Norton’s Theorem

Subject: Basic Electrical Engineering

 Norton’s Theorem
• The network in the box may contain any number of resistors and emf sources connected in any
manner. 

• But according to Norton, the entire circuit behind AB can be replaced by a current source IN in
parallel with a resistance RN. The resistance RN is the same as Thevenin resistance RTh. 
• The value of IN is determined as mentioned in Norton’s theorem.
• Once Norton’s equivalent circuit is determined [See Fig. 3.155 (ii)], then current in any load RL
connected across AB can be readily obtained.
Hence Norton’s theorem as applied to d.c. circuits may be stated as under : 

• Any linear, bilateral network having two terminals A and B can be replaced by a
current source of current output IN in parallel with a resistance RN. 
1. The output IN of the current source is equal to the current that would flow through AB when
A and B are short-circuited. 
2. The resistance RN is the resistance of the network measured between A and B with load
removed and the sources of emf replaced by their internal resistances. 
* [Ideal voltage sources are replaced with short circuits and Ideal current sources are replaced     
     with open circuits]

Norton’s Theorem is converse of Thevenin’s theorem. 

Norton equivalent circuit uses a current generator instead of voltage generator and the resistance
RN (which is the same as RTh) in parallel with the generator instead of being in series with it. 
 Procedure for Finding Norton Equivalent Circuit 
1. Open the two terminals (i.e. remove any load) between which we want to find Norton
equivalent circuit. 

2. Put a short-circuit across the terminals under consideration. Find the short-circuit current
flowing in the short circuit. It is called Norton current IN.
3.     Determine the resistance between the two open terminals with all ideal voltage sources shorted and all            ideal current
sources opened (a non-ideal source is replaced by its internal resistance). 
                                                                                                                     * R2 + (R1 II R3)

4.    It is called Norton’s resistance RN.   * RN = RTh. 

5.     Connect IN and RN in parallel to produce Norton equivalent circuit between the two terminals                           
under consideration.  

6.     Place the load resistor removed in step 

i.  across the terminals of the Norton equivalent circuit. 
ii. The load current IL can now be calculated by using current-divider rule. 
iii. This load current will be the same as the load current in the original circuit.
Problem 1: 
Find RN, IN, the current flowing through the load resistor using Norton’s Theorem.

Solution: 
Step 1: Calculate IN   
i. Short the 1.5Ω load resistor
ii. Two meshes formed 
iii. Let I1 and I2 be the current flowing in the two meshes 

Mesh 1: Apply KVL, Mesh 2: Apply KVL, Subtract Eq 2 from Eq 1, 

Replace 4Ω 12 – 2 I1 – 6 (I1 – 12) = 0  -6 (I2 – I1) - 3 I2 = 0 I1 = 3A
resistor with a 12 – 2 I1 – 6 I1 + 6 I2 = 0 -6 I2 + 6 I1 –3 I2 = 0 I2 = 2A
short circuit  12 - 8 I1 + 6 I2 = 0 6 I1 – 9 I 2 = 0 IN = I2 = 2A
8 I1 – 6 I2 = 12 2 I1 –3 I2 =0 --------
4 I1 – 3 I2 = 12--------(1) (2)  IN = 2A
Step 2: Calculate RN
* Open Current Sources, Short Voltage Sources and 
   Open Load Resistor.
         
                   

When we see from terminal AB towards the network,

3Ω resistor is in series with a parallel combination of 2Ω and
6Ω resistor

RN = 3 + (2 II 6 ) 
RN = 3 + [2x6/(2+6)]

RN = 4.5Ω
Step 3: Norton's Equivalent Circuit
                                                
                                          Connect the RN in Parallel with Current Source IN
                                                      and re-connect the load resistor.               

Step 4 : Calculate IL          

                             IN                I L         From current division formula, 
                                                              IL = IN x 4.5/(4.5 + 1.5)
                                                              IL = 2 x 4.5 / 6
IN =
                                                               IL = 1.5Ω
Problem 2:
By Norton's theorem, find the current in 4 Ω resistor in the network shown 

Solution:
Step 1: Calculate IN
IN =  I 3

IN

IN
No. of meshes = 3 I1 I2 I3
Replace 4Ω
resistor with a
short circuit 
Mesh l, current source of 5A is in the direction of mesh current Il. 
                        So, I1 = 5 A                                  (1) 
Mesh 2 and 3 forms a supermesh, 
Writing the current equation, 
                        (I3 – I2) = 2                                   (2)
Writing the voltage equation,                          
IN
                    -6 - 2(I2 – I1) = 0  I1 I3
                        2I1 – 2I2 = 6         I2
                          I1 – I2 = 3
                          5 - I2 = 3
                            I2 = 2A
Substitue the value of I2 in eqn 2,
                        I1 = 5A
                        I2 = 2A                       
                        I3 = 4A  IN = 4A
                       But,  IN = I3 = 4 A
Step 2: Calculate RN 
* Voltage source  is Short Circuit
 Short Circuit    Current source Open Circuit

Open Circuit RN Circuit

Open
RN = RAB = 2 Ω 

IL = 1.33 A
Step 3: Calculate IL

From current division formula,

IL = IN x 2 / (2 + 4)
IL = 4 x 2 / (2 + 4)
IL = 1.33 A
IL = 1.33 A
Problem 3: 
By Norton's theorem, find the current in 5 Ω resistor in the network shown 

Solution:
Step 1: Calculate IN
Current source transformed
into voltage source
Mesh 1:  I1 = 6A __________(1)

Mesh 2: Apply KVL,

10 – 6 I2 –10 (I2 – I3) - 2 I2 = 0
10 - 6 I2 –10 I2 + 10 I3 - 2 I2 = 0
10 – 18 I2 + 10 I3 = 0 
18 I2 – 10 I3 =10 ________ (2)

Mesh 3: Apply KVL,

-10 (I3 – I2) -6 I3 –12 – 3 I3 –4 I3 = 0
-10 I3 + 10 I2 -6 I3 –12 – 3 I3 –4 I3 = 0
10 I2 – 23 I3 = 12 __________(3) 
From eqn 2 & 3, IN = 5.65 A
I2 = 0.35 A 
IN = I3 - I2 = 5.65 A
Step 2: Calculate RN

RN = 13.65Ω
Step 3: Calculate IL

From current division formula,

IL = IN x 13.65 / (13.65 + 5)
IL = 5.65 x 13.65 / (13.65 + 5)
IL = 4.14 A

IL = 4.14A
Problem 4: 
Obtain Norton's equivalent circuit across A and B as shown 

Solution:
Step 1: Calculate IN

I1 I2 I3
Mesh 1: Apply KVL, 
  10 –2 (I1 – I2) -5 I1 = 0
  10 –2 I1 + 2 I2 -5 I1 = 0
  10 –7 I1 + 2 I2 = 0
  7 I1 - 2 I2 = 10 _________(1)
Mesh 2: Apply KVL, 
-2 (I2 –I1) - 1 (I2 – I3) = 0
-2 I2 + 2I1 - 1 I2 + 1 I3 = 0
2 I1 – 3 I2 + 1 I3 = 0  ___________(2) IN = - I2
Mesh 3: Apply KVL, IN = - 1.74 A

- 1 (I3 –I2) + 5 – 4 I3 = 0 
- 1 I3 + 1 I2 + 5 – 4 I3 = 0
 1 I2 –5 I3 = -5 ___________(3)
From eqn 1, 2 & 3,
I1 = 1.92 A
I2 = 1.73 A
I3 = 1.38 A
Step 2: Calculate RN

RN = RAB = 1.43 + 0.8 = 2.23 Ω

5Ω II 2Ω  4Ω II 4Ω 

RN = 2.23 Ω
Step 3: Norton's equivalent circuit