Source Transformation

to Solve a Circuit

Find the power associated with the 6 V source.

State whether the 6 V source is absorbing or
delivering power to the circuit.
ECE 201 Circuit Theory 1

Which method to solve?

Use mesh-current method and solve for the current in the

6 V source. (3 equations)
Use node-voltage method and solve for the voltage across
the 30 resistor and calculate the current delivered by the
6 V source.
ECE 201 Circuit Theory 1

Use Source Transformation to focus in on

the branch containing the 6V source.

CAUTION --- Preserve the identity of the branch

containing the 6V source!

ECE 201 Circuit Theory 1

Step 1-- Transform the 40 V source

ECE 201 Circuit Theory 1

Step 2 (a) -- combine the 20 and 5 resistors into

an equivalent 4 resistor.

Req = 4
Step 2 (b) -- transform the equivalent 4 resistor and
the 8A current source into a 32 V source in series with
a 4 resistor.
ECE 201 Circuit Theory 1

Step 3 -- Transform the 32 V source in series with 20

into a 1.6 A source in parallel with a 20 resistor.

ECE 201 Circuit Theory 1

Req = 12
Step 4 (a) -- Combine the 30 and 20 resistors into an
equivalent 12 resistor.
Step 4(b) -- Transform the equivalent 12 resistor in
parallel with the 1.6 A source into a 19.2 V source in
series with a 12 resistor.
ECE 201 Circuit Theory 1

The final circuit has preserved the branch containing

the 6 V source. The current can be determined by

6 i (4) i (12) 19.2 0

16i 13.2
13.2
i
0.825 A
16
ECE 201 Circuit Theory 1

The actual current is flowing from right to left, into the

+ terminal of the 6 V source. Therefore, the 6 V
source is absorbing power.

p vi (6V )(0.825 A)
p 4.95W
ECE 201 Circuit Theory 1