Delta-to-Star Resistance Transformation

Resistances are not always connected in series, parallel or series-

parallel. Hence, some methods must be applied to simplify the
complicated resistive network. For delta-connected resistances,
their star-equivalent resistance equations are as follows:
L1 -to-Y Equations
ra =
R1 ra R1xR2/R1+R2+R3
R2
rb =
R2xR3/R1+R2+R3
rc R3 rb
L2 rc =
R1xR3/R1+R2+R3
L3
 Delta-to-Star Resistance Transformation
Find the equivalent resistance of the resistive network shown below.
If the supply voltage is 25V, what is the power supplied
to the resistive network? 2k

4k 4k

+ Vs =
1.4k 1.2k
 25V
200 1k

Ans.: Req = 2.5k , P = 0.25W = 250mW

Delta-to-Star Resistance Transformation
ra = (2 x 4)k2/(2+4+4)k = 0.8k ; rb = (2x4)k2/10k = 0.8k
and rc = (4x4)k2/10k = 1.6k
Now rb is in series with 1.2k and 1k , that is the total branch
resistance is 0.8k+1.2k + 1k = 3k. Similarly, rc is in series
with 1.4k and the total branch
2k resistance is 1.6k + 1.4k =
3k.
ra rb

B rc
A C
4k 4k
+ Vs =
1.4k 1.2k
 25V
200 1k
Find the resultant resistance of the two parallel connected resistances
ie Req = ½ x 3k = 1.5k (both branches have equal resistances)
Thus, total series resistance RT = ra + Req+ 0.2k ie
RT = 0.8k + 1.5k + 0.2k = 2.5k
I
ra = 0.8k

Current I = Vs / RT = 25V / 2.5k = 10mA

Vs =
25V 3k 3k Therefore, power supplied to the resistive
network Ps = Vs I = 25V x 10mA = 0.25W
ie Ps = 250mW

0.2k
The given resistive network can be redrawn as shown below.

I A
2k
k  
4
4k
B C

Vs =
25V
1.2k

1.4k

1k
0.2k
OBJECTIVES:
At the end of the lessons on Network Theorems, students should be
able to:
Understand the need to apply Mesh Analysis Technique instead of
KVL and KCL to solve either two or three-mesh resistive electrical
circuit problems.
Know how to use the step-by-step method to analyse complicated
resistive networks with multiple DC energy sources.
Apply Cramer’s Rule to solve 2x2 or 3x3 matrix equations of
complicated resistive networks.
Compare the main differences between Mesh Analysis Technique
and Thevenin’s Theorem when using them to solve the same resistive
network problems.
 NETWORK THEOREMS
Mesh Analysis Technique and Thevenin’s Theorem are two of
the several network theorems that can be used to solve complicated
resistive networks consisting of two or three meshes. Generally, the
meshes may contain one or more energy sources or none.
For a two-mesh network, apply the following four steps:
1. Assign all the mesh currents either in the clockwise or
counterclockwise (anti-clockwise) direction. For a start, take them
to be clockwise.
2. Add all the resistances of the first mesh and multiply the sum
with the considered mesh current ie mesh current I1.
3. Subtract the product of Step 2 from the adjacent mesh current ie
mesh current I2 times the common resistance shared by I1 and I2.
4. Equate the difference of Steps 1 & 2 with the resultant voltage
rise of the first mesh if any. Repeat Steps 2 to 4 for Mesh 2.
 Mesh Analysis Technique
It is a very mathematical and simple technique to apply. The example
below shows you how it can be applied to solve for the actual current
flowing in the 800 common resistor.

1.2k 2.2k

+ V1 = V2 = +
800
– 15V –
12V
2k 1k

Find the current flowing in the 800 resistor using the Mesh
Analysis Technique.
 1.2k 2.2k

+ V1 = I2 V2 = +
I1 800
– 12V 15V –
2k 1k

1. Assign the Mesh Currents I1 and I2 as shown above.

2. Apply Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law (KVL) to Meshes 1 & 2.
Mesh 1: I1(1.2 + 0.8 + 2) k – 0.8k I2 = 12V
4k I1 – 0.8k I2 = 12V ……………...
Mesh 2: –0.8k I1 + I2(0.8 + 2.2 + 1 )k = –15V
–0.8k I1 + 4k I2 = –15V ……………..
Note: When the assumed mesh current emerges from the positive
(+) terminal of the energy source it takes the positive sign, that is a
positive voltage rise (+ V) and vice versa. ( Rule of Thumb)
Apply Cramer’s Rule to the 2 x 2 matrix to find the determinant .
Determinant  = 4k - 0.8k = (4k x 4k) – (–0.8k)2

- 0.8k 4k = (16 – 0.64)k2 = 15.36k2
Mesh Current I1 =  I1 /  = 12 -0.8k = (48k) – (15 x 0.8k)
 -15 4k  15.36k2 = 15.36k2
 I1 = (48k – 12k) / 15.36k2 = 2.344mA
Likewise,
Mesh Current I2 =  I2 /  = 4k 12 = (–4k x –15) –(– 0.8k x12)
 –.8k -15  15.36k2 = 15.36k2
 I2 = (–60k + 9.6k) / 15.36k2 = –3.281mA
 Thevenin’s Theorem
The same electrical circuit for Mesh Analysis will now be used to
determine the current I 800 using Thevenin’s Theorem.
Following are the steps:
1. Open circuit the 800 resistor.
2. Short-circuit the two energy sources (only on paper!) and find
Thevenin’s equivalent resistance RTH.

RTH = Product / Sum (in this case)

3.2k 3.2k RTH = (3.2 x 3.2) k2 / (3.2 +3.2)k

RTH = 1.6k OR
+ + RTH = 1/2(3.2k)* = 1.6k
shorted shorted
– –
NB: *For two or more identical
To find RTH parallel connected resistors.
3. Now find the Thevenin’s open-circuit voltage ( V o.c. ) by
applying KVL to the two parallel-connected branches with their
respective energy sources.
Applying KVL to the closed circuit :
I (3.2 + 3.2 )k = (15 - 12 ) V = 3V
I 6.4k I = 3V
3.2k 3.2k  I = 3V / 6k  0.469mA
V o.c.
V o.c. = 12V + (3.2k x 0.469mA)
+ +
12V 15V ie V o.c. = 12V + 1.5V = 13.5V
– –
Similarly,
To find VTH (V o.c. ) V o.c. = 15V - (3.2k x 0.469mA) ie
V o.c. = 15V - 1.5V = 13.5V
Note: The 15V energy source drives
the 12V energy source.
Sketch the Thevenin’s equivalent circuit with the load resistor and
find the current I using Ohm’s Law.

Using Ohm’s Law:

I
Current I = VTH / (RTH + 800)
RTH =
1.6k 800  I = 13.5V / (1.6k + 0.8k )
+ VTH = I = 13.5V / 2.4k
– 13.5V I = 5.625mA

Thevenin’s Equivalent
Circuit & Load Resistor
 NETWORK THEOREMS
Find the current flowing in the 4k resistor using the Mesh
Analysis Technique and Thevenin’s Theorem. Determine also the
power supplied to the resistive network.

2k
1k 3k
+ 4k
– 24V
+
12V
–
–
+ 6V 5k 5k
6k
 2k
1k I2 3k
+ 4k
24V
–
+
12V –
– I1
6V + 5k I3 5k
6k

Applying KVL to each of the three meshes according to the

assigned mesh currents:
Mesh 1: I1 (1 + 5)k – 1k I2 – 5k I3 = –6 + 12 + 24
 6k I1 – k I2 – 5k I3 = 30
……………………. Mesh 2: – 1k I1 + (1 + 2 + 3 + 4)k I2 – 4k
Mesh 2: –k I1 + 10k I2 – 4k I3 = 0 ………………………..
Mesh 3: –5k I1 – 4k I2 + (4 + 5 + 6 + 5)k I3 = 0
 –5k I1 – 4k I2 + 20k I3 = 0 ………………………...
Determinant  = 6k -k -5k 6k -k
 -k 10k -4k -k 10k
 -5k -4k 20k -5k -4k 
 = [(6 x 10 x 20)k3 + (-1 x 4 x
5)k3 + (-5 x 1 x 4)k3 –  [(5 x 10 x 5)k3 + (4 x 4 x
6)k3 + (20k3)]  = (1200k3 – 20k3 - 20k3 ) –
(250k3 + 96k3 + 20k3)  = 1160k3 – 366k3 =
794k3
I1 = 30 -k -5k 30 -k
 0 10k -4k 0 10k
794k3  0 -4k
20k 0 -4k  I1 = (6000k2 –
480k2 ) / 794k3 = 5520k2 / 794k3 
 I2 = 6k 30 -5k 6k 30
 -k 0 -4k -k 0 794k3
 -5k 0 20k -5k 0
 = 600k2 – (–600k2 ) / 794k3 = 1200k2 /
794k3  = 1.511mA
I3 = 6k -k 30 6k -k
 -k 10k 0 -k 10k 794k3
 -5k -4k 0 -5k -4k
 = 120k2 – (– 1500k2) / 794k3 = 1620k2 /
794k3  = 2.04mA
 I4k = I2 – I3 = 1.511mA – 2.04mA = –0.529mA
Note: The negative sign ( - ) shows that the current I 4k should
be flowing in the opposite direction.
Step3 of the 4-step procedure for two-mesh network is slightly
modified to take into account one more adjacent mesh current of the
third mesh.
The current flowing in the 4k common resistor of the 3-mesh
network can also be solved using Thevenin’s Theorem.
Step 1: Short-circuit the energy sources (on paper only! ). Open-
circuit the 4k resistor and sketch the resultant resistive
network.
Step 2: Determine the Thevenin’s equivalent resistance looking
from the open-circuited end.

1k 2k 3k

A B
5k 5k 6k

Req1 Req2
A B
Req1 = Product / Sum = 1 x 5 (k)2 / (1 + 5)k = 0.833k Req2
= 5 x 11 / (5 + 11)k = 3.4375k 
RTH = Req1 + Req2 = 4.2708k
Step 3: Replace the equivalent energy source and determine VTH
with the 4k still open-circuited. Using Voltage Divider
Rule:
2k V1 = 30V x 1/6 = 5V
V1 1k V3 3k V3 = 30V x 5/16 =
V3 = 9.375V
+ A B
 VTH = V3 - V1 =
VTH
– 30V +
VTH = 9.375V - 5V =
V2 5k V4 5k i.e. VTH = 4.375V
Likewise,
6k V2 = 30V x 5/6 = 25V
V4 = 30V x 11/16 =
V2 – V4 = V o.c. = VTH = 25V – 20.625V = 4.375V
Now, sketch the Thevenin’s equivalent circuit with the load
resistor and calculate the current I using Ohm’s Law.
I
Using Ohm’s Law:
Current I = VTH / (RTH + 4k)
RTH = ie I = 4.375V / (4.2708 + 4)k
4.2708k  I = 0.529mA
4k
+
VTH = 4.375V
-

Thevenin’s Equivalent
Circuit & Load Resistor
Applying delta-to-star transformation to the top half resistive
network gives:
ra = 1x5(k)2 / 10k = 0.5k ; rb = 5x4/10 [k] = 2k ;
rc = 1x4/10 [k] = 0.4k
I

ra 2k
1k 3k
rb
rc 4k
Vs = +
30V –

5k 5k
6k
 I
 Find equivalent resistance of series-
ra = parallel connected resistive network
Req = (5.4 x 13) / (5.4 + 13) [k]
0.5k
Req = 3.815k
 RT = ra + Req = (0.5 + 3.815) k
i.e. RT = 4.315k
rc = rb =
Thus PVs = Vs I where
0.4k 2k
Current I = Vs / RT = 30V /
Req 4.315k i.e. I = 6.952mA
 PVs = 30V x 6.952mA
 0.2086W or PVs  208.6mW
5k 11k
Note:
PVs = (Vs )2 / RT = (30V)2 / 4.315k
Simplified Circuit i.e. PVs  208.6mW