Source Transformation & Reciprocity

Theorem - GATE Study Material in PDF

Source Transformation is an important topic in Electrical Networks (GATE EE) or
Network Theory (GATE EC). These free GATE Notes deal with Source Transformation &
Reciprocity Theorem and can be downloaded as PDF. These GATE Study Material is also
useful for other exams like IES, BARC, DRDO, BSNL etc.
The transformation of several voltages (or current) sources into a single voltage (or
current) source and a voltage source into a current source or viceversa is known as
source transformation. In these GATE Study Notes, we discuss the concepts of source
transformation.
Before starting with this module, you are advised to go through the following articles.

Recommended Reading

Basic Network Theory Concepts

Rules of Source Transformation

1. Several voltage sources connected in series will be replaced by a single voltage
source.
Several current sources connected in parallel will be replaced by a single current
source.

2. As for as the computations in the remainder of the network are concerned, a resistor
in parallel with an ideal voltage source and a resistor in series with an ideal current
source may be ignored.

3. A voltage source V(t) in series with a resistor R can be converted into a current
source I(t) in parallel with the same resistor R, where
I(t) =

V(t)
R

Example 1: Find V from the circuit using a series of source transformations.

Solution: By performing source transformation,

By voltage division
V = 43.2

8
12

= 28.8V

Reciprocity Theorem
In any branch of a network, the current (I) due to a single source of voltage (V)
elsewhere in the network is equal to the current through the branch in which the source
4

was originally placed when the source is placed in the branch in which the current (I)
was originally obtained.
Steps for solution of a network utilizing reciprocity theorem:
1. The branches between which reciprocity is to be established are to be selected first.
2. The current in the branch is obtained using network analysis.
3. The voltage source is interchanged between the branches concerned.
4. The current in the branch where the voltage source was existing earlier is calculated.
It may be observed that the currents obtained in step 2 and step 4 are identical to each
other Now will discuss by taking an example.

Example 2: Show the application of reciprocity theorem in the network given below.

Solution:
Step 1: Selected branches in which reciprocity theorem to be established as shown
below:
(x y and a b)

Step 2: Calculate the current I2,

R eq = [(2 + 1)||3] + 2 = 3.5
10

I1 = 3.5 A
I2 =

10
3.5

3
3+3

10
7

Step 3: Interchange the voltage source

Step 4: Calculate the current I1

R eq = (2||3) + 1 + 2
6

=5+3 =
I2 =

10
21
5

21
5

50

= 21 A

50 3

I1 = 21 (5) =

10
7

Hence we observe that when the source was in branch x y, the a b branch current is
10
7

A; again when the source is in branch a b, the x y branch current becomes

10
7

A.

This proves the reciprocity theorem.

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