Network

Theorems

NETWORK THEORY

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Network Theorems

Superposition Theorem

 If a number of voltage or current sources are acting simultaneously in a linear

network, the resultant current in any branch is the algebraic sum of the currents that
would be produced in it, when each source acts alone replacing all other
independent sources by their internal resistances.

 i.e., all independent voltage sources & independent current sources are short
circuited and open circuited respectively.

Points to Remember
 Do not disturb the dependent sources present in the network.

 It is not applicable for circuit having initial condition.

 It is Not applicable to power calculation.

 Reactive element with sources operating at different frequency, this theorem is

alone useful to find the output/response in the circuit.

 It is Not applicable to Non-linear elements, unilateral elements (i.e., diode or BJT).

 Whenever two ideal voltage sources connected in a parallel or two ideal current
sources connected in a series then don’t apply superposition theorem.

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 If a circuit excited by more than one sources, then total power dissipated in the
resistive part is Not the SUM of the power due to each source acting alone with all
other sources said to zero.

Case I: If different frequency operating on the circuit, then total

power (P)

Case II: If two sinusoidal source are of same frequency but phase
difference is 90° operating on the Network, then total power is
given by

Case III: If D.C. Network excited by voltage source & current

source, then total power in the Network is equal to the SUM of
power generated by voltage source alone & current source alone.

Case IV: If Any D.C. Network composed of several resistances,

i.e. R Ω & two constant D.C. sources

Let,

P1 = Power consumed by resistance due to first source only.

P2 = Power consumed by resistance due to second source only.

Now, if both the sources are acting simultaneously then,

Maximum & minimum Power are given as

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 For three sources:

Thevenin’s Theorem
Any two terminal bilateral linear D.C. circuit can be replaced by an equivalent circuit
consisting of a voltage source & a series resistor.

VTh = Thevenin’s open circuit voltage b/w X and Y

RTh = Thevenin’s Resistance or Equivalent resistance b/w X and Y

For A.C. Circuit

ZTh = Equivalent impedance b/w X and Y.

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Calculation of RTh

Case I: Circuit with both dependent & Independent source.

 Method 1: Using Test source:

RTh can be calculated by:

In this method, set all independent sources equal to zero.

 Method 2: Using short circuit current:

RTh can be calculated by:

Where,

Isc = short circuit current through terminals X, Y.

Case II: Circuit with dependent sources only

In this case,

VTh = 0

& Isc = 0 A

RTh = Input resistance looking b/w terminals X & Y with turning off all independent
sources.

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 It is Not applicable to circuit containing Non-linear & unilateral element.

Norton’s Theorem
It states that, a two terminal linear bilateral Network can be replaced by equivalent
circuit consisting of current source (Isc) in parallel with Norton’s equivalent resistance
(RN) or Impedance (ZN).

Here,

Isc = short circuit current at the terminals.

Norton is a dual of Thevenin’s Theorem.

Condition Thevenin’s Theorem Norton’s Theorem

If RTh = ∞ Thevenin’s equivalent Not Norton’s equivalent possible

possible
Thevenin’s equivalent
If RTh = 0 possible Norton’s equivalent Not Possible

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Maximum Power Transfer Theorem

 This theorem is used to find the value of load resistance for which there would be
maximum amount of power transfer from source to load.

 It is applicable when the load is variable.

 But, if the load is not variable, then choose minimum internal impedance of the
source that results maximum current flow through the fixed load.

Maximum Power delivered to the load R­L:

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Points to Remember
 If RL<RTh, then Efficiency (η) < 50%

 If RL = RTh, then Efficiency (η) = 50%

Reciprocity Theorem
 In a linear, bilateral passive Network, the ratio of excitation to the response is
constant even though the source is interchanged from input terminals to output
terminals.

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Points to Remember
 This theorem is applicable only to single source Network & Not in multisource
Network.

 The Network should Not have any time-varying element.

 In this theorem, the initial conditions are supposed to be zero.

Tellegan’s Theorem
 The Algebraic SUM of power in a lumped Network is equal to zero.

 This theorem is independent of Nature of the element.

 It is based on conservation of energy or power.

 This theorem is applicable when two N/w having same graph.

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Millman’s Theorem
 When a number of voltage source (V1, V2, ….,Vn) are in parallel having internal
resistance (R1, R2,…. Rn) or internal impedances (Z1, Z2,…. Zn) respectively, the
arrangement can be replaced by a single equivalent voltage source V in series with
an equivalent series resistance R or impedance Z.

For A.C. Circuit

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Compensation Theorem
In a linear time-invariant Network when the resistance (R) of an uncoupled branch,
carrying a current (I), is changed by (ΔR), the current in all the branches would change
& can be obtained by assuming that an ideal voltage source of (VC) has been
connected such that VC = I(ΔR) in series with (R + ΔR) when all other sources in the
network are replaced by their internal resistances.

{ VC = I(ΔRL) & it is termed as compensating voltage }

Application:
1. Bridge circuit (if not balanced)

2. Potentiometer

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For A.C. Circuit

Ideal voltage source VC connected in series.

Points to Remember
1. In the reciprocity theorem the units of or should be either Ω or mho.

2. KCL, KVL and Tellegen theorem are related as: combination of any two results the
third one.

KVL + KCI → T.T

KVL + T.T → KCI

KCI + T.T → KVL

∴ Tellegen theorem is valid as long as KVL and KCL are applicable.

3. Thevenin theorem is also called Helmholtz theorem. In this theorem load can be non
linear or linear but there should not be any coupling between load and circuit elements.

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