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The open-circuit voltage at the terminals of interest is referred to as Thevenin equivalent voltage. This is a fundamental concept in circuit analysis based on Thevenin's theorem, which states that any linear electrical network can be represented as an equivalent circuit consisting of a single voltage source (the Thevenin equivalent voltage) in series with a resistor (the Thevenin equivalent resistance).
When determining the open-circuit voltage, the load is not connected, and the voltage measured across the terminals represents the maximum potential difference available from the circuit. It is this value that is referred to as the Thevenin equivalent voltage, as it simplifies the analysis of complex circuits by allowing engineers to replace a network with a simple voltage source and resistance.
Understanding Thevenin equivalent voltage is crucial for analyzing and designing circuits, as it facilitates easier calculations for various configurations without needing to delve into the details of the entire circuit each time.