Tambio, Shan Caezar L.

2019102802

Activity 3
Series - Parallel Circuits

1. To demonstrate the characteristics of series-parallel circuits by

measuring and verifying the calculations of the resistance, voltage and
current associated with the different resistive components of a series-
parallel circuit.
2. To demonstrate the principle of basic electric circuit Law called Ohm’s
Law.
3. To demonstrate the use of basic principles involved in series, parallel
and series-parallel circuits.

Theoretical Discussion:

Basic Electrical Laws

Ohm’s Law
A basic electrical law that states if the voltage is kept constant, less
resistance results in more current and more resistance results in less current. It
may also be stated as the amount of voltage is directly proportional to the
amount of current in a given circuit.

Circuit Connections:
a. Series Circuit
It is described as a circuit that provides only one complete path for
which current could flow wherein the resistors are simply connected end to
end. It may also be defined as a circuit that provides only one path for current
between two points in a circuit so that the same current flows through each
series resistor. Fig. 1 is an example of resistors connected in series.

Fig. 1

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Formula:
RT = R 1 + R 2 + R 3 + … + R n

Observations regarding resistances in series can be summarized into 3 cardinal

rules:
1. The current in all parts of the series circuit has the same magnitude.
2. The sum of all the separate drops in a potential around a series circuit is
equal to the applied emf.
3. The total resistance in a series circuit is equal to the sum of all the
separate resistances.

b. Parallel Circuit
It is a described as a circuit connection of two or more resistors that are
connected between the same two node or points. A parallel circuit provides
more than one path for current. Each current path is called a branch. Fig. 2 is
an example of resistors connected in parallel.

Fig. 2

Formula:
1
RT =
1 1 1 1
+ + +…
R1 R2 R 3 Rn
Observations regarding resistances in parallel can be summarized into 3
cardinal rules:
1. The total current in a parallel circuit is equal to the sum of the
currents in the separate branches.
2. The potential difference across all branches of a parallel circuit
must have the same magnitude.
3. The reciprocal of the equivalent resistance is equal to the sum of
the reciprocals of the separate resistances in parallel.

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c. Series-Parallel Circuit

A series-parallel circuit contains the combination of both the series and

the parallel circuits is shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 3

R2∗R3
RT =R1 +
R 2+ R 3

In simplifying series-parallel circuits first determine the connection of

two resistances farthest from the terminals and apply appropriate resistance
formula (i.e. if the resistors are in series RT = R1+R2, and if the resistances are
in parallel then RT = (R1*R2)/(R1+R2)) in order to reduce the circuit to a single
equivalent resistance RT.

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Procedure:
1. Using Tina Pro, connect the circuit as shown in the diagram Fig. 4. Take
note of the polarities on the meter readings.

Fig. 4

Use the following Resistor values

Resistors SN ending in odd SN ending in Surname starting Surname starting
number even number with A-L with M-Z
R1 430ohms 910ohms
R2 1.1kohms 750ohms
R3 4.7kohms 2.7kohms
R4 560ohms 390ohms
R5 27kohms 47kohms
VS1 5V 7.5V
SN=student number

2. Provide screenshot of your circuit in TinaPro in Fig. 5

Fig. 5

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1. Measure the total resistance of the circuit across the input terminals
using the ohmmeter function in TinaPro as in Fig. 6. Example (using
TinaPro) is shown in Fig. 7. Provide screenshot of your total resistance
measurement using T&M > Multimeter > Ohm in Fig. 8.
2.

RT

Fig. 6

Fig. 7

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2019102802

Fig. 8

3. Using the ammeter in TinaPro, measure the current (I) flowing at

different branches of the circuit. Take note of the direction of the
currents.

4. Complete the data in Table 2 (computed/actual values) and Table 3

(simulated values) by. Resistances can be measured using ohmmeter
(meter) in Tina Pro.
R1 = V1/I1 = V1/A1 R4 = V4/I4 = V4/A4
R2 = V2/I2 = V2/A2 R5 = V5/I5 = V5/A5
R3 = V3/I3 = V3/A3 RT = VS/I1 = Vs/A1

Table 2. Computed Values (provide hand calculation (solution) in Fig. 9)

R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 RT

910 Ω 750 Ω 2700 Ω 390 Ω 47000 Ω 4210 Ω

V1 V2 V3 V4 V5 VT
Computed/Actual
Values 1.638 V 1.35 V 4.512 V 0.03705 V 4.465 V 7.5V

I1 I2 I3 I4 I5 IT

0.0018 A 0.0018 A 0.00167 A 0.000095 A 0.000095 A 0.0018 A

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2019102802

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2019102802

Fig. 9
Table 3. Simulated values
R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 RT

Simulated Values 910 Ω 750 Ω 2700 Ω 390 Ω 47000 Ω 4210 Ω

V1 V2 V3 V4 V5 VT

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2019102802

1.62 V 1.33 V 4.55 V 0.03741 V 4.51 V 7.5 V

I1 I2 I3 I4 I5 IT

0.00178 V 0.00178 V 0.00168 V 0.00009593 V 0.00009593 V 0.00178 V

For simulated values, provide the screenshot of your schematic with

corresponding current and voltage values in TinaPro. An example is shown
in Fig. 10. Insert your screenshot in Fig. 11.

Fig. 10

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2019102802

Fig. 11

Questions and Problems. Computations requires solution.

1. What are the identifying characteristics of a series circuit?

2. What are the identifying characteristics of a parallel circuit?
3. What changes occur in the total resistance of a circuit as additional
resistances are added (a) in series, (b) in parallel.
4. What are the different types of resistances and their purpose.
5. Why are lamps in a house lighting circuit not connected in series?
6. A small lamp is designed to draw 300mA in a 6V circuit. What is the resistance
of the lamp filament?
7. A battery with an internal resistance of 1.5 is connected in series with
resistors R1 = 3 and R2 = 3.5 if the potential difference across the 3
resistor is 9V. What is the emf of the battery?
8. Determine the ideal voltage source needed by three resistors connected
in series R1 = 6, R2 = 8 and R3 = 10 if a required current of 0.5A
flows in the circuit.
9. Determine the total resistance of the circuit in Fig. 12. Also, use TinaPro and
provide measurement screenshot of total resistance in Fig. 13.

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2019102802

Fig. 12

Fig. 13

Interpretation of Results
Conclusion

 I am the only person to use my Cardinal Edge account using my username and
password.
 I understand that I am responsible for being honest and ethical in the given online
assessments.
 The assessments were completed by my own efforts and I did not collaborate with any
other persons for ideas or answers.
 This is the first time I will submit this assessment (either partially or entirely) for
academic evaluation
 I will not engage in any other activities that will dishonestly improve my results or
dishonestly improve or hurt the result of others.

Dela Cruz, Juan A.

2018123456

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