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9 Thevenin & Norton Circuits
9 Thevenin & Norton Circuits
Remove the resistor R (often referred to as the load resistor) for which you wish to
calculate the current and/or voltage. Label these terminals (where the resistor was
removed) a and b. Calculate the voltage across these open terminals. This is
Eth.
Step 2
From the open terminals, (a and b) calculate the resistance looking back into
the circuit with all voltage sources removed and replaced by a short and all current
sources removed and replaced by an open. This is done because the internal
resistance of an ideal voltage source is zero and the internal resistance of an ideal
current source is infinite. The resistance so obtained is Rth.
Step 3
Nortons Theorem
Nortons Theorem can be used for two purposes:
1. to calculate the voltage across (or current through) a component in any circuit, or
2. to develop a constant current equivalent circuit which may be used to simplify the analysis of
a complex circuit.
Any combination of sources and resistances with two terminals can be replaced by the parallel
combination of a single current source i and a single resistor r. The value of i (the Norton
current) is the short circuit current at the output terminals, and the value of r (the Norton
resistance) is the equivalent resistance looking back into the network from the output terminals
with all voltage sources replaced by a short and all current sources replaced by an open. It should
be clear that the Norton and Thevenin resistances are defined in the same manner. In fact, for the
same network they will always have the same value.
Remove the resistor R for which you desire to calculate the voltage and/or
current. Label these terminals a and b. Short these terminals together and
determine the current that flows through this short. This short circuit current is In.
Step 2
From the open terminals, (a and b) calculate the resistance looking back
into the circuit with all voltage sources removed and replaced by a short and all
current sources removed and replaced by an open. The resistance so obtained is
Rn .
Step 3
R3 = 3.3 k
Rth = _________________________
Using your calculated values for Eth and Rth, draw in the space below the Thevenin equivalent
circuit.
Step 3: Using your Thevenin equivalent circuit, calculate the value of IR3.
IR3 =
ETh
= ________________
(RTh + R3 )
2. Use Thevenins theorem to find the current through R3 in the bridge circuit of Figure 6.
Do all of Thevenins Theorem steps showing all
calculations and diagrams, properly labeled.
Step 1: Solve for Eth____________________
Norton
3. Use Nortons theorem to determine In and Rn for the circuit of Figure 7.
In = _____________________
Step 2: In Figure 8, with R3 removed and the 12V source replaced by a short circuit,
calculate Rn.
Rn = ___________________
Figure 8. Circuit of Figure 7 with R3 removed and the voltage source replaced by a short
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In = _________________
Step 2: Referring to Figure 9, calculate and record Rn. Show all work.
Rn = _______________________
Figure 9. Circuit of Figure 6 with R3 removed and the voltage source replaced by a short
(INSTRUCTORS SIGNATURE_____________________________DATE
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VR3 = ________
VR3 = __________
INSTRUCTOR'
S INITIALS
DATE:
b. Connect the original circuit of Figure 6 (with all five resistors); measure the
current through and voltage across R3. Record these values.
IR3 = ________________
VR3 = ________________
NORTON
4. The purpose of this procedure is to experimentally determine In and Rn for the circuit of
Figure 7, and measure the current through and voltage across R3. Calculated and measured
values will be compared.
a. Connect the circuit in Figure 7; measure and record the current through and
voltage across R3.
IR3 = __________
VR3 = __________
DATE:
5. In this procedure, the student will connect the bridge circuit of Figure 6, measure the
current through and voltage across R3, and determine the Norton values, In and Rn.
a. Record the measured values of IR3 and VR3.
IR3 = ________________ VR3 = ________________
b. Connect the circuit of Figure 6 with R3 replaced by the ammeter. Measure and
record In.
In = __________
c. With R3 removed and the voltage source replaced by a short measure and record
the value of Rn.
Rn = __________________
INSTRUCTOR'
S INITIALS
DATE:
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Rn R3
Rn + R3
6. Compare the calculated values of In and Rn in pre-lab procedure 6 with the measured
values in lab-session procedures 5b and 5c.
7. Be sure to comment on the differences observed between calculated and measured values
in steps 1 through 6 above. If significant differences (not explainable by resistor
tolerances and expected measurement errors) are observed, make your best effort to
explain.
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