Network Theory - Active Elements

Active Elements and Passive Elements

We can classify the Network elements into either active or passive based on the ability of delivering power.
Active Elements deliver power to other elements, which are present in an electric circuit. Sometimes, they
may absorb the power like passive elements. That means active elements have the capability of both
delivering and absorbing power. Examples: Voltage sources and current sources.

Passive Elements can’t deliver power (energy) to other elements, however they can absorb power. That
means these elements either dissipate power in the form of heat or store energy in the form of either
magnetic field or electric field. Examples: Resistors, Inductors, and capacitors.
Active Elements are the network elements that deliver power to other elements present in an
electric circuit. So, active elements are also called as sources of voltage or current type. We can
classify these sources into the following two categories −
Independent Sources
Dependent Sources
Independent Sources
As the name suggests, independent sources produce fixed values of voltage or current and these
are not dependent on any other parameter. Independent sources can be further divided into the
following two categories −
Independent Voltage Sources
Independent Current Sources
Independent Voltage Sources

An independent voltage source produces a constant voltage across its two terminals. This voltage
is independent of the amount of current that is flowing through the two terminals of voltage source.
Independent ideal voltage source and its V-I characteristics are shown in the following figure.

The V-I characteristics of an independent ideal voltage source is a constant line, which is always
equal to the source voltage (VS) irrespective of the current value (I). So, the internal resistance of
an independent ideal voltage source is zero Ohms.
Hence, the independent ideal voltage sources do not exist practically, because there will be
some internal resistance.
Independent practical voltage source and its V-I characteristics are shown in the following figure.

1/5
There is a deviation in the V-I characteristics of an independent practical voltage source from the V-
I characteristics of an independent ideal voltage source. This is due to the voltage drop across the
internal resistance (RS) of an independent practical voltage source.

Independent Current Sources

An independent current source produces a constant current. This current is independent of the
voltage across its two terminals. Independent ideal current source and its V-I characteristics are
shown in the following figure.

The V-I characteristics of an independent ideal current source is a constant line, which is always
equal to the source current (IS) irrespective of the voltage value (V). So, the internal resistance of
an independent ideal current source is infinite ohms.
Hence, the independent ideal current sources do not exist practically, because there will be some
internal resistance.
Independent practical current source and its V-I characteristics are shown in the following figure.

2/5
There is a deviation in the V-I characteristics of an independent practical current source from the V-
I characteristics of an independent ideal current source. This is due to the amount of current flows
through the internal shunt resistance (RS) of an independent practical current source.

Dependent Sources
As the name suggests, dependent sources produce the amount of voltage or current that is
dependent on some other voltage or current. Dependent sources are also called as controlled
sources. Dependent sources can be further divided into the following two categories −
Dependent Voltage Sources
Dependent Current Sources

Dependent Voltage Sources

A dependent voltage source produces a voltage across its two terminals. The amount of this
voltage is dependent on some other voltage or current. Hence, dependent voltage sources can be
further classified into the following two categories −
Voltage Dependent Voltage Source (VDVS)
Current Dependent Voltage Source (CDVS)
Dependent voltage sources are represented with the signs ‘+’ and ‘-’ inside a diamond shape. The
magnitude of the voltage source can be represented outside the diamond shape.

Dependent Current Sources

A dependent current source produces a current. The amount of this current is dependent on some
other voltage or current. Hence, dependent current sources can be further classified into the
following two categories −
Voltage Dependent Current Source (VDCS)
Current Dependent Current Source (CDCS)
Dependent current sources are represented with an arrow inside a diamond shape. The magnitude
of the current source can be represented outside the diamond shape.
We can observe these dependent or controlled sources in equivalent models of transistors.

3/5
Source Transformation Technique
We know that there are two practical sources, namely, voltage source and current source. We
can transform (convert) one source into the other based on the requirement, while solving network
problems.
The technique of transforming one source into the other is called as source transformation
technique. Following are the two possible source transformations −
Practical voltage source into a practical current source
Practical current source into a practical voltage source

Practical voltage source into a practical current source

The transformation of practical voltage source into a practical current source is shown in the
following figure

Practical voltage source consists of a voltage source (VS) in series with a resistor (RS). This can
be converted into a practical current source as shown in the figure. It consists of a current source
(IS) in parallel with a resistor (RS).
The value of IS will be equal to the ratio of VS and RS. Mathematically, it can be represented as

V
VSS
I
IS =
S =
R
RSS

Practical current source into a practical voltage source

The transformation of practical current source into a practical voltage source is shown in the
following figure.

4/5
Practical current source consists of a current source (IS) in parallel with a resistor (RS). This can be
converted into a practical voltage source as shown in the figure. It consists of a voltage source (VS)
in series with a resistor (RS).
The value of VS will be equal to the product of IS and RS. Mathematically, it can be represented as

V
VS = IS R
S = IS RSS

5/5