Republic of the Philippines

Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING and TECHNOLOGY
Department of Electrical Engineering and Technology
Tibanga, 9200 Iligan City, P.O. Box No.5644 Tel. Nos. (063) 223-2351
Direct line (063) 223-2351 Homepage: http://www.msuiit.edu.ph/coe

BET 113 ELECTRICITY

SERIES AND PARALLEL EQUIVALENT RESISTANCE

LABORATORY EXPERIMENT #3 (Classroom Session)

Name: ___________________________ Section: _______________ Date: ________________

Instructor: ___________________________ Group Name: ________ Rating: ____________
Group Members: ___________________________ ____________
___________________________ ____________
___________________________ ____________
___________________________ ____________
Objective:
1. To calculate the equivalent resistance from a group of resistors connected in series.
2. To calculate the equivalent resistance from a group of resistors connected in parallel.
Materials and Equipment: NONE
Introduction:
Resistors in Series
Resistors are said to be in series whenever the current flows through the resistors sequentially.
Thus, there is only one path for the charges to flow through and the current is the same through
each resistor. When a group of resistors is connected in series, the total resistance is equal to the
algebraic sum of the individual resistances.
The equivalent resistance of several resistors in series is found from the equation:
Requivalent = R1 + R2 + R3 + ….............. +Rn (eq. 1)
For instance, if a resistor having a resistance of 5 Ω is connected in series with one having a
resistance of 20 Ω (Fig. 1-1) the total resistance between terminal A and B is 25 Ω.

Fig. 1-1
The two resistors (R1 and R2) between terminals A and B could be replaced by a single resistor
((Requivalent) having a resistance of 25 Ω. This single resistor (R equivalent), which can replace the
original two, is called the equivalent resistance (Fig. 1-2).

Fig. 1-2
Resistors in Parallel
Resistors are said to be in parallel when both end of all the resistors is connected by a continuous
wire of negligible resistance. For example, an automobile’s headlights, radio, and other systems
are wired in parallel, so that each subsystem utilizes the full voltage of the source and can
operate completely independently. When two or more resistors are connected in parallel between
two terminals A and B, the equivalent resistance is always less than that of the resistor. The logic
of this statement can be shown by referring to Fig. 1-3.

Fig. 1-3
In this circuit, a resistor of 5 Ω (R1) is initially connected between terminals A and B. If another
resistor of 20 Ω (R2) is connected in parallel with the 5 Ω (R 1), it is clear that the opposition to
current flow between A and B will be less than before. This is because the current has an
additional path to flow through, which was not available when the 5 Ω resistor (R 1) was alone in
the circuit. The equivalent resistance of several resistors in parallel is found from the equation:

(eq. 2)

For cases where only two resistors are connected in parallel, the single equivalent resistance can
be found from the equation:

(eq. 3)

The equivalent resistance of 20 Ω in parallel with 5 Ω is therefore:

Consequently, a single resistor of 4 Ω (Requivalent) can be used to replace the original two.

Fig. 1-4
1. Using the equations given in the Introduction section, calculate the value of the
equivalent resistance between terminals A and B for each of the following series and
parallel circuits. Show your calculations in the spaces provided.

(a) Requivalent = _____________ Ω

(b) Requivalent = _____________ Ω

(c) Requivalent = _____________ Ω

(d) Requivalent = _____________ Ω

(e) Requivalent = _____________ Ω

(f) Requivalent = _____________ Ω

(g) Requivalent = _____________ Ω

(h) Requivalent = _____________ Ω

(i) Requivalent = _____________ Ω

(j) Requivalent = _____________ Ω

(k) Requivalent = _____________ Ω

(l) Requivalent = _____________ Ω

(m) Requivalent = _____________ Ω

(n) Requivalent = _____________ Ω

(o) Requivalent = _____________ Ω

Test Your Knowledge:
1. The term “open circuit”, “short circuit” and “dead short” are used often in speaking of
electricity. Can you answer the following questions about these three terms?
A. What is the value of the resistance of an open circuit? ___________________
B. What is the value of the resistance of a short circuit? _____________________
C. What is meant by “dead short”? _____________________________________
2. When a switch is open, is the resistance between its terminals, high or low? _____
3. What is the resistance of a closed switch (ideally)? _________________________
4. Using each of the methods shown in (a) and (b) below, calculate the value of the
equivalent resistance of a combination of 5 Ω (R1), 12 Ω (R2), and 20 Ω (R3) connected
in parallel.
a. Using equation 2:

= ________________

b. Applying successively equation:

= _________________

Which of the method do you find easier to use: _______________________

5. Connect all the resistors in parallel.

A _________

B _________