Source Superposition

This technique is a direct application of

linearity.
It is normally useful when the circuit has only
a few sources.
ci rcui t
+ -
V
S
I
S
+
V
L
_
I
L
Due to Linearity
V aV a I
L S S
= +
1 2
V
L
1
Can be computed by setting the current
source to zero and solving the circuit
V
L
2
Can be computed by setting the voltage
source to zero and solving the circuit
FOR CLARITY WE SHOW A CIRCUIT
WITH ONLY TWO SOURCES
S
V BY ON CONTRIBUTI
1
L
V
S
I BY ON CONTRIBUTI
2
L
V
LEARNING EXAMPLE
1
i
=
] [ 6 || 3 3 k R
eq
+ =
eq
eq
R
v
i
k R
2
"
2
] [ ) 3 || 3 ( 6
=
+ =
+
Loop equations
Contribution of v1
Contribution of v2
WE WISH TO COMPUTE THE CURRENT
Once we know the partial circuits
we need to be able to solve them in
an efficient manner
If V
1
= 5 volts, and V
2
= 2 volts

I
1
= 0.866mA, I
2
= 0.067mA


Then, from by superposition that is by adding the two currents;

I
1
= V
1
/5k= 1mA
I
1
= -V
2
/15k = -0.133mA

I
1
=I
1
+I
1
= 1mA 0.133mA = 0.866mA this is equal to I
1
from
the solution of the original circuit

Now we set to zero the current source
LEARNING EXAMPLE
Current division
Ohms law
Voltage Divider
+
-
V
0
" 6k
3k
3V ] [ 6
"
0
'
0 0
V V V V = + =
] [ 2 V =
ion superposit source using Compute
0
V
We set to zero the voltage source
LEARNING EXAMPLE
Set to zero voltage source
We must be able to solve each circuit in a very
efficient manner!!!
Set to zero current source

+
1
V
If V1 is known then Vo is obtained using a voltage divider
V1 can be obtained by series parallel reduction and divider
2
I
The current I2 can be obtained using a current divider
and Vo using Ohms law
2k||4k
2k
6k
I
2
+
V
"
0
_
2mA
+
-
2k
4k||8k
+
V
1
_
) 6 (
3 / 8 2
3 / 8
1
+
= V
+
V
1
_
6k
2k
+
V
'
0
_
] [
7
18
2 6
6
1
'
V V
k k
k
V
O
=
+
=
WHEN IN DOUBT REDRAW!
mA
k k k k
k k k
I ) 2 (
) 4 || 2 ( 6 2
) 4 || 2 ( 2
2
+ +
+
=
" '
2
"
6
O O O
O
V V V
kI V
+ =
=
ion superposit source using Compute
0
V
Answer :

Vo= 18/7 volts + 6kI
2
= 2.571 +6k(2mA)
Vo = 14.6 volts
Sample Problem
1. Consider only the voltage source
mA I 5 . 1
01
=
3. Consider only the 4mA source
2. Consider only the 3mA
source
Current divider
mA I 5 . 1
02
=
0
03
= I
mA I I I I 3
03 02 01 0
= + + =
Using source superposition
ION SUPERPOSIT SOURCE USING COMPUTE
0
I
LINEAR CIRCUIT
May contain
independent and
dependent sources
with their controlling
variables
PART A
LINEAR CIRCUIT
May contain
independent and
dependent sources
with their controlling
variables
PART B
a
b _
O
v
+
i
THEVENINS EQUIVALENCE THEOREM
Resistance Equivalent Thevenin
Source Equivalent Thevenin
TH
TH
R
v
LINEAR CIRCUIT
PART B
a
b _
O
v
+
i

+
TH
R
TH
v
PART A
Thevenin Equivalent Circuit
for PART A
This is the Thevenin equivalent
circuit for the circuit in Part A
OC TH O
v i R v + =
For ANY circuit in Part B
The voltage source is called the
THEVENIN EQUIVALENT SOURCE
The resistance is called the
THEVENIN EQUIVALENT RESISTANCE
R
TH
i
+
_
O
v
OC
v
+
_
PART A MUST BEHAVE LIKE
THIS CIRCUIT
LINEAR CIRCUIT
May contain
independent and
dependent sources
with their controlling
variables
PART A
ANY
PART B
a
b _
O
v
+
i
THEVENIN APPROACH
A General Procedure to Determine the Thevenin Equivalent
1. Determine the
Thevenin equivalent
source
Remove part B and
compute the OPEN
CIRCUIT voltage
2. Determine the
SHORT CIRCUIT
current
Remove part B and
compute the SHORT
CIRCUIT current
ab
I
LINEAR CIRCUIT
May contain
independent and
dependent sources
with their controlling
variables
PART A
a
b
_
0 =
+
v
SC
i
ab
I
Second circuit problem
Resistance Equivalent Thevenin
circuit short a by
replaced is B Part if b - a through current
Current Circuit Short
removed is B Part if b - a at oltage v
ltage Circuit vo Open

SC
TH
TH
SC
TH
i
v
R
i
v
=
One circuit problem
_
ab
V
+
LINEAR CIRCUIT
May contain
independent and
dependent sources
with their controlling
variables
PART A
a
b
_
OC
v
+
0 = i
EXAMPLE: SOLVE BY SOURCE TRANSFORMATION
The equivalent current source will have the
value 12V/3k
The 3k and the 6k resistors now are in parallel
and can be combined
In between the terminals we connect a current
source and a resistance in parallel
In between the terminals we connect a voltage
source in series with the resistor
The equivalent source has value 4mA*2k
The 2k and the 2k resistor become connected
in series and can be combined
After the transformation the sources can be combined
The equivalent current source has value 8V/4k
and the combined current source has value 4mA
Options at this point
1. Do another source transformation and get
a single loop circuit
2. Use current divider to compute I_0 and then
compute V_0 using Ohms law
RL= 8k
Vth = 4mA(4K)= 16 volts
Rth = 4k +4k = 8k

Using Thevenins theorem

Vo= Vth (8K)/ (8k +8K) = 8 volts

SAMPLE PROBLEM
This is what we need to get
Equivalent Resistance: Independent sources only
TH
R
Equivalent Voltage: Node, loop, superposition
2
I
KVL
How about source superposition?
Opening the current source:
Short circuiting the voltage source
R
2R
3R
I
S
+
V
2
TH
_
KVL
Do loops

+
TH
V
SAMPLE PROLEM All independent sources
All resistors are in parallel!!
The circuit can be simplified
,,, An to compute Equivalent Source...
Voltage divider
SOURCE
TRANSFORMATION
V 6
O k 5
PART B
] [ 1 ) 6 (
5 1
1
V V
k k
k
V
O
=
+
=
LEARNING BY DOING
LEARNING EXAMPLE
You have the choice on the way to partition
the circuit.
Make Part A as simple as possible
Part B
Since there are only independent sources,
for the Thevenin resistance we set to zero all
sources and determine the equivalent resistance
For the open circuit voltage we analyze the
following circuit (Part A) ...
The circuit becomes...
USE THEVENIN TO COMPUTE Vo
2 (2 || 4)
10
3
TH
R
k
= +
= O
By voltage divider rule in the final
circuit:

Vo= (32/3 volts)(6)
10/3 + 6

Vo = 3.42 volts
LEARNING EXTENSION: USE THEVENIN TO COMPUTE Vo
PART B

+
OC
V
I
RESULTING EQUIVALENT CIRCUIT
LEARNING EXAMPLE
Do we use current probe or voltage probe?
Controlling variable:
If we use voltage probe there is only one
node not connected through source
Using voltage probe. Must compute
current supplied
FIND THE THEVENIN EQUIVALENT
EXAMPLE: Use Thevenin to compute Vo
DONT PANIC!! Select your partition
Part B
Open Circuit Voltage Loop equations
Controlling variable
) ( 4
2 1
1
I I k V
X
=
Short circuit current
1
I
2
I
sc
I
Loop equations
mA I
V
I
x
2 ;
2000
2
"
1
= =
Controlling variable
mA I 4
1
=
Same as before
Thevenin resistance
Now compute V_0 using the Thevenin equivalent
TH
V
TH
R
KVL for V_oc
Use loops
SAMPLE PROBLEM Mixed sources! Must compute open loop voltage and
short circuit current
X
V
b
V
S S X
V V
R R
R
V
3
2
) 2 (
2
=
+
=
Open circuit voltage
b X TH
V V V =
For Vx use voltage divider
For Vb use KVL
S S X b
V aR V aV R V ) 3 / 4 1 ( ) ( 2 + = + =
S S S X X TH
V V Ra V RaV V V = + = ) 3 / 2 )( 2 1 ( ) 2 (
S TH
V
aR
V
3
4 1+
=
Short circuit current
SC
I
We need to compute V_x
Single node
X
V
KCL@Vx
0
2 2
2
1
1
1 1
=

+ +

R
V V
aV
R
V
R
V V
s X
X
X S x
KCL again can give the short circuit current
R
V V
aV I
S X
X SC
2
1
1

+ =
3
) 2 1 ( 4 aR R
I
V
I
V
R
SC
TH
SC
OC
TH

= = =
FINAL ANSWER
LEARNING EXAMPLE
Only dependent sources. Hence V_th = 0
To compute the equivalent resistance we
must apply an external probe
We choose to apply a current probe
P
I

+
P
V
P
P
TH
I
V
R =
@V_1
@V_2
) (
P
I
Controlling variable
Conventional circuit with dependent
sources - use node analysis
0 ) ( 2 6 ) 2 ( 3
2 1 1 1 1
= + + V V V V V
] [ 6 3 ) ( 2
2 1 2
V V V V = +
6 5 2
0 2 5
2 1
2 1
= +
=
V V
V V
7
10
21
30
2
= = V
O = = = = k
mA
V
R mA I V V
TH P P
) 7 / 10 (
1
) 1 ( ) (
2
2
R
TH
A
B
Thevenin equivalent
Find the Thevenin Equivalent circuit at A - B
EXAMPLE Use Thevenin to determine Vo
Part B
Part A should be as simple as possible.
After Part A is replaced by the Thevenin
equivalent we should have a very simple circuit
Guidelines to partition:
Open circuit voltage
The dependent sources and their controlling
variables must remain together
Options???
Constraint at super node
KCL at super node
Equation for controlling variable
Solve
Short circuit current
Setting all sources to zero and combining
resistances will yield an incorrect value!!!!
Negative resistances for some as
Solution to the problem
OC
V
) 2 ( k a R
TH
=
TH
TH
V
R k k
k
V
+ +
=
1 1
1
0
LINEAR CIRCUIT
May contain
independent and
dependent sources
with their controlling
variables
PART A
LINEAR CIRCUIT
May contain
independent and
dependent sources
with their controlling
variables
PART B
a
b _
O
v
+
i
NORTONS EQUIVALENCE THEOREM
Resistance Equivalent Thevenin
Source Equivalent Thevenin
N
N
R
i
LINEAR CIRCUIT
PART B
a
b _
O
v
+
i
N
R
N
i
PART A
Norton Equivalent Circuit
for PART A
Norton Approach
Norton
LINEAR CIRCUIT
May contain
independent and
dependent sources
with their controlling
variables
PART A
ANY
PART B
a
b _
O
v
+
i
SC
TH
OC
i
R
v
=
Thevenin
This equivalence can be viewed as a source transformation problem
It shows how to convert a voltage source in series with a resistor
into an equivalent current source in parallel with the resistor
Norton
ANOTHER VIEW OF THEVENINS AND NORTONS THEOREMS
SOURCE TRANSFORMATION CAN BE A GOOD TOOL TO REDUCE THE
COMPLEXITY OF A CIRCUIT
LEARNING EXTENSION: COMPUTE Vo USING NORTON
PART B
O = = k R R
TH N
3
SC
I
mA mA
k
V
I I
N SC
2 2
3
12
= = =
N
I
N
R
k 4
k 2
|
|
.
|

\
|
+
= =
N
N
N
O
I
k R
R
k kI V
6
2 2
I
] [
3
4
) 2 (
9
3
2 V V
O
= =
COMPUTE Vo USING THEVENIN PART B
0 2
3
12
= +

mA
k
V
TH
k k R
TH
4 3 + =
+
-
TH
R
TH
V
k 2

+
O
V
] [
3
4
) 6 (
7 2
2
V V V
O
=
+
=
MAXIMUM POWER TRANSFER
+
-
SOURCE
(LOAD)
R
TH
V
TH
R
L

+
L
V
TH
L TH
L
L
L
L
L
V
R R
R
V
R
V
P
+
= = ;
2
( )
2
2
TH
L TH
L
L
V
R R
R
P
+
=
For every choice of R_L we have a different power.
How do we find the maximum value?
Consider P_L as a function of R_L and find the
maximum of such function
( ) ( )
( )
|
|
.
|

\
|
+
+ +
=
4
2
2
2
L TH
L TH L L TH
TH
L
L
R R
R R R R R
V
dR
dP
3
Set the derivative to zero to find extreme points.
For this case we need to set to zero the numerator
= + 0 2
L L TH
R R R
TH L
R R =
*
The maximum
power transfer
theorem
The load that maximizes the power transfer for a circuit is
equal to the Thevenin equivalent resistance of the circuit.
Technically we need
to verify that it is
indeed a maximum
The value of the maximum
power that can be
transferred is
TH
TH
L
R
V
P
4
(max)
2
=
ONLY IN THIS CASE WE NEED TO COMPUTE THE THEVENIN VOLTAGE
LEARNING EXAMPLE
a
b
We need to find the Thevenin resistance
at a - b.
The circuit contains only independent sources ....
k k k k R
TH
6 || 6 , 3 || 4 = + =
Resistance for maximum
power transfer
If we MUST find the value of the
power that can be transferred THEN
we need the Thevenin voltage!!!
mA I loop 2 : 1
1
=
] [
3
1
3
1
9
] [ 3
1 2
mA I
k
V
I = + =
TH
TH
MX
R
V
P
4
2
=
] [
6
25
6 * 4
] [ 100
2
mW
k
V
P
MX
= =
TRANSFER POWER MAXIMUM FOR DETERMINE
L
R
LEARNING EXAMPLE
a
b
1. Find the Thevenin equivalent at a - b
2. Remember that for maximum power
transfer
This is a mixed sources problem
.... And it is simpler if we do Thevenin
at c - d and account for the 4k at the end
c
d
1
I
2
I
mA I loop 4 : 1
1
=
0 ) ( 4 2 2 : 2
1 2 2
'
= + + I I k kI kI loop
X
Controlling variable:
2
'
I I
X
=
Now the short circuit current
k R
TH
2 =
Remember now where the partition was made
k R
L
6 =
] [
3
8
] [
6 * 4
8
2
mW mW P
MX
= =
D TRANSFERRE POWER MAXIMUM AND DETERMINE
L
R
LEARNING EXAMPLE
EXAMINE POWER, OUTPUT VOLTAGE AND CURRENT
AS FUNCTIONS OF RESISTANCE
2
2
2
IN
IN
V
V
P
R
=
+
2
2
1 2
OUT
IN
V
V
P R
R R
(
=
(
+

2
2
IN
V
I
R
=
+
2
2
2
OUT IN
R
V V
R
=
+