# Thevenin Equivalent Resistance for a Black Box

1. Mar 21, 2009

### jmcmillian

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
I am trying to find the theoretical Thevenin equivalent resistance for a black box that I used in an experiment. The measured Thevenin equivalent resistance was roughly 4786$$\Omega$$. However, I have tried several times to solve the problem, but keep arriving at a theoretical value of around 3511$$\Omega$$. That just seems to be a little too low...

I have attached the circuit schematic, with resistor values included.
Could someone please look at the problem and see if I am on the right track. If so, any pointers on how I should finish it?

2. Relevant equations
R$$_{Th}$$= V$$_{Th}$$/I$$_{sc}$$
Resistors in Parallel: R$$_{eq}$$= (1/R$$_{1}$$+...+1/R$$_{n}$$)$$^{-1}$$
Resistors in Series: R$$_{eq}$$=R$$_{1}$$+...+R$$_{n}$$
Y to Delta Transformation:
3. The attempt at a solution
STEP ONE: R2, R3 in parallel
R23 = [(1/R2)+(1/R3)]^-1 = [(1/9.97k$$\Omega$$)+(1/1.001k$$\Omega$$)]^-1 = .9096k$$\Omega$$

STEP TWO: R23 IN SERIES WITH R5
R235 = R23 + R5 = .9096k$$\Omega$$ + 10.0k$$\Omega$$ = 10.9096k$$\Omega$$

STEP THREE: Y TO $$\Delta$$ TRANSFORM R4, R6, R7
Rc = [(R4*R6)+(R4*R7)+(R6*R7)]/R4 = 24.95k$$\Omega$$
Ra = [(R4*R6)+(R4*R7)+(R6*R7)]/R6 = 24.85k$$\Omega$$
Rb = [(R4*R6)+(R4*R7)+(R6*R7)]/R7 = 12.39k$$\Omega$$

STEP FOUR: Rc PARALLEL to R235
[(1/24.95k$$\Omega$$ )+(1/10.9096$$\Omega$$ )]^-1 = 7.59k$$\Omega$$

From here, I have tried different combinations of source transformations, converting the delta back to a Y, etc. to try and get an equivalent resistance.

#### Attached Files:

• ###### theveninpf.jpg
File size:
16.4 KB
Views:
174
2. Mar 21, 2009

### The Electrician

If you post your image on a free image hosting site, and put the link here, we won't have to wait for the attachment you already posted to be approved.

3. Mar 21, 2009

### jmcmillian

Thanks for the tip. I've uploaded it:

http://www.mountainescapesproperties.com/theveninpf.jpg" [Broken]

Last edited by a moderator: May 4, 2017
4. Mar 21, 2009

### The Electrician

Have you studied any of the general network solution techniques, such as the nodal method or the loop method?

If you were to use the nodal method, you only have 3 nodes in this circuit, and the solution would be fairly straightforward.

You are assuming the DC voltage source has zero internal resistance, right?

5. Mar 21, 2009

### The Electrician

By the way, notice that R2, R3 and R4 are all three in parallel. If you replace then by their equivalent, and replace R5 and R6 by an equivalent, you will have a simple ladder network. You can then work that out very easily, without any need for delta-y or similar transformations.

6. Mar 21, 2009

### The Electrician

I get 3784.959 for the theoretical value.

I assume you got your measured value in the lab with a simple ohmmeter measurement. Did you remember to replace the DC voltage with a short circuit before you made your measurement?

7. Mar 21, 2009