Series-Parallel

Circuits
 A series-parallel circuit, also called a
combination circuit, is any circuit that
combines both series and parallel
Series-Parallel connections.

Circuits Although many applications exist for

series or parallel circuits alone, most
electronic circuits are actually a
combination of the two.
 In general, series-parallel or
combination circuits are used when it is
necessary to obtain different voltage
Series-Parallel and current values from a single
supply voltage, VT.
Circuits When analyzing combination circuits,
the individual laws of series and
parallel circuits can be applied to
produce a much simpler overall circuit.
Finding R T for Series-Parallel
Resistances
 In the given figure, R1 is in series with
Finding RT for R2.

Series-Parallel Also, R3 is in parallel with R4.

However, R2 is not in series with either
Resistances R3 or R4.
 The reason is that the current through
Finding RT for R2 is equal to the sum of the branch
currents I3 and I4 flowing into and
Series-Parallel away from point A.

Resistances
 The 0.5-kΩ R1 and 0.5-kΩ R2 in series
Finding RT for total 1 kΩ for R1–2. The calculations
are
Series-Parallel
Resistances
Finding RT for R3-4, Parallel.

Series-Parallel R3-4 = R3 x R4 / R3 + R4

Resistances R3-4 = 1 x 1 / 1 + 1

R3-4 = 0.5-kΩ

This parallel R3–4 combination of 0.5

kV is then added to the series R1–2
combination for the fi nal RT value of
1.5 kV. The calculations are
Resistance Strings in Parallel
 Details about the voltages and currents
in a series-parallel circuit are illustrated
in the figure given, which shows two
Resistance Strings in identical series strings in parallel.

Parallel
 Each bulb needs 120 V for normal
brilliance. If the bulbs were connected
directly across the source, each would have

Resistance Strings in the applied voltage of 240 V.

Suppose that four 120-V, 100-W light-bulbs

Parallel are to be wired with a voltage source that
produces 240 V.
 If the bulbs were connected directly across
the source, each would have the applied
voltage of 240 V.

Resistance Strings in This would cause excessive current in all the

bulbs that could result in burned-out
Parallel filaments.
 If the four bulbs were connected in
series, each would have a potential
difference of 60 V, or one-fourth the
Resistance Strings in applied voltage.

Parallel With too low a voltage, there would be

insufficient current for normal
operation, and the bulbs would not
operate at normal brilliance.
 Another example, this circuit has just
two parallel branches. One branch
includes R1 in series with R2.
Resistance Strings in The other branch has just the one
Parallel resistance R3. Ohm’s law can be
applied to each branch.
Branch Currents I1 and I2
 Each branch current equals the
voltage applied across the branch
divided by the total resistance in the
Branch Currents I1 branch.

and I2 In branch 1, R1 and R2 total 8 + 4 = 12

ohms.

With 12 V applied, this branch current

I1 is 12/12 = 1 A. Branch 2 has only
the 6-ohms R3.

Then I2 in this branch is 12/6 = 2 A.