Equivalent circuit

In electrical engineering, an equivalent circuit refers to a theoretical circuit that retains all of the electrical characteristics of a given circuit. Often, an equivalent circuit is sought that simplifies calculation, and more broadly, that is a simplest form of a more complex circuit in order to aid analysis.^[1] In its most common form, an equivalent circuit is made up of linear, passive elements. However, more complex equivalent circuits are used that approximate the nonlinear behavior of the original circuit as well. These more complex circuits often are called macromodels of the original circuit. An example of a macromodel is the Boyle circuit for the 741 operational amplifier.^[2]

^ Johnson, D.H. (2003a). "Origins of the equivalent circuit concept: the voltage-source equivalent" (PDF). Proceedings of the IEEE. 91 (4): 636–640. doi:10.1109/JPROC.2003.811716. hdl:1911/19968.
^ Richard C. Dorf (1997). The Electrical Engineering Handbook. New York: CRC Press. Fig. 27.4, p. 711. ISBN 978-0-8493-8574-2.

[Johnson_(2003a)-1] Johnson, D.H. (2003a). "Origins of the equivalent circuit concept: the voltage-source equivalent" (PDF). Proceedings of the IEEE. 91 (4): 636–640. doi:10.1109/JPROC.2003.811716. hdl:1911/19968.

[Dorf-2] Richard C. Dorf (1997). The Electrical Engineering Handbook. New York: CRC Press. Fig. 27.4, p. 711. ISBN 978-0-8493-8574-2.

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