Network Theorems - Alternating Current examples - J. R.

Lucas
In the previous chapter, we have been dealing mainly with direct current resistive circuits in
order to the principles of the various theorems clear. As was mentioned, these theories are
equally valid for a.c.
Example 1
I1

19.89 F
j160

E1 = 1000o V

j20
63.66 m I2

20

I
E2 = 70-30o V

For the circuit shown in the figure, if the frequency of the supply is 50 Hz, determine using
Ohms Law and Kirchoffs Laws the current I in the 160 capacitor.
Impedance of capacitor and inductor at 50 Hz are
j XL = j 2 50 63.66 103 = j 20
and

- j XC = 1/( j 2 50 19.89 106) = j 160

Using Kirchoffs current law

I = I1 I2
Using Kirchoffs voltage law
1000o = 20 I1 j160 (I1 I2)
and

70-30 = j 20 I2 j 160 (I1 I2)

o

5 = (1-j8) I1 +j8 I2
o

...... (1)

7-30 = j 16 I1+ j 14 I2

...... (2)

multiplying equation (1) by 7 and equation (2) by 4 and subtracting gives

35 - 28-30o = (7 j 56 + j 64) I1 + 0
i.e.

I1

10.751 + j 14 = (7 + j 8)I1

17.6552.48 o
= 1.6603.67o A
o
10.6348.81

substituting in (1),
j8 I2 = 5 (1-j8) 1.6603.67o
i.e.

890o I2 = 5 8.062-82.87o 1.6603.67o = 5 13.383-79.20o = 2.492 + j13.146

i.e.

13.3879.27 o
I2 =
= 1.673-10.73o A
o
890

Thus the required current I is = 1.6603.67o 1.673-10.73o

= 1.657 + j 0.106 1.644 + j 0.311 = 0.013 +j 0.417
= 0.4288.2o A
The problem could probably have been worked out with lesser steps, but I have done it in this
manner so that you can get more familiarised with the solution of problems using complex
numbers.
Network Theorems- a c examples Professor J R Lucas

November 2001

Example 2
Let us solve the same problem as earlier, but using Superposition theorem.
I1

20

19.89 F
j160

E1 = 1000o V

j20
63.66 m I2

I
E2 = 70-30o V

This circuit can be broken into its two constituent components as shown.
j20
63.66 m I2A

I1A 20
E1 = 1000o V
19.89 F
j160

IA

j20
63.66 m I2B

I1B 20
IB

IB

19.89 F
j160

E2 = 70-30o V

Using series parallel addition of impedances, we can obtain the supply currents as follows.
Equivalent

Zs1 = 20 + (-j160)//j20,
= 20 +

Zs2 = j20 + 20//(-j160)

j160 j 20
,
j140

= j20 +

20 ( j160)
20 j160

= 20 + j 22.857,

= j20 + 19.692 j 2.462 = 19.692 + j17.538

= 30.37248.81o ,

= 26.37041.69o

source current I1A =

1000 o
,
30.37248.81o

I2B =

= 3.293-48.81o,

70 30 o
26.37041.69 o

= 2.655-71.69o,

Using the current division rule (note directions of currents and signs),
IA = 3.293 48.81o

j 20
,
j140

IB = 2.655 71.69 o

= 0.470131.19o,

20
20 j160

53.10 71.69 o
= 0.32911.18o
o
161.25 82.87

Using superposition theorem, the total current in

I

= 0.470131.19o + 0.32911.18o = -0.310 + j 0.354 + 0.323 + j0.064

= 0.013 + j 0.419 = 0.4288.2o A

which is the same answer obtained in the earlier example.

Network Theorems- a c examples Professor J R Lucas

November 2001

Example 3
Let us again consider the same example to illustrate Thevenins Theorem.
I1

20

19.89 F
j160

E1 = 1000o V

j20
63.66 m I2

I
E2 = 70-30o V
Q

Consider the capacitor disconnected at P and Q.

Current flowing in the circuit under this condition =

1000 o 70 30 o
20 + j 20

100 60.62 + j 35 52.6941.63o

=
=
= 1.863 3.37 o
o
20 + j 20
28.2845
Thevenins voltage source = 1000o 20 1.863-3.37o = 62.80 + j 2.19 = 62.842.00o
20 j 20
= 14.14245o = 10 + j 10
20 + j 20

Also, Thevenins impedance across Q = 20//j20 =

Thevenins equivalent circuit is
10 + j 10
Eth = 62.842.00o V

From this circuit, it follows that

19.89 F
j160

I =

62.842.00 o
62.842.00 o
=
10 + j10 j160 150.33 86.19 o

= 0.418-88.2o A
which is again the same result.

Example 4
Let us again consider the same example to illustrate Nortons Theorem.
I1

20

j20
63.66 m I2

E1 = 1000o V

19.89 F
j160

E2 = 70-30o V
Q

Consider the capacitor short-circuited at P and Q.

The Nortons current source is given as

1000 o 70 30 o
+
= 5 1.75 j3.031
20
j 20

= 3.25 j 3.031 = 4.444-43.00o

Network Theorems- a c examples Professor J R Lucas

November 2001

Nortons admittance =

1
1
+
= 0.05 j 0.05 S
20 j 20

4.444-43.0o

or same as Thevenins impedance 10 + j10

j160

The Nortons equivalent circuit is as shown in the figure.

The current through the capacitor can be determined using the current division rule.
I = 4.44443.0o

14.14245o
10 + j10
= 4.44443.0o
10 + j10 j160
150.33 86.19 o

= 0.418-88.2o A
Example 5
Using Millmanns theorem find the current in the capacitor.
I1

20

19.89 F
j160

E1 = 1000o V

j20
63.66 m I2

I
E2 = 70-30o V
N

VSN

1
1
1000 o +
0 +
Y.V
20
j160

=
=
1
1
Y
+
+
20 j160
=

1
70 30 o
j 20
1
j 20

4.444 43.00 o
5 + 0 1.75 j 3.031
3.25 j 3.031
=
=
0.05 + j 0.00625 j 0.05 0.05 j 0.04375 0.06643 41.19

= 66.89-1.81o V

= 66.89-1.81o /(-j160) = 0.41888.19o A

Example 6
Determine the delta equivalent of the star connected network shown.
S

YAB

j20

20

j160

YCA

YBC

C
C

Network Theorems- a c examples Professor J R Lucas

November 2001

YAB

1
1

20 j 20
1
1
=
=
,
=
1
1
1
j 20 2.5 + 20 17.5 + j 20
+
+
20 j160 j 20

YBC

1
1

1
1
j160 j 20
=
=
, ZBC = 160 j 140
=
1
1
1
160 + j 20 j160 160 j140
+
+
20 j160 j 20

YCA

1
1

20 j160
1
1
=
=
, ZCA = 140 j 160
=
1
1
1
j160 + 20 160 140 j160
+
+
20 j160 j 20

ZAB = 17.5 + j 20

Example 7
Determine the star equivalent of the delta connected network shown.
17.5+j20

ZB

ZA
140 j160

160j140

ZC

C
C

ZA =

(17.5 + j 20)(140 j160)

26.57548.81o 212.603 131.19 o
=
17.5 + j 20 140 j160 + 160 j140
37.5 j 280

5650 82.38 o
= 20.00 0.01o = 20 (same as original value in Ex 6).
o
282.5 82.37

ZB =

(17.5 + j 20)(160 j140)

26.57548.81o 212.603 41.19 o
=
17.5 + j 20 140 j160 + 160 j140
37.5 j 280

56507.62 o
= 20.0089.99 o = j 20 (same as original value in Ex 6).
o
282.5 82.37

ZC =
=

212.603 41.19 o 212.603 131.19 o

(160 j140)(140 j160)
=
37.5 j 280
17.5 + j 20 140 j160 + 160 j140
45200 172.38 o
= 160.00 90.01o = j160 (same as original value in Ex 6).
o
282.5 82.37

In order to show that the working is correct, I have selected the reverse problem for this
example and used the results of the previous example to find the original quantities. You can
see that the answers differ only due to the cumulative calculation errors.

Network Theorems- a c examples Professor J R Lucas

November 2001

Example 8
Determine using compensation theorem, the current I, if the available capacitor is 20 F,
instead of the 19.89 F already assumed in the earlier problems.
I1

j20
63.66 m I2

20

19.89 F
j160

E1 = 1000o V

I
E2 = 70-30o V

Solution
20 F corresponds to

1
= -j159.15
j 20 10 2 50
6

change of impedance Z = j159.15 (j160) = j0.85 .

from earlier calculations
I = 0.418-88.2o A
using compensation theorem, I . Z = 0.418-88.2o j0.85 = 0.3551.8o V
changes in current in the network can be obtained from
Note that the direction of I is marked in the same
direction as the original I, so that the source would in
fact send a current in the opposite direction.
i.e.
=

I1

j20
63.66 m I2

20

0.3551.8o

0.3551.8 o
I =
j159.15 + 20 // j 20

0.3551.8 o
0.3551.8 o
=
20 j 20 j159.15 + 10 + j10
j159.15 +
20 + j 20

20 F
j159.15

0.3551.8 o
= 0.0023788.0o, giving I as 0.0023788.0o, or 0.00237268.0o A
o
149.48 86.16

i.e. correct current I = 0.418-88.2o + 0.00237268.0o = 0.013 j 0.4177 0.00008j0.00237

= 0.013 j 0.420 = 0.420-88.2o A
Comparing result using Thevenins equivalent circuit derived in example 3
10 + j 10
62.842.00o V

From this circuit, it follows that

20 F
j159.15

I =

62.842.00 o
62.842.00 o
=
10 + j10 j159.15 149.48 86.16 o

= 0.420-88.2o A which is the same result.

Network Theorems- a c examples Professor J R Lucas

November 2001