Module 4 (Cont.

Circuit Theorems
 Thevenins Theorem

Given two circuits that are connected as show below

Circuit A Circuit B
 Thevenins Theorem

The currents and

voltages remain
Circuit A Circuit B Unchanged in B

One can always replace either one of them with a a unique resistor and a unique
independent voltage source as shown above, without the other circuit
feeling any difference.
 Thevenins Theorem

The currents and

voltages remain
Circuit A Circuit B Unchanged in B

What is the procedure for finding that unique voltage source and this resistance?
 Thevenins Theorem

Step 1
Computing

Step 2 Computing
 Thevenins Theorem
Step 1
Computing

Circuit A Circuit B
 Thevenins Theorem
Step 1
Computing

Circuit A Circuit B

To illustrate we use the following example.

 Thevenins Theorem
Step 1
Computing

Circuit A Circuit B
 Thevenins Theorem
Step 1
Computing

Circuit A Circuit B
 Thevenins Theorem
Step 1
Computing

Our goal here is to

Circuit A compute the voltage
difference between those
nodes
 Thevenins Theorem
Step 1
Computing

To grasp the idea of finding the voltage difference on an open circuit, you
can think of an open circuit as any regular element that does not allow any
current through.
 Thevenins Theorem
Step 1
Computing

Circuit A

To compute vOC apply KVL for loop 1

 Thevenins Theorem
Step 1
Computing

Circuit A

To compute vOC apply KVL at loop 1

 Thevenins Theorem
Step 1
Computing

Circuit A

To compute vOC apply KVL at loop 1

 Thevenins Theorem
Step 1
Computing

The circuit can be simplified to two resistors in series, and therefore they
work as voltage divider.
Circuit A

Therefore
 Thevenins Theorem

Step 1
Computing

Step 2 Computing

1. Deactivate independent sources

2. Compute the equivalent resistance
 Thevenins Theorem

Step 2 Computing
1. Deactivate all independent sources in circuit A

Independent Open circuit

current source
To deactivate Replace
Independent with
Short circuit
voltage source
 Thevenins Theorem

Step 2 Computing
2. Compute the equivalent resistance of the
deactivated circuit A

Circuit A
Deactivated
 Thevenins Theorem

Step 2 Computing
2. Compute the equivalent resistance of the
deactivated circuit A

Circuit A

For the example circuit,

we have to find the
equivalent resistance
of the deactivated circuit
 Thevenins Theorem

Step 2 Computing
2. Compute the equivalent resistance of the
deactivated circuit A

Circuit A
Deactivated

Two resistors in parallel

 Thevenins Theorem

Step 2 Computing
2. Compute the equivalent resistance of the
deactivated circuit A

Circuit A
Deactivated

Two resistors in series

 Thevenins Theorem

Step 1
Computing

Step 2 Computing

1. Deactivate independent sources

2. Compute the equivalent resistance
Thevenins Theorem
Circuit A Circuit B

Thevenin Equivalent Circuit B

 Thevenins Theorem

WHAT IF ?
The circuit which we would
like to have a Thevenin
equivalent has a dependent Circuit A Circuit B
source
(voltage, or current)???
 Thevenins Theorem
WHAT IF ?
Before MAKE SURE that the circuit you want to find its Thevenin equivalent
Starting contains both parts of the dependent source.

Step 1
Computing

Step 2 Computing
 Thevenins Theorem
WHAT IF ?
Before MAKE SURE that the circuit you want to find its Thevenin equivalent
Starting contains both parts of the dependent source.

For example The two parts of The two parts of

dependent source dependent source

You CAN NOT find a You CAN find a

Thevenin equivalent Thevenin equivalent
for this sub-circuit for this sub-circuit
 Thevenins Theorem
WHAT IF ?
Before MAKE SURE that the circuit you want to find its Thevenin equivalent
Starting contains both parts of the dependent source.

For example The two parts of The two parts of

dependent source dependent source

You CAN NOT find a You CAN find a

Thevenin equivalent Thevenin equivalent
for this sub-circuit for this sub-circuit
 Thevenins Theorem
WHAT IF ?
Before MAKE SURE that the circuit you want to find its Thevenin equivalent
Starting contains both parts of the dependent source.

Step 1
Computing

Step 2 Computing

1. Deactivate independent sources

2. Compute the equivalent resistance
 Thevenins Theorem
Step 1
Computing

Assume that
we need the
Thevenin equivalent
for this sub-circuit
 Thevenins Theorem
Step 1
Computing

Assume that
we need the
Thevenin equivalent
for this sub-circuit

KVL in this mesh

 Thevenins Theorem
WHAT IF ?
Before MAKE SURE that the circuit you want to find its Thevenin equivalent
Starting contains both parts of the dependent source.

Step 1
Computing

Step 2 Computing

1. Deactivate independent sources

2. Compute the equivalent resistance
 Thevenins Theorem
Step 2 Computing

First Deactivate,
independent sources

Then, compute the

equivalent resistance

BUT HOW???
HOW
the circuit contains
dependent sources!!!
 Thevenins Theorem
Step 2 Computing

We need a formal procedure that can give us the equivalent resistance of any
sub-circuit including those circuit with dependent sources.
REMEMBER THAT The equivalent resistance is the resistance that the circuit
presents to an independent source if it is to be applied to this circuit.
Hence, if we connect a current source of value It across the terminals and
then observed a voltage difference of Vt , on those terminals, then equivalent
resistance Rt would be:-

For example, If the

circuit consists
of a single resistor (R)
( ,
then Rt reduces to R

And if It = 1A, then Rt= Vt

 Thevenins Theorem
Step 2 Computing

Therefore, to compute the equivalent resistance of our circuit, we drive it with

a current source of 1 A and compute the voltage difference across
the terminals.

This problem can be treated as a circuit analysis problem, where the goal is
to compute Vt. We use Mesh Current Analysis to solve for Vt
 Thevenins Theorem
Assign mesh currents Computing

Write those mesh currents

for those meshes
with independent current sources

Assign elements currents

Put dependent sources in terms of

mesh currents

Use KVL on meshes without

independent current sources
and solve

Use the obtained mesh currents

to compute the voltages
 Thevenins Theorem
Assign mesh currents Computing

Write those mesh currents

for those meshes
with independent current sources

Assign elements currents

Put dependent sources in terms of

mesh currents

Use KVL on meshes without To compute Vt, use KVL on mesh 2

independent current sources
and solve

Use the obtained mesh currents

to compute the voltages
 Thevenins Theorem

Thevenin
Equivalent