1.

4 THEVENIN THEOREM
Thevenin Theorem is proposed by French engineer, M. Leon Thevenin. Thevenin
Theorem developed is used to replace a complex circuit network with a simple circuit.
This simple circuit containing only two elements, there is a voltage supply (VTH)
connected in series with a resistor (RTH) or impedance (ZTH). In other word, Thevenin
Theorem states that :
At a pair of terminals a b, any linear network can be replaced by an equivalent
circuit composed of a voltage source (VTH) in series with a resistance/impedance (RTH
/ ZTH) .

Figure 1.1 : (a) Complex circuit (b) Thevenin equivalent circuit

The voltage VTH is the voltage across the open circuited terminals a b.
The resistance RTH is the equivalent resistance of the network as seen from the
terminals a b with all independent sources suppressed.
To understand the application of this theorem, the circuit in Figure 1.2 will used to
find the current through the resistance RL.

R1 R2

Vs R3 RL

Figure 1.2
The steps to obtain the Thevenin equivalent circuit are :

1. Remove the resistance RL, thus creating an open circuit at terminals a b.

2. Calculate the Thevenin Voltage (VTH) between terminals a b with that terminal
is open circuit.

VTH

3. Short circuit the voltage source (Vs) and find the resistance RTH of the network
as seen from terminal a b. If the circuit has a current sources (Is), thus the
current sources will be open circuit.

RTH

4. Draw the Thevenin equivalent circuit and calculate the current, I.

Example 1 :

Referring to Figure 1.3, determine the current, I by using Thevenin Theorem. Given RL = 12.

5 6
I
+
100V 20 RL
-

Figure 1.3

Solution :

Step 1 : Remove the resistance RL, thus creating an open circuit at terminals a b.

Step 2 : Calculate the Thevenin Voltage (VTH) between terminals a b with that

terminal is open circuit.

VTH

Terminals a b is open circuit, then no current flow through 6.

 VTH

VTH = V20
By using voltage divider :
20
VTH = 20 + 5
100

= 80 V

Step 3 : Short circuit the voltage source (Vs) and find the resistance RTH of the
network as seen from terminal a b.

RTH

RTH = ( 5 20 ) + 6
( 5 20 )
= ( 5+20 )
+ 6

= 10

Step 4 : Draw the Thevenin equivalent circuit and calculate the current, I.
RTH = 10

VTH RL = 12
80 V

RT = RTH + RL
= 10 + 12
= 22
 VTH
I = RT
80 V
=
22

= 3.64 A

Example 2 :

Using Thevenin Theorem, fine the current flowing through the resistor R4 in Figure 1.4 .
R2
60

R1 R3 R4
Is
300 90 288
30 mA

Figure 1.4

Solution :

Step 1 : Remove the resistance R4, open circuit at terminals a b.

R2
a
60

Is R1 R3
30 mA 300 90

Step 2 : Calculate the Thevenin Voltage (VTH) between terminals a b with that terminal
is open circuit.

I1

I2

VTH
 Using current divider concept :

( 300 )
I1 = ( 300 + 60+90 )
30 mA

= 0.02

VTH = (I1)(R3)
= (0.02)(90)
= 1.8 V

Step 3 : Open circuit the current source (Is) and find the resistance RTH of the
network as seen from terminal a b.

RTH

RTH = (300 + 60) 90

( 360 90 )
= ( 360 + 90 )

= 72

Step 4 : Draw the Thevenin equivalent circuit and calculate the current, IR4.

RTH = 72
RT = RTH + R4
I = 72 + 288
= 360
VTH R4
1.8 V 288
VTH
I =
RT
1.8 V
= 360

= 5 mA
Example 3 :

Use Thevenin Theorem to find the current flow through the resistance 4 of the circuit
shown in Figure 1.5.

8 7 5

+
20 V 6A 6 4

Figure 1.5

Solution :

Step 1 : Remove the resistance 4 , open circuit at terminals a b.

Step 2 : Calculate the Thevenin Voltage (VTH) between terminals a b with that terminal

is open circuit.

VTH
By Using nodal analysis :

V 20 V
6 + = 0
8 13
V 20 V
6 + = 0
8 8 13
V 20 V
6 + = 0
8 8 13
1 1 20
( + )V = 6 +
8 13 8

0.202 V = 8.5

V = 42.08 V

Therefore, the Thevenin voltage, VTH can be calculated by using voltage divider :
6
VTH = 6+ 7
42.08

VTH = 19.42 V

Step 3 : Short circuit the voltage source (Vs), open circuit the current source (Is) and
calculate the resistance RTH from terminal a b.

RTH

RTH = [ ( 8 + 7 ) 6 ] + 5
( 15 6 )
= + 5
( 15 + 6 )

= 9.29
Step 4 : Draw the Thevenin equivalent circuit and calculate the current, I4.

RTH = 9.29

VTH
19.42 V 4

VTH
I = (RTH +4)

19.42
=
13.29
= 1.46 A