Unit 1

Basic Circuit concepts

Circuit Analysis using Series/Parallel Equivalents

1. Begin by locating a combination of resistances that are in series or

parallel. Often the place to start is farthest from the source.

2. Redraw the circuit with the equivalent resistance for the combination
found in step 1.

3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 until the circuit is reduced as far as possible.

Often (but not always) we end up with a single source and a single
resistance.

4. Solve for the currents and voltages in the final equivalent circuit.
Working Backward
Find current flowing each resistor
Voltage Division

R1
v1  R1i  v total
R1  R2  R3

R2
v2  R2 i  v total
R1  R2  R3
Application of the Voltage-Division Principle

R1
v1  vtotal
R1  R2  R3  R4
1000
  15
1000  1000  2000  6000
 1.5V
Current Division

v R2
i1   itotal
R1 R1  R2
v R1
i2   itotal
R2 R1  R2
Application of the Current-Division Principle

R2 R3 30  60
Req    20
R2  R3 30  60
Req 20
i1  is  15  10A
R1  Req 10  20
•Voltage division •Voltage division and
•current division
Current division