ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

ACTIVITY1.3: RESISTANCE IN SERIES-PARALLEL RESISTIVE CIRCUIT

1.3.1 Program Outcomes (POs) Addressed by the Activity

b. ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data
d. ability to function on multidisciplinary teams
e. ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems
g. ability to communicate effectively

1.3.2 Activity’sIntended Learning Outcomes (AILOs)

At the end of this activity, the student shall be able to:
a. identify a series-parallel connected resistors
b. calculate the total resistance of resistors in series-parallel
c. evaluate the characteristics of a series-parallel resistors

1.3.3 Objectives of the Activity

The objectives of this activityareto:
1. determine the value of the total resistance in a series-parallel resistive circuit by using
Ohm’s law.
2. verify the results with a multimeter.

1.3.4 Principle of the Activity

You can reduce the resistance in a series/parallel circuit to a single total resistance (RT) by
combining the resistance in the parallel branch and the resistance in the series branch. For
example, in Figure 2.3-1, R2 and R3 are in parallel with each other and are in series with R1. The
first step must take to find RT is to find the equivalent resistance if the parallel branch. When
there are only two resistors in a parallel branch, use the product-over-sum method to find the
equivalent resistance (RE).

RE = (R2 x R3) / (R2 + R3 )

RE = (2,700 x 3,300) / (2,700 + 3,300)

RE = 1.485 kΩ

ACTIVITY 1: SERIES AND PARALLEL CONNECTION OF LINEAR RESISTORS

 Figure 1.3-1. Resistance in a series / parallel resistive circuit

Add the equivalent resistance of the parallel branch to the series resistance R1 (1.50kW),
to find total resistance.

RT = R1 + R2

RT = (1,500 + 1,500)Ω

RT = 3kΩ

When a parallel branch circuit has more than two resistors, you should use the reciprocal
method to find RE. For example, in Figure 2.3-2, R4 has been added to the parallel branch.

ACTIVITY 1: SERIES AND PARALLEL CONNECTION OF LINEAR RESISTORS

 Figure 1.3-2. Resistance in series / parallel resistive circuit

RE = 1/ (1/R2 + 1/ R3 + 1/R4)

RE = 1/ ( 1/2700 + 1/3300 + 1/4700)

RE = 1/ (0.0004 + 0.0003 + 0.0002)

RE = 1,111Ω

The total circuit resistance can now be found,

RT = R1 + RE

RT = (1,500 + 1,111) Ω

RT = 2,611 Ω

To find equivalent in as series branch, simply add the values of the resistors in the
branch. In Figure 1.3-3, node A to B makes up the series branch. Node B to node C makes up the
parallel branch. To find total resistance, add the equivalent resistance of A-B and parallel branch
B-C. Calculate the equivalent resistance of A-B (RAB) as shown below.

RAB = R1 + R2 + R3

RAB = (1.5 + 1.5 + 2) kΩ

RAB = 5 kΩ

Figure 1.3-3. Resistance in a series / parallel resistive circuit.

ACTIVITY 1: SERIES AND PARALLEL CONNECTION OF LINEAR RESISTORS

Calculate the equivalent resistance B-C (RBC) by using the product-over-sum method.

RBC = (R4 x R5) / (R4+R5)

RBC = (3.30 x 3.30) / (3.30 + 3.30)

RBC =1.65 kΩ

Resistance B-C is a parallel branch that is in series with A-B. To find the total resistance
for this series/ parallel resistive circuit, add the two equivalent resistances.

RT = (RAB + RBC)

RT = (5 + 1.650) kΩ

RT = 6.650 kΩ

When a circuit has a series combination in a parallel branch, you must first find the
equivalent resistance of the combination before you can find the equivalent resistance of the
parallel branch. In Figure 2.3-4, the series combination A-B (R2 and R3) is within a parallel
branch. You can determine the equivalent resistance of the series combination as shown below.

RAB = R2 + R3

RAB = (1.5 +1.5) kΩ

RAB = 3 kΩ

When you know the equivalent resistance of the series combination, you can find the
equivalent resistance of the parallel branch (RE) by using the product-over-sum method.

RE = (RAB x R4)/ (RAB + R4)

ACTIVITY 1: SERIES AND PARALLEL CONNECTION OF LINEAR RESISTORS

 Figure 1.3-4. Resistance of a series / parallel resistive circuit with a series combination in a
parallel branch.

RE = (3 x 3.33)/ (3 + 3.33)

RE = 9.9 / 6.3

RE = 1.5714 kΩ (which can be rounded off to 1.6 kΩ)

The parallel branch has been reduced to as single equivalent resistance. Adding this
equivalent resistance to R1 gives the total resistance of the series/ parallel circuit.

RT = RE + R1 )

RT = (1.6 + 2.4) kΩ

RT = 4 kΩ

1.3.5 Materials/Equipment

1- F.A.C.E.T Base Unit

1- DC FUNDAMENTAL Circuit Board
2- 15Vdc Power Supply
1- Multimeter

ACTIVITY 1: SERIES AND PARALLEL CONNECTION OF LINEAR RESISTORS

1.3.6 Procedure/s

1. Insert the DC FUNDAMENTALS circuit board into the base unit. Do not turn on the
power sources.

2. Locate the SERIES/ PARALLEL CIRCUIT circuit block, and connect the circuit shown
in Figure 1.3-5.

Figure 1.3-5. Resistance in series / parallel resistive series circuit.

NOTE: Do not apply power to the SERIES / PARALLEL CIRCUIT circuit block.

3. Calculate and record RE for the parallel branch circuit.

RE = 0.8 K Ω

4. Calculate and record RT for the series / parallel circuit.

RT = 1.13 K Ω

5. Measure and record RE for the parallel branch circuit.

RE = 0.788 K Ω

6. Measure and record RT.

RE = 1.127 K Ω

7. When more than two resistors are in parallel branch, the reciprocal method is used to find
RE. Calculate RE and RT for the circuit in Figure 2.3-6.

RE = 1/ (1/R2 + 1/ R3 + 1/R4) RT = R1 +RE

RE = 1/ (1/1.2 + 1/ 2.4 + 1/2.7) RT = 0.33 KiloOhms + 0.6171 KiloOhms

RE = 0.6171 KiloOhms RT = 0.9471 Kilo Ohms

ACTIVITY 1: SERIES AND PARALLEL CONNECTION OF LINEAR RESISTORS

 Figure 1.3-6. Series / parallel resistive circuit.

8. The circuit shown in Figure1.3-5 is the basic series/ parallel circuit. The circuit in Figure
2.3-6 has an additional resistor, R4, that you can add by closing CM switch 12. Place CM
switch 12 in the ON position. Measure and record the values of RE and RT.
RE = 0.611 Kilo Ohms RT = 0.937 Kilo Ohms

9. Does adding more resistance in parallel increase or decrease the total circuit resistance of
Decrease
a series /parallel circuit? ____________

10. Place CM switch 12 in the OFF position.

11. Place CM switch 15 in ON position. Record the values of R1 and RE.

R1 = Ω RE = Ω 4.1 Ohms
323.1 Ohms

12. Which resistance value changed, and did it increase or decrease?

R1 and RE decrease
__________________________________________________

13. Was this change due to resistance added in series, in parallel or neither? If neither, was
there an open or was there a short across parallel branch?
Parallel
________________________________________________________________________
________________

ACTIVITY 1: SERIES AND PARALLEL CONNECTION OF LINEAR RESISTORS

 14. What will be the new value of R T?
RT = 327.2 Ohms
________________________________________________________________________
__

15. Confirm your estimated value of RT by measuring. Is it correct?

RT = 328.2 Ohms
___________________________________________________

16. Place CM switch 15 in the OFF position.

1.3.7 Activity Report

Section: PTL067 Date Performed:

09/05/2022
Course Code: Date Submitted: 09/05/2022
CIRCUITS 1 LAB
Course Title:
CIRCUITS 1
Instructor: MELODIA PAHATI
Group No.: Activity No.: 1.3
Group Members: Signature:
1. JELDIN I. LASPIÑAS
2.

3.

ACTIVITY 1: SERIES AND PARALLEL CONNECTION OF LINEAR RESISTORS

 4.
5.

1.3.7.1 Calculations (if applicable)

#3: #14:
Req = ((2.4)-1 + (1.2)-1)-1 Rt = R1 + Req
Req = 0.8 KOhms Rt = 323.1 + 4.1
Rt = 327.2 Ohms
#4
Rt = 0.33 + 0.8
Rt = 1.13 KOhms

1.3.7.2 Conclusion/s: Write at least three (3) conclusions.

I was able to determine the total current flowing through a series and parallel circuit in this experiment.
The series-parallel cicruit have many connection resistors which is the combination of series and parallel.
I also conclude that adding more resistor in parallel will decrease the total circuit resistance. In this
experiment we must consider the connection of every resistor and the connection of series and parallel
circuit

1.3.7.3 Rating(See Attached Rubric)

ACTIVITY 1: SERIES AND PARALLEL CONNECTION OF LINEAR RESISTORS