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07 Equivalent Resistances

Resistors can be connected in series or parallel in a circuit. For series connections, the total resistance (Req) is equal to the sum of the individual resistances. For parallel connections, the total resistance is always less than the individual resistances and is calculated as 1/Req = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + ... + 1/Rn. These equivalent resistance formulas allow complex resistor combinations to be analyzed as a single resistor.

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41 views6 pages

07 Equivalent Resistances

Resistors can be connected in series or parallel in a circuit. For series connections, the total resistance (Req) is equal to the sum of the individual resistances. For parallel connections, the total resistance is always less than the individual resistances and is calculated as 1/Req = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + ... + 1/Rn. These equivalent resistance formulas allow complex resistor combinations to be analyzed as a single resistor.

Uploaded by

BOB
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Equivalent Resistances

Resistors in Series
Consider a circuit with two or
more resistors connected in
series.
The current through
each resistor must be the
same. By virtue of Ohms law,
we then get:

+
+
_

_
_

Using Kirchoffs Voltage Law (KVL) around the loop:

Equivalent Resistances
Resistors in Series
+

+
+
_

_
_

+
_

Equivalent Resistances
Resistors in Parallel
Consider a circuit with two or
more resistors connected in
parallel. The voltage across
each resistor must be the
same. By virtue of Ohms law,
we then get:

+
_

2
2

...

= 1 1 = 2 2 = =
Using Kirchoffs Current Law (KCL):

1
1
1

= 1 + 2 + + =
+
++
=
+
+ +
=
1 2

1 2

Equivalent Resistances
Resistors in Parallel
1
+
_

2
2

...

+
_

For the purposes of finding the current flowing through the source, the
parallel connection of resistors can be replaced with a single equivalent
resistor such that:
1
1
1
1
=
+
++
1 2

1
1
1
1
+
++
1 2

Equivalent Resistances
Most often, we use these concepts with just two resistors at a time. In
that case, the formulas simplify to:
Series combination
= 1 + 2

Parallel combination
1 2
=
1 + 2

Note that:
1) Series equivalent resistances are always larger than each individual
component, and
2) Parallel equivalent resistances are always smaller than each
individual component,

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