Network Theorems: Network theorems are used to solve the electrical circuit
problems. There are several types of network theorems, but only three theorems
are in this course. These theorems are as follows:
1. Superposition Theorem
2. Thevenin’s Theorem
3. Norton’s Theorem
1. Superposition Theorem: The theorem states that, “ In any multisource
complex network consisting of linear, bilateral elements, the voltage across or
current through any given element of the network is equal to the algebra ic sum
of the individual voltage or currents produced independently across or in that
element by each source acting independently, when all the remaining sources are
replaced by their internal resistances.
Procedure: Consider for an electrical network ha ving several independent
energy sources are present, so to find the current through a particular branch or
voltage across that branch, following steps are used:
Step 1: Consider one source at a time and eliminate other sources from the
circuit (voltage and current sources are replaced by their respective internal
resistances respectively)
Step 2: Calculate the current through or voltage across the particular element.
Step 3: Repeat the same procedure for all the other energy sources.
Step 4: Take the algebraic sum of individual effects produced by individual
sources to obtain the total current in or voltage across the element.
Example 3: Consider the network shown in given fig. Calculate current ( Iab) and
voltage ( Vcg) using superposition theorem .
2. Thevenin’s Theorem: This theorem states that, “ The current flowing through
a load resistance RL connected across any two terminals A and B of a linear,
active and b ilateral network is given by Voc ⁄( RTh + RL ) where Voc is the open
circuit voltage (i.e. voltage across the two terminals when RL is removed) and
RTh is the internal resistance of the network as viewed back into the open
circuited network from terminals A and B with all energy sources are replaced
by their internal resistances”.
Procedure: Consider an electrical circuit in which we have to find the current
through its RL branch. So, step wise procedure is as follows:
Step 1: Remove the branch through which current or across which voltage has to
find and redraw the circuit.
Step 2: Calculation of Thevenin’s Resistance ( RTh) – Remove all the energy
sources from the circuit (All energy sources are replaced by their internal
resistances) drawn in step 1 and calculate the equivalent resistance of the circuit
as viewed back into the open circuited network from terminals A and B.
Step 3: Calculation of Thevenin’s Voltage ( Voc or VTh) – Redraw the circuit of step
1 and find the open circuit voltage by using mesh analysis or any other suitable
method.
Step 4: Draw Thevenin’s equivalent circuit and connect the load resistance
across A and B terminals of Thevenin’s equivalent circuit.
Step 5: Calculate the current flowing thr ough the load resistance using the
VTh
following formula: IL = ( R (i)
Th+R L)
Example 4: For the circuit shown in given fig. , find the current IL through 6 Ω
resistor using Thevenin’s theorem.
3. Norton’s Theorem: This theorem states that, “ Any two terminal active
network containing energy sources and resistance when viewed from its output
terminals, is equivalent to a constant current source and a parallel resistance.
The constant current is equal to the current which would flow in a short circuit
placed across the terminals and parallel resistance is the resistance of the
network when viewed from these open circuited terminals after all energy
sources have been removed and rep laced by their internal resistances”.
Procedure: Consider an electrical circuit in which we have to find the current
through its RL branch. So, step wise procedure is as follows:
Step 1: Remove the branch through which current or across which voltage h as to
find and redraw the circuit.
Step 2: Calculation of Norton’s Resistance ( RN) – Remove all the energy sources
from the circuit (All energy sources are replaced by their internal resistances)
drawn in step 1 and calculate the equivalent resistance of the circuit as viewed
back into the open circuited network from terminals A and B.
Step 3: Calculation of Norton’s Current ( Icc or IN) – Redraw the circuit of step 1
and find the short circuit current by using mesh analysis or any other suitable
method.
Step 4: Draw Norton’s equivalent circuit and connect the load resistance across
A and B terminals of Norton’s equivalent circuit.
Step 5: Calculate the current flowing through the load resistance using the
following formula: I=I RN (i)
L N ( R +R )
N L
Example 5: For the circuit shown in the given fig., find the current through RL = R2 =
2Ω resistor ( Ia–b branch) using Norton’s theorem & hence calculate the voltage across
the current source ( Vcg ).