In the previous chapters, each source appearing in the analysis of dc or ac networks was an independent source, such as $E$ and $I$ (or $E$ and $I$) in
[Fig. 1].
Fig. 1: Independent sources.
What is an independent source?
The term independent specifies that the magnitude of the source is independent of the network to which it is applied and that the source
displays its terminal characteristics even if completely isolated.
What is a dependent source?
A dependent or controlled source is one whose magnitude is
determined (or controlled) by a current or voltage of the system in
which it appears.
Currently two symbols are used for controlled sources. One simply
uses the independent symbol with an indication of the controlling element, as shown in
[Fig .2]. In
[Fig .2(a)], the magnitude and phase of the voltage are controlled by a voltage $V$ elsewhere in the system,
with the magnitude further controlled by the constant $k_1$. In
[Fig. 2(b)],
Fig. 2: Controlled or dependent sources.
the magnitude and phase of the current source are controlled by
a current $I$ elsewhere in the system, with the magnitude further controlled by the constant $k_2$. To distinguish between the dependent and independent sources, the notation of
[Fig. 3] was introduced.
In recent years many respected publications on circuit analysis have accepted the
notation of
[Fig. 3], although a number of excellent publications in the
area of electronics continue to use the symbol of
[Fig. 2], especially in the circuit modeling for a variety of electronic devices such as the transistor and FET. This text will employ the symbols of
[Fig. 3].
Fig. 3: Special notation for controlled or dependent sources.
Possible combinations for controlled sources are indicated in
[Fig. 4]. Note that the magnitude of current sources or voltage sources can
be controlled by a voltage and a current, respectively. Unlike with the independent source, isolation such that $V$ or $I = 0$ in
[Fig. 4(a)] will
result in the short-circuit or open-circuit equivalent as indicated in
[Fig. 4(b)]. Note that the type of representation under these conditions is
controlled by whether it is a current source or a voltage source, not by
the controlling agent ($V$ or $I$).
Fig. 4: Conditions of $V = 0 V$ and $I =0 A$ for a controlled source.
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