Purpose -Different axiomatizations of network theory are considered. Kirchhoff networks are regarded with priority. Multipole and multiport networks are introduced as alternative variants. Additionally, Minty and Paynter networks, which are always dualizable are discussed briefly. The latter are special cases of Kirchhoff as well as of multiport networks. This paper seeks to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach -The paper develops network theory inside of set theory, i.e. networks, multipoles, etc. are defined as objects of set theory. As such objects we use preferably ordered pairs, ordered triples, etc. The objects of network theory are then separated from the class of all these set theoretical objects by means of some defining conditions. These conditions are the axioms of our approaches to network theory. Findings -It is shown that all presented variants of axiomatizations can be developed on the basis of a uniform representation for the time functions for voltages and currents. All these variants allow interdisciplinary applications of network theory and they can be generalized to multidimensional networks. An interesting byproduct is the relationship between multiport networks, networks in Belevitch normal form, Paynter networks, and bond graphs. Originality/value -For applications it is essential that Kirchhoff and multipole networks are with respect to their modeling capability of equal value. But from the foundational point of view the multipole terminology has a number of crucial disadvantages compared with that based on Kirchhoff networks. This fact is important both for the conception of circuit simulation software packages and for the development of basic circuit theory curricula.
IntroductionApart from the Faraday-Maxwell theory of electromagnetic fields, the theory of electrical networks is one of the basic disciplines of electrical engineering. The theory of networks is even the elder of the two theories. Its beginnings go back to the work of G.S. Ohm and G.R. Kirchhoff. Unlike field theoretic descriptions network theoretical models describe the processes taking place in an electrical circuit by finite families of time-functions.Kirchhoff's papers mark the start for the development of systematic methods for network analysis. He considered circuits composed exclusively of two-pole devices such as metallic resistors and galvanic elements connected by wires with negligible resistance values. He introduced a description of such circuits by means of oriented graphs and constitutive equations. In recent terminology, the circuit models created by him could be classified as resistive, uncoupled, time-invariant, and -except for independent voltage sources -as linear. On this basis, he has proved for the first time theorems on the number of linear independent loop and node equations. Additionally, he has developed combinatorial rules for the computation of symbolic solutions for networks of the class mentioned above. With his researches he has founded