Find the Thevenin Equivalent circuit

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the Thevenin equivalent circuit external to a load resistor (RL) using a series of resistors and a current source. The key calculations include determining the Thevenin resistance (Rth) as 7Ω and the Thevenin voltage (Vth) as 25V. Participants clarify the distinction between Thevenin and Norton equivalents and emphasize the importance of calculating the open-circuit voltage across terminals A and B when RL is absent. The final consensus confirms that the correct Thevenin equivalent is achieved through systematic calculations and source transformations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Thevenin's Theorem
  • Norton’s Theorem
  • Circuit analysis techniques
  • Basic understanding of resistors in series and parallel
NEXT STEPS
  • Learn about Thevenin and Norton equivalent circuits in-depth
  • Study source transformation techniques in circuit analysis
  • Explore simulation tools for circuit analysis, such as LTspice or Multisim
  • Review voltage divider and current divider rules
USEFUL FOR

Electrical engineering students, circuit designers, and professionals involved in circuit analysis and design who seek to understand Thevenin and Norton equivalents for simplifying complex circuits.

  • #31
The Electrician said:
I don't know where that value of 2.173 came from, so I can't explain. You'll have to tell me how you calculated I2.
R4 and R3 in parallel --> R* = 2*10/(2+10) = 5/3Ω
R* and R2 in series --> R total = 5/3 +5 = 20/3Ω
I1 = R total / (R total + R 1)* is
I1 = (20/3) / ((20/3)+5) * 5 = 2.857 A
Is = I1 + I2
I2 = 5 - 2.857 = 2.143 A
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #32
We got the value of 6.25 volts across R2 with RL removed. If RL is not there then R3 and R4 are not in parallel; R3 and R4 are only in parallel if RL is replaced with a short. You are trying to compare the voltage across R2 with RL removed to the voltage across R2 with RL replaced with a short. You can't expect the voltage in the two cases to be the same.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Fatima Hasan
  • #33
The Electrician said:
We got the value of 6.25 volts across R2 with RL removed. If RL is not there then R3 and R4 are not in parallel; R3 and R4 are only in parallel if RL is replaced with a short. You are trying to compare the voltage across R2 with RL removed to the voltage across R2 with RL replaced with a short. You can't expect the voltage in the two cases to be the same.
OK , Thank you for your help
 
  • #34
Since the OP has reached a correct result I can offer an alternative method to get to the solution.

You can use successive source transformations (essentially Norton to Thevenin or Thevenin to Norton transformations), working your way from left to right through the circuit while "absorbing" new resistances along the way. For example, you can convert the original current source and its parallel resistor to a voltage source with a series resistor:

upload_2018-3-16_15-57-28.png


As you can see, the "new" 5 Ω resistor can be combined with R2 into a single 10 Ω resistor and the result is a 25 V voltage source in series with 10 Ω. That pair can in turn be converted to its Norton equivalent of a current source in parallel with a resistor and you'll then find that its resistor will be in parallel with R3, so you can combine them. Continue in such a fashion until you've absorbed all the components into a single Thevenin or Norton model driving the load.
 

Attachments

  • upload_2018-3-16_15-57-28.png
    upload_2018-3-16_15-57-28.png
    4.3 KB · Views: 827
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Fatima Hasan and cnh1995
  • #35
gneill said:
Since the OP has reached a correct result I can offer an alternative method to get to the solution.

You can use successive source transformations (essentially Norton to Thevenin or Thevenin to Norton transformations), working your way from left to right through the circuit while "absorbing" new resistances along the way. For example, you can convert the original current source and its parallel resistor to a voltage source with a series resistor:

View attachment 222127

As you can see, the "new" 5 Ω resistor can be combined with R2 into a single 10 Ω resistor and the result is a 25 V voltage source in series with 10 Ω. That pair can in turn be converted to its Norton equivalent of a current source in parallel with a resistor and you'll then find that its resistor will be in parallel with R3, so you can combine them. Continue in such a fashion until you've absorbed all the components into a single Thevenin or Norton model driving the load.
Thanks for the explanation.
Can I know what software did you use to draw the circuits?
 
  • #36
Fatima Hasan said:
Thanks for the explanation.
Can I know what software did you use to draw the circuits?
I used an ancient copy of Microsoft Visio. Still works great for quickly putting together a drawing to accompany a physics problem.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 42 ·
2
Replies
42
Views
6K
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K