Find Thevenin equivalent, but off by a small amount

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the Thevenin equivalent circuit using source transformations. Participants explore various methods for calculating Thevenin voltage (Vth) and resistance (Rth), comparing their approaches and results.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant calculates Vth as 12.5V and Rth as 25Ω, but notes a discrepancy with the professor's solution of 10V for Vth.
  • Another participant asserts that the correct Vth should be 15V, questioning the addition of voltage sources in the same direction.
  • Some participants suggest converting voltage sources to current sources as an alternative approach, indicating it may simplify the analysis.
  • There is a discussion about the implications of using Kirchhoff's Current Law (KCL) after converting to a Norton equivalent, with one participant expressing difficulty in achieving consistent results.
  • Another participant emphasizes the importance of correctly accounting for voltage drops when calculating Vth, suggesting a formula adjustment that leads to a different value.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express disagreement on the correct value of Vth, with multiple competing views on the calculations and methods used. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the correct approach and final values.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight potential limitations in their calculations, including assumptions about voltage source interactions and the method of simplification used. There are unresolved mathematical steps and differing interpretations of circuit analysis principles.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students and practitioners in electrical engineering or circuit analysis, particularly those grappling with Thevenin and Norton equivalents and source transformations.

Color_of_Cyan
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Homework Statement


Apply source transformation to find the Thevenin equivalent circuit

Homework Equations



voltage division, source transformation

The Attempt at a Solution



Simplify the far left current source to get

Then Vth of this = (50V + 20V)*(100/200)

= 35V

and Rth of it = 100||100 = 50Ω

so now:Then Vth of this = (35V - 10V)*(100/150)

= 16.6667V

Rth of it = 50||100 = 33.333Ωso finally this:

And then the final Vth I got

= 16.6667*(100/133.3333)

VTh = 12.5V

but from the given solution from my professor the answer is really 10V for the Thevenin voltage and she did the whole problem differently by instead making everything Norton equivalent instead (changing voltage sources to current sources and moving the resistors in front to parallel them instead). Shouldn't the answer still be the same though or did I just make a mistake somewhere?

I got the same RTh though which is

33.333||100 = 25Ω

RTh = 25Ω
 
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Color_of_Cyan said:
Then Vth of this = (50V + 20V)*(100/200)= 35V
and Rth of it = 100||100 = 50Ω
This is not correct: V_{th}=15V
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Did you consider the option of first converting all the voltage sources to current sources? Can you see any advantage that might bring?
 
szynkasz said:
This is not correct: V_{th}=15V

So you can't add the voltage sources with each other in same direction here?

Here it's unique because even with that though I guess you would add 10V to the next simplification, thereby still getting 25V for the next simplification.


gneill said:
Did you consider the option of first converting all the voltage sources to current sources? Can you see any advantage that might bring?

No, but I see it; you do that and then just use KCL and still get Thevenin resistance / voltage. I just can't seem to get the same answer doing it this way though so I think I'm missing something.
 
Color_of_Cyan said:
No, but I see it; you do that and then just use KCL and still get Thevenin resistance / voltage. I just can't seem to get the same answer doing it this way though so I think I'm missing something.

Everything ends up in parallel. Just gather all the currents into one, gather all the resistors into one. You end up with a simple Norton model which can be converted to its Thevenin equivalent rather trivially.
 
Color_of_Cyan said:
So you can't add the voltage sources with each other in same direction here?

What you calculated is a voltage on resistor. To get V_{th} you have to subtract the source voltage :35V-20V=15V. The next simplification gives:

V_{th}=(15-10)\cdot\frac{100}{150}+10=\frac{40}{3}V
 
Last edited:
Color_of_Cyan said:
So you can't add the voltage sources with each other in same direction here?
If in doubt, work it out a couple of ways. If the answers don't match up, determine where your thinking is wrong.

Output voltage = 50V - the drop across the 100 Ω
The loop current = 70V / 200Ω, so output voltage = ...

Good luck with your circuit analysis course! :smile:
 

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