Finding the Thevenin Equivalent Circuit for a Network with a Load Resistor

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icesalmon
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Homework Statement


I just want to check to see if my understanding in anything here has gaps.

Q: Find the Thevenin equivalent circuit for the network external to he load resistor ##R_L##:
Circuit schematic labelled (II): E1 = +12 V feeds R1 (1.1 kΩ) in series to a node; R2 (2.2 kΩ) runs from that node to ground; R3 (3.3 kΩ) continues to the right, then R (4.7 kΩ) in series down to E2 = −4 V.


Homework Equations


Ohm's Law: ## V = IR ##
Kirchoff's Voltage Law: Σ##V_{drops}## + Σ##V_{gains}## = 0
Kirchoff's Current Law: Σ##I_{closed loop}## = 0

The Attempt at a Solution


I started by redrawing the circuit as best as I could

For the thevenin resistance I removed ##R_L## with an open circuit and then short circuit the 12V source and place an ohm-meter at the open circuit where ##R_L## was removed:
Handwritten circuit sketch with resistors R1, R2, R3 and a 4V source, plus a circled R_L, annotated with blue current arrows and a red line, with partial handwritten equations below.

Calculating the thevenin resistance: I get ##R_{th} = ( R_1 // R_2 ) + R_3 = 4.04kΩ##

Placing the ##12V## source back in and calculating the thevenin voltage ##V_{th}## would be the voltage drop across the resistor ##R_2##.

Using superposition I can determine the effects each voltage source has on ##R_2##
starting by shorting out the ##4V## source I get the network on the left
Handwritten notes on lined paper showing circuit diagrams, resistor equations such as R123 = R1 + R2 + R3, Kirchhoff voltage sum equations, and the result Vth = 8V + 4V = 12V.

Since there is an open circuit where ##R_L## was removed current will not flow through that branch and I can calculate ##I'## by using KVL:
Σ##V_{drops}## = Σ##V_{gains}##: ## -12V + I_1R1 + I_1R2 = 0 ## ##I_1## => ##I_1'R_2## => ##V_{th}' = 8V##

Now removing the 12V Source ##E_1## and seeing that ##E_2## is in parallel with ##R_2## I can automatically determine ##V_th##'' to be ##E_2 = 4V##

From superposition: ##V_{th} = V_{th}' + V_{th}''## ##V_th = 8V + 4V = 12V##
 
Attachments
  • Circuit schematic labelled (II): E1 = +12 V feeds R1 (1.1 kΩ) in series to a node; R2 (2.2 kΩ) runs from that node to ground; R3 (3.3 kΩ) continues to the right, then R (4.7 kΩ) in series down to E2 = −4 V.
    thumbnail.jpg
    17.2 KB · Views: 724
  • Handwritten circuit sketch with resistors R1, R2, R3 and a 4V source, plus a circled R_L, annotated with blue current arrows and a red line, with partial handwritten equations below.
    thumbnail (2).jpg
    29.6 KB · Views: 542
  • Handwritten notes on lined paper showing circuit diagrams, resistor equations such as R123 = R1 + R2 + R3, Kirchhoff voltage sum equations, and the result Vth = 8V + 4V = 12V.
    thumbnail (1).jpg
    38.8 KB · Views: 513