Members:

Jared Gamutin
Renz Isaac
Jushper Olimba
Harold Miguel
Sal Kent Remoroza
Ryan Jade Besonia Geltura
Aldous Robert Abellana

EXPERIMENT
RESISTORS IN SERIES AND PARALLEL
1.0 INTRODUCTION
An electric circuit is a complete path from the positive terminal to the negative
terminal of a power source. If the elements of the circuit are arranged in such a way
that only one path exists for current flow (i.e. the current is identical for all
elements), then the circuit is a series one. If an identical voltage exists across a
number of alternative current paths then the circuit is a parallel one. Most practical
circuits involve various combinations of series and parallel components. Of course
components can be connected so that they are neither in series or parallel. Answer
the following questions in your lab books:

1. If voltages are identical, then how are the components connected?

2. If currents are identical, then how are the components connected?

2.0 SERIES CIRCUITS

2.1 SERIES CIRCUIT THEORY

A typical series circuit is shown in Figure 2.1, this circuit having four
resistors and a power source

Figure 2.1

The total resistance Rt in the circuit may be calculated by a simple

summation of the individual resistors:

Rt = R1 + R2 + R3 + R4

This may be extended for n number of resistors. From Ohm’s Law, the total
current in the circuit may be calculated.
 Vs = ItRt or It = Vs/Rt

An important requirement of a series circuit is that the current is identical

throughout the circuit. This feature will be observed in this experiment.
2.2 REQUIREMENTS FOR SERIES CONNECTION TEST

Select the resistors 1k, 820 and 680, and use the DMM to measure
their values. Record your results in Table 2.1, which is to be drawn in your
lab book.

Nominal Resistance  Measured Resistance  % Difference

R1 = 1.5 k Ω 1448 Ω 2Ω
R2 = 820 Ω 816 Ω 4 Ω
R3 = 680 Ω 662 Ω 18Ω
Rtot = 3.0 k Ω 2.9 k Ω 74 Ω

Table 2.1

Connect the resistors in series on your breadboard, and measure the total
resistance, Rtot (do not connect the DC power supply yet, and do the %
calculations outside lab time).

2.3 VOLTAGE TESTS

Draw Table 2.2 in your lab book.

Quantity Measured value from Theoretical predictions using % Difference

DMM DMM values for Vs and R
Vs 15 v 15.10 V - 0.10 v
Rtot 3k Ω 2.9 k Ω 74 Ω
VR1 15v 15.10 v -0.10 v
VR2 15v 15.10 v -0.10 v
VR3 15v 15.10 v -0.10 v
IA 0.02205882353 A 0.02205882353 A 0
IB 0.01829268293 A 0.01829268293 A 0
IC 0.01 A 0.01 A 0
ID 0.01A 0.01A 0

Table 2.2

Figure 2.2

Connect the variable DC power supply and, using the DMM in voltmeter
mode, adjust the output to about 15V. Measure and record the actual value
 from the DMM into Table 2.2. It is essential that this voltage remains
unchanged at the recorded value for the entire series test. Figure 2.2 shows
the meter connections for measuring the voltage across R1. You will need to
reconnect the red and black wires to measure the voltages across the other
resistors.

2.4 CURRENT TESTS

The next part of the experiment is to measure the current at various points in
the circuit. Use the DMM set up in ammeter mode to measure milliamps at
the four points A, B, C and D. Note that it will be necessary to break your
circuit and remake it in order to insert the ammeter. Record your results in
the appropriate fields in Table 2.2 in your lab book.

2.5 COMMENTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Discuss the reasons for any differences in Table 2.1. Use Ohm’s Law to
calculate the current flowing in the circuit It and hence calculate the voltage
drop expected across each resistor (e.g. voltage drop across R1 is calculated
as VR1 = ItR1, etc). Use the values as indicated in the third column of Table
2.2.

Compare these theoretical values with the measured values and express them
as percentage differences using the following formula:

(Measured value – Theoretical value)/Theoretical value  100

List the possible reasons for any differences. If any difference is greater than
5%, there could be a serious problem with either your calculations or tests,
and checks will be needed. Comment on the sum of the three measured
resistor voltages. Is this result consistent with expectations? Also comment
on your current measurements.

3.0 PARALLEL CIRCUITS

3.1 THEORY FOR PARALLEL CIRCUITS

Figure 3.1
A typical parallel circuit is shown in Figure 3.1. Parallel circuits have more
than one path for current flow and there must be the identical voltage across
all parallel paths. Two such paths exist in the example circuit as shown. The
identical voltage appears across all the resistors in the circuit and the current
through each arm is inversely proportional to the circuit resistance (from
Ohm’s Law). The total current in the circuit is given by It = Ia + Ib (from
Kirchoff’s current law). Note the ‘break-then-remake’ method in order to
measure the current using an ammeter.

By Ohm’s Law:

Ia = Vs / RA
Ib = Vs / RB

These can be substituted into Kirchoff’s Current Law equation to give:

It = Vs(1/RA + 1/RB)
= Vs((RA)-1 + (RB)-1)
= Vs(RARB)/[RA + RB])

The term RARB / (RA + RB) expresses the total value of resistance (Rt = Vs / It)
in the circuit. In practice the inverse form, (Rt)-1 = (RA)-1 + (RB)-1, is often
simpler to work with as a calculator’s inverse button (x-1) can be used thus
reducing the amount of resistance data inputting. In addition this inverse
form is directly extendable to any number of resistors.

3.2 REQUIREMENTS FOR PARALLEL TESTS

The following tables are to be drawn into your lab books.

Nominal Resistance Measured Resistance  Calculated Resistance from

 measured V/I ratio 
R4 = 1.5k 1447 Ω 10 Ω
R5 = 1.5k 1448 Ω 10 Ω
R6 = 2.7k 2.65k Ω 10 Ω
Rtoti 5548 Ω 10 Ω
Rtotii 5548 Ω 10 Ω
Rtotiii 5548 Ω 10 Ω

Table 3.1: Parallel Circuit Components

Quantity Measured Value from DMM Calculated Values

Vs 10.5 v
10 v
VR4 10.5 v
10v

Ia 6.43 A 0.0043 A
Ib 6.43 A 0.0043 A

Table 3.2: Parallel Circuit – 1 Resistor

 Quantity Measured Value from DMM Calculated Values
Vs 10.7 v 10 v
VR4 10.7 v 10 v
VR5 10.7 v 10 v
Ia 6.43 A 0.0043 A
Ib 6.43 A 0.0043 A
Ic 3.50 A 0.0035 A

Table 3.3: Parallel Circuit -2 Resistors

Quantity Measured Value from DMM Calculated Values

Vs 10.7 v 10 v
VR4 10.7 v 10 v
VR5 10.7 v 10 v
VR6 10.7 v 10 v
Ia 6.43 A 0.00032 A
Ib 6.43 A 0.00032 A
Ic 3.50A 0.0035 A
Id 3.70 A 0.0035 A

Table 3.4: Parallel Circuit – 3 Resistors

Select the resistors R4, R5 and R6 as listed in Table 3.1. Use the DMM to
measure their values and record your results in Table 3.1.

3.3 ONE RESISTOR IN PARALLEL WITH VOLTAGE SOURCE

Figure 3.2i

Connect the circuit as shown in Figure 3.2i with only R4 in the circuit. Use
the DMM’s voltmeter in order to ensure that the DC power supply is set to
about 10V. It is essential that this voltage remains unchanged at the recorded
value for the entire parallel test.

Disconnect the DMM and reset it as an ammeter. Use the ‘break-then-make’

method (Figure 3.1) to measure and record the currents flowing at points a
and
b. Then use the DMM to measure and record the voltage across R4. Enter
your results in your lab book in Table 3.2.
3.4 TWO RESISTORS IN PARALLEL

Add resistor R5 to your circuit, so that it is in parallel with R4, as shown in

Figure 3.2ii. Measure the resistance of the (R4R5) combination, remembering
that when the DMM measures resistances, power to your circuit must be off.
Measure the currents through points a, b and c, and the voltages across R4
and R5. Record all your results in Table 3.3.

Figure 3.2ii

3.5 TESTS ON THREE RESISTORS IN PARALLEL

b c d

+
Vs ≈ 10V R4 R5 R6
-

Figure 3.2iii

Add R6 to the circuit as shown in Figure 3.2iii. Use the DMM to measure the
total resistance, Rtotiii and record it in Table 3.1. Then, using the DMM
connected in the correct configuration, measure and record all the currents
and voltages associated with this circuit, recording your results in your lab
books in Table 3.4.

3.6 COMMENTS AND CONCLUSIONS

This is to be done outside lab time. Carry out the calculations to complete
Tables 3.1 to 3.4. Check your results in the event of any serious discrepancy
between theory and practice. Comment on the relation between your
measured V and I results and the voltage and current principles of the
parallel connection.
4.0 SERIES – PARALLEL CIRCUITS

4.1 THEORY FOR SERIES-PARALLEL CIRCUITS

Many circuits consist of resistor networks, in which series and parallel

connections appear. Such a circuit is shown in Figure 4.1. The theory

required derives directly from that for the series and parallel tests.

Figure 4.1

The total resistance in this case is a combination of series and parallel

principles.

4.2 REQUIREMENTS FOR TESTS

Draw the following tables into your lab books.

Nominal Resistance Resistance Measured by Resistance calculated from V/I

 DMM  ratio 
R7 = 820 812 Ω 1Ω
R8 = 680 669 Ω 669 Ω
R9 = 680 669 Ω 669 Ω
Rtot = 2.18 k Ω 2150 Ω 2150 Ω

Table 4.1

Quantity DMM Measurement Calculated Values % Difference

Vs 10.5 v 10 v 0.5v
V7 10.5 v 10v 0.5 v
V8 10.5v 10 v 0.5v
V9 10.5 v 10 v 0.5 v
IA 0.012 A 0.012 A 0
I7 0.016 A 0.016 A 0
I8 0.016 A 0.016 A 0
I9 0.016 A 0.016 A 0

Table 4.2

Select the resistors R7, R8 and R9 listed in Table 4.1 and use the DMM to
measure their values, recording your results. Now connect the three resistors
in the series-parallel configuration shown in Figure 4.1 on your breadboard.
Measure their total value Rtot, and record this result (do not connect the DC
power supply yet).
 4.3 TESTS FOR SERIES-PARALLEL CIRCUIT

Connect the power supply and using the DMM in voltmeter mode, adjust the
output so that Vs is about 10V. Record the DMM reading. As before, it is
essential that this voltage remains unchanged at the recorded value for the
entire test.

Change the DMM connections and thus measure and record the voltage
drops across each of the three resistors.

Reconfigure the DMM in order to measure current and reconnect it as an

ammeter at point A, noting the ammeter wiring principle indicated in Figure
3.1. Then, still using the ‘break-then-make’ principle, reconnect it to
measure the currents through the three resistors. Record all your results in
Table 4.2.

Based on your observations, why do you think that an ammeter must always
be connected in series with a resistor and never in parallel? You should
consider that the DMM has an internal resistance when thinking of an
answer to this question.

4.4 COMMENTS AND CONCLUSIONS

This is to be done outside of the lab time. Carry out the necessary
calculations to complete Tables 4.1 and 4.2. Check your results in the event
of any serious discrepancy between theory and practice. Comment on the
relation between your measured results and the voltage and current
principles of the series and parallel connections.

5.0 GENERAL POINTS

Before leaving the lab, ensure that your work has been signed by a member
of staff. When handing in your work, this signature must be present in order
to get a mark.

Your write up should contain three aspects:

i) An outline of what you did in the lab (its aim, theory, method, equipment
and results using data tables and graphs)
ii) Theoretical calculations. Make sure your methods are clear by providing
a single, typical example worked out with detailed steps for each method.
Just give the end results of other calculations that use the same method.
iii) Conclusions, comments, calculations on what principles are
demonstrated by the data obtained and any comparisons between theory and
practice.

The first part is relatively straight forward, but it is the second and third parts
that are important as they help to develop your engineering competence.
Some suggestions have been made above, but you should extend these
making reference to series, parallel, Ohm’s Law and Kirchhoff’s Laws
where appropriate.