Resistors in Parallel

A typical circuit with resistors connected in parallel is given in the figure below. Resistors in a parallel
circuit are connected such that the top of each resistor is connected to the same point A, whereas the
bottom of each resistor are connected to the same point B.
The characteristics of a resistors in parallel is that the voltage is constant, meaning the terminal voltage
is equal to the potential difference of each resistor connected in parallel. The reciprocal of resistance is
called the conductance, thus, the total conductance is equal to the algebraic sum of the conductance in
parallel circuit. Similarly, the reciprocal of total resistance is equal to the algebraic sum of the reciprocal
of all resistances connected in parallel. The total current is equal to the algebraic sum of the branch
current in parallel circuit.

VT R1 R2 R3

Characteristics:
1. V T =V 1=V 2=V 3=. ..=V n

2. I T =I 1 + I 2 + I 3 +. ..+ I n

1 1 1 1 1
3. = + + + .. .+
R T R1 R2 R3 Rn

Sample problem 5
(a) What is the equivalent resistance of three 5-𝝮 resistors connected in parallel? (b) If a potential
difference of 60 V is applied across the combination, what is the current in each resistor?

60 V

a) 1.67 𝝮 b. 12 A

1 1 1 1 VT
= + + I=
R T R1 R2 R3 R
1 1 1 1
= + +
RT 5 Ω 5 Ω 5 Ω
1 3
=
RT 5 Ω
 5Ω
RT = =1.67Ω
3
1
Sample problem 6
Two 240-𝝮 light bulbs are to be connected to a 120-V power source. To determine whether they
will be brighter when connected (a) in series or (b) in parallel, calculate the power they dissipate in
each arrangement.

1 1
a) RT =2 R b)
R eq ( )
=2
R
¿ 2 ( 240 Ω )=2 ( 2401 Ω )
240 Ω
¿ 480 Ω Req = =120 Ω
2
2 2
(VT) (V T )
PT = PT =
RT RT

(120 V )2 ( 120V )2
¿ =
480 Ω 120 Ω

¿ 30 W =120 W

Sample problem 7
A circuit has a resistance of 50 𝝮. How can it be reduced to 20 𝝮?
Ans. 33.33 𝝮
1 1 1 1 50 Ω−20Ω
= + =
RT R Rx Rx 1000Ω 2

1 1 1 1000 Ω2
= − R x=
Rx RT R 30 Ω

1 1 1
= −
R x 20 Ω 50 Ω

Sample problem 8
A 120-V house circuit has the following light bulbs turned on: 40.0 W, 60.0 W, and 175.0 W. Find
the equivalent resistance of these lights.
Ans. 52.36 Ω
 2
(VT)
PT =
RT