Mapua Institute of Technology

School of Electrical, Electronics and Computer

Engineering

EXPERIMENT 8
The Thevenin’s and The Norton’s Theorem

Marasigan, Neil Darren P.

EE21L / B16

Date Performed: 20 June 2015

Date Submitted: 27 June 2015

Engr. Jose Ferlino P. Raymundo

Instructor
SAMPLE COMPUTATIONS

Thevenin.
Trial 1.

𝑅1 = 10 Ω 𝑉𝐴 = 15 𝑉
𝑅2 = 11 Ω 𝑉𝐵 = 20 𝑉
𝑅3 = 12 Ω

𝑅3 12 Ω
𝑉𝑇ℎ = 𝑉𝐴 − 𝑉𝐵 [ ] = 15𝑉 − 20𝑉 [ ] = 𝟒. 𝟓𝟕 𝑽
𝑅2 + 𝑅3 11Ω + 12Ω

𝑅2 𝑅3 (11Ω)(12Ω
𝑅𝑇ℎ = [ ]= [ ] = 𝟓. 𝟕𝟑𝟗 𝛀
𝑅2 + 𝑅3 11Ω + 12Ω

𝑉𝑇ℎ 4.57 𝑉
𝐼𝑅1 = [ ]= [ ] = 𝟐𝟗𝟎. 𝟎𝟔 𝒎𝑨
𝑅1 + 𝑅𝑇ℎ 10 Ω + 5.739 Ω

𝑉𝑅1 = 𝑅1 𝐼𝑅1 = (10Ω)(290.06𝑚𝐴) = 𝟐. 𝟗𝟎 𝑽

Norton.
Trial 1.

𝑉𝑇ℎ 4.57 𝑉
𝐼𝑁 = = = 𝟕𝟗𝟓. 𝟒𝟓 𝒎𝑨
𝑅𝑇ℎ 5.739 Ω

𝑅2 𝑅3 (11Ω)(12Ω
𝑅𝑁 = 𝑅𝑇ℎ = [ ]= [ ] = 𝟓. 𝟕𝟑𝟗 𝛀
𝑅2 + 𝑅3 11Ω + 12Ω

𝑅𝑁 5.739 Ω
𝐼𝑅1 = 𝐼𝑁 [ ] = 795.45𝑚𝐴 [ ] = 𝟐𝟗𝟎. 𝟎𝟓 𝒎𝑨
𝑅1 + 𝑅𝑁 10 Ω + 5.739 Ω

𝑉𝑅1 = 𝑅1 𝐼𝑅1 = (10 Ω)(290.05 𝑚𝐴) = 𝟐. 𝟗 𝑽

FINAL DATA SHEET
Experiment 8: Thevenin’s and Norton’s Theorem

Table 8.1 Thevenin’s Theorem

Measured Trial VTH RTH IR1 VR1

Values R1 = 10 Ω 4.57 V 5.739 Ω 290.06 mA 2.90 V
R1 = 13 Ω 4.57 V 5.739 Ω 243.62 mA 3.17 V
R1 = 14 Ω 4.57 V 5.739 Ω 231.28 mA 3.24 V
Calculated R1 = 10 Ω 4.57 V 5.739 Ω 290.36 mA 2.90 V
Values R1 = 13 Ω 4.57 V 5.739 Ω 243.80 mA 3.17 V
R1 = 14 Ω 4.57 V 5.739 Ω 231.50 mA 3.24 V

Table 8.2 Norton’s Theorem

Measured Trial In Rn IR1 VR1

Values R1 = 10 Ω 795.45 mA 5.739 Ω 290.05 mA 2.90 V
R1 = 13 Ω 795.45 mA 5.739 Ω 243.62 mA 3.17 V
R1 = 14 Ω 795.45 mA 5.739 Ω 231.28 mA 3.24 V
Calculated R1 = 10 Ω 795.45 mA 5.739 Ω 290.36 mA 2.90 V
Values R1 = 13 Ω 795.45 mA 5.739 Ω 243.80 mA 3.17 V
R1 = 14 Ω 795.45 mA 5.739 Ω 231.50 mA 3.24 V
QUESTIONS AND PROBLEMS
1. What technique is applied to convert a Thevenin’s equivalent circuit into a
Norton’s equivalent circuit or vice versa?

Source transformation is used to convert a Thevenin circuit to a Norton

equivalent and vice versa. It is the process of replacing the voltage source Vs in
series with the resistor R by a current source Is in parallel with a resistor R, or vice
versa

2. What does a “dead circuit” in the Thevenin’s and Norton’s theorem mean?

A dead circuit means that the load is disconnected and the independent
sources are turned off with the terminals open-circuited.

3. How is a “dead circuit” analyzed through the Thevenin’s theorem?

The input resistance (equivalent resistance) of the dead circuit is the

Thevenin Resistance RTH.

4. How is a “dead circuit” analyzed through the Norton’s theorem?

It is analyzed the same way as in Thevenin’s theorem wherein the input

resistance of the dead circuit is RTH. Thus, the Norton Resistance is also equal to
the Thevenin Resistance.

5. What are the limitations of the Thevenin’s and Norton’s theorems?

Thevenin’s theorem has three practical limitations. One, many, if not most
circuits are only linear over a certain range of values, thus the Thevenin equivalent
is valid only within this linear range and may not be valid outside the range. Two,
the Thevenin equivalent has an equivalent I-V characteristic only from the point of
view of the load. Three, since power is not linearly dependent on voltage or current,
the power dissipation of the Thevenin equivalent is not identical to the power
dissipation of the real system.

6. Determine the Thevenin equivalent circuit and the Norton equivalent circuit
shown in the figure below.
 8 ohms

20 ohms

5 ohms
1

A
3

20A

120 ohms

10 ohms
2

𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝑉𝑇𝐻 = 𝑉𝑎𝑏

S. Mesh (1) and (2): 25𝐼1 − 140𝐼3 + 130𝐼2 = 0 (1)

where: 𝐼1 − 𝐼2 − 20 (2)
KVL at (3): 𝑉𝑎𝑏 + 140𝐼3 − 20𝐼1 − 120𝐼2 = 0 (3)
where 𝐼3 = 0𝐴

Equate (1) and (2)

520 100
𝐼1 = = 16.774𝐴, 𝐼2 = − = 3.226𝐴
31 31

Substitute 𝐼1 , 𝐼2 and 𝐼3 in (3)

𝑉𝑎𝑏 + 140𝐼3 − 20𝐼1 − 120𝐼2 = 0

𝑉𝑎𝑏 − 20𝐼1 − 120𝐼2 = 0
𝑉𝑎𝑏 = 51.61𝑉

𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝑅𝑇𝐻
 8 ohms

20 ohms

5 ohms
A

120 ohms

10 ohms
8 ohms
8 ohms

A A
140 ohms

13.548 ohms
15 ohms

RTH RTH
B B

120Ω and 20Ω are in series connection; also 10Ω RTH=13.548ohms

and 5Ω are in series connection.

140(15)
140 Ω // 15 Ω = 140+15 = 13.548Ω +A
+

13.548Ω and 8Ω are in series connection VTH=51.61V

-B
Therefore 𝑅𝑇𝐻 = 8 + 13.548 = 21.548Ω

7. Determine the Thevenin equivalent circuit and the Norton equivalent circuits
shown in the figure below.

𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝑉𝑎𝑏
 𝐼1 = 3𝑚𝐴

Mesh (2): 42k𝐼2 − 2𝑘𝐼1 = −5𝑉𝑥 (1)

𝑉
KCL at a: 𝐼1 − 𝐼2 = 2𝑘𝑥 ; 𝑉𝑥 = 2𝑘(𝐼1 − 𝐼2 )

Subst. 𝑉𝑥 to (1)

42k𝐼2 − 2𝑘𝐼1 = −5(2𝑘)(𝐼1 − 𝐼2 )

42k𝐼2 − 2𝑘𝐼1 = −10𝑘𝐼1 + 10𝑘𝐼2

32𝐼2 +8𝐼1 = 0 (2)

Subst. 𝐼1 to (2)

𝐼2 = −0.75𝑚𝐴

𝑉𝑎𝑏 = 40𝑘Ω(−0.75𝑚𝐴) = −30𝑉

𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝑅𝑇𝐻

𝐼3 = 3𝑚𝐴

Mesh (1): 42k𝐼1 − 40𝑘𝐼2 − 2𝑘𝐼3 = −5𝑉𝑥 (1)

Mesh (2): 40k𝐼2 − 40𝑘𝐼1 = −1 (2)

Where 𝑉𝑥 = 2𝑘𝐼1

Subst. 𝑉𝑥 and 𝐼3 to (1)

32k𝐼1 − 40𝑘𝐼2 = 0 (3)

Equate (2) & (3)

𝐼1 = 0.125𝑚𝐴 𝐼2 = 0.10𝑚𝐴
 1
𝑅𝑇𝐻 = = 10𝑘Ω
𝐼2

For 𝐼𝑁

𝑉𝑇𝐻 30𝑉
𝐼𝑁 = = = 3𝑚𝐴
𝑅𝑇𝐻 10𝑘Ω
CONCLUSION
By the end of the experiment, we were able to demonstrate the principles of
Thevenin’s theorem and Norton’s theorem. We verified the relationship between the
Thevenin’s and Norton’s theorems by getting the input resistance of a dead circuit
(simulated using Tina Pro).

In the first part of the experiment, we drew the Thevenin Circuit. We

obtained the Thevenin Voltage VTh using the simulation software and compared it
using the calculated value using the formula provided in the laboratory manual.
Comparing the values, the results were exactly the same and there were no errors.
Then we performed three (3) trials by changing the value of R1 and getting the
current through R1, which is IR1. The simulated and calculated values were then
compared.

In the second part of the experiment, the Norton circuit was simulated. Using
the same value for the Thevenin Resistance, the Norton Resistance was acquired. In
here, we created a short circuit to obtain the Norton current IN flowing through the
output terminals a and b. We then measured the values of IR1 and VR1 based on the
simulation. It was then compared to the calculated values using the formula in the
manual. Results obtained shown very little signs of errors which is in the decimal
discrepancies.

A possible error with the experiment is only in the calculation of the

parameters needed using the formula. There might be incorrect input in the
calculator or even in the simulation software.

For the improvement of the experiment, I suggest that the student must already
have an insight or an understanding on the underlying principles or theory that is used
in the experiment. This is so that the students would know how to perform the
experiment efficiently and would have knowledge on what the expected results would
be.
DISCUSSION
Thevenin’s Theorem

It often occurs in practice that a particular element in a circuit is variable

(usually called the load) while other elements are fixed. As a typical example, a
household outlet terminal may be connected to different appliances constituting a
variable load. Each time the variable element is changed, the entire circuit has to be
analyzed all over again. To avoid this problem, Thevenin’s theorem provides a
technique by which the fixed part of the circuit is replaced by an equivalent circuit.

According to Thevenin’s theorem, the linear circuit in Figure (a) can be

replaced by that in Fig. (b) The circuit to the left of the terminals in Fig. (b). is known
as the Thevenin equivalent circuit.

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 VTh is 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 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. This replacement technique is a powerful tool in circuit design.

Norton’s Theorem

Norton’s theorem states that a linear two-terminal circuit can be replaced by

an equivalent circuit consisting of a current source IN in parallel with a resistor RN,
where IN is the short-circuit current through the terminals and RN is the input or
equivalent resistance at the terminals when the independent sources are turned off.
Thus, the circuit in Fig. a can be replaced by the one in Fig. b.
 To find the Norton current IN, we determine the short circuit current flowing
from terminal a b in both circuits. It is evident that the short circuit current is IN.
This must be the same short circuit current from terminal ab, since the two circuits
are equivalent.

Observe the close relationship between Norton’s and Thevenin’s theorems:

𝑉
RN = RTH and 𝐼𝑁 = 𝑅𝑇ℎ
𝑇ℎ

This is essentially source transformation. For this reason, source

transformation is often called Thevenin-Norton transformation.

Since VTh, IN and RTh are related, to determine the Thevenin or Norton
equivalent circuit requires that we find:

 The open circuit voltage across terminals a and b

 The short circuit current at terminals a and b
 The equivalent or input resistance at terminals a and b when all
independent sources are turned off.
REFERENCES
 (Alexander,2013) Fundamentals of Electric Circuits, 5th Edition.

 Thevenin-Norton Equivalencies. All about Circuits. Retrieved from:

http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/textbook/direct-current/chpt-
10/thevenin-norton-equivalencies/

 Thevenin’s Theorem and Norton’s Theorem. Hyperphysics. Retrieved from:

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/electric/thevenin.html
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/electric/norton.html