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These concepts are important Network Theorems that form the bedrock of
Electrical Networks. These free GATE Study Notes will deal with Thevenin
Norton Equivalencies in circuits with only independent sources, in circuits with
only dependent sources as well as circuits with both dependent and independent
sources. You can download these GATE Study Material in PDF.
These notes are useful for GATE EE, EC, IES, BARC, DRDO, BSNL and other exams.
However, before you move on to Thevenin and Norton Theorems it is advised that
you have your basics clear.
Recommended Reading –
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Thevenin's Theorem
Any two terminal bilateral linear DC circuits can be replaced by an equivalent circuit
consisting of a voltage source and a series resistor.
Norton’s Theorem
Any two terminal bilateral linear DC circuits can be replaced by an equivalent circuit
consisting of a current source and a parallel resistor.
Now we will discuss how to solve different kind of problems using these theorems.
To find Voc : Calculate the open circuit voltage across load terminals. This open
circuit voltage is called Thevenin’s voltage (Vth).
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To find Isc : Short the load terminals and then calculate the current flowing through
it. This current is called Norton current (or) short circuit current (Isc).
Example 1:
Solution:
Rth:
⇒ Rth = RN =1Ω
Vth:
By Nodal Analysis
Vth −10
−2=0
1
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⇒ Vth = 12V
Isc:
⇒Isc = 12A
Thevenin’s equivalent:
By kVL
12
⇒ ix = = 4A
3
Norton’s equivalent:
By current division
1
⇒ ix = 12 × 3 = 4A
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2. Problem with both Dependent and Independent
Sources
To find Voc: Calculate the open circuit voltage across load terminals. This open
circuit voltage is called Thevenin’s voltage (Vth).
To find Isc: Short the load terminals and then calculate the current flowing through
it. This current is called Norton current (or) short circuit current (Isc).
To find Rth: Since there are Independent sources in the circuit, we can’t find Rth
directly. We will calculate Rth using Voc and Isc and it is given by
Voc
R th = Isc
Example 2:
Solution:
Voc:
By Nodal Analysis
Voc −10
⇒ − 2Vx = 0
1
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⇒ Voc − 2Vx = 10 → (1)
By KVL
−10 + Vx + Voc = 0
⇒ Voc = 10 − Vx → (2)
⇒ Voc = 10V
Isc:
By Nodal Analysis
V1 −10 V1
− 2Vx + =0
1 2
By KVL,
Vx = 10 − V1 → (4)
60
⇒ V1 = V
7
V1 30
Isc = = A
2 7
Rth:
Voc 10 7
R N = R th = = 30/7 = 3 Ω
Isc
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Thevenin’s equivalent:
By KVL
10 15
ix = 7 = A
+3 8
3
Norton’s equivalent:
By current division,
7
30 30 7 15
ix = [73 ] = [16] = A
7 +3 7 8
3
1. Place a voltage source of 1V across the terminal and find the current (IT) flowing
through it. Then,
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1V
R th = R N = IT
(or)
2. Place a current source of 1A across the terminals and find the voltage (Vt) across the
current source. Then,
V
R th = R N = 1AT
Example 3:
Solution:
By nodal analysis,
V1 V1 −1
− 2Vo + =0
3 5
And,
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2
Vo = V1 (3)
V1 4V1 V1 1
⇒ − + −5=0
3 3 5
−4V1 1 −1
⇒ = 5 ⇒ V1 =
5 4
−1
1−V1 1−( ) 1
4
IT = = = 4A
5 5
1V 1
∴ R x−y = R Th = R N = = 1 = 4Ω
IT
4
By nodal analysis
V1
− 2Vo − 1 = 0
3
And,
2V1
Vo = 3
𝑉1 4𝑉1
⇒ − − 1 = 0 ⇒ 𝑉1 = −1
3 3
By KVL,
−𝑉1 − 5 + 𝑉𝑇 = 0 ⇒ 1 − 5 + 𝑉𝑇 = 0 ⇒ 𝑉𝑇 = 4𝑉
𝑉 4
𝑅𝑥−𝑦 = 𝑅𝑡ℎ = 𝑅𝑁 = 1𝐴𝑇 = 1 = 4Ω
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