Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, BUET

EEE 102: Electrical Circuits I Laboratory (Hardware Part)

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Experiment No: 4
Verification of Network Theorems in Linear Resistive DC Circuits

Introduction:
This experiment is intended to verify several network theorems such Superposition Theorem,
Thevnin's Theorem, Norton's Theorem and Maximum Power Transfer Theorem as used in
circuit solutions and experimental determination of equivalent source and equivalent impedance
between two terminals in an electrical circuit. The theorems are applicable to linear circuits with
both dc and ac sources. However, the experiment in this laboratory will be performed in resistive
circuits with dc sources only. In this experiment followings applicable to linear circuits will be
performed carried out,
1) Application of Superposition Theorem to Linear Resistive Network with DC Excitation
2) Determine Experimentally the Thevnin's and Norton's Equivalent Circuits of a Resistive
Network with DC Excitation
3) Verify Maximum power transfer theorem

The experiments will be carried out in circuits constructed on breadboards with low watt carbon
resistors supplied from laboratory with dual regulated dc power supply/supplies. Voltage
measurements will be made by multimeter in voltage scale. Current reading through resistances are
to be taken as voltage across a resistance divided by the corresponding resistance of the resistor
applying Ohm's law (resistance value is determined by multimeter in Ohm scale). Where indicated,
measure the current by ammeter connected in series with the element or the circuit. For any
measurement of the resistance value of a resistor, it has to be taken out of the circuit completely.
Keeping the resistance in the circuit will not allow the resistance measurement by multimeter in R
scale. The value or resistance keeping it in the circuit is only possible by using voltage and current
reading of the resistance by appropriate voltmeter/ammeter/multimeter and using Ohm's law R =
Vdc/Idc. In ac circuit R = Vrms/Irms will result in erroneous value of R because R of pure resistors
depends on frequency of the supply at which the circuit works. The rule of connecting voltmeter (or
multi-meter in voltage reading mode) in parallel and ammeter (or multi-meter in current reading
mode) in series must be followed throughout this and other laboratory experiment in this lab. As in
previous and all next experiments, Working table must be clean of any extra material that is not
needed during a particular set-up of the experiment.

Part I: Verification of Superposition Theorem:

1. Construct the circuit of the following diagram (Fig. 1) without voltmeter connections shown.
Voltmeter connections shown will be multimeter in voltage scale connected individually for
measuring the voltage of each resistance during the experiment.
V1 V2 V3

A1 A3
R1 R2 R3
VS1=20Vdc

Vs3=10Vdc
Vs1

V4

V5

Vs3

R4 R5

Fig. 1

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Record the values of current and voltages of all resistances and sources in the circuit in the following
table.
Table-1
Vs1 Vs3 R1 R2 R3 R4 R5
1.2kΩ 220Ω 220Ω 220 Ω 1.5kΩ
Voltage
Current
Power = VI
= V2/R = I2R

2. Modify the circuit of Fig. 1 to Fig. 2 by deactivating source 1 (voltage source is taken out and
terminals are shorted so that the voltage across the terminals is 0, in case of current source the
source is taken out and the terminal is left open for current through the terminals is zero)

V1 V2 V3

A1 A3
R1 R2 R3

Vs3=10Vdc
V4
Vs1

V5

Vs3
R4 R5

Fig. 2
Record the values of current and voltages of all resistances and sources in the circuit in the following
table.
Table-2
Vs1 Vs3 R1 R2 R3 R4 R5
1.2kΩ 220Ω 220Ω 220 Ω 1.5kΩ
Voltage
Current
Power = VI =
V2/R = I2R

3. Modify the circuit of Fig. 1 to Fig. 2 by deactivating source 3 (voltage source is taken out and
terminals are shorted so that the voltage across the terminals is 0, in case of current source the
source is taken out and the terminal is left open for current through the terminals is zero)

V1 V2 V3

A1 A3
R1 R2 R3
VS1=20Vdc
Vs1

V4

V5

Vs3

R4 R5

Fig. 3
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Record the values of current and voltages of all resistances and sources in the circuit in the following
table.
Table-3
Vs1 Vs3 R1 R2 R3 R4 R5
1.2kΩ 220Ω 220Ω 220 Ω 1.5kΩ
Voltage
Current
Power = VI =
V2/R = I2R

The voltages and currents of the resistances and sources of Table-1 should be (by superposition
theorem) the sum of voltages and currents of corresponding elements of Table -2 and Table -3 when
the circuit is acting with individual source acting alone, while other sources are made inactive
(Verify and explain any discrepancy).

Find the power of each resistance either by V2/R or by I2R formula in all three tables. Apply
superposition of power in table-2 and table-3 to of each element. Do the readings match with
corresponding total power of the elements in table-1. If no, why? (hints: P = k V2 or P = k I2 is not a
straight line i.e. not linear, superposition applies to only linear systems)

Part-II: Experimental Determination of Thevenin's Voltage, Norton's Current and Thevenin

Resistance between Two Terminals in an Electrical Circuit
1. Construct the circuit of Fig. 4 on the bread board. The resistances should be of 1/2 to 1 watt
values so that they do not burn out during circuit operation with supplies ON. Measure voltages
of all resistances and sources by a multimeter in voltage scale, find corresponding currents of
resistances by applying Ohm's law. Record the values of voltages and currents in an appropriate
table.
R1 R5 R2
X Y
470 100 470
20

10

R6 R7
220
V1

V2
220

R3 R4

470 470
Fig. 4
2. Take out the R5 = 100 Ω resistance between terminals X-Y and obtain the circuit of Fig. 5 as
below. Measure the open circuit voltage between terminals X-Y by a voltmeter or a multimeter
on voltage scale. This voltage is the open circuit voltage or the Thevenin's voltage for the
Thevenin's circuit to replace the circuit of Fig. 4 between X-Y.
R1 R2
X Vm Y
470 470
20

10

R6 R7
220
V1

V2
220

R3 R4

470 470
Fig. 5
EEE 102: Exp. 4 Page: 3/5
3. Take out the R5 = 100 Ω resistance between terminals X-Y and obtain the circuit of Fig. 6 by
shorting the terminals X-Y by an ammeter or multimeter in ammeter scale ( in multimeters,
ammeter terminals are separate than those of voltage/Ω terminal, and the internal
impedance of between ammeter terminals is ideally zero). Measure the short circuit current
through terminals X-Y as read in the ammeter or the multimeter in current scale. This current is
the short circuit current through X-Y or the Norton's current for the Norton's circuit to replace the
circuit of Fig. 4 between X-Y.

4. The Thevenin's equivalent resistance between terminals X-Y of the circuit of Fig. 4 is obtained
by taking the ratio of VTH = VOC between X-Y obtained in step 2 and the ISC = IN through X-Y as
obtained in step-3 (i.e. RTH = VTH/ISC = VOC/IN).
R1 R2
X A Y
470 470
20

10
R6 R7
220
V1

V2
220
R3 R4

470 470
Fig. 6
5. Build the Thevenin and Norton equivalent circuit of the circuit of Fig. 4 between X-Y as Fig. 7
and Fig. 8 respectively and connect the resistance R5 of 100Ω (that was between X-Y of Fig. 4)
between X-Y of Thevnin and Norton equivalent circuit of Figs. 7 and 8 respectively. Measure
the current and voltage of R5 (100Ω) in circuit of Figs. 7 and 8. The readings should match the
reading obtained in step-1 in the original circuit of Fig. 4.

RTH X
X
VTH = VOC

ISC = IN

R5 RTH R5
100 100

Y Y
Fig. 7 Fig. 8

EEE 102: Exp. 4 Page: 4/5

Part 3: Verification of Maximum Power Transfer Theorem in DC Circuits
1. Build the circuit of Fig. 9 and change the resistance R9 to values shown in the Table-4, and
calculate the power of R9+R8 each time using the formula V2/(R9+R8). In the circuit R8 + R9 =
R5 of Fig. 4
Table-4
R9 R9+R8 = R9+100Ω Voltage of R9+R8 Power of R9+R8 = V2/(R9+R8)
R9+R8 = R5 of Fig. 4 which is R5 of Fig. 4 R9+R8 = R5 of Fig. 4
100Ω
150Ω
200Ω
220Ω
320Ω
470Ω
1kΩ

Where does the maximum power occur (at what value of R9+R8, i.e. R9+R8 = R5 of Fig. 4 and
what relationship this value has with Thevenin resistance)?
R9
R1 R8 R2
X 1k Y
470 100 470
20

10
R6 R7
220
V1

V2
220

R3 R4

470 470
Fig. 9
2. Construct the circuit of Fig. 10 (RTH should be nearly 300Ω and VTH = VOC should be nearly 1.9
VDC and take the readings and fill up the Table-5
RTH
X
VTH = VOC

RL

Y
Fig. 10
Table-5
RL in Ω Voltage across RL VRL in Volts Power of RL = VRL2 / RL
100
150
200
220
300
320
470
570
1k

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