Source Transformations

Although we have the node-voltage and mesh-current methods

techniques for solving circuits, we are still interested in methods that
can be used to simplify circuits.

Series-parallel reductions and ∆-to-Y transformations are some

simplification methods that we already seen.

We add Source Transformation as one of the simplification methods.

In source transformation a voltage source in series with a resistor can

be replaced by a current source in parallel with the same resistor or
vice versa for the sake of simplifying a circuit.
 Source transformation

These two circuits are equivalent as

long as the resistances are equal and
if the voltage source and current
source are related by

Note that the polarities of the

sources with respect to the terminals
is important. The current source
arrow should be pointing in the same
direction as the voltage source’s
current.
Voltage source - current source conversion

These are the formulas you need

to convert one to another
Current source - Voltage source conversion

These are the formulas you

need to convert one to
another
Other Useful Transformations:
Voltage sources in series can be replaced by a single
voltage source, where the value of the equivalent source is
equal to the algebraic sum of the voltage sources it is
replacing. A

+
v2
- A

- +
v1
+
~ v2-v1
-

B B
Current sources in parallel can be replaced by a single
current source, where the value of the equivalent
source is equal to the algebraic sum of the current
sources it is replacing

A A

i2 i1
~ i2-i1

B B
Example:
Use source transformations and resistor reductions to
simplify the circuit and finally find the voltage vm

Note that parallel current sources can be added.

And, similarly series voltage sources can be added.
Note that when we convert the voltage source shown into a
current source, we need to note the polarity. The current source
arrow will be facing down!
6 || 12 = 72/18= 4 [ ]
Convert back this into a voltage source

V=IR=8/3[V]

Note that + terminal is at the bottom

We can rearrange series elements

These voltage sources can be added

Finally, we do a final source transformation and convert
voltage source into a current source. This will allow us to add
the 2A current source and simplify
4 || 12 = 3 [ ]
We can then add the current source together

As can be seen, they are in different direction, so

there will be a subtraction.

Since, 8/3[A] is greater than 2[A], the result will be

8/3 – 6/3 = 2/3 [A] going downwards direction.

The voltage Vm can be calculated as

Vm= - 2/3 [A]*3[ = -2 [V]

Note the minus (-) sign. This is due to the fact

that current source enters from bottom part of
the resistor and hence creates a voltage in
opposite direction.
Source Transformation with Dependent Sources:

These equivalent circuits hold for dependent sources as well.

However, make sure the the dependent variable will be kept
in the circuit when doing the conversion.

Make sure these (dependent variable vx) remain

intact.
Example
Calculate the current thru 2 Ohm resistor by making
use of source transformations to simplify the circuit
given below.

Note that we need to not touch the 2 Ohm resistor as it has the
independent variable Vx on it.
We can start with current source to voltage source transformation
since the voltage source’s series resistance can later be combined
with 4 Ohm resistance.
Then, we may want to convert the new voltage source into a current source
since once we obtain the current source, its parallel resistance can be
combined with the 7 Ohm resistance

We may also combine 17 ohm and 9 ohm resistors

We may want to now convert current source to a voltage source, since it
becomes easier to deal with voltage source in a series circuit.
The current I can now be found via KVL:
(We go clockwise in summing these voltages to zero)

-7.5 + 3.5 I - 51Vx+ 28 I + 9=0

Insert Vx= 2 I

 I =21.3 [mA]
Problem:
Use source transformations to solve for the current iX.

vS1=
5[V] R 1=
27[]
-

+
R 2= R 3=
56[] 39[]

-
vS2= iS1= R 5=
R 4= iX
12[V] + 0.5[A] 22[]
11[]
 vS1=
5[V] R 1=
27[]
-

+
R 2= R 3=
56[] 39[]

-
vS2= iS1= R 5=
R 4= iX
12[V] + 0.5[A] 22[]
11[]

vS1=
5[V] R1=
27[]
-
+

R3=
39[]

iS2=
12[V]/56[]=
0.21[A]
R2= iS1= R5=
R 4= iX
56[] 0.5[A] 22[]
11[]
 vS1=
5[V] R1=
27[]
-

+
R3=
39[]

iS2=
12[V]/56[]=
0.21[A]
R2= iS1= R5=
R 4= iX
56[] 0.5[A] 22[]
11[]

We will combine these 2 current sources

Now I have 0.5-0.21=0.29[A] is going upwards

direction

I will also have 56 || 11 combined into one

resistor
 vS1=
5[V] R1=
27[]
-

+
R3=
39[]

iS2=
12[V]/56[]=
0.21[A]
R2= iS1= R5=
R 4= iX
56[] 0.5[A] 22[]
11[]

vS1=
5[V] R1=
27[]
-
+

R3=
39[]

iS3= R5=
R 6= iX
0.29[A] 22[]
9.2[]
 vS1=
5[V] R1=
27[]
-

+
R3=
39[]

iS3=
iX
R5= Which one
0.29[A] R 6= 22[]
9.2[] below is the
correct one?
vS1=
5[V] R1= vS1=
27[] 5[V] R 1=
- 27[]
+

+
R6= R3=
9.2[] 39[] R6= R3=
9.2[] 39[]

+ +
vS3= R5= vS3=
2.7[V] iX R 5=
22[] 2.7[V] iX
- 22[]
-
 vS1=
5[V] R1=
27[]
-

+
R3=
39[]

iS3=
iX
R5= The one on the
0.29[A] R 6= 22[]
9.2[] right is correct

vS1=
5[V] R1= vS1=
27[] 5[V] R 1=
- 27[]
+

+
R6= R3=
9.2[] 39[] R6= R3=
9.2[] 39[]

+ +
vS3= R5= vS3=
2.7[V] iX R 5=
22[] 2.7[V] iX
- 22[]
-
 vS1=
5[V] R 1=
27[]
-

+
R6= R3=
9.2[] 39[]

+
vS3=

-
2.7[V] iX
R 5=
22[] Which one is
the correct one?

iS4=5[V]/27[]= iS4=5[V]/27[]=
0.185[A] 0.185[A]

R1= R1=
R 6= 27[] R 6= 27[]
9.2[] 9.2[]

R3= R3=
39[] 39[]
+ vS3= +
iX R 5= vS3=
2.7[V] iX R 5=
22[] 2.7[V]
- 22[]
-
 vS1=
5[V] R 1=
27[]
-

+
R6= R3=
9.2[] 39[]

The one on the

+
vS3=
2.7[V] iX
R 5=
22[]
left is correct
-

Both sources’ current should

be in same direction

iS4=5[V]/27[]=
0.185[A]
iS4=5[V]/27[]=
0.185[A]
R1=
R 6= 27[]
9.2[] R1=
R 6= 27[]
9.2[]
R3=
39[] R3=
+ vS3=
R 5= 39[]
2.7[V] iX +
22[] vS3=
- iX R 5=
2.7[V]
22[]
-
 iS4=5[V]/27[]=
0.185[A]

R 6=
R1=
27[]
27 || 39 = 16 []
9.2[]

R3=
39[]
+ vS3=
iX R 5=
2.7[V]
22[]
-

R 6= iS4= 0.185[A]
9.2[]

R7=
16[]
+ vS3=
iX R 5=
2.7[V]
22[]
-
 R 6=
9.2[]
iS4= 0.185[A]
When we convert current
source to voltage source,
R7=
+
16[] we make sure that they
vS3=
2.7[V] iX R 5=
22[]
emit current in the same
-
direction!

vS4=
(0.185[A])(16[])=
R6= R7= 3.0[V]
9.2[] 16[]
-

+
+ vS3=
iX R5=
2.7[V]
22[]
-
 vS4=
(0.185[A])(16[])=
R6= R7= 3.0[V]
9.2[] 16[]
-

+
+ vS3=
iX R5=
2.7[V]
22[]
-

Find the current ix

R 8=
25.2[]

+
vS4= R5=
-0.3[V] iX 22[]
-
 R 8=
25.2[]

+
vS4= R5=
-0.3[V] iX 22[]
-

vS 4 0.3[V]
iX   
R8  R5 25.2[]  22[]
iX  6.4[mA].