9 - Thevenin's Theorem

INTRO: Today we explored the very important Thevenin's Theorem. Thevenin's  Theorem is very useful for circuits that involve many circuit elements and a variable resistor. If there were to be a change in the resistence of the variable one, all the other values would need to be recalculated for the rest of the diagram. This theorem allows you to rewrite the remainder of the diagram as a voltage source and a resistor in series.








Here we used Thevenin's Theory for the first time. The Rth is found by getting rid of all the independent circuit elements and solving for R. Finding Vth is not too difficult, all you have to do is use one of our prior analyzing methods to find it.


Here we used Everycircuit, which is a program that allows you to set up and gives values for your circuits. Although it is a great tool, as engineers we still need understand why the values are what they are. We need to learn and understand the concepts behind those values, which is what differentiates us between technicians. Damn technicians, DEY TOOK OUUUURRRR JOBSS

LAB: THEVENIN'S THEOREM
In this lab we are going to explore the concept further. 

 
Here we used the theorem to solve for values in the circuit. We then used Everycircuit to check the answers that we got.


Above is a picture of our circuit. We used a variable resistor, called a POT, which allows us to measure different values of the circuit elements when we vary the POT






Since we kept changing the resistance, we made values of what we calculated and measured across a circuit element. Above is a table of all of the values at different resistances.


Here we graphed our Power vs. Load Resistance. It increases until it tops off and begins falling by a bit.