Lab 5: Thevenin Equivalent Circuits
∗
Abdul Kareem Azeem Hafeez †
1 Objective
To verify Thevenin’s theorem in a simple DC circuit.
2 Equipment
• DC power supply
• DMM
• Resistors: R1 = 4.7kΩ, R2 = 1kΩ, R3 = 1kΩ, R4 = 2.2kΩ, R5 = 2.2kΩ, Rload = 4.7kΩ
3 Background
Thevenin’s theorem states that any linear, bilateral network can be replaced with a single voltage source in
series with a single resistor. The voltage source is called Thevenin equivalent voltage and resistor is called
the Thevenin equivalent resistance. It should be noted that the following notations are interchangeable
and both can be used.
Vth = Voc (1)
Rth = Rt (2)
Where ‘oc’ stands for open circuit.
Figure 1: Thevnin Equivalent Circuit
∗Author and Lab Instructor for ECE210 Labs, sakareem@umich.edu
† These manuals were originally writen by Azeem Hafeez, azeemh@umich.edu
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4 Procedure
4.1 Part a
1. The circuit to be built is shown in the following figure 3, we will study the Thevenin equivalent circuit
at the port ab, where Rload is considered as the load.
Figure 2: Thevenin Circuit 1
2. Remove Rload , and measure the voltage across node a and node b. Denote this voltage by Voc
(open-circuit voltage).
3. With Rload removed, measure now the current through ab by connecting an ammeter between node
a and node b. Denote this current by Isc (short-circuit current).
4. Compute the Thevenin resistance
Voc
Rth =
Isc
4.2 Part b
1. Do not break down your circuit. Construct a second circuit on the breadboard – the Thévenin
equivalent circuit as shown in the following figure where the Thévenin resistance is the measured
value and the Thévenin voltage is the measured value obtained in Part (a).
2
Figure 3: Thevenin Circuit 2
2. Measure the current through and voltage across the load resistor in both the original and the Thévenin
equivalent circuits.
3. Compare load resistor currents for both the original and the Thévenin equivalent circuits using a
percent difference. How do they compare?
4.3 Part c
Replace the voltage sources with short circuits and remove Rload , and measure the resistance between the
terminals A and B. Has this value any relation with Rth ?
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5 Pre-Lab Work
Before coming to lab, answer the following questions.
1. What is the first method to find Rth ?
2. What is the second method to find Rth ?
3. Can both methods be used to find Rth ? for a circuit containing dependent Sources?
4. Find Voc , Isc and Rth for the following circuit in figure ?? (i.e. using the first method)
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5
5. Find Rth by using the second method.
6. Sketch the Thevenin equivalent circuit.
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6 Post Lab Question
1. A resistor placed directly in parallel with the source voltage Vs does not affect Rth. Why?
2. Do your calculated values in Pre-Lab question match with the measured values?
3. Which battery is delivering power (Behaving as source) and which battery is absorbing power (Be-
having as sink)? Explain the reason.
