CHAPTER ONE

SERIES CIRCUITES

1.1 SERIES RESISTORS:

Before the series connection is described, first recognize that every fixed
resistor has only two terminals to connect in a configuration, it is therefore
referred to as a two-terminal device. In Fig. 1.1, one terminal of resistor R2 is
connected to resistor R1 on one side, and the remaining terminal is connected to
resistor R3 on the other side, resulting in one, and only one, connection between
adjoining resistors. When connected in this manner, the resistors have established
a series connection. If three elements were connected to the same point, as shown
in Fig. 1.2, there would not be a series connection between resistors R1 and R2.

Fig. 1.1: Series connection of Fig. 1.2: Configuration in which none

resistors of the resistors are in series.

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For resistors in series,
 The total resistance of a series configuration is the sum of the resistance
levels.
In equation form for any number (N) of resistors,

RT = R1 + R2 + R3 + R4 +…… + RN (1.1)

A result of Eq. (1.1) is that

 The more resistors we add in series, the greater the resistance, no
matter what their value.
 The largest resistor in a series combination will have the most impact
on the total resistance.

For the configuration in Fig. 1.1, the total resistance would be:
RT = R1 + R2 + R3
= 10Ω + 30Ω + 100Ω = 140 Ω

Example 1.1: Determine the total resistance of the series connection in Fig. 1.3.

Fig. 1.3: Series connection of resistors for Example 1.1.

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Solution: Note in Fig. 1.3 that even though resistor R3 is on the vertical and
resistor R4 returns at the bottom to terminal b, all the resistors are in series since
there are only two resistor leads at each connection point.
Applying Eq. (1.1):
RT = R1 + R2 + R3 + R4
RT = 20 Ω + 220 Ω + 1.2 kΩ + 5.6 kΩ
RT = 7040 Ω = 7.04 kΩ

 For the special case where resistors are the same value
(R1 = R2 = R3 = R4 = ….= RN), Eq. (1.1) can be modified as follows:

RT = N*R (1.2)

where N is the number of resistors in series of value R.

Example 1.2: Find the total resistance of the series resistors in Fig.1.4.

Fig. 1.4: Series connection of four resistors of the same value

(Example 1.2).

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Solution: Again, don’t be concerned about the change in configuration.
Neighbouring resistors are connected only at one point, satisfying the definition
of series elements. Since all resistances have the same value, so RT can be found
by applying Eq. (1.2):

RT = N * R

RT = 4 * 3.3 kΩ = 13.2 kΩ

Note: It is important to realize that since the parameters of Eq. (1.1) can be put
in any order,
“The total resistance of resistors in series is unaffected by the order in which
they are connected”
The result is that the total resistance in Fig. 1.5(a) and (b) are both the same.

Fig. 1.5: Two series combinations of the same elements with the same total
resistance.

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Example 1.3: Determine the total resistance for the series resistors (standard
values) in Fig. 1.6.

Fig. 1.6: Series combination of resistors for Example 5.3.

Solution: There are two ways to calculate RT, First, the order of the resistors is
changed as shown in Fig.1.7 to permit the use of Eq. (1.2). The total resistance is
then

Fig. 1.7: Series circuit of Fig. 1.6 redrawn to permit the use of
Eq. (1.2): RT = N*R.

RT = R1 + R3 + (N*R2)
RT = 4.7 kΩ + 2.2 kΩ + (3*1kΩ)
RT = 9.9 k Ω
OR
We can calculate RT by applying Eq. (1.1) referring to Fig.1.6
RT = R1 + R2 + R3 + R4 + R5
RT = 4.7 kΩ + 1 kΩ + 2.2 kΩ + 1 kΩ + 1 kΩ = 9.9 kΩ

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Homework 1.1: For each configuration in Fig. 1.8, find the individual (not
combinations of) elements (voltage sources and/or resistors) that are in series.

Fig. 1.8: The configurations of Homework 1.1.

Homework 1.2: Find the total resistance RT for each configuration in Fig.1.9.

(a) (b)

Fig. 1.9: Homework 1.2

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1.2 VOLTAGE SOURCES IN SERIES
Voltage sources can be connected in series, as shown in Fig. 1.10, to increase
or decrease the total voltage applied to a system. The net voltage is determined
by summing the sources with the same polarity and subtracting the total of the
sources with the opposite polarity. The net polarity is the polarity of the larger
sum.

(c)

Fig.1.10: Reducing series dc voltage sources to a single source.

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In Fig. 1.10(a), for example, the sources are all “pressuring” current to follow a
clockwise path, so the net voltage is
ET= E1 + E2 + E3 = 10 V + 6 V + 2 V = 18 V
as shown in the figure. In Fig. 1.10(b), however, the 4 V source is “pressuring”
current in the clockwise direction while the other two are trying to establish
current in the counterclockwise direction. In this case, the applied voltage for a
counterclockwise direction is greater than that for the clockwise direction. The
result is the counterclockwise direction for the current as shown in Fig. 1.10(b).
The net effect can be determined by finding the difference in applied voltage
between those supplies “pressuring” current in one direction and the total in the
other direction. In this case,
ET = E1 + E2 - E3 = 9 V+ 3 V- 4 V = 8 V
with the polarity shown in the figure above.

1.3 SERIES CIRCUITS

A circuit is any combination of elements that will result in a continuous flow
of charge, or current, through the configuration.
First, recognize that the dc supply is also a two-terminal device with two points
to be connected. If we simply ensure that there is only one connection made at
each end of the supply to the series combination of resistors, we can be sure that
we have established a series circuit.
The manner in which the supply is connected determines the direction of the
resulting conventional current. For series dc circuits:
the direction of conventional current in a series dc circuit is such that it leaves
the positive terminal of the supply and returns to the negative terminal, as
shown in Fig. 1.11.
One of the most important concepts to remember when analyzing series
circuits and defining elements that are in series is:
The current is the same at every point in a series circuit.
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For the circuit in Fig. 1.11, the above statement dictates that the current is the
same through the three resistors and the voltage source. In addition, if you are
ever concerned about whether two elements are in series, simply check whether
the current is the same through each element.
Now that we have a complete circuit and current has been established, the level
of current and the voltage across each resistor should be determined. To do this,
return to Ohm’s law and replace the resistance in the equation by the total
resistance of the circuit. That is,

V
Is = R (Ohm’s law)
T

Where: Is refers to source current, RT refers to the total resistance

Fig.1.11: Schematic representation for a dc series circuit.

For the configuration in Fig. 1.11, the source current can be calculated as follow:
RT = 10Ω + 30Ω + 100Ω = 140Ω

V 8∙4V 103
Is = R = = 0.06 A = 0.06 * = 60 * 10-3 = 60 mA
T 140Ω 103

Note that the current Is at every point of the network is the same.

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Furthermore, note that the current is also indicated on the current display of the
power supply.
Now that we have the current level, we can calculate the voltage across each
resistor. First recognize that
the polarity of the voltage across a resistor is determined by the direction of the
current.
Current entering a resistor creates a drop in voltage with the polarity indicated
in Fig. 1.12(a). Reverse the direction of the current, and the polarity will reverse
as shown in Fig. 1.12(b). Change the orientation of the resistor, and the same rules
apply as shown in Fig. 1.12(c). Applying the above to the circuit in Fig. 1.11 will
result in the polarities appearing in that figure.

Fig.1.12: Inserting the polarities across a resistor as

determined by the direction of the current.

The magnitude of the voltage drop across each resistor can then be found
by applying Ohm’s law using only the resistance of each resistor.
That is,

V1 = I1 R1

V2 = I2 R2 (1.3)

V3 = I3 R3

For Fig.1.11: I1 = I2 = I3 = Is = 60mA

V1 = I1 R1 = (60mA)(10Ω) = 600mV = 600 * 10-3 V = 0.6 V

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 V2 = I2 R2 = (60mA)(30Ω) = 1800mV = 1800 * 10-3 V = 1.8 V

V3 = I3 R3 = (60mA)(100Ω) = 6000mV = 6000 * 10-3 V = 6 V

Note that in all the numerical calculations appearing in the text thus far, a unit
of measurement has been applied to each calculated quantity. Always remember
that a quantity without a unit of measurement is often meaningless

Example 1.4: For the series circuit in Fig. 1.13:

a) Find the total resistance RT.
b) Calculate the resulting source current Is.
c) Determine the voltage across each resistor.

Fig. 1.13: Series circuit to be investigated in Example 1.4.

Solution:
a) RT = R1 + R2 + R3
RT = 2Ω + 1Ω + 5Ω = 8Ω
𝑬
b) RT =
𝑰𝒔
𝑬 𝟐𝟎 𝑽
So Is = = = 2.5 A
𝑹𝑻 𝟖Ω

c) by using Eq. (1.3),

Since the circuit is a series circuit, so Is = I1 = I2 = I3 = 2.5 A
V1 = I1 R1 = (2.5A) (2Ω) = 5 V

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 V2 = I2 R2 = (2.5A) (1Ω) = 2.5 V

V3 = I3 R3 = (2.5A) (5Ω) = 12.5 V

Example 1.5: For the series circuit in Fig. 1.14:

a) Find the total resistance RT.
b) Determine the source current Is and indicate its direction on the circuit.
c) Find the voltage across resistor R2 and indicate its polarity on the circuit.

Fig. 1.14: Series circuit to be analyzed in Example 1.5.

Solution:
a) There are two ways to find RT :
first way by using Eq.(1.1)
RT = R1 + R2 + R3 + R4
RT = 7Ω + 4Ω + 7Ω + 7Ω = 25 Ω
Second way by using Eq.(1.2) (RT = N*R) as follow:
The elements of the circuit are rearranged as shown in Fig. 1.15.

Fig.1.15: Circuit in Fig. 1.14 redrawn to permit the use of Eq. (1.2).

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R = R1 = R3 = R4 = 7Ω
RT = R2 + N*R
RT = 4 Ω + 3*7Ω = 25 Ω
b) Note that because of the manner in which the dc supply was connected, the
current now has a counterclockwise direction as shown in Fig. 1.15.
𝑬
RT =
𝑰𝒔
𝑬 𝟓𝟎 𝑽
So Is = = =2A
𝑹𝑻 𝟐𝟓 Ω

c) The direction of the current will define the polarity for V2 appearing
in Fig. 1.15.
by using Eq. (1.3),
Since the circuit is a series circuit, so Is = I1 = I2 = I3 = 2 A
V2 = I2 R2 = (2A) (4Ω) = 8 V

Example 1.6: Given RT and I3, calculate R1 and E for the circuit in Fig. 1.16.

Fig. 1.16: Series circuit to be analyzed in Example 1.6.

Solution:
RT = R1 + R2 + R3
12 kΩ = R1 + 4 kΩ + 6 kΩ
12 kΩ = R1 + 10 kΩ
R1 = 12 kΩ - 10 kΩ = 2 kΩ

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The dc voltage (E) can be determined directly from Ohm’s law.

𝑬
RT =
𝑰𝒔

So E = RT * Is

RT = 12 kΩ , Is = I3 = 6 mA

E = (12 kΩ) * (6 mA)

E = (12 *103Ω) * (6 *10-3A) = (12*6)*(103*10-3) V

E = (72)*(10(3-3)) V = 72 *(100) V

E = (72)*(1) V = 72 V

Example 1.7: Determine the direction and magnitude of the current in the
resulting circuit in Fig. 1.17.

Fig. 1.17: Series circuit to be analyzed in Example 1.7.

Solution: First we redraw the circuit by the two steps shown in Figure 1.18. It is
necessary to ensure that the voltage sources are correctly moved since it is quite

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easy to assign the wrong polarity. Perhaps the easiest way is to imagine that we
slide the voltage source around the circuit to the new location.

Fig. 1.18: Redraw the circuit in Fig. 1.17

E3=1 V 2V
kkkkkjhff

E2=6 V

RT = R1 + R2 + R3 +R4
= 2 Ω + 4 Ω + 3 Ω + 1Ω
= 10 Ω
𝑬𝑻 𝑬𝑻
RT = , So Is = ,
𝑰𝒔 𝑹𝑻

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 𝟓𝑽
Is = = 0.5 A
𝟏𝟎 Ω

Homework 1.3: For the series configuration in Fig. 1.19:

a. Find the total resistance.
b. Calculate the current.
c. Find the voltage across each resistive element.

Fig. 1.19: Series circuit of homework 1.3.

Homework 1.4: Find the applied voltage necessary to develop the current
specified in the circuit in Fig. 1.20.

Fig. 1.20: Series circuit of homework 1.4.

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