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Module 3 (Series, Parallel and Series-Parallel Circuit)

The document discusses different types of electrical circuits: - Series circuits have components connected one after the other without branches, so the current is the same through each. Parallel circuits have branches, so the current through each component depends on its resistance. - In series-parallel circuits, parts are either series or parallel, so those rules apply selectively to different parts. Calculating equivalent resistances allows treating complex circuits as simpler ones.

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Xavier Vincent Visaya
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3K views

Module 3 (Series, Parallel and Series-Parallel Circuit)

The document discusses different types of electrical circuits: - Series circuits have components connected one after the other without branches, so the current is the same through each. Parallel circuits have branches, so the current through each component depends on its resistance. - In series-parallel circuits, parts are either series or parallel, so those rules apply selectively to different parts. Calculating equivalent resistances allows treating complex circuits as simpler ones.

Uploaded by

Xavier Vincent Visaya
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Module 3: Series, Parallel and Series - Parallel Circuits

Series and Parallel Circuits


There are two types of circuit:
1. series circuit; and
2. parallel circuit

The components in a circuit are joined by wires.


If there are no branches then it's a series circuit.
If there are branches it's a parallel circuit.

Series Circuits
If you follow the circuit diagram from one side of the cell to the other, you should pass
through all the different components, one after the other, without any branches.

A circuit with a battery and two lamps connected in series

If you put more lamps into a series circuit, the lamps will be dimmer than
before.
In a series circuit, if a lamp breaks or a component is disconnected, the
circuit is broken and all the components stop working.

Parallel Circuits
In parallel circuits different components are connected on different branches of the wire.
If you follow the circuit diagram from one side of the cell to the other, you can only pass
through all the different components if you follow all the branches.
A circuit with a battery and two lamps connected in parallel.

In a parallel circuit, if a lamp breaks or a component is disconnected from one parallel


wire, the components on different branches keep working. And, unlike a series circuit,
the lamps stay bright if you add more lamps in parallel.

Resistors in Series
When resistors with resistances are connected in series, as
shown above, the combined resistance is given by:

In series circuits, the power dissipated across a resistor is proportional to its resistance.
Ammeters, which measure current, should have very little effect on the current.
Therefore, they are made to have very small resistances and should be connected in
series with the component.
Resistors in Parallel
When resistors with resistances are connected in parallel, as
shown above, the combined resistance is given by:

When resistors are connected in parallel, the power dissipated across a resistor is
inversely proportional to its resistance. Voltmeters, which measure potential
differences, are always connnected in parallel to the components.

Difference Between Series and Parallel Circuits


Current

In series circuits, the current flowing through the components is the same.

In parallel circuits, the current flowing through each branch depends on the
resistance of components in that branch.

Potential Difference

In series circuits, the magnitude of the potential difference across a


component depends on the component’s impedance.

In parallel circuits, the magnitude of the potential difference across each


component is the same.

Rules regarding Series and Parallel Circuits


With each of these two basic circuit configurations, we have specific sets of rules
describing voltage, current, and resistance relationships.

Series Circuits:

● Voltage drops add to equal total voltage.


● All components share the same (equal) current.
● Resistances add to equal total resistance.
Series resistor circuits can be considered as the voltage divider formula that allows you
to calculate the voltage drop across any one of the resistors connected in series without
having to first calculate the value of circuit current. Stated as a formula:

Parallel Circuits:

● All components share the same (equal) voltage.


● Branch currents add to equal total current.
● Resistances diminish to equal total resistance.
Parallel resistor circuits can be considered as the current divider formula because the
current splits or divides between the various resistors. Stated as a formula:

Example 1:

Find the current I passing through and the voltage across each of the resistors in the
circuit below.

The three resistors in series have a resistance Req given by the sum of the three
resistances. Hence

Req = 100 + 400 + 200 = 700 Ω

The current I passing through R1, R3 and R3 is the same and is calculated as follows:

I = 7 v / 700 Ω = 0.01 A

The voltage across each resistance is calculated using Ohm's law as follows:
The voltage across 100Ω; VR1 = 100 × I = 100 × 0.01 = 1 V.
The voltage across 400Ω; VR2 = 400 × I = 400 × 0.01 = 4 V.
The voltage across 200Ω;: VR3 = 200 × I = 200 × 0.01 = 2 V.

Example 2:

Find current I in the circuit below and the current passing through each of the resistors in the
circuit.

The three resistors are in parallel and behave like a resistor with resistance Req given by

1 / Req = 1 / 100 + 1 / 400 + 1 / 200 ; Req = 400 / 7 = 57.14 Ω

The main current I is given by

I = 7 / Req = 7 / 57.14 = 0.122 A.


We now use Ohm's law to find the current passing through each resistor.

The current through the resistor of 100 Ω: I1 = 7 / 100 = 0.07 A.


The current through the resistor of 400 Ω: I2 = 7 / 400 = 0.018 A.
The current through the resistor of 200 Ω: I3 = 7 / 200 = 0.035 A.

As an exercise; check that the sum of the three currents above is equal to the current

I = 0.07 + 0.018 + 0.035 = 0.123 A


Series-Parallel Circuits
However, if circuit components are series-connected in some parts and parallel in others,
we won’t be able to apply a single set of rules to every part of that circuit. Instead, we will
have to identify which parts of that circuit are series and which parts are parallel, then
selectively apply series and parallel rules as necessary to determine what is happening.
Take the following circuit, for instance:

Example 1:

Find current I in the circuit below.

The two resistors that are in series are grouped as Req1 in the equivalent circuit below
and their resistance is given by the sum

Req1 = 100 + 400 = 500 Ω

The two resistors that are in parallel are grouped as Req2 in the equivalent circuit below
and their resistance is given by the equation

1 / Req2 = 1 / 100 + 1 / 200 ; Req2 = 200 / 3 = 66.67 Ω


Req1 and Req2 are in series and therefore are equivalent to R given by the sum

R = Req1 + Req2 = 500 + 66.67 = 566.67 Ω

We now use Ohm's law to find current I.

I = 6 / R = 6 / 566.67 = 0.011 A.

Example 2:

Find the equivalent resistance, REQ for the following resistor combination circuit.

Starting from the right-hand side and using the simplified equation for two parallel
resistors, we can find the equivalent resistance of the R8 to R10 combination and call it RA.
RA is in series with R7 therefore the total resistance will be RA + R7 = 4 + 8 as shown.

This resistive value of 12Ω is now in parallel with R6 and can be calculated as RB.
This resistive value of 8Ω is now in parallel with R4 and can be calculated as RC as
shown.

RC is in series with R3 therefore the total resistance will be RC + R3 = 4 + 4 as shown.

This resistive value of 8Ω is now in parallel with R2 from which we can calculated RD as:

RD is in series with R1 therefore the total resistance will be RD + R1 = 4 + 6 = 10Ω as


shown.

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