Norton's theorem

Norton's theorem replaces a linear electrical network viewed from two terminals with an ideal current source in parallel with a resistance, preserving its terminal behavior.

Norton equivalent: A current source in parallel with a resistance that reproduces a linear network's behavior at two terminals. This is the specific source-and-resistance model produced by applying the theorem.
Load line: A graph of the voltage-current constraint imposed on a circuit by its source and load. The Norton model makes the source constraint easy to plot against a load's behavior.
Thevenin's theorem: A theorem that represents a linear two-terminal network as an ideal voltage source in series with a resistance. It describes the same terminal behavior using a series voltage-source form.
Edward Lawry Norton: An American engineer associated with the current-source equivalent now known as Norton's theorem. The theorem bears his name, though the equivalent was also developed independently.
Short-circuit current: The current that flows when a component or network's terminals are connected by a negligible resistance. It sets the current value of the Norton source.
Maximum power transfer theorem: A result stating the load condition that maximizes power delivered by a source network. The Norton resistance identifies the matching condition for maximum power in resistive circuits.
Millman's theorem: A method for finding the voltage at a node connected to several branches containing sources and resistances. It can combine parallel source branches directly rather than first reducing the whole network at its terminals.
Hans Ferdinand Mayer: A German engineer who independently formulated a current-source equivalent for electrical networks. His independent formulation predates Norton's published description.
Thevenin resistance: The equivalent resistance seen at a network's terminals with independent sources deactivated. It equals the parallel resistance in the Norton equivalent.
Current divider: A rule for finding branch currents in parallel resistive paths. The parallel source-and-resistance form makes load current a direct current-divider calculation.

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