chapter

10
Network
Theorems
A network is a combination of components, such as resistances and voltage
sources, interconnected to achieve a particular end result. However, networks
generally need more than the rules of series and parallel circuits for analysis.
Kirchhoff’s laws can always be applied for any circuit connections. The network
theorems, though, usually provide shorter methods for solving a circuit.

Some theorems enable us to convert a network into a simpler circuit,

equivalent to the original. Then the equivalent circuit can be solved by the rules
of series and parallel circuits. Other theorems enable us to convert a given
circuit into a form that permits easier solutions.

Only the applications are given here, although all network theorems can be
derived from Kirchhoff’s laws. Note that resistance networks with batteries are
shown as examples, but the theorems can also be applied to ac networks.

sch10858_ch10_282-[Link] 282 3/17/10 [Link] AM

 Chapter Objectives
After studying this chapter you should be able to

■ Apply the superposition theorem to find

the voltage across two points in a circuit
containing more than one voltage
source.
■ State the requirements for applying the
superposition theorem.
Chapter Outline ■ Determine the Thevenin and Norton
equivalent circuits with respect to any
10–1 Superposition Theorem pair of terminals in a complex network.
10–2 Thevenin’s Theorem ■ Apply Thevenin’s and Norton’s theorems
10–3 Thevenizing a Circuit with Two in solving for an unknown voltage or
Voltage Sources current.
■ Convert a Thevenin equivalent circuit to
10–4 Thevenizing a Bridge Circuit
a Norton equivalent circuit and vice
10–5 Norton’s Theorem versa.
10–6 Thevenin-Norton Conversions ■ Apply Millman’s theorem to find the
common voltage across any number of
10–7 Conversion of Voltage and Current
Sources parallel branches.
■ Simplify the analysis of a bridge circuit
10–8 Millman’s Theorem
by using delta to wye conversion
10–9 T or Y and ␲ or  Connections formulas.

Important Terms
active components Millman’s theorem Thevenin’s theorem
bilateral components Norton’s theorem voltage source
current source passive components
linear component superposition theorem

Online Learning Center

Additional study aids for this chapter are available at the Online Learning Center: [Link]兾grob11e.

Network Theorems 283

sch10858_ch10_282-[Link] 283 3/15/10 [Link] AM

 10–1 Superposition Theorem
The superposition theorem is very useful because it extends the use of Ohm’s law to
circuits that have more than one source. In brief, we can calculate the effect of one
source at a time and then superimpose the results of all sources. As a definition, the
superposition theorem states: In a network with two or more sources, the current
or voltage for any component is the algebraic sum of the effects produced by each
source acting separately.
To use one source at a time, all other sources are “killed” temporarily. This means
disabling the source so that it cannot generate voltage or current without changing
the resistance of the circuit. A voltage source such as a battery is killed by assuming
a short circuit across its potential difference. The internal resistance remains.

Voltage Divider with Two Sources

The problem in Fig. 10–1 is to find the voltage at P to chassis ground for the circuit
in Fig. 10–1a. The method is to calculate the voltage at P contributed by each source
separately, as in Fig. 10–1b and c, and then superimpose these voltages.
To find the effect of V1 first, short-circuit V2 as shown in Fig. 10–1b. Note that the
bottom of R1 then becomes connected to chassis ground because of the short circuit
across V2. As a result, R2 and R1 form a series voltage divider for the V1 source.
Furthermore, the voltage across R1 becomes the same as the voltage from P to
ground. To find this VR1 across R1 as the contribution of the V1 source, we use the
voltage divider formula:
R1 60 k
VR1  _______  V1  ______________  24 V
R1  R2 60 k  30 k
60  24 V
 ___
90
VR1  16 V
Next find the effect of V2 alone, with V1 short-circuited, as shown in Fig. 10–1c.
Then point A at the top of R2 becomes grounded. R1 and R2 form a series voltage
divider again, but here the R2 voltage is the voltage at P to ground.
With one side of R2 grounded and the other side to point P, VR2 is the voltage to cal-
culate. Again we have a series divider, but this time for the negative voltage V2. Using

MultiSim Figure 10–1 Superposition theorem applied to a voltage divider with two sources V1 and V2. (a) Actual circuit with 13 V from
point P to chassis ground. (b) V1 alone producing 16 V at P. (c) V2 alone producing −3 V at P.
V1 24 V V1  24 V
A A A

R2 R2  R2 
30 30 k 30 k

P P P
13 V 16 V 3 V

R1 R1  R1 
60 60 k 60 k

V2 9V V2  9 V
B B B

(a ) (b ) (c )

284 Chapter 10

sch10858_ch10_282-[Link] 284 3/15/10 [Link] AM

 the voltage divider formula for VR2 as the contribution of V2 to the voltage at P,
R2 30 k
VR2  _______  V2  ______________  9 V
R1  R2 30 k  60 k
30  9 V
 ___
90
VR2  3 V
This voltage is negative at P because V2 is negative.
Finally, the total voltage at P is
VP  VR1  VR2  16  3
Vp  13 V
This algebraic sum is positive for the net VP because the positive V1 is larger than
the negative V2.
GOOD TO KNOW By superposition, therefore, this problem was reduced to two series voltage divid-
When applying the superposition ers. The same procedure can be used with more than two sources. Also, each volt-
theorem to a dc network, it is age divider can have any number of series resistances. Note that in this case we were
dealing with ideal voltage sources, that is, sources with zero internal resistance. If the
important to realize that the
source did have internal resistance, it would have been added in series with R1 and R2.
power dissipated by a resistor in
the network is not equal to the
Requirements for Superposition
sum of the power dissipation
All components must be linear and bilateral to superimpose currents and voltages.
values produced by each source
Linear means that the current is proportional to the applied voltage. Then the cur-
acting separately. The reason is
rents calculated for different source voltages can be superimposed.
that power is not linearly related Bilateral means that the current is the same amount for opposite polarities of the
to either voltage or current. Recall source voltage. Then the values for opposite directions of current can be combined
V 2 and P  I 2R.
that P  ___ algebraically. Networks with resistors, capacitors, and air-core inductors are gener-
R
ally linear and bilateral. These are also passive components, that is, components that
do not amplify or rectify. Active components, such as transistors, semiconductor
diodes, and electron tubes, are never bilateral and often are not linear.

■ 10–1 Self-Review
Answers at end of chapter.
a. In Fig. 10–1b, which R is shown grounded at one end?
b. In Fig. 10–1c, which R is shown grounded at one end?

10–2 Thevenin’s Theorem

Named after M. L. Thevenin, a French engineer, Thevenin’s theorem is very useful in
simplifying the process of solving for the unknown values of voltage and current in a
network. By Thevenin’s theorem, many sources and components, no matter how they
are interconnected, can be represented by an equivalent series circuit with respect to
any pair of terminals in the network. In Fig. 10–2, imagine that the block at the left
contains a network connected to terminals A and B. Thevenin’s theorem states that
the entire network connected to A and B can be replaced by a single voltage source
VTH in series with a single resistance RTH, connected to the same two terminals.
Voltage VTH is the open-circuit voltage across terminals A and B. This means
finding the voltage that the network produces across the two terminals with an open
circuit between A and B. The polarity of VTH is such that it will produce current from
A to B in the same direction as in the original network.
Resistance RTH is the open-circuit resistance across terminals A and B, but with
all sources killed. This means finding the resistance looking back into the network
from terminals A and B. Although the terminals are open, an ohmmeter across AB

Network Theorems 285

sch10858_ch10_282-[Link] 285 3/15/10 [Link] AM