Version 1.0, August 31, 2001, Copyright, Hugh Jack 1993-2001

3.2 THEVENIN AND NORTON EQUIVALENTS

 

· A sometimes useful transformation is based on the equivalence of certain circuit elements,

 

 

· We can use this to test an unknown circuit for open circuit voltage, and short circuit current, and then replace it with an equivalent circuit.

  1. 1. Measure open circuit voltage Vs
  2. 2. Measure short circuit current Is
  3. 3.a) If using a Thevenin equivalent calculate, Rs = Vs/Is
  4. 3.b) If using a Norton equivalent calculate, Rs = Vs/Is
  5. 4. Draw the appropriate circuit.
  6. * note the resistor values are the same for both circuits.

 

· We can also use the Thevenin/Norton transformation to simplify circuits. Consider example 4.13 from [Nilsson].

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.2.1 Superposition

3.2.2 Maximum Power Transfer