# Thevenins equivalent for an AC circuit

1. May 19, 2012

### stef6987

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

Just before reading, i am posting this as this question seemed way to easy to solve in my assignment, problems aren't usually this easy ! haha.
I need to find V0, i originally just found the voltage at that node using KCL which was straight forward, but in my lecture notes the lecturer added a voltage source inbetween the two terminal, but he was trying to find thevenins equiv voltage, my question is, should i be adding the vth (or vo whatever you want to call it) voltage source between the terminals where v0 is and have a current going upwards (ith) in this case and solve for vth or vo? or can i just find the voltage at that node

2. Relevant equations

3. The attempt at a solution
I just took kcl at the vo node and got this:
V/(j754) + 2(ix) + (V-(16∠45°))/(-j53.05)) = 0?

If i was to add the voltage source between the terminals, my KCL equation would be the same except instead of it equalling 0 it would equal Ith

V/(j754) + 2(ix) + (V-(16∠45°))/(-j53.05)) = Ith

i just need clarification which method is correct, thankyou!

Last edited: May 19, 2012
2. May 19, 2012

### Staff: Mentor

For this circuit you can find the Thevenin voltage as the open circuit potential just fine; the circuit is such that the controlled current source does not depend upon the output voltage (it gets its reference value from a fixed current determined by a resistor and a fixed voltage source). Since the controlled source is really a fixed source in disguise, you can even suppress it to find the Thevenin resistance. However, it's not always the case that these conditions hold for a circuit under analysis.

The second method, adding a voltage source to the output port and finding the current that it drives into the network, kills two birds with one stone; It allows you to determine both the Thevenin voltage and the Thevenin resistance with the same procedure.

Consider the typical Thevenin model:

If voltage source V drives current I into the model, then we can write:

$V = Vth + I\cdot Zth$

Thus, if you stick a voltage source V onto the output of your circuit and solve for V, you should end up with an expression that you can wrangle into the form above, and you can simply pick out the two terms

#### Attached Files:

• ###### Fig1.gif
File size:
1.6 KB
Views:
149
3. May 19, 2012

### stef6987

thankyou for the well explained response :)
I only need to find the voltage v0, so i suppose it would be easier to use my original method, if you don't mind checking, is the KCL for my first equation correct? thankyou!

4. May 19, 2012

### Staff: Mentor

You're welcome. Your KCL looks okay to me

5. May 19, 2012

### stef6987

I attempted both methods just to ensuer my answer was correct, by adding a voltage source i got my V0 in the form of V0 = -56.92j*Ith + (12.43j + 11.79)

without using the source i just got 12.43j + 11.79 which makes sense because i'm just finding Vth in this case. I think i will go with the form of V0 = -56.92j*Ith + (12.43j + 11.79)

What do you think?

thanks :)

6. May 19, 2012

### Staff: Mentor

Have you misplaced a decimal point in the inductor impedance? The inductance is given as 2 mH, so its impedance should be 0.754j Ω. The reason I ask is that your result values look a little high.

7. May 20, 2012

### stef6987

Yes i just realized haha, thankyou. Now when i get the Voltage in the form of I.Z + V, can i just use voltage division? the voltage where trying to find being the voltage across the 2mH inductor?

8. May 20, 2012

### Staff: Mentor

The voltage across the inductor is the same voltage as Vo. If a load impedance is placed on the output then sure, a voltage divider is formed.

9. May 21, 2012

### stef6987

I just used a simple KCL, seemed like a more simple answer, thankyou so much for your help, it's very appreciated :)