This fundamental circuit theory principle states that any combination of linear resistors and voltage or current sources can be reduced to an equivalent circuit with just one ideal voltage source and one series resistor. It allows engineers to isolate a specific load and easily calculate how changing that load affects the rest of the network. The resulting simplified model makes predicting current flow and voltage drops much faster than solving the entire mesh.
Use Thévenin's theorem to find the equivalent source impedance before you try matching the antenna.
Do not mix it up with
- Norton's theorem: Norton's theorem simplifies a circuit to a current source and parallel resistor, whereas Thévenin uses a voltage source and series resistor.
Related terms
Norton's theorem
A circuit analysis rule stating that any linear network can be reduced to one current source and one parallel resistor.
Nodal analysis
A systematic method for determining the voltage at every node in an electrical circuit.
Voltage divider
A simple passive circuit that scales down an input voltage to a lower, predictable output level.