Electrical Circuit Theory
Spring 2026
Source Transformation
Maymouna Ez Eddin
Assistant Professor
Department of Electrical Engineering
Tarleton State University
Ideal vs. Practical Voltage Sources
An imaginary voltage source, which can provide a constant voltage to load ranging from zero to
infinity. Such voltage source is having zero internal resistance, and is called an Ideal Voltage
Source. Practically it is not possible to build a voltage source with no internal resistance and
constant voltage for that long-range of the load.
Practical voltage sources always have some resistance value in series with an ideal voltage
source. And because of that series resistance, voltage drops when current passes through it.
So, Practical Voltage Source has internal resistance and slightly variable voltage.
2
Ideal vs. Practical Current Sources
3
Classification of Power Sources
Sources in which the voltage is completely independent of the current, or the current
is completely independent of the voltage; these are termed independent sources.
Special kinds of sources for which either the source voltage or current, depends upon
a current or voltage elsewhere in the circuit; such sources are referred to as
dependent sources. 4
Classification of Power Sources
Independent Voltage Sources
(a) DC voltage source; (b) battery symbol; (c) AC voltage source symbol
The terminal voltage is completely independent of the current through it.
5
Classification of Power Sources
Independent Voltage Sources
The terminal voltage is completely independent of the current through it.
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Classification of Power Sources
Independent Current Sources
The terminal current is completely independent of the voltage across it.
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Classification of Power Sources
Dependent Power Sources
Current-controlled voltage source
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SERIES AND P ARALLEL C ONNECTION OF SOURCES
(a) Series-connected voltage sources can be replaced by a single source.
(b) Parallel current sources can be replaced by a single source.
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SERIES AND P ARALLEL C ONNECTION OF SOURCES
Voltage Sources in Parallel
Why to connect Voltage
Sources in Parallel ?
14.0 V
10
SERIES AND P ARALLEL C ONNECTION OF SOURCES
Current Sources in Series
11
SOURCE TRANSFORMATION
A source transformation is the process of replacing a voltage source Vs in series
with a resistor R by a current source is in parallel with a resistor R, or vice versa.
SOURCE TRANSFORMATION
Referring to the fig below,source
transformation requires that
Vs= is.R or is = Vs/R
4Ω
12 v 4Ω
3A
SOURCE TRANSFORMATION
Source transformation also applies to the
dependent sources ,provided we handle the
dependent variable carefully
SOURCE TRANSFORMATION
Points to remember when dealing with
source transformation:
✓ When transforming sources the arrow of
the current source should point towards
the positive terminal of the voltage source
✓ Source transformation is not possible
when R=0
Use source transformation to find V0.
We first convert the
current source with
4 Ω in parallel with it.
Then we convert the
voltage source with
3 Ω in series with it.
Step2:
Now, combining the 2 and
4 Ω resistor in series and
transforming the 12 V
Voltage source gives
Step3:
Now, combine the 3//6 to
get 2Ω,also combine the 2
and 4 current source to
get 2A source as shown:
We use current division to find i
i = [2/(2+8 )]*2= 0.4A
and
V0 = 8 i = 8(0.4)= 3.2V
Use source transformation to find vx.
The circuit involves a voltage controlled dependent current source and
independent voltage source, these are transformed as Shown
2 // 2=1 Ω
3A is converted to 3V as shown:
Applying KVL around the loop,
-3+5i+Vx+18 = 0
Applying KVL around the loop,
Containing 3v voltage source
-3 +1i+Vx = 0
Solving we get,
i =-4.5A, Vx= 7.5 V
Practice Problem
Use source transformation to find ix.
Answer: 0.30769 A
Thank you