University of

Jordan School of
Engineering
Electrical Engineering Department

EE 219
Electrical Circuits Lab

EXPERIMENT 3
NETWORK
THEOREMS

Prepared by: Dr. Mohammed Hawa

 EXPERIMENT 3
NETWORK
THEOREMS
OBJECTIVE

When you complete this experiment, you will have verified the superposition
theorem as applied to multiple-source DC circuits. You will also have examined
both the Thévenin and Norton theorems, the maximum power transfer condition,
and learnt about the practical workings of adjustable resistances, namely the
potentiometer and rheostat. Finally, you will have investigated the difference
between peak-to-peak and rms values.

DISCUSSION

Superposition Theorem
The superposition theorem states that in a linear multi-source AC or DC circuit, the
current through (or voltage across) any particular element may be determined by
considering the contribution of each source independently, with the remaining
sources switched OFF (i.e., replaced with their internal resistances). The
contributions are then summed, paying attention to polarities, to find the total
value. Superposition cannot in general be applied to non-linear circuits or to non-
linear quantities such as power.

Thévenin and Norton Theorems

Thévenin’s Theorem states that any linear circuit may be replaced by a single
voltage source with an appropriate equivalent resistance. The Thévenin equivalent
will produce the same load current and voltage as the original circuit to any load.
The Thévenin voltage can be found by determining the open circuit output voltage.
The Thévenin resistance is found by replacing sources with their internal
resistances and determining the resulting combined resistance as seen from the
two ports using standard series-parallel analysis techniques. In the laboratory, the
Thévenin resistance may be found using an ohmmeter (again, when replacing the
sources with their internal resistances); or by finding the open circuit voltage and
short circuit current at the two desired ports.

Norton’s theorem is the dual of Thévenin’s theorem, and states that any linear
circuit may be replaced by an equivalent current source in parallel with an
equivalent resistance. The equivalent current is the current obtained when short
circuiting the two terminals in question. The equivalent resistance is the same as
Thévenin’s equivalent resistance.

Maximum Power Transfer

In order to achieve the maximum load power in a circuit, the load resistance must
equal the Thévenin resistance. Any load resistance value above or below this will
produce a smaller load power.

Potentiometer and Rheostat

A potentiometer is a three terminal resistive device (see figure below). The outer
terminals present a constant resistance which is the nominal value of the device. A

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third terminal, called the wiper arm, is a contact point that can be moved along the
resistance. This three terminal configuration is used typically to adjust voltage via
the voltage divider rule, hence the name

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potentiometer, or pot for short. While the resistance change is often linear with
rotation (i.e., rotating the shaft 50% yields 50% resistance), other schemes, called
tapers, are also found.

If only a single outer terminal and the wiper are used, the device is merely an
adjustable resistor and is referred to as a rheostat. These may be placed in-line
with a load to control the load current.

The Oscilloscope
An oscilloscope is a measurement device designed to measure and display
voltages. Unlike a voltmeter, however, an oscilloscope does not display a single
number. Instead, it displays signals (waveforms) that are functions of time. Such a
signal shape allows you to measure certain signal parameters, such as its
frequency, period, peak-to-peak voltage, DC offset value, phase shift, pulse width,
rise time, delay time, etc. Notice that the oscilloscope is suitable for displaying
signals that are periodic (i.e., repeat themselves in time), such as sinusoidal,
triangular and square wave signals, but unfortunately it cannot display aperiodic
signals.

The oscilloscope has extremely high input impedance (1 MΩ parallel with 25 pF),
which means it will not significantly affect the input signal when connected in
parallel with the circuit. The oscilloscope screen almost always has 8 squares
(divisions) on the vertical axis (which indicates voltage), and 10 squares (divisions)
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on the horizontal axis (which indicates time).

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The oscilloscope consists of five subsystems (see below): Horizontal controls,
Vertical controls, Trigger controls, Quick measurement controls and Menu controls.

The main Horizontal controls are:

 Scale (Time-Per-Division): Determines the amount of time displayed.
 Position: Moves the waveform left and right (horizontally) on the display.

The main Vertical controls are:

 Scale (Volts-Per-Division): Varies the size of the waveform on the screen.
 Position: Moves the waveform up and down (vertically) on the display.
 Input coupling: Determines which part of the signal is displayed as follows:
- DC Coupling: Shows all of the input signal.
- AC Coupling: Blocks the DC component of the signal, centering the waveform at
0 volts.
- Ground Coupling: Disconnects the input signal to show where 0 volts is on the
screen.

The main Trigger controls are:

 Source: Determines which signal is used for triggering the sweep.
 Level: Determines where on the edge of the source signal the trigger point
occurs.
 Slope: Determines whether the trigger point is on the rising edge (positive
slope) or the falling edge (negative slope) of the source signal.

The main Quick measurement controls are:

 Autoset: Adjusts horizontal, vertical and trigger settings automatically to
display the input signals.
 Cursor: Places two horizontal or vertical lines (cursors) on top of the trace so
the user can easily read values from the display.
 Measure: Automatically measures certain parameters from the screen (see
Experiment 6).
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PROCEDURE A – SUPERPOSITION THEOREM
1.Construct the circuit shown below. Assume that R1 = 1000 , R2 = 2200 , R3 =
680 , and
R4 = 470 .

2.
Set the DC supplies output voltage controls to minimum then connect them to
the circuit. Switch both DC supplies ON, and set their voltages to Vs = 8 Volts and
Vd = 6 Volts. Verify these voltages using a voltmeter.
3.
Use theoretical analysis (say nodal or mesh analysis) to determine all the
currents in the circuit: I1, I2, I3, and the voltages across all resistors: VR1, VR2, VR3,
VR4. Record these values in the first column under Theory in Table 1. What analysis
method did you use?

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................

4. Use the digital multimeter (DMM) to measure all the currents in the circuit: I1, I2,
I3, and the voltages across all resistors: VR1, VR2, VR3, VR4. Record these values in
the first column of Table 1. Are the measured values close to the theory-based
answers?

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................

Table 1
Vs & Vd in Vs only in Vd only in column
circuit circuit circuit 2+column 3
Theory Meas. Theory Meas. Theory Meas. Theory Meas.
I1
(mA)
I2
(mA)
I3
(mA)
VR1
(V)

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VR2
(V)
VR3
(V)
VR4
(V)

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5.
We can use superposition to find the voltages and currents in the circuit. To do
that, each source contribution needs to be found separately. So, first kill source Vd
by disconnecting it from the circuit and replacing it with a short (see the figure
below). WARNING: Do not short circuit the supply while still connected to the
circuit to avoid damaging it. DISCONNECT it completely!

6.Determine all the currents in the circuit: I1‘, I2‘, I3‘, and the voltages across all
resistors: VR1‘, VR2‘, VR3‘, VR4‘ using standard series-parallel techniques and record
them in the second column under Theory in Table 1. Now measure the actual
currents and voltages from the circuit, and record them in Table 1. Make sure to
note the polarity.
7.
Repeat the process by killing source Vs by disconnecting it from the circuit and
replacing it with a short (as shown below). Record all the currents in the circuit: I1”,
I2”, I3”, and the voltages across all resistors: VR1”, VR2”, VR3”, VR4” contributed by
the second source (theoretical and measured) in Table 1. WARNING: Do not short
circuit the supply while still connected to the circuit to avoid damaging it.
DISCONNECT it completely!

8.
Add the contributions of both sources in the last column of Table 1. Compare the
sum of the contributions (last column in Table 1) with the voltage and current
values found when the two sources were active (first column in Table 1). What are
your conclusions?

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9.
Now that you have the current and voltage for each component in the circuit,
you can compute the power consumed (or generated) by that component
(remember that Power = Voltage  Current). Use the voltage and current values in
Table 1 to calculate the power values in Table 2. Compare the sum of Vs and Vd
contributions to power (last column in Table 2) with the power values found when
the two sources are active (first column in Table 2). What are your conclusions?
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10.
Is power a linear quantity or non-linear quantity? Why is this significant?

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..................

Table 2
Vs & Vd in Vs only in Vd only in column
circuit circuit circuit 2+column 3
Theory Meas. Theory Meas. Theory Meas. Theory Meas.
PR1
(mW)
PR2
(mW)
PR3
(mW)
PR4
(mW)
PVs
(mW)
PVd
(mW)

11. What is the relationship between PR1 + PR2 + PR3 + PR4, on the one side, and PVs +
PVd, on the other side?

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..................
12.
When is it preferable to use superposition compared to nodal and mesh analysis?

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..................

PROCEDURE B – THÉVENIN AND NORTON EQUIVALENT CIRCUITS

1. Construct the circuit shown below. Assume that R1 = 1000 , R2 = 2200 , R3 =

680 , and R4 = 470 . You will attempt to find the Thévenin and Norton equivalent
circuits as seen by the resistance R3.

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2.
Set the DC supplies output voltage controls to minimum then connect them to
the circuit. Switch both DC supplies ON, and set their voltages to Vs = 8 Volts and
Vd = 6 Volts. Verify these voltages using a voltmeter.

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3.First, remove R3 to create an open circuit between terminals a and b as shown
below. Evaluate the voltage VOC theoretically then measure it using a voltmeter.
Pay attention to polarity. Record the values in the first column of Table 3.

4.
Switch OFF the power supplies and replace the voltmeter with an ammeter

between terminals a and b as shown below. Remember that the ammeter has a
very small resistance, which mean it is almost a short circuit. WARNING: Be

careful not to short circuit the power supplies using the ammeter.

5.Now switch ON the power supplies and measure the current ISC. Pay attention to
polarity. Also evaluate the current ISC theoretically and record the values in the
second column of Table 3. Then compute the value VOC/ISC.

Table 3
VOC (V) ISC (mA) VOC/ISC (Ω) Rab (Ω)
Theory Meas. Theory Meas. Theory Meas. Theory Meas.

6.
Finally, kill both sources by disconnecting them from the circuit and replacing
them with shorts. WARNING: Do not short circuit the supplies while still
connected to the circuit to avoid damaging them. DISCONNECT them completely!
7.
Remove the ammeter, and replace it with an Ohmmeter between terminals a
and b. Record the Ohmmeter reading (Rab) in Table 3, along with the theoretical
value.

8. Compare the values of VOC/ISC and Rab. State your conclusions.

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..................

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9.Draw the theoretical Thévenin and Norton equivalent circuits for the above circuit
with R3
connected.

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................

PROCEDURE C – MAXIMUM POWER TRANSFER

1.Construct the circuit shown below. Assume that R1 = 1000 , R2 = 2200 , and
R4 = 470 . Notice that R3 is now replaced with a 10 k potentiometer.

2.
Remove the potentiometer out of the circuit, place it on a different location on
the breadboard and change its resistance between points a and w to 220 , then
place it again into the circuit.
3.
Set the DC supplies output voltage controls to minimum then connect them to
the circuit. Switch both DC supplies ON, and set their voltages to Vs = 8 Volts and
Vd = 6 Volts. Verify these voltages using a voltmeter. Measure the voltage VP
across the potentiometer, and record it in Table 4.

4.Use this measured VP value to calculate the power P absorbed by the

potentiometer. Remember that Power = Voltage2 / Resistance. Record the power
value in Table 4. Also compute and record the theoretical values for VP and P in
Table 4. Hint: Using the Thévenin equivalent circuit can help you get theoretical
answers faster.

Table 4
Potentiome VP P
ter (V) (mW)
Resistance Theory Measured Theory Measured
(Ω)
220 
441 
661 
881 
1322 

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1762 
2203 

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5.
Repeat the above process by disconnecting the potentiometer from the circuit,
setting its resistance value to the ones shown in Table 4, placing it back into the
circuit, and making the voltage measurements.
6.
Why can’t you just measure the potentiometer resistance while it is still
connected to the circuit?
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................
7.
Plot the absorbed power P versus potentiometer resistance (provide handwritten
plots on the graph paper attached at the end of the report). At what resistance
value do you observe maximum power transfer?
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................
8.
What is so special about the above resistance value? Hint: review procedure B.
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PROCEDURE D – PEAK-TO-PEAK VERSUS RMS VALUES

1. Construct the circuit shown below. Assume that R = 3300 . The AC power
supply here is the function generator, not the DC supply you used in earlier parts.

2. Make sure you connect the voltmeter, ammeter and oscilloscope with the
correct polarity. Set the voltmeter and ammeter to measure AC (not DC).

3. Set Channel 1 of the oscilloscope to 0.5 V/DIV and set the sweep to 2.5 ms/DIV.
Set the coupling of Channel 1 to DC, and set the Trigger Source to CH1. Switch off
Channel 2 of the oscilloscope.

4.Make sure the vertical position of the oscilloscope is set to zero. You can do that
by noticing the movement of the small triangle to the left of the oscilloscope
screen as you adjust the vertical position knob. Make sure it points exactly to the
middle of the screen.

of 100 Hz, and peak voltage of 𝑉𝑝 = 1.5 V.

5.Set the function generator to produce a sinusoidal waveform (AC) with frequency

CAUTION: Some older function generators have a defect and produce an AC signal
with a slight DC shift (positive or negative). Hence, if you do not see a symmetric
sinusoidal signal above and below zero volts, adjust the DC offset knob slightly to
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force a zero DC offset in the function generator output.

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6.What is the period 𝑇 (in milliseconds) of the sinusoidal signal out of the function
generator?

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................

7. Draw what you see on the oscilloscope screen below. Make sure you have
Channel 1 of the oscilloscope set to 0.5 V/DIV and the sweep set to 2.5 ms/DIV.

8. Use theoretical analysis to determine the rms value of the source voltage 𝑣𝑆(𝑡)
and the current in the circuit i(𝑡) at the different frequencies shown in Table 5.

current in rms from the peak source voltage 𝑉𝑝?

Record these values in the table? What equation should you use to calculate the

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9. Measure the peak-to-peak value 𝑉𝑝−𝑝 of the source voltage using the
oscilloscope screen at the different frequencies and record them in the first column
of Table 5.

CAUTION: Whenever you change the frequency of the function generator, verify
the period of the signal from the oscilloscope. Also re-check the peak-to-peak
voltage as the function generator might change the amplitude when you change
the frequency.

Source 𝑉𝑝−𝑝 Source 𝑉𝑟𝑚𝑠 Source 𝑉𝑟𝑚𝑠 𝐼𝑟𝑚𝑠

Table 5
AC
Source (V) (V) (V) (mA)
Frequen (Oscilloscope (Oscilloscope (Voltmeter) (Ammet
cy (Hz) ) ) er)
Theory Meas. Theory Meas. Theory Meas. Theory Meas.
100
1000
2000
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10. Evaluate the measured rms value 𝑉𝑟𝑚𝑠 of the source voltage using the peak-to-
peak oscilloscope reading, and record this in the second column of Table 5.

11. Now use the voltmeter to read the measured rms value 𝑉𝑟𝑚𝑠 of the source
voltage, but record the answer this time in the third column of Table 5. How are the
voltmeter and oscilloscope different in reading the AC voltage?

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12.What extra information about the source voltage can the oscilloscope provide,
which the voltmeter cannot provide?

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13. Use the ammeter to measure the rms value 𝐼𝑟𝑚𝑠 of the current, and record the
answer in the last column of Table 5. Are the measurements close to the
theoretical answers?

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14. Does the resistor change its impedance ZR with frequency?

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15.What if you only had an oscilloscope without an ammeter. How would you be
able to measure the current in the circuit in rms? Explain clearly.

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** End **

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