Experiment

Laboratory Activity No.
Series and Parallel Circuits

Voltage Divider and Current Divider Rules
Introduction
There are two basic ways in which to connect more than two circuit components:
series and parallel.
Fig. 1 Series Circuit Fig. 2 Parallel circuit
For a series circuit shown in figure 1, the voltage across resistors R 1, R2, and R3
can be written as
𝑅1
𝑉1 = 𝑉
𝑅1 + 𝑅2 + 𝑅3 𝑠
𝑅2
𝑉2 = 𝑉
𝑅1 + 𝑅2 + 𝑅3 𝑠
𝑅3
𝑉3 = 𝑉
𝑅1 + 𝑅2 + 𝑅3 𝑠
This is the voltage divider rule (VDR).

For parallel circuit given in figure 2, the branch currents can be written in terms of
the total current as
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𝑅2
𝐼1 = 𝐼
𝑅1 + 𝑅2 𝑠
𝑅1
𝐼2 = 𝐼
𝑅1 + 𝑅2 𝑠
This is termed as the current divider rule (CDR).
Objectives
1. To study the voltage current relationships of series and parallel circuits.

2. To verify the voltage divider and current divider rules.
Materials
Multisim
Circuit Diagrams
24 V 24 V
Figure 3 Figure 4
Resistance Resistance
R2 = 100 ohms R2 = 62.5 ohms
R3 = 150 ohms R3 = 75 ohms
R4= 220 ohms R4= 265 ohms
R6 = 330 ohms R6 = 150 ohms
Procedure:
Simulation
1. Build the circuit given in figure 3 on Multisim.
2. Connect voltmeters, ammeters (or multimeters) at appropriate positions to measure

voltages and currents shown in Table 1.
3. Disconnect the voltage source. Connect a multimeter and measure the total resistance
and record the value in Table 1. (Remember resistance is always measured without any
source connected to the circuit.)
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 for the circuit given in figure 4 and record the values in Table 2.
Table 1: Simulation and Experimental Result for Figure 3

Is I2 I3 I4 I5 I6 V2 V3 V4 V5 V6 Vs
Work 263. 103. 160 62. 222. 41. 10. 24V 13. 0V 13. 24V
Bench 45 45 mA 609 07 379 345V 655 655
mA mA mA mA mA V V
Table 2: Simulation and Experimental Result for Figure 4

Is I2 I3 I4 I5 I6 V2 V3 V4 V5 V6 Vs
Work 118. 99. 18. 18. 22. 118. 6. 1. 4. 22. 17. 24V
Bench 35 969 377 377 626 35 2481 3783 8698 622 752
mA mA mA mA mA mA V V V V V
Questions:
Refer to figure 3 and the results obtained in Table 1 and answer the following questions:
1. Are R4 and R6 in parallel or in series? Why? Refer to voltage current measurements
for your answer to justify.
Parallel, because R3 and R4 are not connected in the same path. Also, both have the
same value of voltage which is 13.655
2. Are R3 and R4 in parallel or in series? Why? Justify with solution.

𝐼2 + 𝐼3 = 𝐼3 + 𝐼4 + 𝐼6
103.45 + 160.00 = 160.00 + 62.069 + 41.379
263.45 = 263.45
Parallel, because the total current that flows from the source is equal to the sum of
the currents through each path
3. Are Vs and R3 in parallel or in series? Why? Justify with solution.

𝐼3 = 160.00 𝑚𝐴 = 0.16 𝐴 𝑉𝑠 = 𝑉3
24𝑉 = 𝐼3 𝑅3
𝑅3 = 150 Ω 𝑉𝑠 = 24𝑉
24𝑉 = (0.16 𝐴)(150 Ω)
24𝑉 = 24𝑉
Parallel because Vs = V3, therefore when they have the same voltage it is parallel
4. Are Vs and R6 in series or in parallel? Why? Justify with solution.

Since 𝑅2 is in the same path with 𝑅6 , we add it and have it equal to 𝑉𝑠
𝐼6 = 41.379 𝑚𝐴 = 0.041379 𝑉𝑠 = 𝑉6 + 𝑉2
𝑅6 = 330 Ω 24𝑉 = 𝐼6 𝑅6 + 𝐼2 𝑅2
𝐼2 = 103.45 𝑚𝐴 = 0.103 24𝑉 = [(0.041379𝐴)(330 Ω)] + [(. 10345)(100Ω)]
𝑅2 = 100 Ω 24𝑉 = 24𝑉
𝑉𝑠 = 24𝑉
Parallel because 𝑉𝑠 = 𝑉6 + 𝑉2, the sum of the voltage of 𝑅2 and 𝑅6 is equal to the total
voltage 𝑉𝑠 .
5. Are Vs and Req in parallel or in series? Why? Justify with solution.
𝑅 𝑅6
[(𝑅 4+ 𝑅 ) + 𝑅2 ] (𝑅3 )
4 6
𝑅𝑒𝑞 =
𝑅 𝑅3
𝑅3 + [(𝑅 4+ 𝑅 ) + 𝑅2 ]
4 3
(220Ω)(320Ω)
[( 220Ω + 320Ω ) + 100Ω] (150Ω)
𝑅𝑒𝑞 = 𝑅𝑒𝑞 = 91.09947644
(220Ω)(320Ω)
150Ω + [( 220Ω + 320Ω ) + 100Ω]
𝑉𝑒𝑞 = 𝐼𝑅𝑒𝑞 = (. 26345)(91.09947644) = 24𝑉

𝑉𝑠 = 𝐼𝑠 𝑅 = (. 26345)(91.09947644) = 24𝑉
𝑉𝑠 = 𝑉𝑒𝑞
Req was obtained by combining all resistors. Parallel, because 𝑉𝑠 = 𝑉𝑒𝑞 , therefore, 𝑉𝑠
is parallel to Req,
6. Is VDR applicable for R3 and R4? Why? Justify your answer on the basis of theory
given in the introduction.
VDR is not applicable to R3 and R4 because VDR should only be used only for series
circuits and R3 and R4 is in parallel circuit.
7. Is CDR applicable for R4 and R6? Why? Justify your answer on the basis of theory
CDR is applicable to R4 and R6 since CDR is supposed to be used for parallel circuits
and R4 and R6 is in parallel circuits.
8. Is the parallel combination of R4 and R6 in series or in parallel with R2? Why? Justify.
𝐼6 = 41.379 𝑚𝐴 𝐼2 = 𝐼4 + 𝐼6
𝐼2 = 103.45 𝑚𝐴 103.45 = 62.069 + 41.379
𝐼4 = 62.069 𝑚𝐴 103.45 = 103.45
Series, the sum of parallel combination of 𝑅4 and 𝑅6 have the same value of current
with 𝑅2 . Therefore, the parallel combination of 𝑅4 and 𝑅6 is in series with 𝑅2 .
Refer to figure 4 and the results obtained in Table 2 and answer the following questions:
9. Are R4 and R6 in parallel or in series? Why? Refer to voltage current measurements
for your answer to justify.
R4 and R6 are in series connection because when I2 is added to I4 it equates to the
current of I6, which in series circuit states that when the current is the same, it is always
series.
10. Are R3 and R4 in parallel or in series? Why? Justify with solution.

𝐼3 = 𝐼4
𝑉3 = 1.3783 𝑉 𝑉3 𝑉4
=
𝑉4 = 4.8698 𝑉 𝑅3 𝑅4
1.3783 4.8698
=
75 265
0.018377 = 0.018377
Series, Since, 𝐼3 = 𝐼4 , Therefore, 𝑅3 and 𝑅4 are in series circuit since they have similar current
11. Are Vs and R3 in parallel or in series? Why? Justify with solution.

𝑉𝑠 = 24 𝑉 𝑉𝑠 = 𝑉6 + (𝑉3 + 𝑉4 )
𝑉3 = 1.3783 𝑉 24 = 17.752 + (1.3783 + 4.8698)
𝑉4 = 4.8698 𝑉
24𝑉 = 24𝑉
𝑉6 = 17.752 𝑉
𝑉𝑠 = 𝑉6 + (𝑉3 + 𝑉4 ), Therefore, 𝑉𝑠 is series to 𝑅3 because the sum of the voltage through

each path is equal to the total voltage that flows from the source. Voltage applied to a series circuit is
equal to the sum of the individual voltage drops.
12. Are Vs and R6 in series or in parallel? Why? Justify with solution.

𝐼𝑠 = 𝐼6
𝑉6
118.35 =
𝑅6
17.752
118.35 =
150
118.35 = 118.35
Series, because they have equal currents. Therefore, 𝑉𝑠 and 𝑅6 are in series connection
13. Are Vs and Req in parallel or in series? Why? Justify with solution.
(𝑅3 + 𝑅4)𝑅2
𝑅𝑒𝑞 = [ ] + 𝑅6
𝑅2 + 𝑅3 + 𝑅4
(75 + 265)62.5
𝑅𝑒𝑞 = [ ] + 150
62.5 + 75 + 265
𝑅eq = 202.7950311Ω
𝑉 24V
𝐼𝑒𝑞 = 𝑅=202.7950311A
1000mA
𝐼𝑒𝑞 = 0.1182460949A ( )
1A
𝐼𝑠 = 118.3460949mA
𝐼𝑒𝑞 = 118.3460949mA
Series, because they have the same current. Therefore, Vs and Req are in series
connection
14. Is VDR applicable for R3 and R4? Why? Justify your answer on the basis of theory
Since they are in a series circuit, VDR refers to R3 and R4. A series connection has a
constant current of its components and is based on the theory given in the introduction. We
can find the voltages for each variable using the VDR, because through each path, the sum of
the voltage is equal to the total voltage flowing from the source.
15. Is CDR applicable for R4 and R6? Why? Justify your answer on the basis of theory
CDR is not applicable because R4 is in parallel connection with R2, but their equal
resistance is in series with R6. CDR doesn't apply to a parallel circuit on the basis of the theory
Any other observations or comments:
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Laboratory Activity No.

Series and Parallel Circuits

Fig. 1 Series Circuit Fig. 2 Parallel circuit

This is the voltage divider rule (VDR).

This is termed as the current divider rule (CDR).

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

1. Build the circuit given in figure 3 on Multisim.

2. Connect voltmeters, ammeters (or multimeters) at appropriate positions to measure

Table 1: Simulation and Experimental Result for Figure 3

Table 2: Simulation and Experimental Result for Figure 4

2. Are R3 and R4 in parallel or in series? Why? Justify with solution.

3. Are Vs and R3 in parallel or in series? Why? Justify with solution.

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

𝐼2 = 103.45 𝑚𝐴 = 0.103 24𝑉 = [(0.041379𝐴)(330 Ω)] + [(. 10345)(100Ω)]

𝑅2 = 100 Ω 24𝑉 = 24𝑉

5. Are Vs and Req in parallel or in series? Why? Justify with solution.

𝑉𝑒𝑞 = 𝐼𝑅𝑒𝑞 = (. 26345)(91.09947644) = 24𝑉

10. Are R3 and R4 in parallel or in series? Why? Justify with solution.

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

𝑉𝑠 = 𝑉6 + (𝑉3 + 𝑉4 ), Therefore, 𝑉𝑠 is series to 𝑅3 because the sum of the voltage through

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

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