12 Source Transformation Method
Module 12: Source Transformation Method
Learning After finishing this module, you are expected to:
Objectives .
1. Apply Source transformation to dc networks with
independent and dependent sources.
2. Solve problems associated with each topic.
Topics 1.0. Source Transformation
(a) Circuits Containing Voltage and Current Source
(b) Circuits Containing Dependent Source(s)
th
Introductory Circuit Analysis, 10 Edition, Boylestad
rd
Electrical Circuits Theory and Technology, 3 Edition, John Bird 2007
Fundamentals of Electric Circuits, Third Edition, Charles A. Alexander & Matthew N.O. Sadiku
nd
Electric Circuit Analysis, 2 Edition, Johnson, Johnson & Hilburn
Source Transformation
The source transformation of a circuit is the transformation of a power
source from a voltage source to a current source, or a current source to a voltage
source.
In other words, we transform the power source from either voltage to
current, or current to voltage.
Some Features of Source Transformation:
1. Transformation of independent sources.
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12 Source Transformation Method
2. Source transformation also applies to dependent sources, provided we carefully
handle the dependent variable.
Circuits Containing Independent Source(s)
Example Problem 1:
Using source transformation, find vo.
Solution:
We first transform the voltage source to obtain the circuit shown below,
Combining 10A and 8A current source,
Combining the 25Ω and 20Ω resistors in parallel,
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12 Source Transformation Method
𝑅 ,
20𝑥25 100
= = Ω
20 + 25 9
io
Solving for vo;
𝑉 = 100(𝑖 )
𝑖 = 𝑥2𝐴
100 +
𝑖 = 0.2 𝐴
∴ 𝑉 = 100(0.2) = 20 𝑉 … … 𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑤𝑒𝑟
Circuits Containing Dependent Source(s)
A dependent source is a current source or voltage source that depends on
the voltage or current of another element in the circuit.
Example Problem 2:
Using source transformation, find vo.
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12 Source Transformation Method
Solution:
The 72-V source and the 4Ω series resistance convert to a parallel structure with
source current of,
72𝑉
= 18𝐴
4Ω
The dependent source (VCVS) and the 12 Ω series resistance likewise convert to
a parallel structure with source current of,
3𝑣
= 0.25𝑣
12Ω
The resulting circuit diagram shown below still has the control voltage v 2 in place,
as required.
But now all three resistances can be combined as,
1
= 2Ω
+ +
This parallel equivalent resistance carries the net current from the sources, and
so,
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12 Source Transformation Method
𝑉 = 2(18 − 0.25𝑉 )
𝑉 = 24 𝑉 … … 𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑤𝑒𝑟
Example Problem 3:
Using source transformation, find ix.
Solution:
The 2𝑖 dependent source and the 5Ω series resistance convert to a parallel
structure with dependent source current of,
𝑣 2𝑖 2
𝑖= = = 𝑖
𝑅 5 5
24 mA 10Ω 5Ω 𝑖
Redraw the above diagram, results to;
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12 Source Transformation Method
𝑖 2𝑖
24 mA 10Ω 5Ω 𝑖
By analysis, 10Ω and 5Ω are in parallel the voltage will be the same, therefore if
the current in 10Ω is 𝑖 then the current in 5Ω will be doubled as 2𝑖 .
@ A: KCL
2
24 𝑚𝐴 = 𝑖 + 2𝑖 + 𝑖
5
2
24 = 3𝑖 + 𝑖
5
17𝑖
24 𝑚𝐴 =
5
(24 𝑚𝐴)(5)
𝑖 = = 7.058 𝑚𝐴 … … 𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑤𝑒𝑟
17
Do it Yourself
Practice Solving the following problems.
Problem 1:
Use successive source transformation to obtain the voltage across 24 ohms
resistor.
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12 Source Transformation Method
2A
6 6
5
20
+ 18 V
24
+
20 V
Problem 2:
Find 𝑖 using source transformation to obtain the equivalent circuit in so far as the
2 kΩ resistor is concerned, containing only one source and one resistor, in addition to
the 2 kΩ resistor.
3 mA
10k
24k
30 V
+
𝑖 2k
+
18 V
5V
+
40k
Problem 3:
Find vx using source transformation.
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12 Source Transformation Method
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