Series and Parallel Circuits

Engr. Elvis y. eyao jr. rme

 Series and Parallel Network
 Why it is important to understand?
Series and parallel networks There are two ways in which
components may be connected together in an electric circuit. One way is
‘in series’ where components are connected ‘end-to-end’; another way is
‘in parallel’ where components are connected ‘across each other’. When a
circuit is more complicated than two or three elements, it is very likely to
be a network of individual series and parallel circuits.
 Series and Parallel Network
At first glance, these circuits may seem very complicated, but with a
methodical analysis approach the functionality of the circuit can become
obvious. This chapter explains with examples, series, parallel and
series/parallel networks. The relationships between voltages, currents
and resistances for these networks are considered through calculations.
 Series Circuit
In a series circuit:
(a) The current I is the same in all parts
of the circuit and hence the same
reading is found on each of the two
ammeters shown.
Itotal= I1 = I2 =I3
(b) The sum of the voltages V1, V2 and
V3 is equal to the total applied voltage,
V , i.e.
Vtotal = V1 + V2 + V3
From Ohm’s law:
I=V/R
V1 = I1R1,V2 = I2R2,V3 = I3R3 and
V total= Itotal x Rtotal
where R is the total circuit resistance.
Since V total= V1 + V2 + V3
then IR
=IR1+IR2+IR3
Dividing throughout by I gives:
Rtotal = R1 + R2 + R3
Thus for a series circuit, the total
resistance is obtained by adding
together the values of the separate
resistances.
 Series Circuit
EXAMPLE 1:
Determine (a) the battery voltage
V , (b) the total resistance of the
circuit, and (c) the values of
resistance of resistors R1, R2 and
R3, given that the p.d.s across R1,
R2 and R3 are 5 V, 2 V and 6 V,
SOLUTION
(a) Battery voltage :
V =V1 + V2 + V3
=5 + 2 + 6
=13V
(b) Total circuit resistance :
R = V / I = 13V/4 A=3.25 ohms
(c) Resistance R1 = V1/ I1 = 5V /4a =1.25 ohm
Resistance R2 = V2 /I2 = 2V /4a =0.5 ohms
Resistance R3 = V3 /I 3= 6V /4a =1.5 ohms
(Check: R1 + R2 + R3 =1.25 + 0.5 + 1.5 =3.25= R)
 Series Circuit
EXAMPLE 2: SOLUTION
Determine the p.d. across resistor P.d. across R3,
R3. If the total resistance of the V3 =25 − 10− 4=11V
circuit is 100, determine the Vtotal = V1+V2 + V3
current flowing through resistor R1.
Find also the value of resistor R2., P3 = 11V(0.25A) = 2.75W
Current I = V / R = 25V /100ohms
=0.25 A,

which is the current flowing in each

resistor Resistance R2 = V2/ I 2= 4V
/0.25 A=16 ohms
Circuits

In order for electricity to flow we need

Power source
Closed circuit

There are two type of circuits we will explore

Series circuit
Parallel circuit
 Series Circuit

In a series circuit there is only one path for the electrons to flow
In other words all the components are in series with each other

Because there is only one path each charge will go through each
resistor
Predict, Test and Explain

How will the brightness of the bulbs change as we

add more in series?

+ + +

What does this imply about the current in the

circuit?
 Parallel Circuit

In a Parallel circuit there are multiple pathways for charge to

flow
Each device is placed on it’s own separate branch

Current goes through each of the branches at the same time

Predict, Test and Explain

How will the brightness of the bulbs change as we

add more in parallel?

+ + +

What does this imply about the current in the

circuit?
 Parallel Networks

Figure shows three resistors, R1, R2 and

R3, connected across each other, i.e.
in parallel, across a battery source of
V volts.
In a parallel circuit:
(a) The sum of the currents I1, I2 and I3 is equal
to the total circuit current, I, i.e.
Itotal =I1 +I2 +I3
(a) The source p.d., V volts, is the same across
each of the resistors
 Parallel Networks
From Ohm’s law:

This equation must be used when

finding the total resistance R of a
parallel circuit. For the special case of
two resistors in parallel.
 Parallel Networks
EXAMPLE 1:
Determine (a) the reading on the
ammeter, and (b) the value of
resistor R2
SOLUTION
P.d. across R1 is the same as the supply
voltage V .
Hence supply voltage,
Vt= V1=8 A× 5ohms=40V
(a) Reading on ammeter,
I3 = V/ R3 = 40V /20ohms =2 A
(b) Current flowing through
I2 =11A−8A−2A=1A
Itotal = I1 + I2 +I3
Hence,
R2 = V /I2 = 40 V/ 1A =40 ohms
 Parallel Networks

EXAMPLE 2: SOLUTION
(a) The total circuit resistance R is given by
Two resistors, of resistance 3 and 6,
are connected in parallel across a
battery having a voltage of 12 V.
Determine (a) the total circuit
resistance and (b) the current 1 / R = (2 + 1)/ 6 = 3 / 6 ohms
flowing in the 2 resistor
Hence,
R = 6/ 3 = 2 ohms
Alternatively,

(b) Current flowing in the 2 resistor

I = V/R = 12V/2ohms =6 amp
Key Concepts
Bulbs in series represent a source of resistance to current flow,
similar to boulders in a stream which can block the flow of water
Bulbs in parallel offer additional pathways for current flow, similar
to branches of a stream which can carry more water.