Find V0, ISC, & RTH: Thevenin Equivalent Homework Soln

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the open circuit voltage (V0), short circuit current (ISC), and Thevenin resistance (RTH) for a given circuit. Participants explore various methods for calculating these parameters, including nodal analysis and series/parallel resistor combinations. The context is primarily homework-related, with participants seeking clarification and assistance on their approaches.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant calculated RTH as 20 ohms and V0 as 30V but expressed uncertainty about the correctness of these values.
  • Another participant pointed out that V0 cannot be 30V due to the potential divider effect of the 10 and 15 ohm resistors.
  • A suggestion was made to neglect the branch with the 30 ohm resistor and consider the 10 and 15 ohm resistors in series, but this approach was later deemed incorrect.
  • One participant proposed that V0 should be 6.67V, indicating a different calculation method.
  • There was a request for a detailed procedure for finding the Thevenin equivalent, highlighting a lack of understanding in the calculations performed.
  • Another participant reiterated the importance of following a systematic procedure for determining Thevenin voltage and resistance, emphasizing the need to suppress sources and analyze the circuit correctly.
  • One participant acknowledged confusion and a lack of understanding due to missed lectures, indicating a need for further study.
  • Another participant noted that both ISC and V0 values provided were incorrect and suggested looking into the potential divider circuit for clarification.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the values of V0, ISC, and RTH, with multiple competing views and methods presented throughout the discussion. The correctness of the calculations remains unresolved.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the participants' understanding of circuit analysis, particularly regarding the impact of the 30 ohm resistor and the application of the potential divider rule. Some assumptions made in calculations are not explicitly stated, leading to confusion.

jdawg
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Homework Statement


Find the open circuit voltage V0, short circuit current ISC, and RTH,

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


I found the equivalent resistance to be 20 ohms(just by combining resistors in parallel and series) and V0 to be 30V, which I think might be wrong.

I did a nodal analysis at VA :
(VA-30)/10 + (VA)/15 +(VA)/30 =0
VA=10V
ISC=(VA)/30 ISC=0.33A

Then I found RTH =30v/0.33A=90 ohms

Shouldn't my RTH = Req?
I'm not really sure what I did wrong.
 

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Inspecting the original circuit shows that the open circuit voltage Vo cannot be 30V due to the potential divider effect of the 10 and 15R.

When the output is open circuit what's the effect of the 30R?
 
Can you neglect the branch with the 30 ohm resistor? Could you then add the 10 and 15 ohm resistors in series?
 
Nevermind, adding the resistors in series didn't work I still got V0=30
 
Should V0=6.67V?
 
jdawg, can you write out the steps of the procedure for finding the Thevenin equivalent of a circuit? It seems that you're trying things at random and hoping to hit upon a correct result, which is never a good approach.
 
You caught me! Honestly I don't really know what I'm doing. I've missed the past few lectures and I have to submit this problem in about an hour so I'm desperate to get it finished.
What I did was take out the independent source and did series and parallel combinations to get RTH=20ohm. I was pretty confident about ISC being correct, so I used this formula to find VOC: RTH=(VOC)/(ISC) and found VOC=6.67
 
Your text should spell out the procedure.
In this case one method boils down to:

Thevenin Voltage:
1. Remove any load so the circuit is open.
2. Determine the voltage presented at the open terminals.

Thevenin Resistance:
1. Remove any load so the circuit is open.
2. Suppress all sources: Replace voltage sources with shorts, current sources with opens.
3. Determine the resistance of the circuit between the load connection points (the resistance from the load's point of view).
 
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jdawg said:
What I did was take out the independent source and did series and parallel combinations to get RTH=20ohm. I was pretty confident about ISC being correct, so I used this formula to find VOC: RTH=(VOC)/(ISC) and found VOC=6.67

Unfortunately your value for Is and Vo are both incorrect. Follow the procedure gneill posted in #8.

Regarding the open circuit voltage...

jdawg said:
Can you neglect the branch with the 30 ohm resistor? Could you then add the 10 and 15 ohm resistors in series?

You can't totally neglect the branch with the 30R but the fact that one end is open circuit does allow you to simplify the circuit. What would you replace the 30R with?

Then simply adding the 10 and 15R isn't sufficient to work out Vo. Look up potential divider circuit.
 
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  • #10
Oops... I completely messed up that assignment. Thanks for y'alls help, I'll have to come back to this problem after I watch the lectures.
 

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