Chapter 6 – Parallel dc Circuits

Introductory Circuit Analysis

Robert L. Boylestad
 6.1 - Introduction
There are two network configurations – series
and parallel.
In Chapter 5 we covered a series network. In
this chapter we will cover the parallel circuit and
all the methods and laws associated with it.
 6.2 – Parallel Resistors
Two elements, branches, or circuits are in parallel if
they have two points in common as in the figure below

Insert Fig 6.2

 Parallel Resistors
For resistors in parallel, the total resistance is
determined from

Note that the equation is for the reciprocal of RT

rather than for RT.
Once the right side of the equation has been
determined, it is necessary to divide the result into 1 to
determine the total resistance
 Parallel Resistors
 Forparallel elements, the total conductance is the
sum of the individual conductance values.
GT  G1  G2  G3  ...  GN
As the number of resistors in parallel increases, the input
current level will increase for the same applied voltage.
 This is the opposite effect of increasing the number of
resistors in a series circuit.
 Parallel Resistors
The total resistance of anynumber of parallel
resistors can be determined using

1
RT 
1 1 1 1
   ... 
R1 R2 R3 RN

The total resistance of parallel resistors is always less

than the value of the smallest resistor.
 Parallel Resistors
For equal resistors in parallel:

Where N = the number of parallel resistors.

 Parallel Resistors
A special case: The total resistance of two
resistors is the product of the two divided by their
sum.

The equation was developed to reduce the effects of

the inverse relationship when determining RT
 Parallel Resistors
 Parallel resistors can be interchanged without
changing the total resistance or input current.
 For parallel resistors, the total resistance will
always decrease as additional parallel elements
are added.
 6.3 – Parallel Circuits
Voltage is always the same across parallel elements.

V =V =E
1 2

The voltage across resistor 1 equals the voltage across

resistor 2, and both equal the voltage supplies by the source.
 Parallel Circuits
 For single-source parallel networks, the source
current (I ) is equal to the sum of the individual branch
s

currents.

Is  I1  I 2
 For a parallel circuit, source current equals the sum
of the branch currents. For a series circuit, the
applied voltage equals the sum of the voltage drops.
 Parallel Circuits
 For parallel circuits, the greatest current will
exist in the branch with the lowest resistance.

E E
Is  I1  I 2  
R1 R2
6.4 – Power Distribution in a Parallel
Circuit
 For any resistive circuit, the power applied by
the battery will equal that dissipated by the
resistive elements.

PE  PR1  PR2  PR3  ...  PRN

 The power relationship for parallel resistive
circuits is identical to that for series resistive
circuits.
 6.5 - Kirchhoff’s Current Law
 Kirchhoff’s voltage law provides an important relationship among
voltage levels around any closed loop of a network.
Kirchhoff’s current law (KCL) states that the algebraic sum of the
currents entering and leaving an area, system, or junction is zero.
 The sum of the current entering an area, system or junction must
equal the sum of the current leaving the area, system, or junction.

I in   Iout
 Kirchhoff’s Current Law
 Most common application of the law will be at the
junction of two or more paths of current.
 Determining whether a current is entering or
leaving a junction is sometimes the most difficult
task.
If the current arrow points toward the junction, the
current is entering the junction.
 If the current arrow points away from the junction, the
current is leaving the junction.
 6.6 – Current Divider Rule
 The current divider rule (CDR) is used to find the
current through a resistor in a parallel circuit.
General points:
 For two parallel elements of equal value, the current will
divide equally.
 For parallel elements with different values, the smaller the
resistance, the greater the share of input current.
 For parallel elements of different values, the current will
split with a ratio equal to the inverse of their resistor values.
Current Divider Rule
RT
Ix  IT
Rx
 6.7 - Voltage Sources in Parallel
 Voltage sources are placed in parallel only if they
have the same voltage rating.
 The purpose for placing two or more batteries in parallel is
to increase the current rating.
the current rating of the combination is
determined by I =I + I s 1 2
 Voltage Sources in Parallel
Two batteries of different terminal voltages
placed in parallel
 When two batteries of different terminal voltages are
placed in parallel, the larger battery tries to drop
rapidly to the lower supply
 The result is the larger battery quickly discharges to
the lower voltage battery, causing the damage to both
batteries
E1  E 2
I
Rint1  Rint 2
 Voltage Sources in Parallel
Two batteries of different terminal voltages
placed in parallel

 6.8 - Open and Short Circuits
 An open circuit can have a potential difference (voltage)
across its terminal, but the current is always zero
amperes.
 Open and Short Circuits
 A short circuit can carry a current of a level determined
by the external circuit, but the potential difference
(voltage) across its terminals is always zero volts.

Insert Fig 6.44