Thvenins Theorem

A linear two-terminal circuit can be replaced with an equivalent

circuit of an ideal voltage source, VTh, in series with a resistor,

RTh.

VTh is equal to the open-circuit voltage at the terminals.

RTh is the equivalent or input resistance when the

independent sources in the linear circuit are turned off.
Thvenins Theorem
Linear circuit is a circuit where the voltage is directly
proportional to the current (i.e., Ohms Law is followed).

Two terminals are the 2 nodes/2 wires that can make a

connection between the circuit to the load.
 +
Voc
_

Open-circuit voltage Voc is the voltage, V, when the

load is an open circuit (i.e., RL = W).

VOC VTh
 Input resistance is the resistance seen by the load
when VTh = 0V.

It is also the resistance of the linear circuit when the

load is a short circuit (RL = 0W).

Rin RTh VTh iSC

When the sources are deactivated the circuit appears as in
Figure.

A
R1 R3
R2 R4

Now place an ohmmeter across A-B and read the resistance.

If R1= R2 = R4= 20 W and R3=10 W then the meter reads 10 W.

7/30/2016 6
Find VX by first finding VTH and RTH to the left of A-B.

12 W 4W A

+

30 V +
_ 6W 2W VX
_

B
First remove everything to the right of A-B.
12 W 4W A

(30)(6)
30 V +
_ 6W VAB 10V
6 12

B
7/30/2016 7
 We now deactivate the sources to the left of A-B and find the
resistance seen looking in these terminals.

12 W 4W A

RTH
6W

RTH = 12||6 + 4 = 8 W

7/30/2016 8
 RTH A

8W +
+
VTH _ 10 V 2W VX
_
B

(10)( 2)
VX 2V
28

7/30/2016 9
In some cases it may become tedious to find RTH by reducing the
resistive network with the sources deactivated. Consider the
following:
RTH A

VTH + ISS
_

VTH
RTH
I SS

7/30/2016 10
For the circuit in Figure, find RTH

12 W C 4W A

30 V +
_ 6W ISS

D B

The task now is to find ISS. One way to do this is to replace the
circuit to the left of C-D with a Thevenin voltage and Thevenin
resistance.

7/30/2016 11
 4W C 4W A

10 V +
_ ISS

D B

VTH 10
RTH 8W
I SS 10
8

7/30/2016 12
 Find the thevenins equivalent

1.5 A

5W
A
10 W

20 V _+ 20 W 17 W

We first find VTH with the 17 W resistor removed. Next we find
RTH by looking into terminals A-B with the sources deactivated.

7/30/2016 13
 1.5 A

5W
A
10 W

20 V _+ 20 W

20(20)
VOS VAB VTH (1.5)(10)
(20 5)
VTH 31V

7/30/2016 14
 5W
A
10 W
5(20)
RTH 10 14 W
20 W (5 20)

RTH A

14 W +
VTH +
_ 31 V 17 W VAB VAB 17V
_
B

7/30/2016 15
Find the voltage across the 100 W load resistor by first finding the
Thevenin circuit to the left of terminals A-B.

IS A

50 W 40 W
30 W
_+ 86 V
100 W

6 IS
B

7/30/2016 16
First remove the 100 W load resistor and find VAB = VTH to the left
of terminals A-B.
IS A

50 W 40 W
30 W
_+ 86 V

6 IS
B

86 80 I S 6 I S 0 I S 1 A
VAB 6 I S 30 I S 36V

7/30/2016 17
To find RTH we deactivate all independent sources but retain all
dependent sources

IS A

50 W 40 W
30 W RTH

6 IS
B

We cannot find RTH of the above circuit, as it stands. We must

apply either a voltage or current source at the load and
calculate the ratio of this voltage to current to find RTH.
7/30/2016 18
 IS 1A
Around the loop 1
50 W 40 W
30 W 50 I S 30( I S 1) 6 I S 0
IS + 1 V 1A
15
6 IS IS A
43

Using the outer loop, going in the cw direction, using drops;

IS 1A
15
50 W 40 W 50 1(40) V 0
43
30 W
IS + 1 V 1A=I
V 57.4 volts
6 IS
V V
RTH 57.4 W
7/30/2016
I 1 19
 RTH

57.4 W
36 x100
V100 22.9 V
VTH +_ 36 V 57.4 100
100 W

7/30/2016 20