ENGR 2255 - Lab #6

Title: 

• Thevenin and Norton Equivalent Circuits

Objectives: 

• Gain experience with Thevenin and Norton Equivalent Circuits

Preparation: 

1. Determine the Thevenin equivalent circuit for the circuit above.
2. Draw the Thevenin equivalent circuit.
3. Determine the Norton equivalent circuit.
4. Draw the Norton equivalent circuit.
5. Pick a load resistor (from standard values) that is close to R_TH. Calculate the power absorbed by the load resistor using the circuit above.
6. Calculate the power absorbed by the load resistor using the Thevenin equivalent circuit.
7. Calculate the power absorbed by the load resistor using the Norton equivalent circuit.

Equipment and Parts: 

• Power Supply
• Digital Multimeter(s)
• Resistors: 51 Ω, 130 Ω, 240 Ω, 560 Ω, 200 Ω, 1.2 kΩ, & 430 Ω

Procedure: 

1. Create the circuit from the preparation on a proto board. Record actual values.
2. Measure V_OC.
3. Measure I_SC.
4. Determine R_TH by computing V_OC/I_SC.
5. Determine R_TH by measuring resistance of the circuit. (Note: The voltage source needs to be replaced with a short circuit.)
6. Attach to the circuit the load resistor picked in step 5 of the preparation. Measure the voltage across the load resistor and calculate the current through the resistor. Calculate the power absorbed.
7. Create the Thevenin equivalent circuit on a proto board. Record actual values.
8. Attach the load resistor. Measure the voltage across and current through the resistor. Calculate the power absorbed.
9. Create the Norton equivalent circuit on a proto board. Record actual values.
10. Attach the load resistor. Measure the voltage across and current through the resistor. Calculate the power absorbed.

Conclusions: 

1. Compare the predicted values from the preparation with the measured values from the procedure. Indicate how closely the measurements matched the predictions.
2. Discuss how well the objectives were met.