UNIT

RESISTIVE NETWORKS
2
SEMICONDUCTORS
LESSONS COVERED

2.1. Series Configuration

2.2. Parallel Configuration
2.3. Series-Parallel Configuration
2.4. Fundamental Electrical Law #2: Kirchhoff’s Laws
2.5. Solving Resistive Network with Kirchhoff’s Laws

DURATION

6 hours

INTRODUCTION

In this module the solution of resistive network is taught. Beginning with how to
perform the basic solutions to resistive network configuration of series, parallel and
the combination of series-parallel.

A resistive network is a circuit that is composed primarily of resistors in a

particular configuration or arrangement. Also present in this circuit are either voltage
or current source(s).

The resistors are used to drop the source voltage to a required level and to
control the amount of current flowing in a portion in a circuit, as it is required by design.

As an overview here are two of the simple and practical resistive networks that
will be touched in this module.
a. Voltage Divider
b. Current Divider
The second fundamental law of electricity Kirchhoff’s Laws are discussed and applied
to solve the voltage and current within a more elaborate resistive network

OBJECTIVES/COMPETENCIES

At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:

1. Solve the equivalent resistance of a series, parallel and mixed (series-

parallel) configuration of resistive network

2. Generate working network analysis equations through Kirchhoff’s Laws

3. Solve voltages and currents in more elaborate resistive network through the
Kirchhoff’s Laws in addition to Ohm’s Law.

Unit 2: Resistive Networks 13

PRETEST

This pretest is intended to measure what you already know about basic electricity from
your personal readings and recent lectures in school. Answer honestly for your own
sake to develop technically as this will be measured again in the post test. This is a
NON-GRADED activity.

Determine whether the statement is: True or False. Shade the appropriate circle of
your answer.

1. In a parallel circuit there are nodes and loops.

Ο True Ο False

2. In a series circuit there are two loops.

Ο True Ο False

3. Voltages across resistors in a purely parallel circuits are constant.

Ο True Ο False

4. In a “loop” the current is always constant.

Ο True Ο False

5. Current in a purely series circuit configuration of resistors is constant.

Ο True Ο False

6. Voltages of three 2Ω resistors in series circuit configuration are the same.

Ο True Ο False

7. Currents in parallel circuit always are greater than the source current.
Ο True Ο False

8. In Kirchhoff’s Current Law the total current entering a node and exiting a node is
the same.
Ο True Ο False

9. In Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law the algebraic sum of voltages within a loop is ideally 1
volt.
Ο True Ο False

10. Both of Kirchhoff’s Current Laws are independent of Ohm’s Law.

Ο True Ο False

Unit 2: Resistive Networks 14

LESSON 2.1: SERIES CONFIGURATION

- +
/// /// - + - +
/// /// /// ///

(a) (b) (c)

Figure 1: Sample of three-resistor series circuit indicating: (a) Resistance; (b)

Current; and (c) Voltages

Core Concepts

1. Current in a purely resistive series circuit is constant.

I1= I2= I3 = IN = IT

2. Sum of all resistor voltages is the total voltage (VT) which equals the voltage source
(battery voltage).
VT = V1+ V2 + V3 (for 3 resistors)
VT = V1+ V2 + V3+∙∙∙+ VN (for N resistors)

3. Total or Equivalent Resistance (RT) as seen from the source terminal for series
resistors is the sum of their resistances.

Proof:
VT = V1+ V2 + V3
IT RT = I1R1+ I2R2 + I3R3
IRT= IR1+ IR2 + IR3
IRT= I(R1+ R2 + R3) - +
RT= R1+ R2 + R3 (for 3 resistors) /// ///
RT = R1+ R2 + R3+∙∙∙+ RN (for N resistors)
Figure 2: Total resistance as
seen from the source terminal

ACTIVITY 1

Given the purely series resistive circuit,

compute for the following:
a. Total Resistance
b. Total Current
c. Voltage in each resistor - +
/// ///

Unit 2: Resistive Networks 15

Solution:

a. RT = R1+ R2 + R3 = _______Ω + _______Ω + ________Ω = ___________Ω

VT
b. IT = ⁄R = ________V⁄_________Ω = __________A
T

c.1. V1 = I1 R1 = IT R1 = (_________A)(________Ω) = _______________ V

c.2. V2 = I2 R2 = IT R2 = (_________A)(________Ω) = _______________ V
c.3. V3 = I3 R3 = IT R3 = (_________A)(________Ω) = _______________ V

APPLICATION

Voltage Divider Circuit

The purely resistive circuit is practically applied to the voltage divider circuit. It
is used to obtain a lower voltage using a resistor to reduce this supply voltage. It is
usually consists of two (or more) series resistors as shown:

(a) (b)

Figure 3: Two-Resistor Voltage Divider Circuit indicating: (a) Resistances; and (b)
Voltages

VT = IT RT ; RT = ∑R = R1 + R2 V1 = I1 R1 ; V2 = I2 R2

V1 V2
via Ohm’s Law the current in each resistor are: I1 = ⁄R ; I2 = ⁄R
1 2

Since the current is constant:

V V
IT = I1 = I2 = 1⁄R = 2⁄R
1 2

Substitute this “current” in the first equation:

V V
VT = ( 1⁄R ) (RT ) or VT = ( 2⁄R ) (RT )
1 2

Using algebra to get the voltage equation for each resistor:

VT R1 VT R2
V1 = and V2 =
RT RT

To generalize the Voltage Divider Formulas (VDF):

𝐕𝐓 𝐑 𝐍 𝐕𝐍 𝐑 𝐓
𝐕𝐍 = 𝐑𝐍 =
𝐑𝐓 𝐕𝐓

Unit 2: Resistive Networks 16

 ACTIVITY 2

Completely solve the following using Series Configuration and Voltage Divider
Principles.
𝐕𝐓 𝐑 𝐍
1. Solve for the values of V1 and V2. 𝐕𝐍 = 𝐑𝐓

Solution:

1.a. V1 = VT(R1/RT) = ____V ( _____Ω /_____Ω)

V1 = _______ V

1.b. V2 = VT(R2/RT) = ____V ( _____Ω /_____Ω)

V12 = _______ V

𝐕𝐍 𝐑 𝐓
2. Solve for the value of R1 and R2. 𝐑 𝐍 = 𝐕𝐓

Solution:
We need VT first:

VT = V1 + V2 = _____V + _____V = _____V

2.a. R1 = V1(RT/VT) = ____V ( _____Ω /_____V)

R1 = _______ Ω

2.b. R2 = V2(RT/VT) = ____V ( _____Ω /_____V)

R2 = _______ Ω

3. Solve for the value of R1 and V2.

Solution:
From what is given we can solve V2 first:

3.a. V2 = VT - V1 = _____V – _____V = _____V

3.b. We need RT from V2 first then get R1

From. V2 = VT(R2/RT) ; RT = VT(R2/V2)

RT = VT(R2/V2) = ____V ( _____Ω /_____V)
RT = _______ Ω
𝐕𝐍 𝐑 𝐓
𝐑𝐍 = R1 = V1(RT/VT) = ____V ( _____Ω /_____V)
𝐕𝐓
R1 = _______ Ω

Unit 2: Resistive Networks 17

 REMEMBER

 Current in a purely resistive series circuit is constant.

 Sum of all resistor voltages is the total voltage (VT) which also equals the
voltage source (battery voltage).
 Total or Equivalent Resistance (RT) as seen from the source terminal for series
resistors is the sum of their resistances.
 The voltage divider circuit is used to obtain a lower voltage using at least two
series resistors to reduce a supply voltage.
 “If power-consuming devices, or loads, are series-connected, the voltage
across the loads is distributed proportionately to the resistances of the loads.
Disconnecting one element interrupts the current flow in all parts of the circuit.”
(The Great Soviet Encyclopedia, 3rd Edition., 1970 - 1979)

LESSON 2.2: PARALLEL CONFIGURATION

(a) (b) (c)

Figure 4: Sample of Three-resistor parallel circuit indicating: (a) Resistance; (b)

Voltages; and (c) Currents

Core Concepts

1. Voltage in each resistive parallel branch is constant.

V1= V2= V3 = VN = VT

2. Sum of all branch currents is the total current (I T).

IT = I1+ I2 + I3 (for 3 parallel branches)
IT = I1+ I2 + I3+∙∙∙+ IN (for N parallel branches)

3. The reciprocal of the total or equivalent resistance (1/RT) as seen from the source
terminal for parallel resistors is the sum of their reciprocal resistances.

Proof:
IT = I1+ I2 + I3
VT V1 V2 V3
= + +
R T R1 R 2 R 3
V V V V
= + +
R T R1 R 2 R 3
1 1 1 1
= 𝑅 +𝑅 +𝑅
𝑅𝑇 1 2 3

Figure 5: Total resistance as

1 1 1 −1
𝑅 𝑇 = (𝑅 + 𝑅 + 𝑅 ) (𝑓𝑜𝑟 3 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑠) seen from source terminal
1 2 3

Unit 2: Resistive Networks 18

 𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 −𝟏
𝐑𝐓 = ( + + + ⋯ + ) (𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐍 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬)
𝐑𝟏 𝐑𝟐 𝐑𝟑 𝐑𝐍

Special Equation for Two Parallel Resistor

For two parallel resistors:

the equivalent or total resistance is the quotient of
the product of the two resistances to their sum

𝐑𝟏𝐑𝟐
𝐑𝐓 =
𝐑𝟏 + 𝐑𝟐

Figure 6: Total resistance as seen

from source terminal of two-parallel
resistor circuit
ACTIVITY 3

Given the purely parallel resistive circuit,

compute for the following:
a. Total Resistance
b. Total Current
c. Current in each resistor

Solution:

1 1 1 −1 1
a. RT = (R + R + R ) = (______Ω +
1 2 3
1 1 −1
+ ______Ω) = ________Ω
______Ω

VT
b. IT = ⁄R = ________V⁄_________Ω = __________A
T

V1 V
c.1. I1 = ⁄R = T⁄R = ________V⁄_________Ω = __________A
1 1
V2 VT
c.2. I2 = ⁄R = ⁄R = ________V⁄_________Ω = __________A
2 2
V3 VT
c.3. I3 = ⁄R = ⁄R = ________V⁄_________Ω = __________A
3 3

APPLICATION

Current Divider Circuit

The purely resistive circuit is practically applied to the current divider circuit. It
is used to obtain a lower current using a resistor to reduce the total current via the
splitting of current at the branches. It is usually consists of two parallel resistors as
shown:

Unit 2: Resistive Networks 19

 (a) (b)
Figure 7: Two-Resistor Voltage Divider Circuit indicating: (a) Resistances; and (b)
Currents

Symbolically, we can replace the voltage source by a current source to represent the
total current.

Figure 8: Replacement of Current Source for Current Divider

𝐑 𝐑
VT = IT RT ; RT = 𝐑 𝟏+𝐑𝟐 V1 = I1 R1 ; V2 = I2 R2
𝟏 𝟐
VT 𝐑 +𝐑
Via Ohm’s Law the total current in the circuit is: IT = ⁄R = VT ( 𝟏 𝟐 )
T 𝐑𝟏𝐑𝟐
Since the voltages are constant:
VT = V1 = V2 = I1 R1 = I2 R2

Substitute this “voltage” in the total current equation:

R1 + R 2 R1 + R 2
IT = (I1 R1 ) ( ) or IT = (I2 R2 ) ( )
R1 R 2 R1 R 2
Using algebra to simplify each current equation for each resistor:
R2 R1
I1 = IT ( ) and I2 = IT ( ) ; 𝐿𝑒𝑡 ∶ RS = R1 + R2
R1 + R 2 R1 + R 2
To Generalize the Current Divider Formulas (CDF):
𝐈𝐓 𝐑 𝐏𝐍 𝐈𝐍 𝐑 𝐒
𝐈𝐍 = ; 𝐑 𝐏𝐍 = ;
𝐑𝐒 𝐈𝐓
Where: RPN is the resistor at the parallel or opposite branch

Unit 2: Resistive Networks 20

 ACTIVITY 4

Completely solve the following using parallel configuration and current divider
principles.
𝐈𝐓 𝐑 𝐏𝐍
1. Solve for the values of I1 and I2. 𝐈𝐍 = 𝐑𝐒
Solution:
We need RS first:
RS = R1 + R2 = _____ Ω + _____ Ω = _____ Ω

1.a. I1 = IT(R2/RS) = ____A ( _____Ω /_____Ω)

I1 = _________ A

1.b. I2 = IT(R1/RS) = ____A ( _____Ω /_____Ω)

I2 = _________ A

𝐈𝐍 𝐑 𝐒
2. Solve for the value of R1 and R2. 𝐑 𝐏𝐍 = 𝐈𝐓
Solution:
We need IT first:
IT = I1 + I2 = _____A + _____A = _____A

2.a. R1 = I2(RS/IT) = ____A ( _____Ω /_____A)

R1 = _______ Ω

2.b. R2 = I1(RS/IT) = ____A ( _____Ω /_____A)

R1 = _______ Ω

3. Solve for the value of R1,I1 and I2.

Solution:
3.a. From what is given we can solve R1 first:

Note that: RS ≠ RT
For 2-Resistors in Parallel:

𝐑𝟏𝐑𝟐
𝐑𝐓 =
𝐑𝟏 + 𝐑𝟐

Using algebra:

𝐑𝟐𝐑𝐓 (______𝛀)(______𝛀)
𝐑𝟏 = =
𝐑𝟐 − 𝐑𝐓 (______𝛀 − ______𝛀)
R1 = _______Ω

Unit 2: Resistive Networks 21

For the two currents:

We need IT: IT = VT/RT = _____V/ ____Ω = _____ A and

RS = R1 + R2 = _____ Ω + _____ Ω = _____ Ω

3.b. I1 = IT(R2/RS) = ____A ( _____Ω /_____Ω)

I1 = _________ A

3.c. I2 = IT(R1/RS) = ____A ( _____Ω /_____Ω)

I2 = _________ A

4. Solve just for I4.

Solution Strategy:

a. Reduce this to a two-resistor pair. Wherein one of the resistors is the equivalent
resistance of the three resistor and the other one is where the unknown current is
going through.

1 1 1 −1 1 1 1 −1
RE = ( + + ) =( + + ) = ______Ω
R1 R 2 R 3 ___Ω ___Ω ___Ω

b. Solve for the missing current using the current divider.

RS = RE + R4 = ______Ω + ______Ω = ______Ω
I4 = IT(RE/RS) = ____A ( _____Ω /_____Ω)
I4 = _________ A

Unit 2: Resistive Networks 22

5. Use the strategy in problem 3 to solve for I2

a. Simplify to 2-parallel resistor

1 1 1 −1 1 1 1 −1
RE = ( + + ) =( + + ) = ______Ω
R1 R 3 R 4 ___Ω ___Ω ___Ω

b. Solve for the missing current using the current divider.

RS = RE + R2 = ______Ω + ______Ω = ______Ω

I2 = IT(RE/RS) = ____A ( _____Ω /_____Ω)
I2 = _________ A

REMEMBER

 Voltage in each resistive parallel branch is constant.

 Sum of all branch currents is the total current.
 The Reciprocal of the total or equivalent Resistance as seen from the source
terminal for parallel resistors is the sum of their reciprocal resistances.
 For two parallel resistors, the equivalent or total resistance is the quotient of
the product of the two resistances to their sum.
 The current divider circuit is used to obtain a lower current using at least two
parallel resistors to reduce a supply current.
 “Parallel connections are the principal method of connecting the consumers of
electric power; when the source has sufficient power, the connection or
disconnection of individual consumers has practically no effect on the operation
of the others”. (The Great Soviet Encyclopedia, 3rd Edition., 1970 - 1979)

Unit 2: Resistive Networks 23

LESSON 2.3: SERIES-PARALLEL CONFIGURATION

It is a combination of series and parallel

resistors. The analysis for this type is
basically the application the core
concepts of the two previous networks.

As a combinational circuit, there are NO

particular straight-up steps to solve such
network. It is a circuit-to-circuit basis and
it will involve mastery of the previous two
resistive networks.
Figure 9: Sample of a Series-
Resistive Network Parallel (Mixed)

Provided instead are general guides, that maybe helpful in most situations.

Helpful Guides:

a. In Determining Total Resistance for Series-Parallel Network:

1. Check the top right end of the circuit (furthest from the source), but if you can spot
some simple series or parallel groupings in a branch, you can already start to group
these into their equivalent resistor.
2. Identify the configuration of the equivalent resistor to the nearest resistor to it.
3. Compute the equivalent resistance of these resistors according to the identified
configuration.
4. Redraw the circuit with the equivalent resistor, replacing the previously ungrouped
resistors.
5. Work one branch at a time until there is only one resistor remaining. This is the total
circuit resistance.

(a) (b)

(c) (d) (e)

Figure 9: Illustrative simplification of the sample mixed circuit in fig.9 to determine the
total resistance. The operator “║” means” in parallel” while the “+” means “in series”.
b. In solving Voltages and Currents in mixed circuits

Unit 2: Resistive Networks 24

1. Apply the core concept of series or parallel resistors AS IT APPLIES IN THAT
PORTION of the circuit.
2. VDF and CDF maybe applicable in some circuits.
3. Ohm’s Law is still the basis of the analysis.

Given the mixed circuit below determine the indicated unknowns:

Here the unknowns are the current through R4 and

the voltage across R5.
So, you can see that R3 and R4 are parallel Let the
equivalent resistance of R3 and R4 be RA.
𝐑𝟑𝐑𝟒
𝐑𝐀 =
𝐑𝟑 + 𝐑𝟒

Redrawing the circuit shows a series circuit of 4

resistors.
Here we can solve the voltage across R5, with the
VDF:
Where: 𝐑 𝐓 = 𝐑 𝟏 + 𝐑 𝟐 + 𝐑 𝐀 + 𝐑 𝟓
and the voltage across R5 is:
𝐕𝐓 𝐑 𝟓
𝐕𝐑𝟓 =
𝐑𝐓

Using again VDF to get this time the voltage at RA:

𝐕𝐓 𝐑 𝐀
𝐕𝐀 =
𝐑𝐓
Recall that in purely parallel resistors the voltages are the
same. So, the voltage across RA as an equivalent resistor
to the original parallel R3 and R4 means also that it is the
SAME voltage across these two resistors.
𝐕𝐀 = 𝐕𝐑𝟑 = 𝐕𝐑𝟒
Knowing the voltage across and the resistance of R4, the
current in R4 via Ohm’s Law is:
𝐕𝐑𝟒
𝐈𝐑𝟒 =
𝐑𝟒

LESSON 2.4: FUNDAMENTAL ELECTRICAL LAW #2: KIRCHHOFF’ LAWS

Unit 2: Resistive Networks 25

 Named after the “German physicist who contributed to the
fundamental understanding of electrical circuits,
spectroscopy, and the emission and absorption of radiation”.
(New World Encylopedia, 2017)

Circuit Laws
“Kirchhoff's circuit laws (or circuit rules) are a pair of laws that
deal with the conservation of charge and energy in electrical
circuits and were first described in 1845 by Kirchhoff. Widely
used in electrical engineering, they are also called Kirchhoff's
rules or simply Kirchhoff's laws.” (New World Encylopedia,
2017)

Figure 11: Gustav

Kirchhoff

A. Kirchhoff's Current Law (KCL)

The first law is based on the principle of conservation of electric charge, it is stated as:
“At any point in an electrical circuit where charge density is not changing in time, the
sum of currents flowing toward that point is equal to the sum of currents flowing away
from that point.” (New World Encylopedia, 2017)

This “point” in an electrical circuit is called a “node” or “junction”. It is at the node or

junction where the circuit branches start or ensd.

(a) (b) (c)

Figure 10: (a) KCL Principle; (b) Circuit Node or Junction and (c) Circuit Branches

The conservation of electrical charge just means that the amount of charge flow
entering a node is the same amount of charge flow exiting it.

The mathematical equation for KCL at a node is:

∑𝐼𝐸𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 = ∑𝐼𝐸𝑥𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔

If we refer to Fig. 12a, the KCL equation will be:

𝐼1 +𝐼4 = 𝐼2 +𝐼3

B. Kirchhoff's Voltage Law (KVL)

Unit 2: Resistive Networks 26

The second law is based on the principle of conservation of energy, it is stated as:
“The directed sum of the electrical potential differences around a circuit must be zero.”
(New World Encylopedia, 2017)
Another word for a closed circuit is “loop”. A very basic circuit has only one loop. More
practical circuits have at least three loops.

(b)

(c)

(a)

(d)

Figure 11: (a) KVL Sample Circuit; (b) KVL Loop 1; (c) KVL Loop 2 and; (d) KVL
Loop 3

The second law means that in any closed loop in a network, “the algebraic sum of the
voltage drops (i.e. products of current and resistance) taken around the loop” (Bird,
2017) and the supply or source voltage (i.e. battery voltage) acting in same loop is
zero.
The mathematical equation for KVL for a loop is:
∑𝑉𝑆𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑐𝑒 + ∑(𝐼𝑅) = 0
If we refer to Fig. 13b, the KVL equation at Loop 1 will be:
𝑉1 +𝑉2 + 𝑉3 +𝑉7 = 0
If we refer to Fig. 13c, the KVL equation at Loop 2 will be:
𝑉3 +𝑉4 + 𝑉5 +𝑉6 = 0
If we refer to Fig. 13d, the KVL equation at Loop 3 will be:
𝑉1 +𝑉2 + 𝑉4 +𝑉5 + 𝑉6 +𝑉7 = 0

Recall: “algebraic sum” means that some terms in the equation have algebraic signs
negative and positive values.

LESSON 2.5: SOLVING RESISTIVE NETWORK WITH KIRCHHOFF’S LAWS

Sign Convention for Kirchhoff’s Laws

This primarily is for KVL sign convention for the voltage element (voltage source
and the resistors) around the loop. The sign convention depends on two things: the
polarity of the voltage element and the looping direction.

Looping Direction – the imaginary direction taken on the circuit that determines the
order and algebraic sign of the voltage element.

Unit 2: Resistive Networks 27

For this entire course and lecture the clockwise (CW) direction is taken.

Note that the direction of the looping is NOT automatically going to be the same as the
direction of current.

A. KVL Sign Convention for Voltage Sources

Figure 12: Sign convention guide for Voltage in KVL (Clockwise)

B. KVL Sign Convention for Resistor

Figure 13: Sign convention guide for resistor in KVL (Clockwise)

APPLICATION

Sample Problem 1:
Solve for the current IR of this circuit
Solution:
There are 2 nodes in this circuit.
Marked as Node A and Node B respectively;

Unit 2: Resistive Networks 28

KCL @ Node A: KCL @ Node B:
25 = IR + 5IR IR + 5IR = 25

We can use either one since mathematically

these are the same.

We can solve directly IR:

25 = IR + 5IR = 6IR
25 = 6IR
IR = (25/6) A = 4.167 A

Sample Problem 2:

Solve for the current I of this simple circuit

Solution:
Since there are no nodes for a single loop
circuit. KCL is not applied for this sample.
KVL is applicable:

From the single loop starting from the left

voltage source going clockwise:

KVL
(Refer to the earlier lesson on Sign Convention
for KVL)
+ 12V – I(4Ω) – 6V – I(8Ω) = 0
+ 6V – I(12Ω) = 0
+ 6V = I(12Ω)
I = 6V/12Ω
I = 0.5 A

Sample Problem 3:
Solve for the currents I1, I2 and I3 of this circuit:

Solution:
There are 2 nodes in this
circuit.
Marked as Node A and
Node B respectively;

Unit 2: Resistive Networks 29

KCL @ Node A: KCL @ Node
B:
I1 = I2 + I3 I2 + I3 = I1
We can use either one later.

As seen there are three loops for

KVL
(Refer to the earlier lesson on Sign
Convention for KVL)

KVL @ Loop 1:
+ 15V – I1(8Ω) – I2(7Ω) – I1(9Ω) = 0
15 = 8I1+ 7I2 + 9I1
Eq.1: 15 = 17I1+ 7I2

KVL @ Loop 2:
+ I2(7Ω) – I3(5Ω) + 20V – I3(4Ω) = 0
20 = – 7I2 + 5I3 + 4I3
Eq. 2: 20 = – 7I2 + 9I3

KVL @ Loop 3:
+ 15V – I1(8Ω) – I3(5Ω) + 20V – I3(4Ω) – I1(9Ω) = 0
15 + 20 = 8I1 + 9I1+ 5I3 + 4I3
Eq.3: 35 = 17I1+ 9I3

Substitute KCL Node A: I1 = I2 + I3 in Eq.1

15 = 17I1+ 7I2
15 = 17(I2 + I3) + 7I2 = 17I2 +17I3+ 7I2
15 = 24I2 +17I3 : Eq. 5

Unit 2: Resistive Networks 30

Use Eq. 2 and 5 to form two linear equations: Using Calculator
20 = – 7I2 + 9I3 Let: X = I2 – 7X + 9Y= 20 X = I2 = – 0.612 A
15 = 24I2 +17I3 & Y = I3 24X +17Y= 15 & Y = I3 = +1.746 A

Lastly: I1 = I2 + I3 = – 0.612 A + 1.746 A =+1.134 A

REMEMBER

In the lecture and problems figures, the voltage polarity of the resistor and
direction of the currents were just assumed.

So, if you solve problems involving signed values of voltage and current, your
answers will also get algebraic signs.

A positive value of result for voltage means that the polarity assigned to the
voltage element is correct and also a positive value of answer for a current means that
the direction assumed in the diagram is correct.

A negative value of result for voltage means that the actual polarity is just
reversed on the voltage element and also a negative value of answer for a current
means that the actual direction of the current is in the opposite direction.

ACTIVITY 5

Apply the Kirchhoff’s Laws to determine the missing item in the following problems.

1. Solve for I2.

2. Solve for the currents. Note all directions

and resistor polarities are assumed.

Unit 2: Resistive Networks 31

LEARNING INSIGHTS

1. Based on the results of the last two sample problems, what does the algebraic signs
of the result suggest?

For Sample 2:
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

For Sample 3:
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

POST-TEST

Modified True or False

Determine whether the statement is: True or False. Shade the appropriate circle of
your answer. If “False” underline the word in the statement that made it false and write
the correct term on the line provided (after the word “False”)

1. In a parallel circuit there are nodes and loops.

Ο True Ο False ; _____________________________

2. In a series circuit there are two loops.

Ο True Ο False ; _____________________________

3. Voltages across resistors in a purely parallel circuits are constant.

Ο True Ο False ; _____________________________

4. In a “loop” the current is always constant.

Ο True Ο False ; _____________________________

5. Current in a purely series circuit configuration of resistors is constant.

Ο True Ο False ; _____________________________

6. Voltages of three 2Ω resistors in series circuit configuration are the same.

Ο True Ο False ; _____________________________

7. Currents in parallel circuit always are greater than the source current.
Ο True Ο False ; _____________________________

8. In Kirchhoff’s Current Law the total current entering a node and exiting a node is
the same.
Ο True Ο False ; _____________________________

9. In Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law the algebraic sum of voltages within a loop is ideally 1
volt.
Ο True Ο False ; _____________________________

Unit 2: Resistive Networks 32

10. Both of Kirchhoff’s Current Laws are independent of Ohm’s Law.
Ο True Ο False ; _____________________________

FINAL REQUIREMENT

For SOL/AOL : Online Quiz 2

For RPL : Collective Quiz by January 2021

SUGGESTED READINGS AND WEBSITES

Online videos for Lecture: Search for Kirchhoff’s Laws in the Channel

1. The Engineering Mindset

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk0fGHsCEzGig-rSzkfCjMw

2. Michel van Biezen electrical engineering

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6hRPyjTx6k&list=PLX2gX-
ftPVXXAQHPsgcokk4aCHZUKFuho

3. Math and Science

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGa_b26eK2c

GLOSSARY

ALEGBRAIC SUM. The aggregate of two or more numbers or quantities taken with
regard to their signs, as + or -, according to the rules of addition in algebra

LOOP. A closed circuit.

NODE. A point or area where two lines, paths, or parts intersect or branch off.

PARALLEL CONNECTION. The connection of two-terminal networks, which are

usually either consumers or sources of electric power, so that the same voltage is at
the terminals of the networks.

SERIES CONNECTION. A connection of two-terminal networks that causes a

common current to be carried through the networks, since there is only a single path
for the current.

SIGN CONVENTION. A choice of the physical significance of signs (plus or minus) for
a set of quantities.

Unit 2: Resistive Networks 33

REFERENCES

Bird, J. (2017). Electrical Circuit Theory and Technology (6th ed.). NY: Routledge
Taylor & Francis Group.
Irwin, J. D. & Nelms, R.M. (2015), Basic Engineering Circuit Analysis, (11th ed.). John
Wiley & Sons

New World Encylopedia. (2017). New World Encylopedia : Georg Ohm. Retrieved
from New World Encylopedia Org Web Site:

https://www.thefreedictionary.com/

Unit 2: Resistive Networks 34