Republic of the Philippines

BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY

Pablo Borbon Main II, Alangilan Batangas City
College of Engineering, Architecture & Fine Arts
Electrical and Computer Engineering Department
www.batstate-u.edu.ph Tel. No. (043) 425-0139 loc. 118

Laboratory Activity 2

Series and Parallel Circuits Voltage Divider and

Current Divider Rules

Submitted by:

Magboo, Francis Carl G.

Organo, Joseph Ver Remar B.

Panganiban, Nathaniel Olin A.

EE-2102A

Submitted to:

Delen, Margielou T.

Instructor I

September 10, 2021

 Laboratory Activity 2

Series and Parallel Circuits Voltage Divider and

Current Divider Rules

I. OBJECTIVES

1. To study the voltage current relationships of series and parallel circuits.

2. To verify the voltage divider and current divider rules.

II. MATERIALS

• One dc power supply

• One multimeter

• Assorted resistors

III. DISCUSSION

Electricity is a form of energy that can be created in different ways and that supplies

power to the devices that create light, heat, and more. It can also be defined as an energy

created from the existence of charged particles like the electrons or protons, either statically

as an accumulation of charge or dynamically as a current. On the other hand, a device that

gives energy to the charged particles constituting the current, like a battery; devices that

use currents like lamps as well as electric motors, or computers; and the connecting wires

or transmission lines is an electric circuit. It is also a path for transmitting electric current
and can be classified into several types and some of those types are the series and parallel

circuit.

Almost all of electrical networks are built on two simple ways to link more than

two circuit components. Those two types of electrical circuit are – series and parallel. A

series circuit has one path for electricity to flow. The amount of electricity in it is consistent

throughout. Its speed will never fluctuate. The total resistance and voltage drop in a series

connection is equal to sum of all loads’ corresponding component. Since electricity flows

in one path, the current will be the same for all the load in the circuit. On contrary, A

parallel circuit is a type of electrical system that has multiple paths for electricity. It has

the same common points and connections between them. Unlike the series connection, the

total current is the only equal to the summation of all current on loads. While, the reciprocal

of the total resistance is equal to the summation of reciprocal of each load, and the total

voltage is equal through all the loads in a circuit.

A Series circuit is when there are two or more loads such as Bulb, CFL, LED, Fan,

are connected in a series. If one load or bulb gets fuse, then the rest of the bulbs will no

longer get a power supply and will not glow. It also comprises a path along which the

whole current flows through each component. On the contrary, it is a parallel circuit when

two or more loads are connected in parallel. The voltage capacity of all loads must be equal

to the input supply and the power of load can be different. And if one load or bulb gets

fuse, then the rest of the bulbs will still get a power supply and glow. Moreover, the parallel

circuit comprises branches so that the current divides and only part of it flow through any

of the branches. The voltage, or the potential difference, across each branch of a parallel
circuit is the same, however, the currents may vary. In a home electrical circuit, the same

voltage is applied to each light or appliance, but each of these loads draws a different

amount of current base to its power requirements and several similar batteries connected

in parallel provides greater current than a single battery, but the voltage is the same as for

a single battery.

For a series circuit , the voltage across resistors R1, R2, and R3 can be written as

This is the voltage divider rule (VDR).

For parallel circuit, the branch currents can be written in terms of the total current as

This is the current divider rule (CDR).

IV. PROCEDURE

Circuit Diagrams

Figure 1. Series-Parallel Circuit I Figure 2. Series-Parallel Circuit II

Simulation

First, since the student is using the online Multisim, the student created an account. In the
user interface, there is a white canvas with grid where a circuit can be built. Thereafter, the
student built the first circuit given, which is the figure 4. The student added all the
components needed such as resistors and voltage source and set its configuration to the
values listed above. Simultaneously, the student placed the analysis and annotation pin in
the line where he can test the voltage and current of each load. Next, he changed the value
of its configuration depending on the value needed on figure 5. After that, the student
repeated the same steps. Lastly, gather all the data that needed for the experiment.
V. DATA AND RESULTS, COMPUTATION, DRAWINGS AND TABLES

FOR FIGURE 1

MULTISIM ELECTRONICS WORKBENCH

Figure 3. Simulation of series-parallel circuit using Multisim Software recording the

voltage

The figure 3 above illustrates the different output of using a power supply of 12V
into the different resistors. The reason why I notice that R4 and R6 is in parallel is first, they
are connected by their node, and also, they have the same voltage. Overall, this circuit is
in complex connection of series and parallel. Moreover, all the multimeter that measures
the voltage is connected in a parallel connection. Those multimeter records a value of
5.172V, 12V, 6.828 V, and 6.828V for V2, V3, V4, and V6, respectively.
 Figure 4. The illustration of recording the total loads of the series-parallel circuit.

The figure above only shows the equivalent resistance of all the loads connected in
the circuit; in spite of what connection, it might be. The multimeter is connected in series,
while the voltage source is gone to identify the equivalent resistance which is 91.099Ω.
 Figure 5. Simulation of series-parallel circuit using Multisim Software recording the
current

The figure 5 above illustrates the different output of using a power supply of 24V
into the different resistors. All the multimeter that measures the voltage is in series
connection. Those multimeter records a value of 131.724mA, 51.724mA, 80mA,
31.034mA, 111.034mA and 20.69mA for Is, I2, I3, I4, I5, and I6, respectively.
 COMPUTED MANUALLY BY OHM’S LAW

Computation for the equivalent resistance of the circuit

Figure 6. The Illustration of the series-parallel I

This is the base illustration of the series-parallel I, which will be simplified to get
the equivalent resistance, and furthermore, all the needed value for voltage and current of all
loads.
 Figure 7. Illustration for the first simplification of the series-parallel circuit I.

Figure 7 demonstrates the same value of the series-parallel circuit as shown in the figure
3. However, the only difference between the two figures is we begin to simplify the circuit,
starting from the bottom which is R4 and R6. Since it is noticeable that the R4 and R6 is
connected to each other by nodes as we can see in figure 3, they are hereby connected in
parallel connection. By using the formula of resistance in parallel connection, we got the
value for R4,6 which is 132Ω, refer to computation below.

COMPUTATION:

1
𝑅4,6 =
1 1
𝑅4 + 𝑅6
1
𝑅4,6 =
1 1
220Ω + 330Ω
𝑅4,6 = 𝟏𝟑𝟐𝜴
 Figure 8. Illustration for the second simplification of the series-parallel circuit I.

Figure 8 demonstrates the next step for the simplification of the series-parallel circuit as
shown in the figure 6. Continuing the simplification, the previous R4,6 is to be combined to
R2, since it is connected to each other by series connection. It is due to the connection of
the end of both resistors. By using the formula of resistance in series connection
(summation of all resistors), we got the value for R2,4,6 which is 232 Ω, refer to computation
below.

COMPUTATION:

𝑅2,4,6 = 𝑅2 + 𝑅4,6
𝑅2,4,6 = 100𝛺 + 132𝛺
𝑅2,4,6 = 𝟐𝟑𝟐𝜴
 Figure 9. Illustration for the final simplification of the series-parallel circuit I.

Figure 9 is the continuation and the last part of simplification of the series-parallel
circuit I. Here we can see that there is a simple circuit with only one load left in the figure.
That one resistor is the equivalent resistance of all the resistors combined in figure 3. We
can notice from figure 8 that R3 and R2,4,6 is in a parallel connection, since they are
connected in the same node. Therefore, to get the equivalent resistance, we must use the
formula of parallel circuit; which gives us a value of 91.0995Ω (refer to the computation
below).

COMPUTATION:

1
𝑅𝑒𝑞 =
1 1
𝑅3 + 𝑅2,4,6
1
𝑅𝑒𝑞 =
1 1
150Ω + 232Ω
𝑅𝑒𝑞 = 𝟗𝟏. 𝟎𝟗𝟗𝟓𝜴
Computation for the current and voltage of all loads in the circuit

We need to find first the value of the current source:

𝑉𝑠
𝐼𝑠 =
𝑅𝑒𝑞
12𝑉
𝐼𝑠 =
91.0995Ω
𝐼𝑠 = 𝟎. 𝟏𝟑𝟏𝟕𝑨 𝒐𝒓 𝟏𝟑𝟏. 𝟕𝒎𝑨

Since, we can notice in figure 7 that R3 and R2,4,6 is connected in parallel.

Theoretically, the voltage in parallel connection is the same across all loads, so their
voltage is also 12V. Therefore, we only need to find the value of I3 and I2,4,6.

Voltage:

𝑉𝑠 = 𝑉3 = 𝑉2,4,6
𝟏𝟐𝑽 = 𝟏𝟐𝑽 = 𝟏𝟐𝑽

Current:

𝑉3 𝑉2,4,6
𝐼3 = 𝐼2,4,6 =
𝑅3 𝑅2,4,6
12𝑉 12𝑉
𝐼3 = 𝐼2,4,6 =
150𝛺 232𝛺
𝐼3 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟖𝑨 𝐼2,4,6 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟓𝟏𝟕𝑨

In figure 6, we can see that R2 and R4,6 is connected in series, which also means
that the value of current is equal to both resistors. Therefore, we only need to find the value
of voltage for both resistors.

Current:

𝐼2,4,6 = 𝐼2 = 𝐼4,6
𝟎. 𝟎𝟓𝟏𝟕𝑨 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟓𝟏𝟕𝑨 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟓𝟏𝟕𝑨

Voltage:

𝑉2 = (𝐼2, )(𝑅2 ) 𝑉4,6 = (𝐼4,6 )(𝑅4,6)

𝑉2 = (0.0517𝐴)(100𝛺 ) 𝑉4,6 = (0.0517𝐴)(132𝛺 )
𝑉2 = 𝟓. 𝟏𝟕𝑽 𝑉4,6 = 𝟔. 𝟖𝟐𝟒𝟒𝑽
 As we can observe in figure 5, R4 and R6 is in parallel connection, which the voltage
is determine to be equal across the both resistors. Therefore, the value of I4 and I6 is missing.

Voltage:

𝑉2,4,6 = 𝑉4 = 𝑉6
𝟔. 𝟖𝟐𝟒𝟒𝑽 = 𝟔. 𝟖𝟐𝟒𝟒𝑽 = 𝟔. 𝟖𝟐𝟒𝟒𝑽

Current:

𝑉4 𝑉6
𝐼4 = 𝐼6 =
𝑅4 𝑅6
6.8244𝑉 6.8244𝑉
𝐼4 = 𝐼6 =
220𝛺 330𝛺
𝐼4 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟑𝟏𝟎𝟐𝑨 𝐼6 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟐𝟎𝟔𝟖𝑨

To find the value of R5, we must get the summation of the current of R3 and R4.

𝐼3

𝐼4
𝐼5

𝐼5 = 𝐼3 + 𝐼4
𝐼5 = 0.08 + 0.03102
𝐼5 = 𝟎. 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟎𝟐𝑨
 Is (mA) I2 (mA) I3 (mA) I4 (mA) I5 (mA) I6 (mA) V2 (V) V3 (V) V4 (V) V5 (V) V6 (V) Req (Ω)
Workbench 131.724 51.724 80 31.034 111.034 20.69 5.172 12 6.828 0 6.828 91.0995
Computed 131.7 51.7 80 31.02 111.02 20.68 5.17 12 6.824 0 6.824 91.0995
% Error 0.0002% 0.0004% 0% 0.0004% 0.0001% 0.0005% 0.0004% 0% 0.0004% 0% 0.0002% 0%

Table 1: Software simulation and computed by ohm’s law results for series-parallel I

After we get all the values that we recorded from Multisim, we list it on the table 1 together with the result of manually computed
by ohm’s law. We can observe that the percentage of error the different parameters are 0 and very near to zero. It happens to have a
value near to zero because of the discrepancy caused by rounding off the answers. Overall, it is still ignorable and can be tolerated. Refer
to figure 3,4, and 5 for the workbench results and look for the computation above the table for ohm’s law computation.

COMPUTATION:

𝑀𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 − 𝑅𝑒𝑎𝑙 𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒

%𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = ∙ 100%
𝑅𝑒𝑎𝑙 𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒

For Is For I2 For I3

131.724𝑚𝐴 − 131.7𝑚𝐴 51.724𝑚𝐴 − 51.7𝑚𝐴 80𝑚𝐴 − 80𝑚𝐴

%𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = ∙ 100% %𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = ∙ 100% %𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = ∙ 100%
131.7𝑚𝐴 51.7𝑚𝐴 80𝑚𝐴
%𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟐% %𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟒% %𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = 𝟎%

For I4 For I5 For I6

31.034𝑚𝐴 − 31.02𝑚𝐴 111.034𝑚𝐴 − 111.02𝑚𝐴 20.69𝑚𝐴 − 20.68𝑚𝐴

%𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = ∙ 100% %𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = ∙ 100% %𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = ∙ 100%
31.02𝑚𝐴 111.02𝑚𝐴 20.68𝑚𝐴
%𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟒% %𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟏% %𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟓%
For V2 For V3 For V4

5.172𝑉 − 5.17𝑉 12𝑉 − 12𝑉 6.828𝑉 − 6.824𝑉

%𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = ∙ 100% %𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = ∙ 100% %𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = ∙ 100%
5.17𝑉 12𝑉 6.824𝑉
%𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟒% %𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = 𝟎% %𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟒%

For V5 For V6 For Req

0𝑉 − 0𝑉 12𝑉 − 12𝑉 91.0995𝑉 − 91.0995𝑉

%𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = ∙ 100% %𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = ∙ 100% %𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = ∙ 100%
0𝑉 12𝑉 91.0995𝑉
%𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = 𝟎% %𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = 𝟎% %𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = 𝟎%
FOR FIGURE 2

MULTISIM ELECTRONICS WORKBENCH

Figure 10. Simulation of series-parallel circuit II using Multisim Software measuring the
voltage

The figure 10 above illustrates the circuit is in complex connection of series and
parallel. Moreover, all the multimeter that measures the voltage is connected in a parallel
connection. The difference between the figure 1 and figure 2 circuits, there are no same
values in the resistor’s voltage. Those multimeter records a value of 4.623V, 1.874V,
2.749V, and 19.377V for V2, V3, V4, and V6, respectively.
Figure 11. Simulation of series-parallel circuit II using Multisim Software measuring the
current.

The figure 11 above illustrates the circuit which multimeters are connected in series
to be able to measure the current of the different loads and its circuit. Those multimeter
records a value of 29.36mA, 23.113mA, 6.247mA, 6.247mA, and 29.36mA for Is, I2, I3, I4,
and I6, respectively.
 Figure 12. The illustration of the measurement of equivalent resistance in the series-
parallel circuit II.

The figure above only shows the equivalent resistance of all the loads connected in
the circuit; in spite of what connection, it might be. The multimeter is connected in series,
while the voltage source is gone to identify the equivalent resistance which is 408.723Ω.
COMPUTED MANUALLY BY OHM’S LAW

Computation for the equivalent resistance of the circuit

Figure 13. The Illustration of the series-parallel II

This is the base illustration of the series-parallel II, which will be simplified to get
the equivalent resistance, and furthermore, all the needed value for voltage and current of all
loads.
 Figure 14. Illustration of the first simplification of series-parallel II.

Figure 14 demonstrates the same value of the series-parallel circuit II as shown in the
figure 13. However, the only difference between the two figures is we begin to simplify the
circuit, starting from the bottom which is R3 and R4. Since it is noticeable that the R3 and R4
is connected to each other by the end of each load as we can see in figure 13, they are hereby
connected in series connection. By using the formula of resistance in series connection, we
got the value for R3,4 which is 370Ω, refer to computation below.

COMPUTATION:

Let R3,4 be the sum of the R3 and R4:

𝑅3,4 = 𝑅3 + 𝑅4
𝑅3,4 = 150Ω + 220Ω
𝑅3,4 = 𝟑𝟕𝟎𝛀
 Figure 15. Illustration of the second simplification of series-parallel II.

Figure 15 demonstrates the next step for the simplification of the series-parallel circuit
II as shown in the Figure 14. Continuing the simplification, the previous R 3,4 is to be
combined to R2, since it is connected to each other by parallel connection. By using the
formula of resistance in parallel connection, we got the value for R2,3,4 which is 78.723Ω,
refer to computation below.

COMPUTATION:

Let R2,3,4 be the combination of R2 and R3,4:

1
𝑅2,3,4 =
1 1
𝑅2 + 𝑅3,4
1
𝑅2,3,4 =
1 1
100Ω + 370Ω
𝑅2,3,4 = 𝟕𝟖. 𝟕𝟐𝟑𝟒𝛀
 Figure 16. Illustration of the final simplification of series-parallel II

Figure 16 is the last part of simplification of the series-parallel circuit II. Here we can
see that there is a simple circuit with only one load left in the figure. That one resistor is the
equivalent resistance of all the resistors combined in figure 13. We can notice from previous
figure that R6 and R2,3,4 is in a series connection, since they are connected in the same node.
Therefore, to get the equivalent resistance, we must use the formula of series circuit; which
gives us a value of 408.7234Ω (refer to the computation below).

COMPUTATION:

𝑅𝑒𝑞 = 𝑅2,3,4 + 𝑅6
𝑅𝑒𝑞 = 78.7234Ω + 330Ω
𝑅𝑒𝑞 = 𝟒𝟎𝟖. 𝟕𝟐𝟑𝟒𝛀
Computation for the current and voltage of all loads in the circuit

We need to find first the value of the current source:

𝑉𝑠
𝐼𝑠 =
𝑅𝑒𝑞
12𝑉
𝐼𝑠 =
408.7234Ω
𝐼𝑠 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟐𝟗𝟑𝟔𝟎𝑨 𝒐𝒓 𝟐𝟗. 𝟑𝟔𝟎𝒎𝑨

Since, we can notice in figure 14 that R6 and R2,3,4 is connected in series. Theoretically,
the current in series connection is the same across all loads, so their current is all
0.029360A. Therefore, we only need to find the value of V6 and V2,3,4.

Current:

𝐼𝑠 = 𝐼2,3,4 = 𝐼6
𝟎. 𝟎𝟐𝟗𝟑𝟔𝟎𝑨 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟐𝟗𝟑𝟔𝟎𝑨 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟐𝟗𝟑𝟔𝟎𝑨

Voltage:

𝑉6 = (𝐼6 )(𝑅6 ) 𝑉2,3,4 = (𝐼2,3,4 )(𝑅2,3,4 )

𝑉6 = (0.029360𝐴 )(330𝛺 ) 𝑉2,3,4 = (0.029360𝐴 )(78.7234𝛺 )
𝑉6 = 𝟗. 𝟔𝟖𝟗𝑽 𝑉2,3,4 = 𝟐. 𝟑𝟏𝟏𝑽

In figure 13, we can see that R2 and R3,4 is connected in parallel, which also means that the
value of voltage is equal to all the participating resistors. Therefore, we only need to find
the value of current for both resistors.

Voltage:

𝑉2,3,4 = 𝑉2 = 𝑉3,4
𝟐. 𝟑𝟏𝟏𝑽 = 𝟐. 𝟑𝟏𝟏𝑽 = 𝟐. 𝟑𝟏𝟏𝑽

Current:

𝑉2 𝑉3,4
𝐼2 = 𝐼3,4 =
𝑅2 𝑅3,4
2.311𝑉 2.311𝑉
𝐼2 = 𝐼3,4 =
100𝛺 370𝛺
𝐼2 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟐𝟑𝟏𝟏𝑨 𝒐𝒓 𝟐𝟑. 𝟏𝟏𝒎𝑨 𝐼3,4 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟔𝟐𝟒𝟔𝑨 𝒐𝒓 𝟔. 𝟐𝟒𝟔𝒎𝑨
As we can observe in figure 12, R3 and R4 is in series connection, which current across the
both resistors is determine to be equal. Therefore, the value of V3 and V4 is missing.

Current:

𝐼3,4 = 𝐼3 = 𝐼4
𝟎. 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟔𝟐𝟒𝟔𝑨 = 𝟎. 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟔𝟐𝟒𝟔𝑨 = 𝟎. 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟔𝟐𝟒𝟔𝑨

Voltage:

𝑉3 = (𝐼3 )(𝑅3 ) 𝑉4 = (𝐼2,3,4 )(𝑅2,3,4 )

𝑉3 = (0.006246𝐴 )(150𝛺 ) 𝑉4 = (0.006246𝐴 )(220𝛺 )
𝑉3 = 𝟎. 𝟗𝟑𝟕𝑽 𝑉4 = 𝟏. 𝟑𝟕𝟒𝑽
 Is (mA) I2 (mA) I3 (mA) I4 (mA) I5 (mA) I6 (mA) V2 (V) V3 (V) V4 (V) V5 (V) V6 (V) Req (Ω)
Workbench 29.63 23.113 6.247 6.247 0 29.36 2.311 0.937 1.374 0 9.689 408.7234
Computed 29.63 23.11 6.246 6.246 0 29.36 2.311 0.937 1.374 0 9.689 408.7234
% Error 0% 0.0001% 0.0002% 0.0002% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%

Table 2: Software simulation and computed by ohm’s law results for series-parallel II

After we get all the values that we recorded from Multisim, we list it on the table 1 together with the result of manually computed
by ohm’s law. We can observe that the percentage of error the different parameters are 0 and very near to zero. It happens to have a
value near to zero because of the discrepancy caused by rounding off the answers. Overall, it is still ignorable and can be tolerated. Refer
to figure 10, 11, and 12 for the workbench results and look for the computation above the table for ohm’s law computation.

COMPUTATIONS:

𝑀𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 − 𝑅𝑒𝑎𝑙 𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒

%𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = ∙ 100%
𝑅𝑒𝑎𝑙 𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒

For Is For I2 For I3

29.63𝑚𝐴 − 29.63𝑚𝐴 23.113𝑚𝐴 − 23.11𝑚𝐴 6.247𝑚𝐴 − 6.246𝑚𝐴

%𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = ∙ 100% %𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = ∙ 100% %𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = ∙ 100%
29.63𝑚𝐴 23.11𝑚𝐴 6.246𝑚𝐴
%𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = 𝟎% %𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟏% %𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟐%

For I4 For I6 For V2

6.247𝑚𝐴 − 6.246𝑚𝐴 29.36𝑚𝐴 − 29.36𝑚𝐴 2.311𝑉 − 2.311𝑉

%𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = ∙ 100% %𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = ∙ 100% %𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = ∙ 100%
6.246𝑚𝐴 29.36𝑚𝐴 2.311𝑉
%𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟐% %𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = 𝟎% %𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = 𝟎%
For V3 For V4 For V6

0.937𝑉 − 0.937𝑉 1.374𝑉 − 1.374𝑉 2.311𝑉 − 2.311𝑉

%𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = ∙ 100% %𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = ∙ 100% %𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = ∙ 100%
0.937𝑉 1.374𝑉 2.311𝑉
%𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = 𝟎% %𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = 𝟎% %𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = 𝟎%

For Req

408.7234Ω − 408.7234Ω
%𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = ∙ 100%
408.7234Ω
%𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = 𝟎%
V. QUESTION AND ANALYSIS

1. Are R4 and R6 in parallel or in series? Why? Refer to voltage current measurements for
your answer to justify.

Voltage Measurement:

Figure 3

Current:

𝑅6 330Ω 330Ω
𝐼4 = (𝐼4,6 ) = (0.0517𝐴) = (0.0517𝐴) = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟑𝟏𝟎𝟐𝑨
𝑅4 + 𝑅6 220Ω + 330Ω 550Ω
𝑅4 220Ω 220Ω
𝐼6 = (𝐼4,6 ) = (0.0517𝐴) = (0.0517𝐴) = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟐𝟎𝟔𝟖𝑨
𝑅4 + 𝑅6 220Ω + 330Ω 550Ω
∴ 𝐼4 ≠ 𝐼6

As the result given by the annotation of Multisim in figure 3 above and the
computed value, it shows that R4 and R6 have the same voltage of 6.828V. Since the
voltage of R4 and R6 is equal, therefore, it is in parallel.
2. Are R3 and R4 in parallel or in series? Why? Justify with solution.

As we can see in the figure above, R3 and R4 can be only combine to each other,
when R4 is combined to R2 and R6. Moreover, as we refer to the computation and table
below, we can see that the voltage measurement of R 3 and R4 is not equal, as well as the
current. Therefore, R3 and R4 is not connected in series nor parallel.

I3 (mA) I4 (mA) V3 (V) V4 (V)

Workbench 80 31.034 12 6.828
Computed 80 31.02 12 6.824

Partial values of the Table 1

𝑅2,4,6 232Ω 232Ω

𝐼3 = (𝐼𝑠 ) = (0.1317𝐴) = (0.1317𝐴) = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟖𝑨
𝑅3 + 𝑅2,4,6 150Ω + 232Ω 382Ω
𝑅6 330Ω 232Ω
𝐼4 = (𝐼4,6 ) = (0.0517𝐴) = (0.0517𝐴) = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟑𝟏𝟎𝟐𝑨
𝑅4 + 𝑅6 220Ω + 330Ω 382Ω
∴ 𝐼3 ≠ 𝐼4 𝑜𝑟 𝑉3 ≠ 𝑉4
3. Are Vs and R3 in parallel or in series? Why? Justify with solution.

As it was shown in figure above that Vs and R3 have the same voltage which is 12V.
Moreover, if the current is not equal between those two; therefore, they are not in series
and in contrary, connected in parallel.

𝑉𝑠 = 𝑉3 𝐼𝑠 = 0.1317A
12V
𝑉𝑠 = 𝑅3(𝐼3) 𝐼3 = = 0.08A
150Ω
12 𝑉 = (150 𝑜ℎ𝑚𝑠)(0.08 𝐴) 0.1317A ≠ 0.08A
12 𝑉 = 12 V

4. Are Vs and R6 in series or in parallel? Why? Justify.

Is (mA) I6 (mA) Vs (V) V6 (V)

Workbench 29.63 20.69 12 9.689
Computed 29.63 20.68 12 9.689

Partial values of the Table 1

As we can see in the table above, Neither the value of current nor the voltage is equal for
Vs and R6. It is because we need to find first the equivalence resistance of all loads, before
comparing. Thus, Vs and R6 are not connected in series nor in parallel.
5. Are Vs and Req in parallel or in series? Why? Justify.

As we can see in this figure, the equivalence resistance or R eq is connected to the voltage
source directly by end to end. Therefore, Req and Vs is connected in series.

6. Is VDR applicable for R3 and R4? Why? Justify your answer on the basis of theory
given in the introduction.

As we can see in the figure above, if we directly substitute the value of the resistors
R3 and R4 in Voltage Divider Rule, it is not possible, or the answer will be invalid. We can
justify it by our answer in question 2, which those two resistors are neither in series nor in
parallel. Since in the basis of theory, VDR is for series connection only, therefore, it is not
applicable for them.
7. Is CDR applicable for R4 and R6? Why? Justify your answer on the basis of theory
given in the introduction.

As we can see in the figure above, R4 and R6 are obviously in parallel, since they
are connected by each other by node. Also, if we refer to our answer in question 1, those
two resistors are connected in parallel. Therefore, by the basis of theory given in
introduction, which CDR is applicable only for parallel connection, CDR is applicable for
R4 and R6. Further prove by computations below:

𝑅6 330Ω 330Ω
𝐼4 = (𝐼4,6 ) = (0.0517𝐴) = (0.0517𝐴) = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟑𝟏𝟎𝟐𝑨
𝑅4 + 𝑅6 220Ω + 330Ω 550Ω
𝑅4 220Ω 220Ω
𝐼6 = (𝐼4,6 ) = (0.0517𝐴) = (0.0517𝐴) = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟐𝟎𝟔𝟖𝑨
𝑅4 + 𝑅6 220Ω + 330Ω 550Ω
 8. Is the parallel combination of R4 and R6 in series or in parallel with R2? Why?
Justify.

As we can see in the figure above, the resistor R4,6 is connected by end to end to
R2. Thus, it is observable that the combination of R4 and R6 is in series connection. Further
prove by the same value of current given below.

𝐼2,4,6 = 𝐼2 = 𝐼4,6
𝟎. 𝟎𝟓𝟏𝟕𝑨 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟓𝟏𝟕𝑨 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟓𝟏𝟕𝑨

9. Are R4 and R6 in parallel or in series? Why? Refer to voltage current measurements

for your answer to justify.

A circuit can be classified as series circuit if the values of the component’s currents are
equal, while it is a parallel circuit is the component’s voltages are equal. And since by
comparing the values of current and voltage of R 4 and R6 or the I4 and I6, and V4 and V6
from Table 2, both of them differs in the value of the current and the voltage which means
that they are not in parallel nor in series. Moreover, when R 2, R3, and R4 were combined,
they became in series with R6 which can be seen from Figure 15 and 16. Therefore, R4 and
R6 is neither in series nor parallel connection unless combined with other components in
the circuit.
10. Are R3 and R4 in parallel or in series? Why? Justify.

A circuit is a series circuit if the value of its component’s current is equal, and based on
the value in table 2, the current of R3 and R4 is both 6.247 mA. Therefore, R3 and R4 is in
series.

I3 = I 4

6.247 mA = 6.247 mA

11. Are Vs and R3 in parallel or in series? Why? Justify.

Just like the concept of the answer in question no. 9, by comparing the values of current
and voltage of Vs and R3 from Table 2, they don’t have the same value in both current
and voltage which means that they are not in series nor parallel circuit. In addition, when
R2, R3, and R4 were combined, Vs became in series with the combination of the resistors
as shown from Figure 15. So, Vs and R3 is neither in series nor parallel unless combined
with other components in the circuit.

12. Are Vs and R6 in series or in parallel? Why? Justify.

The current of the components in a series circuit is equal. And based from the values in
Table 2, Is and I6 have the same value of current which is 29.39 mA or 0.02936 A.
Therefore, Is and I6 is in series circuit.

Is = I6

0.02936 A = 0.02936 A

13. Are Vs and Req in parallel or in series? Why? Justify.

Vs and Req can be identify as a series or parallel by comparing the currents of the voltage
source (Vs) and equivalent resistance (Req). In order to get the value of Ieq or the current
𝑉𝑠
of the Req, the formula Ieq = 𝑅𝑒𝑞 will be used, and the values of Vs, Is, and Req is shown
in Table 2.
Vs = 12 V Ieq = Vs/Req

Is = 29.36 mA or 0.02936 A Ieq = 12/408.7234

Req = 408.7234 Ω Ieq = 0.02936 A

Is = Ieq

0.02936 A = 0.02936 A

And since the current source and the equivalent current are equal, therefore Vs and Req is
in series circuit.

14. Is VDR applicable for R3 and R4? Why? Justify your answer on the basis of theory
given in the introduction.

The theory said that voltage divider rule is used for series circuit, and based from the
proved answer in question number 10, R3 and R4 is in series circuit. Therefore, voltage
divider rule or VDR is applicable for R3 and R4.

15. Is CDR applicable for R4 and R6? Why? Justify your answer on the basis of theory
given in the introduction.

The theory said that current divider rule is used for parallel circuits. In addition, in line
with the answer in question no. 9, it was said that R4 and R6 is neither in series nor in
parallel connection which means that current divider rule or CDR is not applicable.

16. Is the parallel combination of R4 and R6 in series or in parallel with R2? Why?
Justify.

In line with the answer in question no. 9, since it was said that R 4 and R6 is neither in
series nor in parallel connection, then R4 and R6 can’t be combined. And if R4 and R6
can’t be combined, therefore R4 and R6 can’t be in series or parallel with R2.
1. To study the voltage current relationships of series and parallel circuits.

PARALLEL

As we can see in the figure above, R4 and R6 is in parallel connection and by

investigating what is the relationship of the voltage current, further prove by computations
below: The total current of the load is equal to the summation of all current of the loads
combined and the voltage of a load in is equal to the total voltage of the resistors combined
(Refer to computation below).

Current:

𝑅6 330Ω 330Ω
𝐼4 = (𝐼4,6 ) = (0.0517𝐴) = (0.0517𝐴) = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟑𝟏𝟎𝟐𝑨
𝑅4 + 𝑅6 220Ω + 330Ω 550Ω
𝑅4 220Ω 220Ω
𝐼6 = (𝐼4,6 ) = (0.0517𝐴) = (0.0517𝐴) = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟐𝟎𝟔𝟖𝑨
𝑅4 + 𝑅6 220Ω + 330Ω 550Ω

From the computation of ohm’s law, the current of I4,6 is:

𝑰𝟒,𝟔 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟓𝟏𝟕𝑨

Then,

𝐼4,6 = 𝐼4 + 𝐼6
0.0517𝐴 = 0.03102𝐴 + 0.02068𝐴
0.0517𝐴 = 0.0517𝐴
 Voltage:

𝑉4 = (𝐼4 )(𝑅4 ) 𝑉6 = (𝐼6 )(𝑅6 )

𝑉4 = (0.03102𝐴)(220Ω) 𝑉6 = (0.02068𝐴)(330Ω)
𝑉4 = 𝟔. 𝟖𝟐𝟒𝟒𝑽 𝑉6 = 𝟔. 𝟖𝟐𝟐𝑽

From the computation of ohm’s law, the voltage of V4,6 is:

𝑉4,6 = 𝟔. 𝟖𝟐𝟒𝟒𝑽

Therefore,

𝑉4,6 = 𝑉4 = 𝑉6

SERIES

As the figure above implies, R3 and R4 is in series connection and by investigating

what is the relationship of the voltage current, further justified by computations below: The
total voltage of the load is equal to the summation of all voltages gathered and the current
of a load in is all equal to the total current of the resistors combined (Refer to computation
below).

Voltage:
 𝑅3 150Ω 150Ω
𝑉3 = (𝑉3,4) = (2.311𝑉 ) = (2.311𝑉 ) = 𝟗𝟑𝟔. 𝟖𝟗𝒎𝑽
𝑅3 + 𝑅4 150Ω + 220Ω 370Ω

𝑅4 220Ω 220Ω
𝑉4 = (𝑉3,4 ) = (2.311𝑉 ) = (2.311𝑉 ) = 𝟏. 𝟑𝟕𝟒𝑽
𝑅3 + 𝑅4 150Ω + 220Ω 370Ω

From the computation of ohm’s law, the voltage of V3,4 is:

𝑉3,4 = 2.311𝑉
Thus:

𝑉3,4 = 𝑉3 + 𝑉4
2.311𝑉 = 0.937𝑉 + 1.374𝑉
2.311𝑉 = 2.311𝑉

Current:

𝑉3 𝑉4
𝐼3 = 𝐼4 =
𝑅3 𝑅4
0.937𝑉 1.374𝑉
𝐼3 = 𝐼4 =
150Ω 220Ω
𝐼3 = 𝟔. 𝟐𝟒𝟔𝒎𝑨 𝐼4 = 𝟔. 𝟐𝟒𝟔𝒎𝑨

From the computation of ohm’s law, the current of I4,6 is:

𝑰𝟑,𝟒 = 𝟔. 𝟐𝟒𝟔𝒎𝑨

Therefore,

𝐼3,4 = 𝐼3 = 𝐼4
 2. To verify the voltage divider and current divider rules.

VDR or Voltage Divider Rule is used in a series circuit to compute for the
individual voltage drops in the circuit. And there is also the CDR of the Current Divider
Rule the is used in parallel connected circuits to calculate the current that flows through
the resistors in the circuit.

VII. CONCLUSION

Determining whether a circuit is a series or parallel is a simple task because a circuit

can be classified as series or parallel by knowing the values of the resistor’s currents and
voltages. If the resistor’s current is equal to one another, then it is a series circuit and its
total voltage is the sum of the individual voltage in the circuit. Furthermore, the total
resistance in series circuit is the sum of all the values of the resistors in the circuit. On the
other hand, if the voltages of the resistors in the circuit is equal, then the circuit is a parallel
circuit and its total current will be the sum of the individual current of the resistors in the
circuit. And getting the total resistance of a parallel circuit can be done by getting the ratio
of the sum of the reciprocals of the individual resistors given in the circuit. Lastly, the
Voltage Divider Rule or DVR Is used in series circuit while the Current Divider Rule is
used in parallel circuits. Those things help in getting and knowing the missing values in a
circuit without using any devices. By just manual computation and mathematical
manipulation, same values of the currents and voltages can be acquired to that of the values
of the currents and voltages that was measured using devices. Sometimes, there can be a
little discrepancy in the answers but its chance to occur is very little, and if the discrepancy
in the values do occur, the acquired values through computation was not that far from the
values acquired through devices.