Module 2

Engr. Jefrey Jay S. Claus

• Why it is important to understand?
Series and parallel networks There are two ways in which
components may be connected together in an electric circuit. One
way is ‘in series’ where components are connected ‘end-to-end’;
another way is ‘in parallel’ where components are connected
‘across each other’. When a circuit is more complicated than two
or three elements, it is very likely to be a network of individual
series and parallel circuits.
 At first glance, these circuits may seem very complicated,
but with a methodical analysis approach the functionality of the
circuit can become obvious. This chapter explains with examples,
series, parallel and series/parallel networks. The relationships
between voltages, currents and resistances for these networks are
considered through calculations.
 From Ohm’s law:

V1 = IR1,V2 = IR2,V3 = IR3 and V = IR

where R is the total circuit resistance.
Since V = V1 + V2 + V3
then IR =IR1+IR2+IR3
Dividing throughout by I gives:
In a series circuit: R = R1 + R2 + R3
(a) The current I is the same in all parts of
Thus for a series circuit, the total resistance
the circuit and hence the same reading is
found on each of the two ammeters shown.
is obtained by adding together the values of
the separate resistances.
(b) The sum of the voltages V1, V2 and V3 is
equal to the total applied voltage, V , i.e.
V = V1 + V2 + V3
 EXAMPLE 1: SOLUTION
Determine (a) the battery voltage V , (b) (a) Battery voltage :
the total resistance of the circuit, and (c) V =V1 + V2 + V3
the values of resistance of resistors R1, =5 + 2 + 6
R2 and R3, given that the p.d.s across =13V
R1, R2 and R3 are 5 V, 2 V and 6 V, (b) Total circuit resistance :
R = V / I = 13V/4 A=3.25 ohms
(c) Resistance R1 = V1/ I = 5V /4a =1.25 ohm
Resistance R2 = V2 /I = 2V /4a =0.5 ohms
Resistance R3 = V3 /I = 6V /4a =1.5 ohms
(Check: R1 + R2 + R3 =1.25 + 0.5 + 1.5 =3.25= R)
 EXAMPLE 2: SOLUTION
Determine the p.d. across resistor R3. If P.d. across R3,
the total resistance of the circuit is 100, V3 =25 − 10− 4=11V
determine the current flowing through P3 = 11V(0.25A) = 2.75W
resistor R1. Find also the value of Current I = V / R = 25V /100ohms
resistor R2., =0.25 A,

which is the current flowing in each resistor

Resistance R2 = V2/ I = 4V /0.25 A=16 ohms
The voltage distribution for the circuit
shown in Figure 5.5(a) is given by:

The circuit shown in Figure(b) is often referred

to as a potential divider circuit. Such a circuit
can consist of a number of similar elements in A potential divider is the simplest way of
series connected across a voltage source, producing a source of lower e.m.f. from a
voltages being taken from connections source of higher e.m.f., and is the basic
between the elements. Frequently the divider operating mechanism of the potentiometer,
consists of two resistors, as shown in Figure a measuring device for accurately
5.5(b), where
measuring potential differences
EXAMPLE 1: EXAMPLE 2:
Determine the value of voltage V shown in
Figure Two resistors are connected in series across
a 24 V supply and a current of 3 A flows
in the circuit. If one of the resistors has a
resistance of 2, determine (a) the value of
the other resistor, and (b) the p.d. across
the 2 resistor. If the circuit is connected for
50 hours, how much energy is used?
SOLUTION
SOLUTION
(a) Total circuit resistance Energy used = power× time
RT = V/ I = 24 V/ 3 a =8 ohms =V×I×t
Value of unknown resistance, = (24V × 3a) (50 hr)
Rx =8ohms − 2ohms=6 ohms = 3600Wh
= 3.6 kWh
(b) P.d. across 2 resistor,
V1 =IR1=3 × 2=6 V
V2 = IRx = 3a x 6ohms = 18 V
Figure shows three resistors, R1, R2 and R3,
connected across each other, i.e. in parallel,
across a battery source of V volts.
In a parallel circuit:
(a) The sum of the currents I1, I2 and I3 is equal
to the total circuit current, I, i.e. I =I1 +I2 +I3
(b) The source p.d., V volts, is the same across
each of the resistors
From Ohm’s law:

This equation must be used when finding the

total resistance R of a parallel circuit. For the
special case of two resistors in parallel.

where R is the total circuit resistance.

Since I =I1 + I2 + I3
then V/ R = V/ R1 + V /R2 + V /R3
Dividing throughout by V gives:
EXAMPLE 1: SOLUTION
Determine (a) the reading on the
ammeter, and (b) the value of resistor R2 P.d. across R1 is the same as the supply
voltage V .
Hence supply voltage,
V =8 A× 5ohms=40V
(a) Reading on ammeter,
I3 = V/ R3 = 40V /20ohms =2 A
(b) Current flowing through
I2 =11A−8A−2A=1A
Hence,
R2 = V /I2 = 40 V/ 1A =40 ohms
EXAMPLE 2: SOLUTION
(a) The total circuit resistance R is given by
Two resistors, of resistance 3 and 6, are
connected in parallel across a battery
having a voltage of 12 V. Determine (a)
the total circuit resistance and (b) the
current flowing in the 2 resistor 1 / R = (2 + 1)/ 6 = 3 / 6 ohms
Hence,
R = 6/ 3 = 2 ohms
Alternatively,

(b) Current flowing in the 2 resistor

I = V/R = 12V/2ohms =6 amp
For the circuit shown, the total Similarly,
circuit resistance, RT , is given by :

Summarizing, with reference to circuit

and

It is important to note that current division can

only be applied to two parallel resistors. If
there are more than two parallel resistors,
then current division cannot be determined
using the above formulae.
EXAMPLE 1: SOLUTION
For the series-parallel arrangement shown
in Figure, find (a) the supply current, (b) The equivalent resistance Rx of R2 and R3 in
the current flowing through each resistor parallel is:
and (c) the p.d. across each resistor.

The equivalent resistance RT of R1, Rx and

R4 in series is:
RT = 2.5 + 1.5 + 4 = 8 ohms
Supply current I = V / RT
= 200V / 8ohms
I = 25A
 SOLUTION (c) The equivalent circuit of given is shown below
(b) The current flowing through R1 and R4 p.d. across R1, i.e. V1 =IR1 =(25)(2.5)=62.5 V
is 25 A The current flowing through R2 p.d. across Rx , i.e. Vx =IRx =(25)(1.5)=37.5 V
p.d. across R4, i.e. V4 =IR4 =(25)(4)=100 V
Hence the p.d. across R2 =p.d. across R3 =37.5 V

The current flowing through R3

(a) (Note that the currents flowing through R2 and

R3 must add up to the total current flowing
into the parallel arrangement, i.e. 25 A)
EXAMPLE 2: SOLUTION
For the circuit shown ; calculate (a) the
value of resistor Rx such that the total (a) Power dissipated P =VI watts,
power dissipated in the circuit is 2.5 kW, hence 2500= (250)(I)
and (b) the current flowing in each of the i.e. I = 2500W/ 250V = 10A
four resistors. From Ohm’s law, RT = V / I = 250/ 10 =25,
where RT is the equivalent circuit resistance.
The equivalent resistance of R1 and R2 in
parallel is
(15 × 10) /(15 + 10) = 150 / 25 = 6 ohms
The equivalent resistance of resistors R3 and
Rx in parallel is equal to 25 − 6, i.e. 19.
There are three methods whereby Rx can be
determined.
SOLUTION
Method 1 Method 2 Since the equivalent resistance of
The voltage V1 =IR, where R is 6, R3 and Rx in parallel is 19,
from above,
i.e. V1=(10)(6)=60V 19 = (38Rx)/(38+Rx) i.e. product sum
Hence Hence
V2=250V − 60V=190V 19(38 + Rx ) = 38Rx
190V =p.d. across R3 722 + 19Rx = 38Rx
=p.d. across Rx 722 = 38Rx − 19Rx
I3 = V2 / R3 = 190 /38 =5A. = 19Rx
Thus I4 =5A also, Thus Rx = 722 /19 = 38 ohms
since I =10A
Thus Rx = V2/ I4 = 190/5a
=38 ohms
SOLUTION
Method 3
When two resistors having the same
value are connected in parallel the
equivalent resistance is always half
the value of one of the resistors. Thus,
in this case, since RT =19 and R3
=38, then Rx = 38 could have been
deduced on sight.
 Situations often arise in circuit analysis when the resistors
are neither in parallel nor in series. These are the wye (Y) or tee
(T) network shown in the figure (a) and the delta or pi network
shown in the figure (b). These networks occur by themselves or as
part of a larger network. They are used in three-phase networks,
electrical filters, and matching networks. Our main interest here is
in how to identify them when they occur as part of a network and
how to apply wye-delta transformation in the analysis of that
network.
To obtain the conversion formulas for
Each resistor in the delta network is the sum of
transforming a wye network to an
all possible products of Y resistors taken two at
equivalent delta network.
a time, divided by the opposite Y resistor.
EXAMPLE 1: SOLUTION
Transform the circuit Y to delta

20
Each resistor in the Y network is the product of
the resistors in the two adjacent delta branches,
divided by the sum of the three delta resistors.
EXAMPLE 1: SOLUTION
Transform the circuit from delta to Y
EXAMPLE 1: SOLUTION
Obtain the equivalent resistance 𝑅𝑎𝑏 for In this circuit, there are two Y networks and
the circuit shown, and use it to find current
one delta network. Transforming just one of
𝑖.
these will simplify the circuit. If we convert the
Y network comprising the 5-Ω, 10-Ω, and
20-Ω resistors, we may select
𝑅1 = 10 𝑂ℎ𝑚𝑠 𝑅2 = 20 𝑂ℎ𝑚𝑠
𝑅3 = 5 𝑂ℎ𝑚𝑠
Thus, the equations are,
SOLUTION Combining the three pairs of resistors in
parallel, we obtain
70 ∗ 30
70 Ohms || 30 Ohms = = 21 Ohms
70 + 30

With the Y converted to delta, the 12.5 ∗ 17.5

12.5 Ohms || 17.5 Ohms =
equivalent circuit (with the voltage source 12.5 + 17.5
removed for now) is = 7.2917 Ohms

15 ∗ 35
15 Ohms || 35 Ohms =
15 + 35
= 10.5 Ohms
SOLUTION
Hence, we find
So that the equivalent circuit is,
𝑅𝑎𝑏 = 7.292 + 10.5 ||21

17.792 ∗ 21
𝑅𝑎𝑏 = = 9.632 Ohms
17.792 + 21

𝑣𝑠 120
𝑖= = = 12.358𝐴
𝑅𝑎𝑏 9.632
You could go to the following websites to see further explanation of the topic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-Xy2_3tIUE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQYRc9UibKk&pbjreload=101
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLjrS4krO2E
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0-nHbGQZqo
Get the total resistance of the circuit
Get the total resistance of the circuit
Get the total resistance of the circuit
Get the total resistance of the circuit
Get the total resistance of the circuit
 EXAMPLE 1: SOLUTION
Consider the circuit below, which is
an approximation of a high-voltage dc The equivalent circuit of the high voltage dc
transmission facility. Assume that the bottom facility is shown below,
portion of the transmission line is a perfect
conductor. The load can be represented by a
resistor of value 183.5 Ω, determine both the
power delivered to the load and the power
losses in the line.

𝑜ℎ𝑚𝑠
𝑃𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒 = 0.04125 𝑥400𝑚𝑖𝑙𝑒
𝑚𝑖𝑙𝑒
𝑃𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒 = 16.5 𝑂ℎ𝑚𝑠
𝑃𝑖𝑛 = 𝑉𝐼 = 400𝑘𝑉(2𝑘𝐴)
𝑃𝑖𝑛 = 800𝑀𝑊
SOLUTION
The input power is 800 MW and the Since power is proportional to
power transmitted to the load is the square of the current, there would be a
𝑃𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 = 𝐼 2 𝑅𝐿𝑜𝑎𝑑 large increase in the power loss in the line
𝑃𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 = 2𝑥103 2 (183.5) and, therefore, the efficiency of the facility
𝑃𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 = 734 𝑀𝑊 would decrease substantially. That is why,
in general, we transmit power at high
Therefore, the power loss in the voltage and low current.
transmission line is

𝑃𝐿𝑖𝑛𝑒 = 𝑃𝑖𝑛 − 𝑃𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 𝑜𝑟 𝐼 2 𝑅𝐿𝑖𝑛𝑒

𝑃𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒 = 800𝑀𝑊 − 734𝑀𝑊 𝑜𝑟 2𝑥103 2 (16.5)
𝑃𝐿𝑖𝑛𝑒 = 66𝑀𝑊
EXAMPLE 2: SOLUTION
Find 𝑖0 and 𝑣0 in the circuit shown. (a) The 6-Ω and 3-Ω resistors are in
Calculate the power dissipated in the 3-Ω
resistor.
parallel, so their combined resistance is

6∗3
6 Ohms || 3 Ohms = = 2 Ohms
6+3
Thus, our circuit reduces to
SOLUTION Also, voltage 𝑣0 can be solve using voltage
division; 2
Notice that 𝑣0 is not affected by the 𝑣𝑜 = 12 = 4𝑉
combination of the resistors because the 4+2
resistors are in parallel and therefore
To solve for 𝑖0, Ohm’s law or current division
have the same voltage 𝑣0. Applying
can be used.
Ohm’s law,
By Ohm’s Law:
4
12 𝑣𝑜 = 3𝑖𝑜 ; 𝑖𝑜 = 𝐴
𝑖= = 2𝐴 3
4+2
By current division:
and hence 6 2 4
𝑖𝑜 = 𝑖= 2 = 𝐴
6+3 3 3
𝑣𝑜 = 2𝑖 = 2 ∗ 2 = 4𝑉 By p.d at 3ohms:
4
𝑝𝑜 = 𝑖𝑜 𝑣𝑜 = ∗ 4 = 5.33𝑊
3
EXAMPLE 3: SOLUTION
Find Req in the circuit below. (a) To get the Req, combine resistors in series
and parallel. The 6Ω and 3Ω resistors
are in parallel, so their equivalent
resistance is
6∗3
6 Ohms || 3 Ohms = = 2 Ohms
6+3

(The symbol ∥ is used to indicate a parallel

combination.) Also, the 1-Ω and 5-Ω resistors
are in series; hence their equivalent resistance
is
1 𝑂ℎ𝑚 + 5 𝑂ℎ𝑚 = 6 𝑂ℎ𝑚
SOLUTION The equivalent circuit now is represented by
Thus, the circuit is reduced to

Thus, Req is equal to the series combination of

The two 2-resistors are in series, that
4Ω, 8Ω, and 2. 4Ω
resulted to 4Ω. The equivalent 4Ω
resistor is now in parallel with the 6Ω 𝑅𝑒𝑞 = 4 + 8 + 2.4 = 14.4 𝑂ℎ𝑚𝑠
resistor. The equivalent resistance is
4∗6
4 Ohms || 6 Ohms = = 2.4 Ohms
4+6
EXAMPLE 4: SOLUTION
Calculate the equivalent resistance Rab in The 3-Ω and 6-Ω resistors are in parallel
the circuit
because they are connected to the same two
nodes c and b. Their combined resistance is

6∗3
6 Ohms || 3 Ohms = = 2 Ohms
6+3

Similarly, the 12-Ω and 4-Ω resistors are in

parallel since they are connected to the same
two nodes d and b. Hence
12 ∗ 4
12 Ohms || 4 Ohms = = 3 Ohms
12 + 4
SOLUTION
Also the 1-Ω and 5-Ω resistors are in
series; hence, their equivalent resistance
is
1 𝑂ℎ𝑚 + 5 𝑂ℎ𝑚 = 6 𝑂ℎ𝑚

With these three combinations, we can Thus, equivalent circuit is given in figure
replace the original circuit with that in (b). In figure (b), 2-Ω and 3-Ω resistors
figure (a). In figure (a), 3-Ω in parallel are in parallel,
with 6-Ω gives 2-Ω. This 2-Ω equivalent 2∗3
resistance is now in series with the 1-Ω 3 Ohms || 2 Ohms = = 1.2 Ohms
2+3
resistance to give a combined resistance This 1.2-Ω resistor is in series with the
of 10-Ω resistor, so that
1 𝑂ℎ𝑚 + 2 𝑂ℎ𝑚 = 3 𝑂ℎ𝑚
𝑅𝑎𝑏 = 1.2Ω+10Ω=11.2Ω