Thevenin Voltage Equivalents

Thevenin invented a model called a Thevenin Source for representing a complex circuit using
A single pseudo source A single pseudo resistance

The Thevenin source, Vth, with its associated resistance, Rth, looks to the load on the circuit like the actual complex combination of resistances and sources. This model can be used interchangeably with the more complex circuit when doing analysis.
1

The Function Generator Model

Rs 50 Vs VOFF = VAMPL = FREQ =


0

Recall that the function generator has an internal impedance of 50 Ohms. Could the internal circuitry of the function generator contain only a single source and one resistor? This is actually the Thevenin equivalent model for the circuit inside the function generator
2

Thevenin Model
Vs VOFF = VAMPL = FREQ = RL

0
Rs
Rth

Load Resistor
RL

Vth VOFF = VAMPL = FREQ =

Note:


We might also see a circuit with no load resistor, like this voltage divider.
R1 Vs VOFF = VAMPL = FREQ = R2

Rth

Thevenin Method
VOFF = VAMPL = FREQ =

A
Vth RL

B
0

Find Vth (open circuit voltage)

Remove load if there is one so that load is open Find voltage across the open load

Find Rth (Thevenin resistance)

Set voltage sources to zero (current sources to open) in effect, shut off the sources Find equivalent resistance from A to B
5

Find Vth


Remove Load

R1 Vo 0Vdc RL

R3
Vo

R1

R3

A
R2

B
R4

0Vdc

A
R2

B
R4

Find Vth


Let Vo=12, R1=2k, R2=4k, R3=3k, R4=1k 1k VB ! 12 ! 3V 1k  3k

4k VA ! 12 ! 8V 4k  2k Vth ! VA  VB ! 8  3 ! 5V
7

Find Rth


Short out the voltage source (turn it off) & redraw the circuit for clarity.
R1 R3

R1

R2

A
R2

B
R4

R3

R4

Find Rth


First find the parallel combinations of R1 & R2 and R3 & R4.

R1R2 4k 2 k 8k R12 ! ! ! ! 133k . R1  R2 4k  2k 6 R3R4 1k 3k 3k R34 ! ! ! ! 0.75k R3  R4 1k  3k 4



Then find the series combination of the results.

4 Rth ! R12  R34 !  3

9

3 . k ! 21k 4

Redraw Circuit as a Thevenin Source

Rth 2.1k Vth 5V

Then add any load and treat it as a voltage divider.

RL VL ! Vth Rth  RL
10

Thevenin Method Tricks

R

Note
When a short goes across a resistor, that resistor is replaced by a short. When a resistor connects to nothing, there will be no current through it and, thus, no voltage across it.
11

Thevenin Applet (see webpage)



Test your Thevenin skills using this applet from the links for Exp 3

12

Does this really work?



To confirm that the Thevenin method works, add a load and check the voltage across and current through the load to see that the answers agree whether the original circuit is used or its Thevenin equivalent. If you know the Thevenin equivalent, the circuit analysis becomes much simpler.
13

Thevenin Method Example



Checking the answer with PSpice

12.00V 5.000V R1 2k Vo RL 3.310V 7.448V 10k R2 4k R4 1k 5Vdc R3 3k Vth Rload 10k 2.1k 4.132V Rth

12Vdc

0
0V

Note the identical voltages across the load.

7.4 - 3.3 = 4.1 (only two significant digits in Rth)
14