Equivalent diagram (equivalent circuit) - definition
Equivalent diagram (equivalent circuit) - definition
An equivalent circuit diagram is a simplified, analytical representation of a real object - a component, system or technical system - expressed by means of idealised mathematical and physical models and components, such as resistors, voltage sources, Capacitors, inductors, generators or transformers. Its main objective is to represent the basic functional properties of the analysed system in a way that allows easy calculation, simulation and evaluation of the system's behaviour under specific operating conditions.
In electrical engineering and electronics, equivalent diagrams are used to represent real-world components - such as transmission lines, transformers, electrical machines, power sources or semiconductor devices - by means of a set of simple passive and active elements. For example, a transformer can be represented by a model including winding resistance, distributed inductances and parasitic capacitances, which allows the analysis of losses, voltage drops or frequency characteristics.
The equivalent diagram can be linear or non-linear, depending on the scope and accuracy of the model. It also often comes in static forms (for steady-state analysis) or dynamic forms (taking into account time variables). In Automation and control theory these schemes are used to represent the dynamics of processes and control objects in the form of transmittance models or differential equations.
The advantage of using surrogate diagrams is that complex systems can be replaced by their simplified representation, which allows a quick analysis of the system's behaviour using classical analytical, numerical or simulation methods. This makes them an indispensable tool in the design, diagnosis and optimisation of technical systems, both in the conceptual and operational phases.
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