IEC Lab Experiment Manual 5

American International University- Bangladesh

Faculty of Engineering (FE)
Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE)
EEE 2109: Introduction to Electrical Circuits Lab

Title of the Experiment:

Study of Thevenin’s Theorem.

Objectives:

The objectives of this experiment are to-

a) Investigate the application of Thevenin’s theorem to a DC source circuit.
b) Construct Thevenin’s equivalent circuit.
c) Verify Thevenin’s theorem for a DC circuit through load voltage and load current measurements.
d) Compare the measured, simulated, and computed values.

Introduction:

Thevenin’s theorem is a very powerful circuit analysis technique. It can convert complex circuits to a simpler
series equivalent circuit for easier analysis. The analysis involves removing part of the circuit across two
terminals to aid calculation, later combining the circuit with the Thevenin equivalent circuit.

Theory and Methodology:

The Thevenin Theorem is a process by which a complex circuit is reduced to an equivalent series circuit consisting
of a single voltage source, VTH, a series resistance, RTH, and a load resistance, RL. After creating the Thevenin’s
equivalent circuit, you may then easily determine the load voltage, VL, and the load current, IL.

Thevenin’s theorem states that,

In any linear circuit containing at least one independent sources, it is possible to simplify that linear circuit,
irrespective of how complex it is, to an equivalent simple circuit with a single voltage source and a
resistance connected in series across any load having two terminals.

When determining the equivalent resistance of the complex circuit, we disable all the remaining independent
sources. That is, all the remaining voltage sources are made zero by replacing them with short circuits, and all
remaining current sources are made zero by replacing them with open circuits. Also, it is important to note that if
a dependent source is present; it must remain active (unaltered) during this process.

Action Plan:
(i) In a circuit comprising of at least one independent source, measure the open circuit voltage, Voc, load
voltage, VL, and the load current, IL.
(ii) To deactivate a voltage source, replace it with a short circuit, and to deactivate a current source, replace
it with an open circuit. Then measure the short circuit current, Isc. Divide Voc by Isc to obtaine the
Thevenin’s equivalent resistance, RTH.
(iii) Construct the Thevenin’s equivalent circuit and measure the load voltage, VL, and the load current, IL
again to verify the Thevenin’s theorem. The procedures are illustrated in Figure 1.

Limitations: Thevenin’s is a fundamental property of any linear circuits. So, this circuit theorem can’t be applied
to any non-linear circuits.

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(a) Original circuit to verify Thevenin’s theorem (b) Thevenin’s equivalent circuit
Figure 1: Series-parallel resistance connected with a DC voltage source.

Pre-Lab Homework:

Study Thevenin’s theorem for series and parallel circuits and perform the simulation using MultiSIM and must
present the simulation results to the instructor before the start of the experiment. Try to solve and analyze different
DC circuits from your textbook and compare those with your experimental circuit.

Apparatus:
1. Trainer Board
2. Voltmeter
3. Ammeter
4. Multimeter
5. DC power source
6. Resistors
7. Connecting wires

Precautions:
✓ When measuring voltage, the multimeter must be connected to the two points of a circuit to obtain the desired
value. Be careful not to touch the bare probe tips together while measuring voltage, as this will create a short
circuit! Before turning on the power, consult with your course teacher or laboratory staff.
✓ Never read the value of resistance or perform a continuity test with a multimeter in a circuit that is energized.
✓ When measuring current, the multimeter must be connected to the circuit so that the electrons flow through
the meter.
✓ The voltmeter must be connected in parallel, and the ammeter must be connected in series to the resistor.
✓ Multimeters have practically no resistance between their leads. This is intended to allow electrons to flow
through the meter with the least possible difficulty. If this were not the case, the meter would add extra
resistance to the circuit, thereby affecting the current reading.
✓ While measuring the values using the multimeter, note and write down the unit properly.

Experimental Procedure and Calculation:

1. Connect the circuit as shown in Figure 2.

2. Remove the portion of the circuit for which Thevenin’s equivalent circuit will be determined, here the
load the resistance is R4 between terminals A and B of Figure 2.
3. Remove the voltage source by a short circuit and replace the current source by an open circuit.
4. Determine the Thevenin equivalent resistance, RTH for the load.
5. Now, return the sources to their original position and determine the open circuit voltage between terminals
A and B of Figure 2.
6. Connect back the load resistance, R4 and measure the load voltage across terminals A and B and current
through the load resistance and hence verify Thevenin’s theorem. Compute the load power.

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7. Complete Tables 1, 2, 3, and 4 with the necessary data.

8. Check the deviation between experimental, simulation, and theoretical values. Use the following formula
for the computation of the percentage of deviations:
𝑉 −𝑉
Percentage of deviation (theoretical vs. experimental), 𝜺𝒕𝒆 = 𝐴𝐵𝑡𝑉 𝐴𝐵𝑒 × 100%
𝐴𝑡
𝑉𝐴𝐵𝑡 −𝑉𝐴𝐵𝑠
Percentage of deviation (theoretical vs. simulation), 𝜺𝒕𝒔 = 𝑉𝐴𝐵𝑡
× 100%
𝐼 −𝐼
Percentage of deviation (theoretical vs. experimental), 𝜺𝒕𝒆 = 𝑅4𝑡𝐼 𝑅4𝑒 × 100%
𝑅4𝑡
𝐼𝑅4𝑡 −𝐼𝑅4𝑠
Percentage of deviation (theoretical vs. simulation), 𝜺𝒕𝒔 = 𝐼 × 100%
𝑅4𝑡

Figure 2: Series-parallel resistance connected with two DC voltage sources.

Table 1 Data for studying Thevenin’s theorem using Figure 2 through open circuit voltage and short
circuit current measurement.
Values of Voltage Sources: E1 = _______ V, E2 = ____________ V
Thevenin Equivalent Voltage (Eth), V Thevenin Equivalent Resistance (Rth), 
Measured Value Measured Value
Calculated Value Simulated Value Calculated Value Simulated Value
(Experimental) (Experimental)

Table 2 Data for studying Thevenin’s theorem using Figure 2 through load voltage measurement.
Values of Voltage Sources: E1 = _______ V, E2 = ____________ V
VABe Deviation
Source Circuit VABt Theory VABs Simulation
Experimental 𝜺𝒕𝒆 𝜺𝒕𝒔
Original Circuit
Thevenin’s
Equivalent Circuit

Table 3 Data for studying Thevenin’s theorem using Figure 2 through load current measurement.
Values of Voltage Sources: E1 = _______ V, E2 = ____________ V
Deviation
Source Circuit IR4t Theory IR4e Experimental IR4s Simulation
𝜺𝒕𝒆 𝜺𝒕𝒔
Original Circuit
Thevenin’s
Equivalent Circuit

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Table 4 Data for studying Thevenin’s theorem using Figure 2 through power measurement.
Deviation
Source Circuit PR4t Theory PR4e Experimental PR4s Simulation
𝜺𝒕𝒆 𝜺𝒕𝒔
Original Circuit
Thevenin’s
Equivalent Circuit

Simulation and Measurement:

Use the MultiSIM simulator to simulate all circuits of Figures 1-3. Similar way, complete Tables 1, 2, and 3 with
the simulated data, also. Compare the simulation results with your theoretically computed and experimental data
and finally calculate the percentage of errors again.

Result and Calculation:

1. Theoretically calculate the voltage, current, and power for the designated element in the circuits and
compare them to the measured values.
2. Compute the percentage errors in the two measurements and provide a brief explanation for the error.
3. Verify Thevenin’s theorem from the experimental and simulated data of Tables 1, 2, 3, and 4. Comment
on your results.

Discussion and Conclusion:

Interpret the data/findings and determine the extent to which the experiment was successful in complying with
the goal that was initially set. Discuss any mistake you might have made while conducting the investigation and
describe ways the study could have been improved.

Questions:
1. How much is the difference between theoretical values and measured values using the multimeter? If
you have found any difference, then explain the reason.
2. Write the laboratory report following the template as given before.
3. Verify Thevenin Theorem for the circuit in Figure 3.

Figure 3: Series-parallel resistance connected with a DC voltage source.

Reference:
[1] Robert L. Boylestad, “Introductory Circuit Analysis,” 12th Edition, Prentice Hall, New York, 2005-2006, p. 524.
[2] Multisim 14.2 Tutorial Part 01 (Getting started: Introduction and circuit construction), YouTube video link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Jiasd0K7Co, accessed on 13 June 2023.
[3] Multisim 14.2 Tutorial Part 02 (DC Sweep and Parameter Sweep), YouTube video link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ld1aqfOlm3w, accessed on 13 June 2023.

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