How Do You Calculate Norton's Current in a Complex Circuit?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating Norton's current in a complex circuit, specifically addressing the challenges posed by a floating voltage source and the lack of a clear reference point. Participants explore the implications of these factors on finding the Norton's equivalent, focusing on the theoretical and practical aspects of circuit analysis.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant calculates Norton's resistance as RN=1.58kΩ but expresses confusion about how to handle the +16V variable in the circuit.
  • Another participant points out that the circuit lacks a ground or common connection, rendering the 16V designation meaningless and questioning the implications for current flow.
  • Some participants note that the Norton equivalent is typically applicable to a 2-terminal network, and express concern that the circuit only has one terminal without clear points for equivalence.
  • There is a suggestion that the bottom rail could be assumed as ground, but this assumption is contested by others who argue that without a common return label, such assumptions are not valid.
  • One participant emphasizes the need for context in interpreting the diagram and suggests waiting for the original poster to provide additional information.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the challenges posed by the lack of a reference point and the implications for calculating Norton's current. However, there is disagreement on whether the bottom rail can be assumed as ground, and the discussion remains unresolved regarding how to approach the circuit analysis without additional context.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights limitations related to missing assumptions about the circuit's reference points and the implications of treating the voltage source as floating. The lack of clarity in the problem statement regarding terminal connections also contributes to the uncertainty in the analysis.

johnsy1312
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Find the Norton's equivalent for the following circuit attached







I have found the Norton's resistance:
RN=\frac{1}{1/5.6 + 1/2.2}=1.58k\Omega
I am confused on how to approach finding the current because of the +16v variable, what do i do with that variable? do i just treat that as any other voltage source? Is there another way i could draw that to make things more familiar?
 

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The circuit doesn't show any ground (or common) connection, and so is just "floating" off the end of a supposed 16 V potential for which we have no reference point. No reference point makes the 16 V designation meaningless.

It also means there's no path from any part the circuit under study back to the "bottom" of the alleged 16 V source. What does that tell you about the current in that leg (the 2.2 K + 16 V leg) and its influence on the circuit?
 
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Yah - the Norton equivalent is for a 2-terminal network.
This network only has one.

The problem statement does not even say which two points to take for the equivalent.
 
Simon Bridge said:
Yah - the Norton equivalent is for a 2-terminal network.
This network only has one.

The problem statement does not even say which two points to take for the equivalent.

Presumably the R between the two "terminal connection" circles is to be taken as the load, so as a stand-alone subcircuit a Norton equivalent is viable (and trivial!).
 
Hmm-hmmm... could also assume the bottom rail is ground.
This makes the voltage note as one end of a voltage supply.
Then it is not clear of the supply is to be part of the equivalent.

With nothing else to go on I'd ignore the voltage note to find the Norton.
Which does leave the R as the load yep.
 
Simon Bridge said:
Hmm-hmmm... could also assume the bottom rail is ground.
This makes the voltage note as one end of a voltage supply.
Then it is not clear of the supply is to be part of the equivalent.
I would disagree with being able to assume the shown bottom rail is ground. If you have labels for external sources then you must have labels for the common return. One without the other is not correct as the choice of which node to make common is actually arbitrary despite the temptation to make the assumption based on recognizing a familiar pattern in the drawing layout.

The only correct assumption one can make from the diagram as given is that the subcircuit is floating without a return path for the "16 V leg".
 
Yes, I agree that would be "correct" from the available data.
What is "correct" and what I would do are sometimes different things.
We need context for the diagram don't we?
Lets let OP fill in the gaps ;)
 

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