Principle and procedure to apply Norton's theorem in electrical circuits

 

Norton's theorem is a principle that can be used to simplify the analysis of linear electrical circuits. It states that any linear circuit, no matter how complex, can be represented by a single current source and a single resistor in parallel. This equivalent circuit is known as a Norton equivalent circuit.

To use Norton's theorem to analyze a circuit, you can follow these steps:

1. Identify the current source and the resistor that make up the Norton equivalent circuit.
2. Calculate the current (I) of the current source. This is the short-circuit current of the circuit, which is the current that flows through the terminals of the circuit when the voltage across the terminals is zero.
3. Calculate the resistance (R) of the resistor. This is the equivalent resistance of the circuit, which is the resistance measured between the terminals of the circuit when all current sources are replaced with open circuits.
4. Use the Norton equivalent circuit to analyze the circuit. This may involve calculating quantities such as the voltage across the circuit, the current at different points in the circuit, or the power dissipated by resistors.

Norton's theorem can be a useful tool for analyzing and understanding the behavior of linear electrical circuits, as it allows you to simplify complex circuits into a simpler equivalent form. It can also be used to analyze the behavior of circuits with multiple sources of power or with varying load conditions.