Series and Parallel Circuits

SERIES & PARALLEL
CIRCUITS Prepared by
Engr. Arlene C. Patricio, MST
Circuits
 In order for electricity to flow we need

 Power source
 Closed circuit
 There are two type of circuits we will explore

 Series circuit
 Parallel circuit
Reviewing terms
Series and Parallel Circuits
Key Question:
How do series and parallel circuits work?
 Inseries circuits, current can only

take one path.
 The amount of current is the same
at all points in a series circuit.
Series Circuit
Ina series circuit there is only one path for
the electrons to flow
 In other words all the components are in
series with each other
Because there is only one path each

charge will go through each resistor
Adding resistances in series
 Each resistance in a
series circuit adds to
the total resistance of
the circuit.
Rtotal = R1 + R2 + R3...
Total resistance
(ohms)
Individual resistances (W)
Total resistance in a series circuit
 Light bulbs, resistors, motors, and heaters usually have

much greater resistance than wires and batteries.
Voltage
 Voltage is the rate at which

energy is drawn from a source
that produces a flow of electricity
in a circuit; expressed in volts
Voltage in a series circuit
 Each separate resistance
creates a voltage drop as
the current passes through.
 As current flows along a
series circuit, each type of
resistor transforms some of
the electrical energy into
another form of energy
 In parallel circuits the current can take
more than one path.
 Because there are multiple branches,
the current is not the same at all points
in a parallel circuit.
Parallel Circuit
 In a Parallel circuit there are multiple pathways for
charge to flow
 Each device is placed on it’s own separate branch
 Current goes through each of the branches at the same

time
Key Concepts
Bulbs in series represent a source of

resistance to current flow, similar to
boulders in a stream which can block
the flow of water
Bulbs in parallel offer additional
pathways for current flow, similar to
branches of a stream which can carry
more water.
Calculating Resistance in Series
Circuits
 The rule for
calculating Series
Circuits is to…
 Add up the values of
each individual in the
series.
 R1 + R2 + R3…
 5 + 5 + 10
 20 Ω (ohms)
Calculating Resistance in Series
Circuits
 Add up the values of
each individual in the
series.
 R1 + R2 + R3…
 10 + 20 + 10 10
 40 Ω (ohms)
20
Calculating Resistance in Parallel
Circuits
 The rule for calculating Series
Circuits is to…
 Add up the values of each
individual in the series.
 1 1 1 1
-- = -- + -- + --  1
Rt R1 R2 R3
-- = 1
 1 1 1 1
-- = -- + -- + -- Rt
Rt 4 4 2
 1
 1 -- = Rt
-- = .25 + .25 + .5 1
Rt
 1  Rt = 1 Ω (ohms)
-- = 1
Rt
 1 20
-- = 1
Rt
 The rule for calculating Series
Circuits is to…
 Add up the values of each
individual in the series.
 1 1 1 1
-- = -- + -- + -- • 1
Rt R1 R2 R3
-- = Rt
 1 1 1 1
-- = -- + -- + -- .016
Rt 100 200 1000
• Rt = 62.5 Ω
 1 (ohms)
-- = .01 + .005 + .001
Rt
100 200 1000
 1
-- = .016
Rt
 1 20
-- = .016
Rt
 When analyzing a parallel circuit,
remember that the current always has
to go somewhere.
Voltage and current in a parallel circuit
 In a parallel circuit the voltage is the

same across each branch because
each branch has a low resistance
path back to the battery.
 The amount of current in each branch
in a parallel circuit is not necessarily
the same.
 The resistance in each branch
determines the current in that branch.
Advantages of parallel circuits
Parallel circuits have two big

advantages over series circuits:
1. Each device in the circuit sees the
full battery voltage.
2. Each device in the circuit may be
turned off independently without
stopping the current flowing to other
devices in the circuit.
Short circuit
 A short circuit is a parallel path in a circuit with
zero or very low resistance.
 Short circuits can be made accidentally by
connecting a wire between two other wires at
different voltages.
 Short circuits are dangerous because they can
draw huge amounts of current.
Resistance in parallel circuits
 Adding resistance in parallel provides

another path for current, and more
current flows.
 When more current flows for the same
voltage, the total resistance of the
circuit decreases.
 This happens because every new path
in a parallel circuit allows more
current to flow for the same voltage.
Electric Power, AC, and DC
Electricity
Key Question:
How much does
electricity cost
and what do you
pay for?
Electric Power, AC, and DC
Electricity
 The watt (W) is a unit of power.
 Power is the rate at which energy moves
or is used.
 Since energy is measured in joules,
power is measured in joules per second.
 One joule per second is equal to one
watt.
Power in electric circuits
 One watt is a pretty small amount of

power.
 In everyday use, larger units are more
convenient to use.
 A kilowatt (kW) is equal to 1,000 watts.
 The other common unit of power often
seen on electric motors is the
horsepower.
 One horsepower is 746 watts.
Paying for electricity
 Electric companies charge for
the number of kilowatt-hours
used during a set period of time,
often a month.
 One kilowatt-hour (kWh) means
that a kilowatt of power has
been used for one hour.
 Since power multiplied by time
is energy, a kilowatt-hour is a
unit of energy.
Alternating and direct current
 DC—Direct
Current—produced
by solar cells and
chemical cells
(batteries)
 Current only flows
in one direction.
 One end of the
battery is positive
and the other end
is negative.
Alternating and direct current
 AC—Alternating
Current
 Current flows back
and forth
(alternates)
 Found in homes
 Generators
produce AC current
Application: Wiring in Homes and
Buildings
Application: Wiring in Homes and
Buildings
Toll Road—Circuit Analogy
Toll Booth Explanation
 Adding toll booths in series

increases resistance and slows
the current flow.
 Adding toll booths in parallel
lowers resistance and
increases the current flow.
Batteries in Series & Parallel:

Series and Parallel Circuits

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SERIES & PARALLEL

 In order for electricity to flow we need

 There are two type of circuits we will explore

 Inseries circuits, current can only

Because there is only one path each

 Light bulbs, resistors, motors, and heaters usually have

 Voltage is the rate at which

 Current goes through each of the branches at the same

Bulbs in series represent a source of

 In a parallel circuit the voltage is the

Parallel circuits have two big

 Adding resistance in parallel provides

 One watt is a pretty small amount of

 Adding toll booths in series

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