INTRODUCTION TO

ELECTRIC SYSTEM
1.5 Simple DC circuits
Two basic circuits
Components are connected end-to-end so
there is only one path for the current to flow
(Series Circuit)

Components are connect side-by-side so
there are multiple paths for the current to flow
(Parallel Circuit)

Series circuits
Current is the same anywhere in the circuit.
(Equal Current)

Series circuits
Series circuits
The division of voltage between two resistor:
Series circuits
V1 = output voltage
V = input voltage
Series circuits
Use Ohms Law across each resistor
( )
2 1
1 1
3 2 1
3 2 1
3 2 1
3 2 1
R R
R
V
V
R R R R
IR V
R R R I V
IR IR IR V
V V V V
eq
eq
+
=
+ + =
=
+ + =
+ + =
+ + =
Parallel circuit
Voltage drop is identical for each resistor
(Equal V)


Parallel circuit
Parallel circuit
Parallel circuit
Use Ohms Law to calculate currents

2 1
2
1
2 1
2 1
3 2 1
3 2 1 3 2 1
3
3
2
2
1
1
3 2 1
1 1 1 1
so
1 1 1
and and
R R
R
I I
R R
R R
R
R R R R R
V
I
R R R
V
R
V
R
V
R
V
I
R
V
I
R
V
I
R
V
I
I I I I
eq eq
+
=
+
=
+ + = =
|
|
.
|

\
|
+ + = + + =
= = =
+ + =
Series circuit vs Parallel circuit
Electrical unit Series circuit Parallel circuit
Current I=I
1
=I
2
=I
3
I=I
1
+I
2
+I
3

Voltage V=V
1
+V
2
+V
3


V=V
1
=V
2
=V
3


Resistance R=R
1
+R
2
+R
3


1/R=1/R
1
+1/R
2
+1/R
3