ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

Electrical Circuits 1 Manual

ACTIVITY 2.3: RESISTANCE IN SERIES-PARALLEL RESISTIVE CIRCUIT

1.3.1 Program Outcomes (POs) Addressed by the Activity

a. ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data
b. ability to function on multidisciplinary teams
c. ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems
d. ability to communicate effectively

1.3.2 Activitys Intended Learning Outcomes (AILOs)

At the end of this activity, the student shall be able to:
a. identify a series-parallel connected resistors
b. calculate the total resistance of resistors in series-parallel
c. evaluate the characteristics of a series-parallel resistors

1.3.3 Objectives of the Activity

The objectives of this activity are to:
1. determine the value of the total resistance in a series-parallel resistive circuit by using
Ohms law.
2. verify the results with a multimeter.

1.3.4 Principle of the Activity

You can reduce the resistance in a series/parallel circuit to a single total resistance (R T) by
combining the resistance in the parallel branch and the resistance in the series branch. For
example, in Figure 2.3-1, R2 and R3 are in parallel with each other and are in series with R1. The
first step must take to find RT is to find the equivalent resistance if the parallel branch. When
there are only two resistors in a parallel branch, use the product-over-sum method to find the
equivalent resistance (RE).

RE = (R2 x R3) / (R2 + R3 )

RE = (2,700 x 3,300) / (2,700 + 3,300)

RE = 1.485 k

ACTIVITY 1: SERIES AND PARALLEL CONNECTION OF LINEAR RESISTORS

 Figure 1.3-1. Resistance in a series / parallel resistive circuit

Add the equivalent resistance of the parallel branch to the series resistance R1 (1.50kW),
to find total resistance.

RT = R1 + R2

RT = (1,500 + 1,500)

RT = 3k

When a parallel branch circuit has more than two resistors, you should use the reciprocal
method to find RE. For example, in Figure 2.3-2, R4 has been added to the parallel branch.

ACTIVITY 1: SERIES AND PARALLEL CONNECTION OF LINEAR RESISTORS

 Figure 1.3-2. Resistance in series / parallel resistive circuit

RE = 1/ (1/R2 + 1/ R3 + 1/R4)

RE = 1/ ( 1/2700 + 1/3300 + 1/4700)

RE = 1/ (0.0004 + 0.0003 + 0.0002)

RE = 1,111

The total circuit resistance can now be found,

RT = R1 + RE

RT = (1,500 + 1,111)

RT = 2,611

To find equivalent in as series branch, simply add the values of the resistors in the
branch. In Figure 1.3-3, node A to B makes up the series branch. Node B to node C makes up the
parallel branch. To find total resistance, add the equivalent resistance of A-B and parallel branch
B-C. Calculate the equivalent resistance of A-B (RAB) as shown below.

RAB = R1 + R2 + R3

RAB = (1.5 + 1.5 + 2) k

RAB = 5 k

Figure 1.3-3. Resistance in a series / parallel resistive circuit.

ACTIVITY 1: SERIES AND PARALLEL CONNECTION OF LINEAR RESISTORS

Calculate the equivalent resistance B-C (RBC) by using the product-over-sum method.

RBC = (R4 x R5) / (R4+R5)

RBC = (3.30 x 3.30) / (3.30 + 3.30)

RBC =1.65 k

Resistance B-C is a parallel branch that is in series with A-B. To find the total resistance
for this series/ parallel resistive circuit, add the two equivalent resistances.

RT = (RAB + RBC)

RT = (5 + 1.650) k

RT = 6.650 k

When a circuit has a series combination in a parallel branch, you must first find the
equivalent resistance of the combination before you can find the equivalent resistance of the
parallel branch. In Figure 2.3-4, the series combination A-B (R2 and R3) is within a parallel
branch. You can determine the equivalent resistance of the series combination as shown below.

RAB = R2 + R3

RAB = (1.5 +1.5) k

RAB = 3 k

When you know the equivalent resistance of the series combination, you can find the
equivalent resistance of the parallel branch (RE) by using the product-over-sum method.

RE = (RAB x R4)/ (RAB + R4)

ACTIVITY 1: SERIES AND PARALLEL CONNECTION OF LINEAR RESISTORS

 Figure 1.3-4. Resistance of a series / parallel resistive circuit with a series combination in a
parallel branch.

RE = (3 x 3.33)/ (3 + 3.33)

RE = 9.9 / 6.3

RE = 1.5714 k (which can be rounded off to 1.6 k)

The parallel branch has been reduced to as single equivalent resistance. Adding this
equivalent resistance to R1 gives the total resistance of the series/ parallel circuit.

RT = RE + R1 )

RT = (1.6 + 2.4) k

RT = 4 k

1.3.5 Materials/Equipment

1- F.A.C.E.T Base Unit

1- DC FUNDAMENTAL Circuit Board
2- 15Vdc Power Supply
1- Multimeter

ACTIVITY 1: SERIES AND PARALLEL CONNECTION OF LINEAR RESISTORS

1.3.6 Procedure/s

1. Insert the DC FUNDAMENTALS circuit board into the base unit. Do not turn on the
power sources.

2. Locate the SERIES/ PARALLEL CIRCUIT circuit block, and connect the circuit shown
in Figure 1.3-5.

Figure 1.3-5. Resistance in series / parallel resistive series circuit.

NOTE: Do not apply power to the SERIES / PARALLEL CIRCUIT circuit block.

3. Calculate and record RE for the parallel branch circuit.

RE = 800

4. Calculate and record RT for the series / parallel circuit.

RT = 1130

5. Measure and record RE for the parallel branch circuit.

RE = 789

6. Measure and record RT.

RE = 1288

7. When more than two resistors are in parallel branch, the reciprocal method is used to find
RE. Calculate RE and RT for the circuit in Figure 2.3-6.
RE = 617 RT = 330.617k

ACTIVITY 1: SERIES AND PARALLEL CONNECTION OF LINEAR RESISTORS

 Figure 1.3-6. Series / parallel resistive circuit.

8. The circuit shown in Figure1.3-5 is the basic series/ parallel circuit. The circuit in Figure
2.3-6 has an additional resistor, R4, that you can add by closing CM switch 12. Place CM
switch 12 in the ON position. Measure and record the values of RE and RT.
RE = 609 RT = 677

9. Does adding more resistance in parallel increase or decrease the total circuit resistance of
a series /parallel circuit? _adding more resistance in parralel would decrease the total
circuit resistance of a parallel while it would increase if it is in series.________________

10. Place CM switch 12 in the OFF position.

11. Place CM switch 13 in the ON position. Record the values of R1 and RE.
R1 =324.4 RE =789

12. Which resistor value changed, and did it increase or it decrease? R1 and R2 increased.___
13. Was this change due to resistance added in series or in parallel? It was due to resistance
added in series. ___________________________________________________________

14. Calculate the new value of RT.1113.4 ohms

15. Confirm your estimated value of RT by measuring. Is it correct? 0.767 ohms

16. Place CM switch 13 in OFF position.

ACTIVITY 1: SERIES AND PARALLEL CONNECTION OF LINEAR RESISTORS

 17. Place CM switch 15 in ON position. Record the values of R1 and RE.
R1 = 324.3 RE = 1.1

18. Which resistance value changed, and did it increase or decrease? Re; It decreased.
19. Was this change due to resistance added in series, in parallel or neither? If neither, was
there an open or was there a short across parallel branch? Neither. Because R3 is less
than R2.

20. What will be the new value of RT? 287.3 ohms

21. Confirm your estimated value of RT by measuring. Is it correct? No.

22. Place CM switch 15 in the OFF position.

CONCLUSIONS:

We are able to determine the series-parallel configuration without having a

problem.
In having series-parallel configuration, the resistivity may vary through the
connections of the components
We can measure and compute any kind of configuration through the equation/
formula given the theory.
REVIEW QUESTIONS:

Encircle the letter of the best answer.

1. A series/parallel resistive circuit can be

a. Made up of series and parallel components connected together
b. A group of series circuits and parallel circuits connected together
c. Made up of series and parallel circuits connected together
d. All of the above.
2. To find total resistance in series/parallel resistive circuits, reduce the
a. Parallel branch to an equivalent value and add it to the value of the series branch.
b. Series branch to an equivalent value and add it to the resistirs in the parallel
branch
c. Parallel branch to an equivalent value and use the product over sum methos with
the series branch.
d. Series branch to an equivalent value and use reciprocal method with the series
branch.

ACTIVITY 1: SERIES AND PARALLEL CONNECTION OF LINEAR RESISTORS

3. What could cause the actual measured value of total circuit resistance to vary the
calculated value?
a. The tolerance of the multimeter
b. The tolerance of the circuit components
c. An uncalibrated ohmmeter
d. All of the above.
4. If three 10 kilo ohm resistors are connected to form a series/parallel circuit, what is the
total resistance of the circuit?
a. 30000 ohms
b. 15000 ohms
c. 10000 ohms
d. 05000 ohms
5. Locate the SERIES/PARALLEL CIRCUIT circuit block, and connect circuit shown in
Figure 2.3-6. Place CM switch 14 in the ON position. By using resistance measurements,
determine what modification was made to the circuit.
a. A 200 ohms resistor was places in series with R2
b. A 770 ohms resistor was placed in series with R1
c. A 4700 ohms resistor was places in series with R3
d. A 7000 ohms resistor was placed to the parallel branch

ACTIVITY 1: SERIES AND PARALLEL CONNECTION OF LINEAR RESISTORS

1.1.7 Activity Report

Section: T31 Date Performed: September 5, 2017

Course Code: CIRCUITS1L Date Submitted: September 19, 2017
Course Title: ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS 1
Instructor: Engr. Mark Anthony Teodoro
Group No.: 1 Activity No.: 2

Group Members: Signature:

1. Aquino, Don Juan R.
2. Comedido, Marvin Eric F.
3. Cruz, Anne Margaret G.
4.
5.

ACTIVITY 1: SERIES AND PARALLEL CONNECTION OF LINEAR RESISTORS