AIR UNIVERSITY

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING

EXPERIMENT NO 10

Lab Title: IMPLEMENTATION AND VERIFICATION OF THEVENIN THEOREM BOTH

ON HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE
Student Name: Reg. No:

Objective:

LAB ASSESSMENT:

Excellent Good Average Satisfactory Unsatisfactory

Attributes
(5) (4) (3) (2) (1)
Ability to Conduct
Experiment
Ability to assimilate the
results
Effective use of lab
equipment and follows
the lab safety rules

Total Marks: Obtained Marks:

LAB REPORT ASSESSMENT:

Excellent Good Average Satisfactory Unsatisfactory
Attributes
(5) (4) (3) (2) (1)

Data presentation

Experimental results

Conclusion

Total Marks: Obtained Marks:

Date: Signature:
 LABORATORY
EXPERIMENT
NO. 10

IMPLEMENTATION AND
VERIFICATION OF THEVENIN
THEOREM BOTH ON
HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE
Objectives:
1. To find experimentally the values of components required to construct a Thévenin’s
equivalent circuit.
2. To check the experimental values versus calculated values.
3. To check the validity of Thévenin’s theorem.
4. To verify the results through software using PSpice / Proteus.

DISCUSSION
Thévenin Theorem
As mentioned in the previous lab that the last three labs will be related to network theorems. So,
in this lab we will be practically implementing another network theorem known as the “Thévenin
Theorem”.
Thévenin’s Theorem allows one to replace a complicated circuit with a simple equivalent circuit
containing only a voltage source and a series connected resistor. The theorem is very important
from both theoretical and practical point of views. Concisely stated, Thévenin’s
Theorem says:
“Any two-terminal linear circuit can be replaced by an equivalent circuit consisting of a
voltage source (V th ) and a series resistor (R th )”

Rth is the DC resistance between the output terminals of the network to be reduced; V th is the
open-circuit voltage between the output terminals. It is important to note that the Thévenin
equivalent circuit provides equivalence at the terminals only. Obviously, the internal structure and
therefore the characteristics of the original circuit and the Thévenin equivalent are quite different.
Using Thévenin's theorem is especially advantageous when we want to concentrate on a specific
portion of a circuit. The rest of the circuit can be replaced by a simple Thévenin equivalent. For
example, in analyzing power systems and other circuits where one particular resistor in the circuit
(called the “load” resistor) is subject to change, and re-calculation of the circuit is necessary with
each trial value of load resistance, to determine voltage across it and current through it we have to
study the circuit with different load values at the terminals. Using the Thévenin equivalent we can
avoid having to analyze the complex original circuit each time.
Calculating the Thévenin equivalent:
1. Remove that portion of the network across which the Thévenin equivalent circuit is to be
found i.e. the load resistor R L be temporarily removed from the network.
2. Mark the terminals of the remaining two terminal network.(The importance of this step will
become obvious as you solve some complex circuits. For example a circuit in which the R L is
not at the extreme ends of the circuit but somewhere in the middle.)
Rth:
3. Calculate Rth by first setting all sources to zero (voltage sources are replaced by short circuits
and current sources by open circuits) and then finding the resultant resistance between the two
marked terminals.
Vth:
4. Calculate Vth by first returning all sources to their original position and finding the open-
circuit voltage between the marked terminals.
5. Draw the Thévenin equivalent circuit with the portion of the circuit initially removed replaced
between the terminals of the equivalent circuit. This step is indicated by the placement of the
resistor R L between the terminals of the equivalent circuit as shown below:

Practically R th can be found by first measuring the short-circuit current I sc i.e. the current
measured when the marked terminals are shorted. Then dividing the Thévenin voltage V th by
this short-circuit current I sc.
Example:
Consider the circuit shown:

The portion of the circuit outlined is to be replaced by it Thévenin equivalent circuit.

To determine R th, set all sources to zero by replacing voltage source by short-circuit and current
source by an open circuit, as shown:

Now, solving for R th:

(20 || 5) + 4 = 4 + 4 = 8Ω
To determine V Th, the sources are replaced and the open-circuit voltage is determined as
shown:
The complete Thévenin circuit with the load resistor R L replaced between the terminals a and b
is:

As far as the load resistor is concerned, the network to the left of nodes a and b is the same as
before the reduction. Therefore, we can now figure out the current through R L and the voltage
across R L .

Lab Tasks:
1. Solve using Thevenin Theorem:
a) Take four resistors; two of 10kΩ, one of 6.8kΩ and one of 3.9kΩ. Calculate the resistance
of each resistor, using the Resistor Colour Codes. Record the values in Data Table.
b) Now construct the circuit as shown below. (Here R 2 is R L .)
c) After verifying that the circuit is properly patched on the breadboard, switch on the
trainer.
d) Measure the value of V L and I L using a DMM. Record these values and compare them
with the theoretical values of V L and I L.
VL = __________________ IL = _____________________
e) Now turn off the trainer and dispatch the R L , as shown.

V th:
f) Turn on the trainer and using a DMM, measure the voltage across the terminals A and B
i.e. the open-circuit voltage Voc or Vth. Record this value and compare it with the
theoretical value of Vth.
Vth = _____________________
I sc:
g) Also measure the short-circuit current, I sc by placing the DMM directly between
terminals A and B, as shown. Record this value and compare it with the theoretical value
of I sc.
Isc = ___________________________________

R th:
h) Now turn off the trainer and suppress all sources i.e. replace the voltage source by short-
circuit.
i) Measure using DMM, the thevenin resistance R th , at terminals A and B. (Do not forget
to keep the trainer off while measuring R th as resistance is never measured with the
 circuit energized!) Record this value and compare it with the theoretical values of R th
(there are two theoretical values: i. suppressing all sources and calculating R th at the
terminals, ii. calculating R th by dividing V th (practical) over I sc (practical).)
j) Turn off the trainer. Dispatch the circuit completely.

Thévenin Equivalent Circuit:

k) Now that you have got the V th and R th , patch the Thévenin equivalent circuit, as
shown. Use a variable power supply for Vth . For R th , either use a potentiometer or a
combination of resistors.

l) Turn on the trainer and measure the short circuit current I sc between terminals A and B.
this value should be the same as the one calculated in step (g) and also the same as
the theoretical value of Isc.
Isc = ____________________

m) Now turn off the trainer and connect the load resistor R L , which was previously
removed.

n) Turn on the trainer and measure V L , the voltage across load, and I L , the current
through load. Record these values and compare them with the theoretical values as well
as the values measured in step (d).
VL = _______________ IL = ____________________
o) Now turn off power of the trainer and DMM.
Theoretical Calculations:
Proteus Simulation:

2. Solve the following circuit by Thevenin Theorem:

For the circuit explained and solved in the manual earlier, do the calculation yourselves and
simulate it on Proteus. Also, perform the task on hardware and verify your results. Before
performing any of the tasks prior mentioned, modify the circuit such that remove the current
source, the 25V source is equal to 12V, the resistors of 5Ω = 4.7kΩ, 20Ω = 2.2kΩ, 4Ω = 6.8kΩ
and 24Ω = 10kΩ. Redraw the modified circuit and the write down step-by-step procedure with
diagrams (as given in the previous task).
Circuit Diagram:
Procedure:
Theoretical Calculations:
Proteus Simulation:

Conclusion:
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