Thevenin’s theorem.

Ans. vO = 6 volts
 EXAMPLE # 5

Using Thevenin’s equivalent circuit, find i. Calculate

the power delivered to the 3-Ω resistor.

Ans. I = 1.875 A, P = 10.55 W

 EXERCISES

Find Vx using thevenin’s Find Vo using thevenin’s

equivalent circuit. equivalent circuit.