Maximum power transfer theorem is a principle in electrical engineering that states the maximum amount of power is transferred from a source to a load when the load's impedance matches the complex conjugate of the source's impedance. In simpler terms, for a circuit with a fixed source impedance, the load impedance should be chosen to have the same magnitude and opposite phase (for AC circuits) or the same resistance (for DC circuits) as the source impedance to achieve maximum power transfer.
This theorem is particularly useful in applications like audio systems, communication networks, and power distribution, where efficient power delivery is critical. For example, in a DC circuit, if a source has a resistance of 50 ohms, the load should also have a resistance of 50 ohms to maximize power transfer. However, this condition often results in 50% efficiency, as half the power is dissipated in the source impedance. The theorem assumes linear circuits and is widely applied in designing circuits for optimal performance, though practical considerations like efficiency or specific application requirements may lead to deviations from this condition.
