ACM 01

Basic Electrical Engineering

LECTURE 5 – Parallel Resistor

 INTRODUCTION
We will continue applying Ohm’s law, but on simple
and complex circuits. The greater complexity lies in
greater number of elements with more complicated
interconnections and focus will be on reducing such
circuits into simpler, equivalent circuit.

LECTURE 5 – Parallel Resistor

 5.1 RESISTORS IN
PARALLEL

LECTURE 5 – Parallel Resistor

 RESISTORS IN PARALLEL
(Parallel Connection)
Three resistances, as join in figure 5.1 are said to be connected in parallel.
In this case

(i) Same voltage E is impressed across all resistors in parallel

𝐸 = 𝑉𝑇 = 𝑉1 = 𝑉2 = 𝑉3 𝐸𝑞. 5.1

(ii) current in each resistor is different and is given by Ohm’s Law

𝑉1 𝑉2 𝑉3
𝐼1 = ,𝐼 = ,𝐼 = 𝐸𝑞. 5.2
𝑅1 2 𝑅2 3 𝑅3
and (iii) the total current is the sum of the three separate currents.
𝐼𝑇 = 𝐼 = 𝐼1 + 𝐼2 + 𝐼3 𝐸𝑞. 5.3

LECTURE 5 – Parallel Resistor

 RESISTORS IN PARALLEL
(Parallel Connection)
From Eq. 5.3
𝐼 = 𝐼1 + 𝐼2 + 𝐼3

𝐸 𝑉1 𝑉2 𝑉3
= + +
𝑅𝑇 𝑅1 𝑅2 𝑅3
The total resistance or equivalent
resistance of parallel combination
1 1 1 1
= + + 𝐸𝑞. 5.4
𝑅𝑇 𝑅1 𝑅2 𝑅3
Or Figure 5.1
𝑅𝑇 = (𝑅1 −1 + 𝑅2 −1 + 𝑅3 −1 )−1 𝐸𝑞. 5.5

LECTURE 5 – Parallel Resistor

 RESISTORS IN PARALLEL
(Parallel Connection)
For two resistors connected in parallel
1 1 1
= +
𝑅𝑇 𝑅1 𝑅2
1 𝑅2 + 𝑅1
=
𝑅𝑇 𝑅1 𝑅2
𝑅1 𝑅2
∴ 𝑅𝑇 = 𝐸𝑞. 5.6
𝑅1 + 𝑅2
Note: The equivalent resistance (total resistance) of any number of resistors in parallel
of whatever magnitude (resistance value) , is always less than the magnitude of the
smallest unit (smallest resistance).
Also, for conductors connected in parallel
𝐺𝑇 = 𝐺1 + 𝐺2 + 𝐺3 𝐸𝑞. 5.7
Several different ways of sketching parallel elements shown in figure 5.2.
The elements between the nodes may be any two terminal devices such as
voltage sources, resistors, light bulbs, and the like.

LECTURE 5 – Parallel Resistor

 RESISTORS IN PARALLEL
(Parallel Connection)
The point of connection in a circuit are often referred to as nodes.

Figure 5.2 Parallel elements

LECTURE 5 – Parallel Resistor

 EXAMPLE
Ex. 5.1 For the circuit shown,
determine
(a) The reading on the ammeter
(b) The value of resistor 𝑹𝟐

LECTURE 5 – Parallel Resistor

 EXAMPLE
Solution:
From eq. 5.1, Same voltage E is impressed across all resistors
in parallel
∴ 𝐸 = 𝑉 = 𝑉1
𝑉 = 𝐼1 𝑅1 = 8 5 = 40𝑉
∴the reading on ammeter
𝑉3 40
𝐼3 = =
𝑅3 20
The reading on ammeter 𝐼3 = 2𝐴

LECTURE 5 – Parallel Resistor

 EXAMPLE
(b) From eq. 5.3
𝐼𝑇 = 𝐼1 + 𝐼2 + 𝐼3
𝐼2 = 𝐼𝑇 − 𝐼1 − 𝐼3
𝐼2 = 11 − 8 − 2
𝐼2 = 1 𝐴
𝑏𝑦 𝑜ℎ𝑚′ 𝑠 𝑙𝑎𝑤,
𝑉2 40
𝑅2 = =
𝐼2 1
𝑅2 = 40Ω

LECTURE 5 – Parallel Resistor

 EXAMPLE
Ex. 5.2 Two resistors of resistance 3Ω and 6 Ω, are connected
in parallel across a battery having a voltage of 12V. Determine
(a) Total circuit resistance
(b) The current flowing in the 3Ω resistor.

LECTURE 5 – Parallel Resistor

 EXAMPLE
Solution:
(a) From eq. 5.6
𝑅1 𝑅2
𝑅𝑇 =
𝑅1 + 𝑅2
(3)(6)
𝑅𝑇 =
3+6
𝑅𝑇 = 2Ω
Alternatively,
𝑅𝑇 = (𝑅1 −1 + 𝑅2 −1 )−1
𝑅𝑇 = (3−1 + 6−1 )−1
𝑅𝑇 = 2Ω

LECTURE 5 – Parallel Resistor

 EXAMPLE
(b) Total current in the 3Ω resistance
𝑉1 From eq.5.1, same voltage E is
𝐼1 = impressed across all resistors
𝑅1
in parallel
12 𝐸 = 𝑉1 = 𝑉2
𝐼1 =
3
𝐼1 = 4 𝐴

LECTURE 5 – Parallel Resistor

 EXAMPLE
Ex. 5.3 Three loads A, B, and C are connected in parallel to a
230V source.
Load A takes 9.2kW;
Load B takes a current of 60A;
and Load C is a resistance of 4.6Ω
Calculate
(a) The resistances of load A and B
(b) The total equivalent resistance of the three parallel loads
(c) The total current
(d) The total power

LECTURE 5 – Parallel Resistor

 EXAMPLE
Solution: Same voltage E is impressed across all resistors in parallel
(a) By ohm’s law
𝐸2
𝑅𝐴 =
𝑃𝐴
(230)2
𝑅𝐴 =
9.2𝑥103
𝑅𝐴 = 5.75 Ω
𝐸
𝑅𝐵 =
𝐼𝐵
230
𝑅𝐵 =
60
23
𝑅𝐵 = Ω
6

LECTURE 5 – Parallel Resistor

 EXAMPLE
(b) From eq. 5.5
𝑅𝑒𝑞 = (𝑅1 −1 + 𝑅2 −1 + 𝑅3 −1 )−1

−1 23 −1 −1 )−1
𝑅𝑒𝑞 = ( 5.75 + 6
+ 4.6
23
𝑅𝑒𝑞 = Ω
15

LECTURE 5 – Parallel Resistor

 EXAMPLE
(c) From eq. 5.3
𝐼𝑇 = 𝐼1 + 𝐼2 + 𝐼3
230 230 230
𝐼𝑇 = + +
5.75 23/6 4.6
𝐼𝑇 = 150 𝐴
Alternatively,
𝐸
𝐼𝑇 =
𝑅𝑇
230
𝐼𝑇 =
23/15
𝐼𝑇 = 150 𝐴

LECTURE 5 – Parallel Resistor

 EXAMPLE
(d) For any connection (series/parallel),
𝑃𝑇 = 𝑃1 + 𝑃2 + 𝑃3
230 2
𝑃𝑇 = 9.2𝑥103 + 230 60 +
4.6
𝑃𝑇 = 34.5𝑘𝑊
Alternatively,
𝑃𝑇 = 𝐸 ∙ 𝐼𝑇
𝑃𝑇 = (230)(150)
𝑃𝑇 = 34.5𝑘𝑊

LECTURE 5 – Parallel Resistor

 EXAMPLE
Ex. 5.4 A coil of wire having a resistance of 3.84 ohms and
carrying a current of 0.15 amp is in parallel with an
unknown resistance through which there is a current of
1.44 amp. Calculate the unknown resistance.
Solution: Same voltage is impressed across all resistors in
parallel
𝑉1 = 𝑉2
I1 𝑅1 = I2 𝑅2
𝐼1
∴ 𝑅2 = 𝑅1
𝐼2
0.15
∴ 𝑅2 = 3.84
1.44
𝑅2 = 0.4 Ω

LECTURE 5 – Parallel Resistor

 5.2 CURRENT DIVIDER
THEOREM

LECTURE 5 – Parallel Resistor

 CURRENT DIVIDER THEOREM
Current divider rule is used to determine how current entering
a node is split between the various parallel resistors connected
to the node.
𝑅1 𝑅2
𝑅𝑇 =
𝑅1 + 𝑅2
𝐸
𝐼𝑇 =
𝑅𝑇
Current flowing through each resistors are
𝑉1 𝑉2
𝐼1 = ; 𝐼2 =
𝑅1 𝑅2
From eq.5.1

𝐸 = 𝑉1 = 𝑉2

LECTURE 5 – Parallel Resistor

 CURRENT DIVIDER THEOREM
Therefore

𝐸 𝐸
𝐼1 = ; 𝐼2 =
𝑅1 𝑅2
And 𝐸 = 𝐼𝑇 𝑅𝑇

𝐼𝑇 𝑅𝑇 𝐼𝑇 𝑅𝑇
𝐼1 = ; 𝐼2 =
𝑅1 𝑅2

𝑅1 𝑅2 𝑅1 𝑅2
𝑅 + 𝑅2 𝑅 + 𝑅2
𝐼1 = 1 𝐼𝑇 ; 𝐼2 = 1 𝐼𝑇
𝑅1 𝑅2

𝑅2 𝑅1
𝐼1 = 𝐼 ;𝐼 = 𝐼 𝐸𝑞. 5.8
𝑅1 + 𝑅2 𝑇 2 𝑅1 + 𝑅2 𝑇

LECTURE 5 – Parallel Resistor

 EXAMPLE
Ex. 5.5 Three resistors of 2,3, and 4 ohms are connected across
a 9A current source. Find the current through each resistor.
Solution: using current divider theorem from eq. 5.8
𝑅2
𝐼1 = 𝐼𝑇
𝑅1 + 𝑅2
(3)(4) 12
𝑅1 = 2Ω, 𝑅2 = = Ω
3+4 7
Current through 2Ω resistor
12
𝐼1 = 7 (9)
12
2+ 7
54
𝐼1 = 𝐴
13

LECTURE 5 – Parallel Resistor

 EXAMPLE
(2)(4) 4 (2)(3) 6
𝑅1 = 3Ω, 𝑅2 = = Ω 𝑅1 = 4Ω, 𝑅2 = = Ω
2+4 3 2+3 5
Current through 3Ω resistor Current through 3Ω resistor
4 6
𝐼1 = 3 (9) 𝐼1 = 5 (9)
4 6
3+3 4+
5
36 27
𝐼1 = 𝐴 𝐼1 = 𝐴
13 13

LECTURE 5 – Parallel Resistor

 EXAMPLE
Ex. 5.6 Three resistors of 10, 12, and 15 ohms are connected in parallel.
Evaluate the value of current to the parallel system that will make the current in
the 10 ohm resistor equal to 2A.
Solution:using current divider theorem from eq. 5.8
𝑅2
𝐼1 = 𝐼
𝑅1 + 𝑅2 𝑇
(12)(15) 20
𝑅1 = 10Ω, 𝑅2 = = Ω, 𝐼1 = 2𝐴
12 + 15 3
Total circuit current that will make the current in the 10 ohm resistor equal to
2A.
20
2= 3 (𝐼𝑇 )
20
10 +
3
20
2 10 +
𝐼𝑇 = 3
20
3
𝐼𝑇 = 5 𝐴

LECTURE 5 – Parallel Resistor

 EXAMPLE
Ex.5.7 Two resistors A and B made of different materials have
temperature coefficients of resistance at 20℃ of 0.004 and
0.006 respectively. When connected across a voltage source at
20 ℃. They draw current equally. What percentage of the total
current at 100 ℃ does resistor A carry?

LECTURE 5 – Parallel Resistor

 EXAMPLE
Solution: from eq. 2.3
𝑅2 = 𝑅1 [1 + 𝛼1 𝑇2 − 𝑇1 ]
At 100℃
𝑅2𝐴 = 𝑅1𝐴 1 + 0.004 100 − 20 = 1.32 𝑅1𝐴
𝑅2𝐵 = 𝑅1𝐵 1 + 0.006 100 − 20 = 1.48 𝑅1𝐴
At 20 ℃, 𝐼1𝐴 = 𝐼1𝐵
∴ 𝑅1𝐴 = 𝑅1𝐵
Let R = 𝑅1𝐴 = 𝑅1𝐵
By current divider theorem
𝑅2
𝐼1 = 𝐼𝑇
𝑅1 + 𝑅2
𝑅2𝐵
𝐼2𝐴 = 𝐼𝑇
𝑅2𝐴 + 𝑅2𝐵

LECTURE 5 – Parallel Resistor

 EXAMPLE
1.48𝑅
𝐼2𝐴 = 𝐼𝑇
1.32𝑅 + 1.48𝑅
1.48
𝐼2𝐴 = 𝐼𝑇
1.32 + 1.48
𝐼2𝐴 = 0.5285714286𝐼𝑇
∴ 𝐼2𝐴 = 52.85714286%𝐼𝑇

LECTURE 5 – Parallel Resistor

 EXERCISE

LECTURE 5 – Parallel Resistor

 EXERCISE
1. Refer to the circuit shown,
a) Solve for the total power delivered by the
voltage source
Ans. 𝑃𝑇 = 264 𝑊

b) Find the current 𝐼1 , 𝐼2 , and 𝐼3

Ans. 𝐼1 = 0.4 𝐴, 𝐼2 = 0.6 𝐴, 𝐼3 = 1.2 𝐴
c) Determine the values of the unknown resistors 𝑅2
and 𝑅3
Ans. 𝑅2 = 200Ω; 𝑅3 = 100Ω
d) Calculate the power dissipated by each resistor.
Ans. 𝑃1 = 48𝑊; 𝑃2 = 72𝑊; 𝑃3 = 144𝑊
e) Verify that the power dissipated is equal to the
power delivered by the voltage source.

LECTURE 5 – Parallel Resistor

 EXERCISE
2. For the circuit shown, determine the following
quantities
a) 𝑅𝑇
𝐴𝑛𝑠. 𝑅𝑇 = 1.6 𝑘Ω
b) 𝐼𝑇
𝐴𝑛𝑠. 𝐼𝑇 = 22.5𝑚𝐴
c) Power delivered by the voltage source
𝐴𝑛𝑠. 𝑃𝑇 = 810𝑚𝑊
d) 𝐼1 and 𝐼2 using the current divider rule
𝐴𝑛𝑠. 𝐼1 = 18𝑚𝐴 ; 𝐼2 = 4.5𝑚𝐴
e) Power dissipated by the resistors
Ans. 𝑃1 = 649𝑚𝑊; 𝑃2 = 162𝑚𝑊

LECTURE 5 – Parallel Resistor

 EXAMPLE
3. Refer to the network
(a) Calculate the values of
𝑅1 , 𝑅2 𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑅3 so that the
total resistance of the
network is 200Ω.
Ans. 𝑅1 = 1250Ω, 𝑅2 = 5000Ω, 𝑅3 = 250Ω

(b) If 𝑅3 has a current of 2A,

determine the current through
each of the other resistor.
Ans. 𝐼1 = 0.4𝐴, 𝐼2 = 0.1𝐴

LECTURE 5 – Parallel Resistor

 EXERCISE
4. Three resistors of 10, 12, and x ohms, respectively are
connected in parallel across a constant current source of 8A.
Determine “x” if this resistor draws 2.5A.
Ans. 12Ω
5. Two resistors A and B made of different materials have
temperature coefficients of resistance 0f 0.003 and 0.005 at
15℃ respectively. When connected across a voltage source at
15 ℃, it consumes equal power. What is the ratio of the
power drawn by resistor B to that in resistor A when
temperature rises by 45 ℃ ? Assume supply voltage is
constant.
Ans. 0.9265306122Ω

LECTURE 5 – Parallel Resistor