Module

2
DC Circuit
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 Lesson
8
Thevenin’s and Norton’s
theorems in the context
of dc voltage and
current sources acting
in a resistive network
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Objectives
• To understand the basic philosophy behind the Thevenin’s theorem and its
application to solve dc circuits.
• Explain the advantage of Thevenin’s theorem over conventional circuit reduction
techniques in situations where load changes.
• Maximum power transfer theorem and power transfer efficiency.
• Use Norton’s theorem for analysis of dc circuits and study the advantage of this
theorem over conventional circuit reduction techniques in situations where load
changes.

L.8.1 Introduction
A simple circuit as shown in fig.8.1 is considered to illustrate the concept of equivalent
circuit and it is always possible to view even a very complicated circuit in terms of much
simpler equivalent source and load circuits. Subsequently the reduction of computational
complexity that involves in solving the current through a branch for different values of
load resistance ( RL ) is also discussed. In many applications, a network may contain a
variable component or element while other elements in the circuit are kept constant. If the
solution for current ( I ) or voltage ( V ) or power ( P ) in any component of network is
desired, in such cases the whole circuit need to be analyzed each time with the change in
component value. In order to avoid such repeated computation, it is desirable to introduce
a method that will not have to be repeated for each value of variable component. Such
tedious computation burden can be avoided provided the fixed part of such networks
could be converted into a very simple equivalent circuit that represents either in the form
of practical voltage source known as Thevenin’s voltage source
( VTh = magnitude of voltage source , RTh = int ernal resis tan ce of the source ) or in the
form of practical current source known as Norton’s current source
( I N = magnitude of current source , RN = int ernal resis tan ce of current source ). In
true sense, this conversion will considerably simplify the analysis while the load
resistance changes. Although the conversion technique accomplishes the same goal, it has
certain advantages over the techniques that we have learnt in earlier lessons.
Let us consider the circuit shown in fig. 8.1(a). Our problem is to find a current
through RL using different techniques; the following observations are made.

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Find
• Mesh current method needs 3 equations to be solved
• Node voltage method requires 2 equations to be solved
• Superposition method requires a complete solution through load resistance ( RL )
by considering each independent source at a time and replacing other sources by
their internal source resistances.

Suppose, if the value of RL is changed then the three (mesh current method) or two
equations (node voltage method) need to be solved again to find the new current in RL .
Similarly, in case of superposition theorem each time the load resistance RL is changed,
the entire circuit has to be analyzed all over again. Much of the tedious mathematical
work can be avoided if the fixed part of circuit (fig. 8.1(a)) or in other words, the circuit
contained inside the imaginary fence or black box with two terminals A & B , is replaced
by the simple equivalent voltage source (as shown in fig. 8.1(b)) or current source (as
shown in fig.8.1(c)).

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Thevenin’s Theorem: Thevenin’s theorem states that any two output terminals
( A & B , shown in fig. 8.2.(a)) of an active linear network containing independent
sources (it includes voltage and current sources) can be replaced by a simple voltage
source of magnitude VTh in series with a single resistor RTh (see fig. 8.2(d)) where RTh is
the equivalent resistance of the network when looking from the output terminals A & B
with all sources (voltage and current) removed and replaced by their internal resistances
(see fig. 8.2(c)) and the magnitude of VTh is equal to the open circuit voltage across the
A & B terminals. (The proof of the theorem will be given in section- L8. 5).

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L.8.2 The procedure for applying Thevenin’s theorem
To find a current I L through the load resistance RL (as shown in fig. 8.2(a)) using
Thevenin’s theorem, the following steps are followed:

Step-1: Disconnect the load resistance ( RL ) from the circuit, as indicated in fig. 8.2(b).

Step-2: Calculate the open-circuit voltage VTH (shown in fig.8.2(b)) at the load terminals
( A & B ) after disconnecting the load resistance ( RL ). In general, one can apply any of the
techniques (mesh-current, node-voltage and superposition method) learnt in earlier
lessons to compute VTh (experimentally just measure the voltage across the load terminals
using a voltmeter).

Step-3: Redraw the circuit (fig. 8.2(b)) with each practical source replaced by its internal
resistance as shown in fig.8.2(c). (note, voltage sources should be short-circuited (just
remove them and replace with plain wire) and current sources should be open-circuited
(just removed).

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Step-4: Look backward into the resulting circuit from the load terminals ( A & B ) , as
suggested by the eye in fig.L.8.2(c). Calculate the resistance that would exist between the
load terminals ( or equivalently one can think as if a voltage source is applied across the
load terminals and then trace the current distribution through the circuit (fig.8.2 (c)) in
order to calculate the resistance across the load terminals.) The resistance RTh is
described in the statement of Thevenin’s theorem. Once again, calculating this resistance
may be a difficult task but one can try to use the standard circuit reduction technique or
Y − Δ or Δ − Y transformation techniques.

Step-5: Place RTh in series with VTh to form the Thevenin’s equivalent circuit (replacing
the imaginary fencing portion or fixed part of the circuit with an equivalent practical
voltage source) as shown in fig. 8.2(d).

Step-6: Reconnect the original load to the Thevenin voltage circuit as shown in
fig.8.2(e); the load’s voltage, current and power may be calculated by a simple arithmetic
operation only.

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 VTh
Load current I L = (8.1)
RTh + RL
VTh
Voltage across the load VL = × RL = I L × RL (8.2)
RTh + RL
Power absorbed by the load PL = I L × RL
2
(8.3)

Remarks: (i) One great advantage of Thevenin’s theorem over the normal circuit
reduction technique or any other technique is this: once the Thevenin equivalent circuit
has been formed, it can be reused in calculating load current ( I L ), load voltage ( VL ) and
load power ( PL ) for different loads using the equations (8.1)-(8.3).
(ii) Fortunately, with help of this theorem one can find the choice of load resistance RL
that results in the maximum power transfer to the load. On the other hand, the effort
necessary to solve this problem-using node or mesh analysis methods can be quite
complex and tedious from computational point of view.

L.8.3 Application of Thevenin’s theorem

Example: L.8.1 For the circuit shown in fig.8.3(a), find the current through
RL = R2 = 1 Ω resistor ( I a −b branch) using Thevenin’s theorem & hence calculate the
voltage across the current source ( Vcg ).

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Solution:
Step-1: Disconnect the load resistance RL and redraw the circuit as shown in fig.8.3(b).

Step-2: Apply any method (say node-voltage method) to calculate VTh .

At node C:
2 + I1 + I 2 = 0
(3 − Vc ) (0 − Vc )
2+ + ⇒ Vc = 6 volt
3 6
Now, the currents I1 & I 2 can easily be computed using the following expressions.

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 Va − Vc 3 − 6
I1 = = = − 1 A (note, current I1 is flowing from ‘c’ to ‘a’)
3 3
0 − Vc −6
I2 = = = −1 A (note, current I 2 is flowing from ‘c’ to ‘g’)
6 6

Step-3: Redraw the circuit (fig.8.3(b) indicating the direction of currents in different
branches. One can find the Thevenin’s voltage VTh using KVL around the closed path
‘gabg’ (see fig.8.3.(c).

VTh = Vag − Vbg = 3 − 2 =1volt

Step-4: Replace all sources by their internal resistances. In this problem, voltage source
has an internal resistance zero (0) (ideal voltage source) and it is short-circuited with a
wire. On the other hand, the current source has an infinite internal resistance (ideal
current source) and it is open-circuited (just remove the current source). Thevenin’s
resistance RTh of the fixed part of the circuit can be computed by looking at the load
terminals ‘a’- ‘b’ (see fig.8.3(d)).

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RTh = ( R1 + R3 ) & R4 = ( 3 + 4 ) & 2 =1.555 Ω

Step-5: Place RTh in series with VTh to form the Thevenin’s equivalent circuit (a simple
practical voltage source). Reconnect the original load resistance RL = R2 = 1 Ω to the
Thevenin’s equivalent circuit (note the polarity of ‘a’ and ‘b’ is to be considered
carefully) as shown in fig.8.3(e).

VTh 1
IL = = = 0.39 A (a to b)
RTh + RL 1.555 + 1

Step-6: The circuit shown in fig.8.3 (a) is redrawn to indicate different branch currents.
Referring to fig.8.3 (f), one can calculate the voltage Vbg and voltage across the current
source ( Vcg ) using the following equations.

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Vbg = Vag − Vab = 3 − 1× 0.39 = 2.61 volt.
2.61
I bg = = 1.305 A; I cb = 1.305 − 0.39 = 0.915 A
2
Vcg = 4 × 0.915 + 2 ×1.305 = 6.27 volt.

Example-L.8.2 For the circuit shown in fig.8.4 (a), find the current I L through 6 Ω
resistor using Thevenin’s theorem.

Solution:
Step-1: Disconnect 6 Ω from the terminals ‘a’ and ‘b’ and the corresponding circuit
diagram is shown in fig.L.8.4 (b). Consider point ‘g’ as ground potential and other
voltages are measured with respect to this point.

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

42 − 8 I − 4 I − 30 = 0 ⇒ I = 1 A
Now, Vag = 30 + 4 = 34 volt ; Vbg = 2 × 3 = 6 volt.

VTh = Vab = Vag − Vbg = 34 − 6 = 28 volt ( note ‘a’ is higher potential than ‘b’)

Step-3: Thevenin’s resistance RTh can be found by replacing all sources by their internal
resistances ( all voltage sources are short-circuited and current sources are just removed
or open circuited) as shown in fig.8.4 (c).

8× 4 14
RTh = ( 8 & 4 ) + 2 = +2= = 4.666 Ω
12 3

Step-4: Thevenin’s equivalent circuit as shown in fig.8.4 (d) is now equivalently

represents the original circuit (fig.L.8.4(a).

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 VTh 28
IL = = = 2.625 A
RTh + RL 4.666 + 6

Example-L.8.3 The box shown in fig.8.5 (a) consists of independent dc sources and
resistances. Measurements are taken by connecting an ammeter in series with the
resistor R and the results are shown in table.

Table
R I
10 Ω 2A
20 Ω 1.5 A
? 0.6 A

Solution: The circuit shown in fig.8.5(a) can be replaced by an equivalent Thevenin’s

voltage source as shown in fig.8.5(b). The current flowing through the resistor R is
expressed as

VTh
I= (8.4)
RTh + R

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The following two equations are written from measurements recorded in table.
VTh
= 2 ⇒ VTh − 2 RTh = 20 (8.5)
RTh + 10

VTh
= 1.5 ⇒ VTh −1.5 RTh = 30 (8.6)
RTh + 20

Solving equations (8.5) and (8.6) we get,

VTh = 60 volt; RTh = 20 Ω
The choice of R that yields current flowing the resistor is 0.6 A can be obtained using
the equation (8.4).

VTh 60
I= = = 0.6 ⇒ R = 80 Ω.
RTh + R 20 + R

L.8.4 Maximum Power Transfer Theorem

In an electric circuit, the load receives electric energy via the supply sources and
converts that energy into a useful form. The maximum allowable power receives by the
load is always limited either by the heating effect (incase of resistive load) or by the other
power conversion taking place in the load. The Thevenin and Norton models imply that
the internal circuits within the source will necessarily dissipate some of power generated
by the source. A logical question will arise in mind, how much power can be transferred
to the load from the source under the most practical conditions? In other words, what is
the value of load resistance that will absorbs the maximum power from the source? This
is an important issue in many practical problems and it is discussed with a suitable
example.

Let us consider an electric network as shown in fig.8.6(a), the problem is to find

the choice of the resistance RL so that the network delivers maximum power to the load
or in other words what value of load resistance RL will absorb the maximum amount of
power from the network. This problem can be solved using nodal or mesh current
analysis to obtain an expression for the power absorbed by RL , then the derivative of this
expression with respect to RL will establish the condition under what circumstances the

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maximum power transfer occurs. The effort required for such an approach can be quite
tedious and complex. Fortunately, the network shown in fig.L.8.6(a) can be represented
by an equivalent Thevenin’s voltage source as shown in fig.L.8.6(b).

In fig.8.6(b) a variable load resistance RL is connected to an equivalent Thevenin circuit

of original circuit(fig.8.6(a)). The current for any value of load resistance is
VTh
IL =
RTh + RL
Then, the power delivered to the load is

2
⎡ VTh ⎤
PL = I L × RL = ⎢ ⎥ × RL
2

⎣ Th
R + RL ⎦

The load power depends on both RTh and RL ; however, RTh is constant for the equivalent
Thevenin network. So power delivered by the equivalent Thevenin network to the load
resistor is entirely depends on the value of RL . To find the value of RL that absorbs a
maximum power from the Thevenin circuit, we differentiate PL with respect to RL .

dP( RL ) ⎡
2 ( RTh + RL ) − 2 RL × ( RTh + RL )
2 ⎤
= VTh ⎢ ⎥ = 0 ⇒ ( RTh + RL ) − 2 RL = 0 ⇒ RL = RTh
( RTh + RL )
4
dRL ⎢⎣ ⎥⎦
(8.7)
For maximum power dissipation in the load, the condition given below must be satisfied
2
d 2 P ( RL ) VTh
2
= − <0
dRL R = RTh
8 RTh
L

This result is known as “Matching the load” or maximum power transfer occurs when the
load resistance RL matches the Thevenin’s resistance RTh of a given systems. Also, notice
that under the condition of maximum power transfer, the load voltage is, by voltage
division, one-half of the Thevenin voltage. The expression for maximum power
dissipated to the load resistance is given by

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 2
⎡ VTh ⎤ V
2
Pmax =⎢ ⎥ × RL = Th
⎣ RTh + RL ⎦ RL = RTh
4 RTh

The total power delivered by the source

PT = I L ( RTh + RL ) = 2 × I L RL
2 2

This means that the Thevenin voltage source itself dissipates as much power in its
internal resistance RTh as the power absorbed by the load RL . Efficiency under maximum
power transfer condition is given by

2
I L RL
Efficiency = 2
×100 = 50 % (8.8)
2 I L RL

For a given circuit, VTh and RTh are fixed. By varying the load resistance RL , the power
delivered to the load varies as shown in fig.8.6(c).

Remarks: The Thevenin equivalent circuit is useful in finding the maximum power that
a linear circuit can deliver to a load.

Example-L.8.4 For the circuit shown in fig.8.7(a), find the value of RL that absorbs
maximum power from the circuit and the corresponding power under this condition.

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Solution: Load resistance RL is disconnected from the terminals ‘a’ and ‘b’ and the
corresponding circuit diagram is drawn (see fig.8.7(b)).

The above circuit is equivalently represented by a Thevenin circuit and the corresponding
Thevenin voltage VTh and Thevenin resistance RTh are calculated by following the steps
given below:

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Now applying ‘Super position theorem’, one can find VTh (voltage across the ‘a’ and ‘b’
terminals, refer fig. 8.7(b)). Note any method (node or mesh analysis) can be applied to
find VTh.
Considering only 20v source only

20
From the above circuit the current through ‘b-c’ branch = = 1 A (from ‘b’ to ‘a’)
20
whereas the voltage across the ‘b-a’ branch vba = 1× 10 = 10 volt . (’b’ is higher potential
than ‘a’). ∴ vab = − 10 volt

Considering only 10v source only

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Note: No current is flowing through ‘cb’-branch.
∴ Vab = 5v (‘a’ is higher potential than ‘b’)

Consider only 2 A current source only

Note that the current flowing the ‘c-a’ branch is zero

∴ Vab =10 v (‘a’ is higher potential than ‘b’ point).

The voltage across the ‘a’ and ‘b’ terminals due to the all sources = VTh = Vab (due to
20v) + Vab (due to 10v) + Vab (due to 2A source) = - 10 + 5 + 10 = 5v (a is higher
potential than the point ‘b’).
To computute RTh:
Replace all voltage and current sources by their internal resistance of the circuit shown in
fig.8.7(b).

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RTh = Rab = ((5+5) || 10) + (10 || 10)
= 5 + 5 = 10 Ω

Thevenin equivalent circuit is drawn below:

The choice of RL that absorbs maximum power from the circuit is equal to the value of
Thevenin resistance RTh

RL = RTh = 10Ω

Under this condition, the maximum power dissipated to RL is

2
1 VTh 1 25
Pmax = = ⋅ = 0.625 watts.
4 R Th 4 10

L.8.5 Proof of Thevenin Theorem

The basic concept of this theorem and its proof are based on the principle of
superposition theorem. Let us consider a linear system in fig.L.8.8(a).

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It is assumed that the dc resistive network is excited by the independent voltage and
current sources. In general, there will be certain potential difference ( Voc = VTh ) between
the terminals ‘a’ and ‘b’ when the load resistance RL is disconnected from the terminals.
Fig.8.8(b) shows an additional voltage source E (ideal) is connected in series with the
load resistance RL in such a way ( polarity of external voltage source E in opposition the
open-circuit voltage Voc across ‘a’ and ‘b’ terminals) so that the combined effect of all
internal and external sources results zero current through the load resistance RL .

According to the principle of superposition, zero current flowing through RL can be

considered as a algebraic sum (considering direction of currents through RL ) of (i) current
through RL due to the external source E only while all other internal sources are replaced
by their internal resistances (all voltage sources are short-circuited and all current sources
are open circuited), and (ii) current through RL due to the combined effect of all internal
sources while the external source E is shorted with a wire. For the first case, assume the
⎛ E ⎞
current I1 ⎜ = ⎟ (due to external source E only) is flowing through RL from right
⎝ RTh + RL ⎠
to left direction( ← ) as shown in fig.8.8(c).

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For the second case, the current I 2 (due to combined effect of all internal sources only) is
flowing through RL with same magnitude of I1 but in opposite direction (left to right).
Note that the resultant current I through the resistor RL is zero due to the combination
of internal and external sources (see fig.8.8(b)). This situation will arise provided the
voltage ( Vab ) across the ‘a’ and ‘b’ terminals is exactly same (with same polarity) as that
of external voltage E and this further implies that the voltage across Vab is nothing but
an open-circuit voltage ( VTh ) while the load resistance RL is disconnected from the
terminals ‘a’ and ‘b’. With the logics as stated above, one can find the current
⎛ VTh ⎞
expression I 2 ⎜ = ⎟ for the circuit (fig.8.8(b)) when the external source E is short-
⎝ RTh + RL ⎠
circuited with a wire. In other words, the original circuit (fig.8.8(a)) can be replaced by
an equivalent circuit that delivers the same amount of current I L through RL . Fig.8.8(d)
shows the equivalent Thevenin circuit of the original network (fig.8.8(a)).

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L.8.6 Norton’s theorem
Norton’s theorem states that any two terminals A & B of a network composed of linear
resistances (see fig.8.9(a)) and independent sources (voltage or current, combination of
voltage and current sources) may be replaced by an equivalent current source and a
parallel resistance. The magnitude of current source is the current measured in the short
circuit placed across the terminal pair A & B . The parallel resistance is the equivalent
resistance looking into the terminal pair A & B with all independent sources has been
replaced by their internal resistances.

Any linear dc circuit, no matter how complicated, can also be replaced by an equivalent
circuit consisting of one dc current source in parallel with one resistance. Precisely,
Norton’s theorem is a dual of Thevenin’s theorem. To find a current I L through the load
resistance RL (as shown in fig.8.9(a)) using Norton’s theorem, the following steps are
followed:

Step-1: Short the output terminal after disconnecting the load resistance ( RL ) from the
terminals A & B and then calculate the short circuit current I N (as shown in fig.8.9(b)).
In general, one can apply any of the techniques (mesh-current, node-voltage and
superposition method) learnt in earlier lessons to compute I N (experimentally just
measure the short-circuit current using an ammeter).

Step-2: Redraw the circuit with each practical sources replaced by its internal resistance
while the short–circuit across the output terminals removed (note: voltage sources should
be short-circuited (just replace with plain wire) and current sources should be open-

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circuited (just removed)). Look backward into the resulting circuit from the load
terminals ( A & B ), as suggested by the eye in fig.8.9(c).

Step-3: Calculate the resistance that would exist between the load terminals A & B ( or
equivalently one can think as if a voltage source is applied across the load terminals and
then trace the current distribution through the circuit (fig.8.9(c)) in order to calculate the
resistance across the load terminals). This resistance is denoted as RN , is shown in fig.8.9
(d). Once again, calculating this resistance may be a difficult task but one can try to use
the standard circuit reduction technique or Y − Δ or Δ − Y transformation techniques. It
may be noted that the value of Norton’s resistance RN is truly same as that of Thevenin’s
resistance RTh in a circuit.

Step-4: Place RN in parallel with current I N to form the Norton’s equivalent circuit
(replacing the imaginary fencing portion or fixed part of the circuit with an equivalent
practical current source) as shown in fig.8.8 (d).

Step-5: Reconnect the original load to the Norton current circuit; the load’s voltage,
current and power may be calculated by a simple arithmetic operation only.

RN
Load current I L = × IN (8.9)
RN + RL
Voltage across the load VL = I L × RL (8.10)

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Power absorbed by the load PL = I L × RL
2
(8.11)
Remarks: (i) Similar to the Thevenin’s theorem, Norton’s theorem has also a similar
advantage over the normal circuit reduction technique or any other technique when it is
used to calculate load current ( I L ), load voltage ( VL ) and load power ( PL ) for different
loads.
(ii)Fortunately, with help of either Norton’s theorem or Thevenin’s theorem one can find
the choice of load resistance RL that results in the maximum power transfer to the load.
(iii) Norton’s current source may be replaced by an equivalent Thevenin’s voltage source
as shown in fig.L.8.1(b). The magnitude of voltage source ( VTh ) and its internal
resistances ( RTh ) are expressed by the following relations

VTh = I N × RN ; RTh = RN ( with proper polarities at the terminals)

In other words, a source transformation converts a Thevenin equivalent circuit into a
Norton equivalent circuit or vice-verse.

L.8.7 Application of Norton’s Theorem

Example-L.8.5 For the circuit shown in fig.8.10(a), find the current through
RL = R2 = 1 Ω resistor ( I a −b branch) using Norton’s theorem & hence calculate the
voltage across the current source ( Vcg ).

Solution:
Step-1: Remove the resistor through which the current is to be found and short the
terminals ‘a’ and ‘b’ (see fig.8.10(b)).

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Step-2: Any method can be adopted to compute the current flowing through the a-b
branch. Here, we apply ‘mesh – current’ method.
Loop-1
3 – R4(I1 – I2) = 0, where I2 = - 2A
R4 I1 = 3 + R4I2 = 3 – 2 × 2 = - 1 ∴ I1 = - 0.5A
Loop-3
- R1I3 - R 3 (I3 - I 2 ) = 0
- 3I3 - 4(I3 + 2) = 0
- 7I3 - 8 = 0
8
I3 = - =
7
⎛ 8 ⎞ -7 +16
∴ I N = (I1 - I3 ) = ⎜ -0.5 + ⎟ =
⎝ 7⎠ 14
9
= A (current is flowing from ‘a’ to ‘b’)
14

Step-3: To compute RN, all sources are replaced with their internal resistances. The
equivalent resistance between ‘a’ and ‘b’ terminals is same as the value of Thevenin’s
resistance of the circuit shown in fig.8.3(d).

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Step-4: Replace the original circuit with an equivalent Norton’s circuit as shown in
fig.8.10(d).

RN 1.555
IL = × IN = × 0.643 = 0.39A (a to b)
RN + RL 1.555 +1

In order to calculate the voltage across the current source the following procedures are
adopted. Redraw the original circuit indicating the current direction in the load.

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 Vbg = 3 -1× 0.39 = 2.61volt
2.61
I bg = = 1.305A
2
Icb = 1.305 - 0.39 = 0.915A ('c' to 'b')
∴ Vcg = 2×1.305 + 4×.915 = 6.26volt ('c' is higher potential than 'g')

Example-L.8.6 For the circuit shown in fig.8.11(a), the following measurements are
taken and they are given in table.

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 Table
R I VR
Open 0 ma 1.053 V
Short 0.222 ma 0V
? 0.108 ma ?
25 k Ω ? ?

Find the current following through the resistor when R = 25 k Ω and voltage drop across
the resistor.
Solution: First measurement implies the Thevenin’s voltage ( VTh ) across the terminals
‘a’ and ‘b’ = 1.053 V .
Second measurement implies the Norton’s current ( I N ) through the shorted terminals ‘a’
and ‘b’ = 0.222 ma .
With the above two measurements one can find out the Thevenin’s resistance
RTh (= RN ) using the following relation
V 1.053
RTh = Th = = 4.74 k Ω
I N 0.222 ×10−3
Thevenin equivalent circuit between the terminals ‘a’ and ‘b’ of the original circuit is
shown in fig.8.11(b).

Third measurement shows that the current in resistor R is given by

1.053
= =0.108(mA) ⇒ R = 5 k Ω . The voltage across the 5k Ω resistor is
4.74 + R
5 × 0.108 = 0.54 volt

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From the fourth measurement data, the current through 25 k Ω resistor is =
V 1.053
I = Th = = 0.0354 ma and the corresponding voltage across the
RTh + R ( 4.74 + 25 ) × 103
resistor VR = I × R = 0.0354 × 25 = 0.889 V .

Example-L.8.7 Applying Norton’s theorem, calculate the value of R that results in

maximum power transfer to the 6.2 Ω resistor in fig.8.12(a). Find the maximum power
dissipated by the resistor 6.2 Ω under that situation.

Solution:
Step-1: Short the terminals ‘a’ and ‘b’ after disconnecting the 6.2 Ω resistor. The
Norton’s current I N for the circuit shown in fig.8.12(b) is computed by using ‘mesh-
current’ method.

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Loop-1:
12 − I1 R − 3 ( I1 − I 2 ) = 0 (8.12)

Loop-2:
−10 − 5( I 2 − I 3 ) − 3 ( I 2 − I1 ) = 0 , note I 3 = − 2 A (8.14)

Solving equations (8.12) and (8.14), we get

36 24 + 20 R
I1 = ; I2 = − ( -ve sign implies that the current is flowing from ‘b’ to
15 + 8R 15 + 8R
24 + 20 R
‘a’) and Norton’s current I N = − I 2 =
15 + 8 R

Norton’s resistance RN is computed by replacing all sources by their internal resistances

while the short-circuit across the output terminal ‘a’ and ‘b’ is removed. From the circuit
diagram fig.8.12(c), the Norton’s resistance is obtained between the terminals ‘a’ and ‘b’.

3R
RN = ( R & 3) + 5 = +5 (8.15)
3+ R
Note that the maximum power will dissipate in load resistance when load resistance =
Norton’s resistance RN = RL = 6.2 Ω . To satisfy this condition the value of the resistance
R can be obtained from equation (8.15), we get R = 2 Ω. . The circuit shown in
fig.8.12(a) is now replaced by an equivalent Norton’s current source (as shown in
fig.L.8.12(d)) and the maximum power delivered by the given network to the load
RL = 6.2 Ω is thus given by

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 1 ⎛ 24 + 20 R ⎞
2
1
Pmax = × I N RL = × ⎜ ⎟ × RL = 6.61 watts
2

4 4 ⎝ 15 + 8 R ⎠

L.8.8 Test Your Understanding [Marks: 60]

T.1 When a complicated dc circuit is replaced by a Thevenin equivalent circuit, it

consists of one ------- in series with one --------- . [2]
T.2 When a complicated dc circuit is replaced by a Norton equivalent circuit, it consists
of ------ in ----- with one -------. [2]
T.3 The dual of a voltage source is a -----------. [1]
T.4 When a Thevenin theorem is applied to a network containing a current source; the
current source is eliminated by --------- it. [1]
T.5 When applying Norton’s theorem, the Norton current is determined with the output
terminals --------------, but the Norton resistance is found with the output terminals --------
-.and subsequently all the independent sources are replaced -----------. [3]
T.6 For a complicated circuit, the Thevenin resistance is found by the ratio of --------
voltage and ------------ current. [2]
T.7 A network delivers maximum power to the load when its -------- is equal to the -----
--- of circuit at the output terminals. [2]
T.8 The maximum power transfer condition is meaningful in ------------ and ---------
systems. [2]
T.9 Under maximum power transfer conditions, the efficiency of the system is only -----
---- %. [1]
T.10 For the circuit in fig.8.13, find the voltage across the load resistance RL = 3 Ω using
Thevenin theorem. Draw the Thevenin equivalent circuit between the terminals ‘a’ and

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‘b’ when the load resistance RL is disconnected. Calculate the maximum power delivered
by the circuit to the load RL = 3 Ω . [6]

(Ans. Vab = 18 volt, Pmax =108 W )

T.11 Solve the problem given in T.10 applying Norton’s theorem. [6]
(Ans. I N =12 A, RN = 3 Ω )

T.12 For the circuit in fig.8.14, calculate the value of R that results in maximum power
transfer to the 10 Ω resistor connected between (i) ‘a’ and ‘b’ terminals (ii) ‘a’ and ‘c’
terminals. Indicate the current direction through (a) a-b branch (b) a-c branch and their
magnitudes. [6+6]

(Ans. (i) R = 10 Ω , I ab = 250 mA (a → b ) (ii) R = 30 Ω, I ac = 33.3 mA ( a → c) )

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T.13 The box shown in fig.8.15 consists of a dc sources and resistors. Measurements are
made at the terminals ‘a’ and ‘b’ and the results are shown in the table. Find the choice of
‘R’ that delivers maximum power to it and subsequently predict the reading of the
ammeter under this situation. [6]

Table
R I
10 Ω 2A
80 Ω 0.6 A

(Answer: R = 20 Ω, Pmax = 45 watts )

T.14 For the circuit shown in fig.8.16, find the value of current I L through the resistor
RL = 6 Ω using Norton’s equivalent circuit and also write the Norton’s equivalent circuit
parameters between the terminals ' A ' and ' B ' . [7]

(Ans. I L = 2.1 A, I N = 5.25 A; RN = 4 Ω )

T.15 Find the values of design parameters R1, R2 and R3 such that system shown in
fig.17(a) satisfies the relation between the current I L and the voltage VL as described in

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fig.8.17(b). Assume the source voltage Vs =12 volt and the value of resistance R2 is the
geometric mean of resistances R1 & R3 . [7]
(Ans. R1 = R2 = R3 = 0.5k Ω )

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