PRACTICAL NO.

AIM: VERIFICATION OF THEVININS THEOTRM

OBJECTIVE: To verify Thevenins theorem, and understand how to

convert complicated network to a simple Thevenins voltage source in series with
Thevenins equivalent resistance.

APPARATUS / EQUIPMENTS: Thevenins Theorem kit,

connecting wires Multimeter, etc

THEVENIN THEOREM
This theorem is very conceptual. If we think deeply about an electrical
circuit, we can visualize the statements made in Thevenin theorem.
Suppose we have to calculate the current through any particular branch in a
circuit. This branch is connected with rest of the circuits at its two terminal.
Due to active sources in the circuit, there is one electric potential difference
between the points where the said branch is connected. The current through
the said branch is caused by this electric potential difference that appears
across the terminals. So rest of the circuit can be considered as a single
voltage source, that's voltage is nothing but the open circuit voltage between
the terminals where the said branch was connected and the internal
resistance of the source is nothing but the equivalent resistance of the circuit
looking back into the terminals where, the branch was connected. So the
Thevenin theorem can be stated as follows, An active bilateral linear
network containing energy sources (generators) and impedances
can be replaced by an equivalent circuit containing a voltage source
(ETh or VTh) in series with an impedance (ZTh), where the ETh or VTh is
the open circuit voltage between terminals of the network and Z Th is
the impedance measured between the terminals of this network
with all energy sources eliminated (not eliminating their
impedances).

In other words
 1. When a particular branch is removed from a circuit, the open circuit
voltage appears across the terminals of the circuit, is Thevenin
equivalent voltage and,

2. The equivalent resistance of the circuit network looking back into the
terminals, is Thevenin equivalent resistance.

3. If we replace the rest of the circuit network by a single voltage source,

then the voltage of the source would be Thevenin equivalent
voltage and internal resistance of the voltage source would be
Thevenin equivalent resistance which would be connected in series
with the source as shown in the figure below.

The load current is calculated as Where, ZL is the Load impedance and

ZTh is the internal impedance of the circuit as viewed back into the open
circuited network from terminal A & B with all voltage sources replaced by
their internal impedances (if any) current sources with infinite impedance.

Some Important Terms to be kept in mind

Bilateral network is a network which does not change its

characteristics due to change the direction of its voltage and current
sources. Bilateral network elements are R, L, and C.

Linear Network is a network in which its parameters (like resistor,

capacitor and inductor) never change their magnitude with respect to
the variation of current or voltage or both.

Unilateral network always change its characteristics with respect to the

change of direction of voltage and current. Example: vacuum diode,
silicon diode, crystal detectors etc

To make Thevenin theorem easy to understand, we have shown the circuit

below, Here two resistors R1 and R2 are connected in series and this series
combination is connected across one voltage source of emf E with internal
resistance Ri as shown. One resistive branch of RL is connected across the
resistance R2 as shown. Now we have to calculate the current through RL.
First, we have to remove the resistor RL from the terminals A and B. Second,
we have to calculate the open circuit voltage or Thevenin equivalent voltage
VT across the terminals A and B.

The current through resistance R2,

Hence voltage appears across the terminals A and B i.e.

Third, for applying Thevenin theorem, we have to determine the Thevenin
equivalent electrical resistance of the circuit, and for that; first we have to
replace the voltage source from the circuit, leaving behind only its internal
resistance Ri. Now view the circuit inwards from the open terminals A and B.
It is found the circuits now consist of two parallel paths - one consisting of
resistance R2 only and the other consisting of resistance R1 and Ri in series.

Thus the Thevenin equivalent resistance RT is viewed from the open

terminals A and B is given as. As per Thevenin theorem, when resistance R L
is connected across terminals A and B, the network behaves as a source of
voltage VT and internal resistance RT and this is called Thevenin equivalent
circuit. The current through RL is given as,

Thevenin Equivalent Circuit

Video Presentation of an Example of Thevenin Theorem

Application of Thevenins Theorem in DC Network

If you apply Thevenins theorem in DC system, then Z Th can be considered as

RTh. Whatever may be the circuit, we have to make that one as per the circuit
shown below.

Load resistance RL is inserted to find out the Load current, following the
figure below.
PROCEDURE TO SOLVE A PROBLEM BY APPLYING THEVENINS
THEOREM

Some important steps are to be followed carefully.

Step 1: Draw the circuit by removing load resistance, shortening

voltage sources and opening the current sources from the circuit.
Name the Load terminals with A & B.

Step 2: View back into the open circuited network i.e. from the open
terminal A & B. Calculate equivalent resistance of the circuit, i.e. RTh.

Step 3: Draw the circuit as previous but keeping the Load Resistance
removed from A & B terminal.

Step 4: Find the individual Loops. Apply KVL (Kirchhoffs Voltage Law)
and find out loop current.

Step 5: Start journey from terminal A to B by choosing any path of

branches. Calculate total Voltage that you have faced during journey.
This voltage is VTh.
 Step 6: Draw the Thevenins equivalent circuit with the value of
calculate RTh and VTh. Connect RL across AB terminal. Again apply KVL
to find out the load current IL directly put the value of VTh, RTh and RL in

the formula