Tutorial Questions Solutions

Thevenin Theorem Solutions:

1. Find the Thevenin equivalent of the network in Fig. 1 as viewed from terminals: (a) x and x’ ;
(b) y and y’.

x y

88 V 1A

x y

Fig. 1
Solution:
(a) Shorting out the 88 V source and open circuiting the 1 A source, we see looking into the terminals x
and x ′ a 50 Ω resistor in parallel with 10 Ω in parallel with (20 Ω + 40 Ω), so
𝑅𝑇ℎ = 50 ∥ 10 ∥ (20 + 40) = 7.317Ω

Using superposition to determine the voltage Vxx across the 50 Ω resistor, we find

50 ∥ (20 + 40) 40
Vxx′ = 𝑉𝑇ℎ = [88 ] + (1)(50 ∥ 10) [ ]
10 + [50 ∥ (20 + 40)] 40 + 20 + (50 ∥ 10)

27.27 40
= [88 ] + (1)(8.333) [ ] = 69.27 V
37.27 40 + 20 + 8.333
(b) Shorting out the 88 V source and open circuiting the 1 A source, we see looking into the terminals
y and y ′ a 40 Ω resistor in parallel with [20Ω + (10Ω ∥ 50Ω)] :

𝑅𝑇ℎ = 40 ∥ [20 + (10 ∥ 50)] = 16.59Ω

Using superposition to determine the voltage Vyy′ across the 1-A source, we find

27.27 40
Vyy′ = 𝑉𝑇ℎ = 69.27 𝑉 = 1. (R TH ) + [88 10+27.27] (20+40)

= 59.52 V
 2. Find the Thevenin equivalent of the circuit in Fig. 2.

47 k

100 k
a
12 mA

12 V 12 k 10 k

Fig. 2
Solution: We first find 𝑅𝑇ℎ by shorting out the voltage source and open circuiting the current
source.

Looking into the terminals a & b, we see

47 k
47 k

100 k 100 k V1 VTh

a a

12 mA 12 mA

12 k 10 k 12 V 12 k 10 k

b b

Fig. 2(a) Fig. 2(b)

𝑅𝑇ℎ = 10 ∥ [47 + (100||12)]

= 8.523 kΩ.

Returning to the original circuit, we decide to perform nodal analysis to obtain 𝑉𝑇ℎ :

−12 × 103 = (V1 − 12)/(100 × 103 ) + V1 /(12 × 103 ) + (V1 − 𝑉𝑇ℎ )/47 × 103

12 × 103 = VTH /10 × 103 + (𝑉𝑇ℎ − V1 )/47 × 103

Rearranging and collecting terms,

0.1146 V1 − 0.02128𝑉𝑇ℎ = −11.88

−0.02128 V1 + 0.02128𝑉𝑇ℎ = 12

Solving, we find that, 𝑉𝑇ℎ = 83.48 V.

 3. Find the Thevenin equivalent at terminals a-b of the circuit in Fig. 3.

Vo

10 k 20 k
a
70 V 4Vo
b

Fig. 3
Solution:
To obtain Vo , we apply KVL to the loop.
−70 + (10 + 20)𝑘Ω ∗ 𝐼 + 4𝑉𝑜 = 0
and 𝑉o = 10𝑘Ω ∗ 𝐼
Now 𝐼 = 1 𝑚𝐴
Hence VTh can be obtained as
−70 + 10𝑘Ω ∗ 1 𝑚𝐴 + VTh = 0
To find 𝑅Th , we remove the 70 V source and apply a 1 V source at terminals a-b, as shown in the circuit
below.
Vo
a I1

10 k 20 k
I2

1V 4Vo

b
We notice that V0 = −1 V.
Now,
−1 + 20𝑘Ω ∗ 𝐼1 + 4V0 = 0
𝐼1 = 0.25 𝑚𝐴

1
𝐼2 = 𝐼1 + = 0.35 𝑚𝐴
10 𝑘Ω
1𝑉
𝑅𝑇ℎ = = 2.857 𝑘Ω
0.35 𝑚𝐴
 4. For the circuit in Fig. 4, find Thevenin equivalent between terminals 𝑎 and 𝑏.

20 V

a b

5A
30 V

Fig. 4
Solution:

To find 𝑅𝑇ℎ , consider the circuit in Fig. 4(a).

a b

a b

Fig. 4(a) Fig. 4(b)

The two 20 Ω resistors are in parallel with each other, hence 20 Ω || 20 Ω = 10 Ω. Now converting
the wye subnetwork to delta, we can simplify the circuit as shown in Fig. 4(b).

Now, 𝑅𝑇ℎ = 𝑅𝑎𝑏 = 30 || (30 || 10 + 30 || 10) = 10 Ω

To find 𝑉𝑇ℎ , we transform the 20 V and the 5 A sources using source transformation technique. The
circuit obtained is presented in Fig. 4(c).

10 V
a b

I1 I2
30 V 50 V

Fig. 4(c)
 Applying KVL to loop 1, we get −30 + 50 + 30𝑖1 − 10𝑖2 = 0

or −2 = 3𝑖1 − 𝑖2 (1)

Applying KVL to loop 2, we get −50 − 10 + 30𝑖2 − 10𝑖1 = 0

or 6 = −𝑖1 + 3𝑖2 (2)

Solving (1) and (2) we get 𝑖1 = 0 and 𝑖2 = 2 𝐴

Now, applying KVL to the outer loop. −𝑉ab − 10𝑖2 + 30 − 10𝑖1 = 0

𝑉ab = 10 𝑉

Hence, 𝑉𝑇ℎ = 𝑉ab = 10 V

 5. Find the Thevenin equivalent of the circuit in Fig. 5.

0.1io

vo

io

2vo

Fig. 5

Solution:

Since there are no independent sources 𝑉𝑇ℎ = 0 V

To obtain 𝑅𝑇ℎ consider the circuit below.

0.1io
a

ix

vo

v1 1V
io

b
2vo

At node 1.

(𝑣1 /20) + 0.1𝑖0 = [(2𝑣0 − 𝑣1 )/40] + [(1 − 𝑣1 )/10] (1)

At node 2,

𝑖x + 0.1𝑖0 = (1 − 𝑣1 )/10 or 10𝑖𝑥 + 𝑖0 = 1 − 𝑣1 (2)

But 𝑖0 = (𝑣1 /20) and 𝑣0 = 1 − 𝑣1 , then (1) becomes.

or

(1.1𝑣1 )/20 = [(2 − 3𝑣1 )/40] + [(1 − 𝑣1 )/10]

2.2𝑣1 = 2 − 3𝑣1 + 4 − 4𝑣1 = 6 − 7𝑣1

 or, 𝑣1 = 6/9.2 (3)

From (2) and (3).

10𝑖x + 𝑣1 /20 = 1 − v1

10ix = 1 − v1 − v1 /20 = 1 − (21/20)v1 = 1 − (21/20)(6/9.2)

1
ix = 31.52 mA. 𝑅𝑇ℎ = = 31.73 Ω
ix
Norton Theorem Solutions:

6. For the network of Fig. 6, (a) remove the terminal c and find the Norton equivalent seen at the
terminals a and b: (b) repeat for the terminal b and c with a removed.

a b c

2V 0.1 A 5V

Fig. 6
Solution:
(a) Removing terminal c, we need write only one nodal equation:

Vb −2 Vb −5
0.1 = + , which may be solved to yield Vb = 4 V.
12 15

Therefore, Vab = VTH = 2 − 4 = −2 V.

R TH = 12 ∥ 15 = 6.667Ω.
We may then calculate IN as IN = VTH /R TH = −300 mA (arrow pointing upwards).

(b) Removing terminal a, we need write a single nodal equation:

Vb −2 Vb −5
0.1 = + , which may be solved to yield Vb = 4 V.
12 15

Therefore, Vbc = VTH = 4 − 5 = −1 V.

R TH = 12 ∥ 15 = 6.667Ω.
1
Hence, IN = VTH /R TH = − 6.667 = −150 mA (arrow pointing upwards).
 7. Determine the Thevenin and Norton equivalents of the network shown in Fig. 7.

5ix

100 mA 7.5 k
ix

Fig. 7
Solution:

5ix

Vx 100 mA 7.5 k
ix

Performing nodal analysis to determine 𝑉𝑇ℎ ,

100 × 10−3 = Vx /250 + Vab /7.5 × 103 (1)
and Vx − Vab = 5𝑖x (2)
where 𝑖x = Vx /250. Thus, we may write the second equation as

0.98 Vx − Vab = 0 (3)

Solving, (1) and (3) we get,

Vab = 𝑉𝑇ℎ = 23.72 V.

To determine 𝑅𝑇ℎ , we inject 1 A current source into the port:

5ix

Vx 7.5 k 1A
ix

Vab /7.5 × 103 + Vx /250 = 1 (4)

Vx − Vab = 5𝑖x = 5Vx /250 (5)

Solving (4) and (5), we get
𝑉𝑎𝑏 = 237.2 V
Since
𝑅𝑇ℎ = 𝑉𝑎𝑏 /1 A, 𝑅𝑇ℎ = 237.2Ω.
Finally,
VTh
𝐼𝑁 = = 100 mA
R Th
 8. Obtain the Norton equivalent at terminals 𝑎 − 𝑏 of the circuit in Fig. 8.

8k I
a

2V 0.001Vab 80 I 50 k Vab

Fig. 8

Solution:

To get 𝑅𝑁 apply a 1 mA source at the terminals a and b as shown in Fig. 8(a).

8k I
a

0.001Vab 80 I 50 k Vab
1 mA

Fig. 8(a)

We assume all resistances are in 𝑘 olms, all currents in mA , and all voltages in volts. At node a.

(Vab /50) + 80 𝐼 = 1 (1)

Also,

8𝐼 + 0.001V𝑎𝑏 = 0, or 𝐼 = −Vab /8000 (2)

From (1) and (2).

(Vab /50) − (80Vab /8000) = 1 or Vab = 100

Vab
𝑅𝑁 = = 100 kΩ
1
To get 𝐼𝑠. consider the circuit in Fig. 8(b).

8k I
a

0.001Vab 50 k Vab IN
2V 80 I

b
Fig. 8(b)
Since the 50 kΩ resistor is shorted.
𝐼𝑁 = −80𝐼, 𝑉𝑎𝑏 = 0

Hence,

8𝐼 = 2 which leads to 𝐼 = (1/4)mA

𝐼𝑁 = −20 mA
9. Obtain the Thevenin and Norton equivalent circuit at terminals a-b of the circuit in Fig. 9.

12 V 12 V

12 V
b

Fig. 9

Solution:

To find 𝑅𝑇ℎ consider the circuit in Fig. 9(a).

a a

b b

Fig. 9(a)

𝑅𝑇ℎ = 1.2 Ω
To get 𝑉𝑇ℎ we wpply mesh analysis to the circuit in Fig 9(b).

I2

12 V 12 V

I1 I3

12 V
b

Fig. 9(b)

−12 − 12 + 14𝑖1 − 6𝑖2 − 6𝑖3 = 0, and 7𝑖1 − 3𝑖2 − 3𝑖3 = 12 (1)

12 + 12 + 14𝑖2 − 6𝑖1 − 6𝑖3 = 0, and −3𝑖1 + 7𝑖2 − 3𝑖3 = −12 (2)
14𝑖3 − 6𝑖1 − 6𝑖2 = 0, and −3𝑖1 − 3𝑖2 + 7𝑖3 = 0 (3)
This leads to the following matrix form for (1), (2) and (3),

7 −3 −3 𝑖1 12
[−3 ]
7 −3 2 [ 𝑖 ] = [ −12]
−3 −3 7 𝑖3 0

7 −3 −3 7 12 −3
Δ = |−3 7 −3| = 100, Δ2 = |−3 −12 −3| = −120
−3 −3 7 −3 0 7

i2 = Δ/Δ2 = −120/100 = −1.2 A

𝑉𝑇ℎ
𝑉𝑇ℎ = 12 + 2𝑖2 = 9.6 V, and 𝐼𝑁 = = 8A
𝑅𝑇ℎ
 10. Find the Norton equivalent of the circuit to the left of the 2 Ω resistor in the Fig. 10.

2V 2A

Fig. 10
Solution:
To find 𝑅𝑇ℎ , consider the circuit in Fig. 10(a).
𝑅𝑇ℎ = (1 || 3) + 1 + 3 = 4.75 Ω

a b

I1 I2 I3
2V 2A Voc

Fig. 10(a) Fig. 10(b)

To obtain 𝑉𝑇ℎ Fig. 10 is simplified as shown in Fig, 10(b).

Now, applying nodal analysis at node a of Fig. 10(b) we get,

𝐼1 + 𝐼2 + 𝐼3 = 0
2−𝑉𝑎 𝑉𝑎
or, + + 2 = 0 (𝑎𝑠 𝐼3 = 2 𝐴)
1 3

Hence, 𝑉𝑎 = 0 𝑉

𝑉𝑇ℎ = 𝑉𝑜𝑐 = −2 𝑉

𝐼𝑁 = 𝑉𝑇ℎ ⁄𝑅𝑇ℎ = −0.421 𝐴