Thevenin Theorem

August 21, 2013 by yvind Nydal Dahl Leave a Comment

The Thevenin Theorem explains how to simplify a complex circuit. It states that any
linear circuit with only voltage sources, current sources and resistors can be simplified
to a voltage source with a series resistor.
But what does this really mean?
Sometimes a picture says more than thousand words, so here are two pictures to
explain what Thevenins Theorem is about.
This circuit

By SteveZodiac [GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
can be represented by this simple circuit

By SteveZodiac [GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
How to use Thevenins Theorem
To get from the complex circuit to the simple Thevenin equivalent we:
1. Calculate the Thevenin equivalent voltage between terminals A-B open circuited
2. Calculate the Thevenin equivalent resistance between terminals A-B with all
current sources open circuited and all voltage sources short circuited
Finding the Thevenin Equivalent Voltage
First well find the equivalent voltage.

By SteveZodiac [GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
We see that R4 makes a voltage divider together with R3 and R2. Since R4 = R2 + R3
the voltage will be divided in half on the right side of R4.
Since A is not connected to anything, no current will pass through R1 and therefore no
voltage drop will occur over R1. So terminal A is 7.5 V.
Finding the Thevenin Equivalent Resistance
Then, lets find the equivalent resistance.

By SteveZodiac [GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
First, we short-circuit the voltage source. This puts R4 in parallel with R2+R3. We
calculate this and get 1k Ohm. This is in parallel with R1 (also 1k Ohm), so we get an
equivalent resistance of 2k Ohms.
Then we put these two together and get the following Thevenin equivalent circuit:

By SteveZodiac [GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
- See more at: http://www.build-electronic-circuits.com/thevenin-
theorem/#sthash.OjdrcShz.dpuf