Problem Statements

Maximum Power Transfer

Network of
Sources
and
Resistors

iL

vL RL
o

Whats the maximum power that can be delivered

to a load?
Whats the value of RL that maximizes the power?
Whats the efficiency of power transfer?

Maximum Power Transfer

Thevenin equivalent circuit

RTh

.
a
+

VTh

vL
b

iL
RL

Power absorbed by load resistor:

VTh
) 2 RL
PL = iL2 RL = (
RL + RTh

To find the value of RL for which PL is maximum, set

dPL
=0
dRL

dPL
( RTh + RL ) 2 RL ( RTh + RL )
= VTh 2
=0
4

( RTh + RL)
dRL

( RTh + RL) 2 = 2 RL( RTh + RL)

RTh = RL

Maximum Power Transfer Example

Results of Maximum Power Transfer

The maximum power transfer takes place
when the load resistance RL=RTh
The maximum power transferred to the load

VTh 2
Pmax = PL( RL = RTh ) =
4 RTh
The efficiency of power transfer
PL
power delivered to the load
=
=
Ps power generated by the source
Thevenin equivalent cannot be used to calculate power efficiency in the
original network.
Maximum power transfer condition results in 50 percent efficiency in
Thevenin equivalent, however much lower efficiency in the original circuit.

a)

b)

c)

Find the value of RL that

results in maximum
power being transferred
to RL.
Calculate the maximum
power that can be
delivered to RL.
360 V
When RL is adjusted for
maximum power transfer,
what percentage of the
power delivered by the
360 V source reaches
RL?

30
o

150

RL
o