INTRODUCTION
In this technology electric course assignment, Im going to explain how to transfer or
convert Norton to Thevenin circuit and Thevenin to Norton circuit. This is one of two title of
assignments that given to Mechanical Engineering (HK08) course. In order to transfer the
circuit into each other, Ill explain first what Norton and Thevenin theory is and how to
transfer a circuit into both Norton and Thevenin circuit according to the theories.
According to Nortons theorem, a linear two-terminal circuit can be simplified or can
be replaced by an equivalent circuit of a current source, IN in parallel with a resistor, RN where
IN is the short circuit current through the terminals and RN is the input or an equivalent circuit
within the circuit.
Figure 1 :(a) A linear two-terminal circuit
Figure 1 :(b) An equivalent Norton circuit
In addition, Thevenins theorem states that, a linear two terminal circuit can be
replaced by an equivalent circuit that consist of, VTH connected in series with, RTH where VTH is
a voltage source and RTH is the resistor.
Figure 2 :(a) A linear two-terminal circuit
Figure 2 :(b) An equivalent Thevenin circuit
Norton and Thevenin circuit relation
Circuit transfer between both Norton and Thevenin can be done by finding relation
between both theories. Based on the method used to calculate Norton and Thevenin
resistance, both Norton resistance, RN and Thevenin resistance, RTH actually use the same
procedure or identical method to calculate the resistance. The resistance is determined under
condition where all independent source or power source in the circuit are removed or ignored.
By using the same method, both Norton resistance, RN and Thevenin resistance, RTH will have
the same value for any initial circuit that calculated.
Therefore, since Norton and Thevenin theorem related by the resistance,
Norton resistance = Thevenin resistance
RN = RTH - eqn. (1)
Consider we have two circuits below,
Figure 3 :(a) Norton circuit
Figure 3 :(b) Thevenin circuit
From equation (1), since Norton resistance, RN equal to Thevenin resistance, RTH, so, if we
calculate voltage for the Norton circuit, VN (in Figure 3 :(a)) we can get,
INRN = VTH - eqn. (2)
and for the Thevenin circuit, if we calculate the source current, ITH (in Figure 3 :(b)) we can
get,
V TH
RTH
= IN - eqn. (3)
CIRCUIT ANALYSIS
Norton to Thevenin circuit transfer
From the relation between Norton and Thevenin theorem, the circuit transfer from Norton to
Thevenin circuit can be done. Consider we have an initial circuit below (Figure 4),
Figure 4: an initial circuit
By applying the Norton and Thevenin theorem on resistance calculation, the resistance for the
circuit is calculated. By removing all independent source and cut the circuit until point a and
point b, as a result, the circuit will become,
Figure 4(a)
Thus, the Norton resistance, RN for the circuit is,
RN = (10 + 3) // 5
= 13 // 5
RN =
where,
RN = RTH = 3.61
13 5
13+5
= 3.61
For the current source, IN ,
Figure 5
From the circuit, the current source, IN = 1.5A. Finally, an equivalent Norton circuit can be
formed from the initial circuit,
Figure 6: An equivalent Norton circuit
The circuit transfer the Norton circuit into Thevenin circuit can be done by applying eqn. (2),
from the equivalent Norton circuit (Figure 6),
IN = 1.5A, RN = 3.61 into eqn. (2),
IN RN = VTH
(1.5A)(3.61) = VTH
VTH = 5.42v
Since VTH = 5.42v and RTH = 3.61, so the equivalent circuit for the Thevenin circuit will
become,
Figure 6: An equivalent Thevenin circuit
Thevenin to Norton circuit transfer
To transfer circuit from Thevenin to Norton circuit, eqn. (3) can be apply to get an equivalent
Norton circuit from Thevenin circuit. From an initial circuit 2 below,
Figure 7: an initial circuit 2
By applying method of Norton and Thevenin theorem to calculate the resistance, the circuit
become,
Figure 7 :(a)
From circuit above (Figure 7 :(a)), Thevenin resistance, RTH,
RTH = (5 + 8) // 2
RTH = 13 // 2
RTH =
( 13 ) (2 )
13 +2
where,
RTH = RN = 1.73
RTH = 1.73
for the voltage source, VTH,
VTH = IRTH
VTH = (2A) (1.73 )
VTH = 3.46v
thus, the equivalent Thevenin circuit for the initial circuit (Figure 7) will become,
Figure 8: an equivalent Thevenin circuit
From Figure 8, circuit transformation from Thevenin circuit to equivalent Norton circuit can
be done by using eqn. (3),
Since,
V TH
= 3.46v and RTH = 1.73,
V TH
RTH
3.46 v
1.73
IN = 2A
Then, the Norton circuit can be formed,
= IN
= IN
Figure 8: an equivalent Norton circuit
CONCLUSION
As a conclusion, circuit transfer from Norton to Thevenin circuit and Thevenin to Norton
circuit transfer can be done by applying eqn. (1), eqn. (2) and eqn. (3). The process of circuit
transfer between both theorems is quite reversible.
Norton resistance = Thevenin resistance
RN = RTH - eqn. (1)
INRN = VTH - eqn. (2)
V TH
RTH
= IN - eqn. (3)
