● The following questions involve solving combination circuits.

Before we begin, let's write down the rules for series and parallel circuits.
The most important thing to remember when solving combination circuits is
what rules apply for what specific branch or layer you’re in.

Always applies for both Series rules only Parallel rules only

E=IxR It = I1 = I2 = I3 Et = E1 = E2 = E3

P=IxE Et = E1 + E2+ E3 It = I1 + I2 +I3

P = I^2 x R Rt = R1 + R2 + R3 Rt = (R1 x R2) / (R1 + R2)

P = (E^2) / R Rt= 1 / (1/R1) + (1/R2) + (1/R3)

Pt = P1 + P2 + P3 {current is constant} {voltage is constant}

This is an example of the reciprocal method for parallel circuits:

This method has a shortcut - take the common product of the values and add all the
numbers you multiplied by to get that common product, then divide the common
product by that sum.
It’s simpler to just see it:

1
We have 6 and 12 as values. We know a common product, the number they both
divide evenly into, is 12.

6 x 2 = 12

12 x 1 = 12

The numbers we divided by were 2 and 1.

We add those numbers and get 3.

Now we divide the common product by that sum.

12 / 3 = 4

As you can see in the picture above, we got to 12 / 3 = 4 much quicker.

Now that we have our formulas as a reference, we’ll continue.

15) Assume the following values for resistors R1 through R4 (R1 = 20 Ω, R2 = 40 Ω,

R3 = 60 Ω, R4 = 16 Ω). Solve to reduce only the parallel resistors in the circuit to
their equivalent resistance.

We’re combining the values of R2 & R3. We can ignore all the other numbers and
apply parallel rules for only R2 and R3.

We’re in parallel territory, let’s solve for resistance using the product over sum
method:

R2,3 = (R2 x R3) / (R2 + R3)

R2,3 = (40 x 60) / (40 + 60)

R2,3 = (2400) / (100)

R2,3 = 24 Ω [This is the answer to the question.]

2
We could’ve also used the simplified reciprocal method:

What’s a number both 40 and 60 evenly divide into? 240

40 times what equals 240? 6

60 times what equals 240? 4

What’s 6+4? 10

What’s 240 divided by 10? 24

We got 24 Ω as the answer again, so this is correct.

If you look back at the circuit, now that we’ve reduced the parallel R2 and R3 to one
value of R2,3;
the resistors R1; R2,3; and R4 are in series with each other and series rules would
apply when dealing with them.

16) Solve for the total equivalent resistance in the circuit.

If you look at the values, you’ll notice this is the same circuit from the previous
question (q 15). They’re having us solve it one piece at a time. This is how we would
solve it even if there were a lot of current paths.

As I noted before, R1; R2,3; and R4 are in series with each other, so series rules
apply.

We’re in series territory now, so all we do is add up all the resistance values to get
the total resistance to the circuit.

Rt = R1 + R2,3 + R4

Rt = 20 + 24 + 16

3
Rt = 60 Ω

17) How many parallel branch combinations are in this circuit?

18) Which resistors are in parallel with each other?

R1,R2 & R3,R4

A simplified circuit shows R1,R2, and R3,R4 are in parallel with each other.

19) Which circuit represents an equivalent circuit?

4
20) Solve for series resistors R3, R6, and R9. The values calculated for this question
will be used for additional questions.

We’ll start at the right of the circuit (and the diagram on the right).
We can see that R3, R6, R9 are in series with each other.
Series rules apply, resistance is additive.

R3,6,9 = R3 + R6 + R9

R3,6,9 = 5 + 10 + 15

R3,6,9 = 30 Ω

As we can see, R3,6,9 is in parallel with R5.

21) Solve for parallel resistors R3,6,9 and R5.

Parallel rules apply. Let's use the product over sum method first.

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R3,5,6,9 = (R3,6,9 x R5) / (R3,6,9 + R5)

R3,5,6,9 = (30 x 30) / (30 + 30)

R3,5,6,9 = 900 / 60

R3,5,6,9 = 15 Ω

We can also check with the simplified reciprocal method.

R3,6,9 = 30

R5 = 30

Common product is 30.

30 x 1 = 30

30 x 1 = 30

Sum of the multipliers.

1+1=2

Divide common product by sum of multipliers.

30 / 2 = 15 Ω

R3,5,6,9 = 15 Ω

Same answer.

6
Now R3,5,6,9 is in series with R2 and R8.

22) Solve for series resistors R2, R3,5,6,9 and R8.

Series rules apply. Series resistance is additive.

R2,3,5,6,8,9 = R2 + R3,5,6,9 + R8

R2,3,5,6,8,9 = 25 + 15 + 10

R2,3,5,6,8,9 = 50 Ω

As we can see, R2,3,5,6,8,9 is in parallel with R4.

23) Solve for parallel resistors R2,3,5,6,8,9 and R4.

Parallel rules apply. Let's use the product over sum method first.

R2,3,4,5,6,8,9 = (R2,3,5,6,8,9 x R4) / (R2,3,5,6,8,9 + R4)

R2,3,4,5,6,8,9 = (50 x 50) / (50 + 50)

R2,3,4,5,6,8,9 = 2500 / 100

R2,3,4,5,6,8,9 = 25 Ω

We can check with the simplified reciprocal method.

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Common product = 50

50 x 1 = 50

50 x 1 = 50

1+1=2

50 / 2 = 25 Ω

As we can see, R2,3,4,5,6,8,9 is in series with R1 and R7.

24) Solve for series resistors R1, R2,3,4,5,6,8,9 and R7.

Series rules apply. Resistance is additive.

R1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 = R1 + R2,3,4,5,6,8,9 + R7

R1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 = 25 + 25 + 50

R1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 = 100 Ω

This is the total resistance value for the whole circuit.

8
25) Solve for the parallel resistance of R1 and R3. The values calculated for this
question will be used for additional questions.

Parallel rules apply. Let's use the simplified reciprocal method.

R1 = 20

R3 = 20

Common product = 20

20 x 1 = 20

20 x 1 = 20

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1+1=2

20 / 2 = 10

R1,3 = 10 Ω

26) Solve for the parallel resistance of R2 and R4.

Parallel rules apply. Let's use product over sum first.

R2,4 = (R2 x R4) / (R2 + R4)

R2,4 = (36 x 12) / (36 + 12)

R2,4 = 432 / 48

R2,4 = 9 Ω

We could use the simplified reciprocal method.

R4 = 12

R2 = 36

Common product = 36

12 x 3 = 36

36 x 1 = 36

3+1=4

36 / 4 = 9

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R2,4 = 9 Ω

27) Solve for the equivalent resistance of R1,3 and R5. The values calculated for this
question will be used for additional questions. (Round the FINAL answer to one
decimal place.)

R1,3 and R5 are in series, so resistance is additive.

R1,3,5 = R1,3 + R5

R1,3,5 = 10 + 8.2

R1,3,5 = 18.2 Ω

28) Solve for the equivalent resistance of R2,4 and R6.

R2,4 and R6 are also in series, so again resistance is additive.

R2,4 = 9

R6 = 27

R2,4,6 = R2,4 + R6

R2,4,6 = 9 + 27

R2,4,6 = 36 Ω

29) Calculate the total resistance. (Round the FINAL answer to two decimal places.)

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R1,3,5 and R2,4,6 are in parallel with each other. Lets use the product over sum
method only because there’s a decimal in there and fuck that.

R1,3,5 = 18.2

R2,4,6 = 36

R1,2,3,4,5,6 = (R1,3,5 x R2,4,6) / (R1,3,5 + R2,4,6)

R1,2,3,4,5,6 = (18.2 x 36) / (18.2 + 36)

R1,2,3,4,5,6 = (655.2) / (54.2)

R1,2,3,4,5,6 = 12.088

Rt = R1,2,3,4,5,6 = 12.09 Ω

DC Theory level 4, lesson 2

1) Ohm's Law can only be applied to series and parallel circuits; to solve for
combination circuits, Kirchhoff's Law must be applied.

false

2) For combination circuits, trace the current paths through the circuit to determine
which resistors are connected in series and which are connected in parallel.

true

3) The first step when solving combination circuits is to reduce the combination
circuit to a simpler circuit one part at a time.

12
true

4) Three resistors in parallel can be reduced to a single equivalent resistor.

true

5) In a combination circuit, the amount of current that passes through each resistor
is exactly the same.

false

6) No matter how complex, a combination circuit can be reduced to a single voltage,

current, and resistance.

true

7) In a combination circuit, the current leaving the source is ? the current

returning to the source.

the same as

8) In parallel circuits, a person can easily calculate the current for a branch when the
voltage applied and the resistance are known for that branch.

true

9) In parallel circuits, when the total current through the circuit and the resistance
of each component is known, a person can calculate the voltage drop for each
component in that circuit by multiplying the total current times the resistance of the
component.

false

(Note: To calculate the voltage drop in a parallel circuit, each branch current must be
known.)

13
10) Branch-circuit currents are generally calculated by applying ? to the voltage
across the branch and the branch resistance.

Ohm's Law

11) In combination circuits, after solving for the total current through the circuit, the
values for the ? through the individual resistors can be calculated by working
backward from the total equivalent ? using Ohm's Law.

current / resistance

12) Given the circuit and parameters shown, solve for the following:

The correct answer is: 13.33 Ω

14
The correct answer is: 23.33 Ω

The correct answer is: 514.27 mA

The correct answer is: 514.27 mA

The correct answer is: 5.14 V

15
The correct answer is: 6.86 V

The correct answer is: 342.86 mA

The correct answer is: 171.43 mA

16
13) Match the correct order for solving the circuit to determine total circuit current.

The correct answer is: Step 1= → V., Step 2= → IV., Step 3= → VII., Step 4= → VI., Step 5=
→ II., Step 6= → I., Step 7= → III.

I. Solve for parallel resistors R1 and R2,3,4,5,6,7,8.

II. Solve for series resistors R2 and R3,4,5,6,7,8.
III. Solve for total current using ES and RT.
IV. Solve for parallel resistors R5 and R6,7.
V. Solve for series resistors R6 and R7.
VI. Solve for parallel resistors R3 and R4,5,6,7,8.

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VII. Solve for series resistors R4, R5,6,7 and R8.

14) Given the circuit and parameters shown, solve for the following:

18
The correct answer is: 1 A

19
The correct answer is: 667 mA

The correct answer is: 333.33 mA

20
The correct answer is: 333.33 mA

The correct answer is: 667 mA

21
15) Find the total current in the circuit shown.

22
The correct answer is: 200 mA

23
DC Theory level 4, lesson 3

1) The total voltage dropped across a series-parallel circuit equals one-half of the
supply voltage.

false

2) In a parallel portion of a series-parallel circuit, the voltage across the branches

can be found by multiplying the sum of the branch currents by the equivalent
resistance of the resistors in the parallel portion.

true

3) What is the first step necessary to allow calculation of voltages in a combination

circuit containing resistive loads in series and parallel?

The equivalent resistance of the circuit must be found in order to determine circuit
current, which can then be used along with Ohm's Law to determine voltage drops.

24
4) Solve for the voltage which would be measured across R1. The values calculated
for this question will be used for additional questions.

5) Given the circuit and parameters shown, solve for the following:

The correct answer is: 10 V

25
The correct answer is: 10 V

26
The correct answer is: 4 V

The correct answer is: 6 V

6) Which loads (actual and equivalent) are connected directly to the source voltage
ES?

R1,2,4,5,6,7,8 & R3

27
7) Given the circuit and parameters shown, calculate the following value.

28
29
8) What is the total circuit current? The values calculated for this question will be
used for additional questions.

30
9) How much current flows through resistor R1? (Round the FINAL answer to one
decimal place.) The values calculated for this question will be used for additional
questions.

10) How much voltage is dropped across resistor R1? (Round the FINAL answer to
one decimal place.) The values calculated for this question will be used for
additional questions.

31
11) How much voltage is dropped across resistor R7? (Round the FINAL answer to
one decimal place.) The values calculated for this question will be used for
additional questions.

32
12) How much voltage is dropped across R4,6? (Round the FINAL answer to one
decimal place.) The values calculated for this question will be used for additional
questions.

13) What is the current for R4,6? (Round the FINAL answer to one decimal place.)
The values calculated for this question will be used for additional questions.

33
14) What voltage is dropped across R4? The values calculated for this question will
be used for additional questions.

34
15) What voltage is dropped across R6? (Round the FINAL answer to one decimal
place.) The values calculated for this question will be used for additional questions.

16) What is current for R2,5,8? (Round the FINAL answer to one decimal place.)
Note: The values calculated for this question will be used for additional questions.

35
17) What voltage is dropped across R2? (Round the FINAL answer to one decimal
place.) The values calculated for this question will be used for additional questions.

36
18) What voltage is dropped across R5? (Round the FINAL answer to one decimal
place.) Note: The values calculated for this question will be used for additional
questions.

19) What voltage is dropped across R8? (Round the FINAL answer to one decimal
place.)

37
20) Given the circuit and parameters shown, calculate the following values:

The correct answer is: 300 Ω

38
The correct answer is: 40 mA

The correct answer is: 4 V

The correct answer is: 8 V

39
21) Match the resistor to the correct voltage drop.

40
41
The correct answer is: R1 → 2 V, R4 → 7.5 V, R5 → 3 V, R7 → 12 V, R8 → 4 V

DC Theory level 4, lesson 4

1) In a series circuit or parallel circuit, the total power consumed by the circuit is
equal to ET ? , or the sum of the power consumed by each resistor.

times IT

2) If the current or voltage and resistance value for each component in a

series-parallel circuit are known, it is still necessary to determine the equivalent
resistance to calculate total power in the circuit.

Note: Since the total power in any circuit is the sum of the individual powers
dissipated in each component of that circuit, then the total power can be found by
adding together the resultant values for each individual component power
calculation.
PT = P1 + P2 + … + PN

The correct answer is 'False'.

42
3) Calculate the total power and all individual resistor power values in the circuit
shown.

43
The correct answer is: 133.3 W

44
The correct answer is: 44.44 W

The correct answer is: 44.44 W

45
The correct answer is: 44.44 W

4) A low-voltage emergency lighting system is installed in an office building. In this

system, a single battery powers three remote lights. The three lamps are each rated
15 watts at 12 volts. The electrician installing the system calculated the load for each
lamp to be 1.25 amperes (15 ÷ 12 = 1.25 A). If the emergency lights are located 250
feet away from the battery, how much power will be delivered to each lamp? Given:
The resistance of #16 AWG copper = 4.99 ohms / k foot

46
The correct answer is: 4.74 W

The correct answer is: 11.08 W

47
5) When using #16 AWG conductors to supply the three 15-watt, 12-volt lamps as
shown in the circuit, which will consume the most power?

The correct answer is: the #16 AWG conductors

6) The redrawn circuit accurately represents the lighting circuit from the previous
circuit.

The correct answer is 'True'.

48
7) The heater in the diagram is designed to operate on 120/240 volts, with a switch
reconnecting the 120–volt, 300-watt elements in series or parallel for the correct
operation. What is the resistance of each heater element? The values calculated for
this question will be used in additional questions.

49
8) What is the total resistance of the circuit?

50
9) What is the total amount of power delivered to the heater when the heater is
connected for 240-volt operation?

51
10) In the circuit shown, solve for the power dissipated in each circuit component
and the total circuit power.

52
The correct answer is: 800 W

53
The correct answer is: 133.33 W

54
The correct answer is: 133.33 W

The correct answer is: 533.33 W

55
11) In the circuit shown, solve for the power dissipated in each circuit component
and the total circuit power.

The correct answer is: 3.19 W

56
The correct answer is: 1.2 W

57
The correct answer is: 531.92 mW

58
The correct answer is: 132.98 mW

The correct answer is: 132.98 mW

59
The correct answer is: 1.2 W

60