Chapter 5 [EE203]

AC Network Theorems
[Dr.F.MOUHOUCHE]
UMBB/IGEE/2020-2021

1 superposition theorem
The superposition theorem can be stated as follows: The current in any given branch
of a multiple-source circuit can be found by determining the currents in that particular
branch produced by each source acting alone, with all other sources replaced by their
internal impedances. The total current in the given branch is the phasor sum of the
individual source currents in that branch.
The procedure for the application of the superposition theorem is as follows:
1. Leave one of the sources in the circuit, and replace all others with their internal
impedance. For ideal voltage sources, the internal impedance is zero. For ideal
current sources, the intemal impedance is infinite.
2. Find the cunent in the branch of interest produced by the one remaining source.
3. Repeat Steps 1 and 2 for each source in turn. When complete, you will have a
number of current values equal to the number of sources in the circuit.
4. Add the individual current values as phasor quantities.

Example : Determine the current I in Figure below by using the superposition

theorem.

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Solution :

• Eliminating the current source:

5∠0◦ 5∠0◦
I1 = = ◦
= 1.118∠26.57◦
4 − j2 4.47∠ − 26.57
• Eliminating the voltage source:
• Eliminating the current source:

• applying the current divider rule:

2∠0◦ × (4) 2∠0◦ × (4)
I2 = = ◦
= 1789∠26.57◦
4 − j2 4.47∠ − 26.57
• The total current is determined as the summation of currents I1 and I2 :

I = I1 + I2 = 1.118∠26.57◦ + 1789∠26.57◦

I = 1.0 + j0.5 + 1.6 + j0.8 = 2.6 + j1.3 = 2.91∠26.57◦

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Remarks
• If the controlling element is external to the circuit under consideration, the method
of analysis is the same as for an independent source.
• However, if the controlling element is in the same circuit, the analysis follows a
slightly dif- ferent strategy.

Example : Find the voltage Vab for the network in Figure

Solution :

• Eliminating the voltage source right:

−6 + 2ki1 + 4ki2 = 0 ⇒ 2ki1 + 4ki2 = 6

i2 − i1 = 3I = 3i1 ⇒ i2 − 4i1 = 0
• solving equations yileds:i2 = 1.333mA then
Vab1 = i2 × 4k = 5.333V
• Eliminating the voltage source left:

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2ki1 + 4ki2 + 4 = 0 ⇒ 2ki1 + 4ki2 = −4

i2 − i1 = 3I = 3i1 ⇒ i2 − 4i1 = 0
• solving equations yileds:i2 = −0.8888mA then
Vab2 = i2 × 4k = −3.555V
• Vab = Vab1 + Vab2 = 1.778V

2 Thevenin’s Theorem
• Thévenin’s theorem is a method that converts any linear bilateral ac circuit into a
single ac voltage source in series with an equivalent impedance as shown in Figure
7.

Figure 7

• The current through a load impedance ZL connected across any two terminals A
and B of a linear network is given by Vth /(Zth + ZL )
• where Vth is the open-circuit voltage across A and B and Zth is the internal impedance
of the network as viewed from the open-circuited terminals A and B with all volt-
age sources replaced by their internal impedances (if any) and current sources by
infinite impedance.

1. Remove the branch across which the Thévenin equivalent circuit is to be found.
Label the resulting two terminals.
2. Set all sources to zero. As in dc circuits, this is achieved by replacing voltage
sources with short circuits and current sources with open circuits.

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3. Determine the Thévenin equivalent impedance Zth by calculating the impedance

seen between the open terminals a and b. Occasionally it may be necessary to
redraw the circuit to simplify this process.
4. Replace the sources removed in Step 3 and determine the open-circuit voltage
across the terminals a and b.
5. The open-circuit voltage is the Thévenin voltage, Vth .
6. Sketch the resulting Thévenin equivalent circuit by including that portion of the
circuit removed in Step 1.

2.1 independent source only

Example : Find the Thevenin equivalent circuit with respect to the terminals a,b
for the circuit shown in this Figure

Solution :

• use mesh analysis:

(9 + j4)I1 − I2 = −60∠0◦
−I1 + (9 − j4)I2 = 60∠0◦
• Solving,
I1 = −5 + j2.5 , I1 = 5 + j2.5
Vth = 4I1 + 5(4 − j4)I2 = 10∠0◦
• calculation for Zth :

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use ∆ ⇒ wyeconversion:
4 4
Z1 = =
ZT 9 − j4
4 − j4 4 − j4
Z2 = =
ZT 9 − j4
16 − j16 16 − j16
Z3 = =
ZT 9 − j4

4 56 + j20
Za = 4 + j4 + =
9 − j4 9 − j4
4 − j4 40 − j20
Zb = 4 + =
9 − j4 9 − j4
Z3 + Za kZb = 4.83Ω

2.2 Both Dependent and Independent Sources

• The open-circuit voltage Voc is determined as usual with the sources activated or
‘alive’.
• A short-circuit is applied across the terminals a and b and the value of short-circuit
current Isc is found as usual.
Voc
• Zth =
Isc

Example : Find the Thevenin equivalent circuit with respect to the terminals a,b
for the circuit shown in this Figure

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Solution :

• calculate Voc
V V
10∠45◦ = + ⇒ V = −0.5657 + j1.6971 = 1.7889∠108.4349◦
2 j
V
Voc = Vth = 6I + V = 6 + V = 4V = −2.2627 + j6.7882 = 7.16∠108.43◦
2
• Zth
calculate Isc

V
V = −6I,I = ⇒ 2I = −6I ⇒ I = 0and I1 = 0
◦
2
Isc = 10∠45
Voc
Zth = = 1.6 + j3.2Ω
Isc

2.3 Dependent source only

• In this case, Voc = 0
• We connect 1 A source to the terminals a and b and calculate the value of Vab then,
Vab
Zth =
1A
• Or,connect voltage source test to the terminals a and b and calculate the value of
Itest in terms of Itest

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Vtest
• Then,Zth =
Itest

Example : Find the Thevenin equivalent circuit with respect to the terminals a,b
for the circuit shown in this Figure

Solution :

• Transform to phasor form

1
= 8kΩ
ωC1
1
= 4kΩ
ωC2

Voc = 0 I = 39Ix + IX = 40IX .IX = 1A

Vab = (2400 − j8000)IX + 40IX (90)

Vab
Zth = = 6000 − j8000Ω
IX

Example : Find the Thevenin equivalent circuit with respect to the terminals a,b
for the circuit shown in this Figure

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Solution :

• use source conversion as shown in this figure

100 = 10I − j40I + 20I + 10Vx = (130 − j40)I + 10Vx

with Vx = 100 − 10I
−900
I= = 18∠ − 126.87◦
30 − j40
Vx = 208 + j144
Vth = 10Vx + 120I + 835.22∠ − 126.87◦

• Zth

VT
Ia = ,Vx = 10Ia
10 − j40
VT − 10Vx
Ib =
120

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VT (3 − j4)
IT = Ia + Ib =
12(10 − j40)
VT
Zth = = 91.2 − j38.4
IT

3 Norton’s equivalent
Although Norton’s equivalent circuit may be determined by first finding the Thévenin
equivalent circuit and then performing a source conversion, we generally use the more
direct method outlined below.
Norton equivalent cirucuit are as follows:
• Remove the branch across which the Norton equivalent circuit is to be found. Label
the resulting two terminals a and b.
• Set all sources to zero.
• Determine the Norton equivalent impedance, Z N , by calculating the imped- ance
seen between the open terminals a and b. NOTE: Since the previous steps are iden-
tical with those followed for find ing the Thévenin equivalent circuit, we conclude
that the Norton impedance must be the same as the Thévenin impedance.
• Replace the sources removed in Step 3 and determine the current that would occur
between terminals a and b if these terminals were shorted.
• Sketch the resulting Norton equivalent circuit by inserting that portion of the cir-
cuit removed in Step 1.

Example : Determine the Norton equivalent of the circuit in Figure below as seen
from terminals a-b. Use the equivalent to nd Io .

Solution :

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• calculate Isc use mesh analysis

loop1
[(4 + 2j) + (1 − 3j) + 8]I1 − 8I2 − (1 − j3)I3 = 0
−(8 + (1 − 3j))I1 + 8I2 + (1 − j3)I3 = 20
supermesh
I3 − I2 = 4∠ − 90◦ = −4j
I3 = Isc = 8.39∠ − 32.68◦ A
• calculateZN

ZN = (8 + (1 − j3))k(4 + 2j) ⇒ ZN = 3.1765 + j0.708Ω

• calculateIo
IN ZN
IO = = 1.97∠ − 2.11◦ A
ZN + ZL

Example : Determine the Norton equivalent of the circuit in Figure below as seen
from terminals a-b.

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Solution :

• we see that resistor R 2 is short circuited.

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IN = 4I + I = 5I ,I = = 0.35mA∠0◦
60k
IN = (0.35mA)∠0◦ = 1.75mA∠0◦

• calculateZN

Vab Vab
+ 4I + 1 = 0,I =
20k 60k
Vab 4V ab
20k + 60k = −1 ⇒ Vab = 8751.42V
Vab
ZN = = 8.57kΩ
1

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