Lesson 6 Series-Parallel Circuits

Overview:

This lesson focuses on the Series-Parallel Circuit configuration with the application of Ohm’s
Law and Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law and Kirchhoff’s Current law.

Learning Objectives:

After successful completion of this lesson, you should be able to:

1. Discuss the operation of a series-parallel circuit.

2. Apply techniques in circuit simplification.

Course Materials:

A series-parallel circuit, also called a combination circuit, is any circuit that combines both series
and parallel connections. Although many applications exist for series or parallel circuits alone,
most electronic circuits are actually a combination of the two. In general, series-parallel or
combination circuits are used when it is necessary to obtain different voltage and current values
from a single supply voltage, VT. When analyzing combination circuits, the individual laws of
series and parallel circuits can be applied to produce a much simpler overall circuit.

Finding RT for Series-Parallel Resistances

In Fig. 6–1, R1 is in series with R2. Also, R3 is in parallel with R4. However, R2 is not in series
with either R3 or R4. The reason is that the current through R2 is equal to the sum of the branch
currents I3 and I4 fl owing into and away from point A (see Fig. 6–1 b). As a result, the current
through R3 must be less than the current through R2. Therefore, R2 and R3 cannot be in series
because they do not have the same current. For the same reason, R4 also cannot be in series
with R2. However, because the current in R1 and R2 is the same as the current flowing to and
from the terminals of the voltage source, R1, R2, and VT are in series. The wiring is shown in
Fig. 6–1a and the schematic diagram in Fig. 6–1b. To find RT, we add the series resistances
and combine the parallel resistances. In Fig. 6–1c the 0.5-k R1 and 0.5-k R 2 in series total
1 k for R 1–2. The calculations are

0.5 k + 0.5 k = 1 k

Also, the 1-k R3 in parallel with the 1-k R4 can be combined, for an equivalent resistance of
0.5 k for R 3–4 , as in Fig. 6–1d . The calculations are

This parallel R 3–4 combination of 0.5 k is then added to the series R1–2 combination for the
final RT value of 1.5 k. The calculations are
0.5 k + 1 k = 1.5 k
The 1.5 k is the RT of the entire circuit connected across the VT of 1.5 V. With RT known to
be 1.5 k, we can find IT in the main line produced by 1.5 V. Then

This 1-mA IT is the current through resistors R1 and R2 in Fig. 6–1a and b or R1–2 in Fig. 6–1c.
At branch point B, at the bottom of the diagram in Fig. 6–1 b, the 1 mA of electron flow for IT
divides into two branch currents for R3 and R4. Since these two branch resistances are equal,
IT divides into two equal parts of 0.5 mA each. At branch point A at the top of the diagram, the
two 0.5-mA branch currents combine to equal the 1-mA IT in the main line, returning to the
source VT. Figure 6–1 e shows axial-lead resistors assembled on a lab prototype board to form
the series-parallel circuit shown in part c.

Figure 6–1 Example of a series-parallel circuit. (a) Wiring of a series-parallel circuit. (b)
Schematic diagram of a series-parallel circuit. ( c ) Schematic with R1 and R2 in series added
for R1–2. ( d ) Schematic with R3 and R4 in parallel combined for R3–4 . ( e ) Axial-lead resistors
assembled on a lab prototype board to form the series-parallel circuit shown in part c .

Resistance Strings in Parallel

More details about the voltages and currents in a series-parallel circuit are illustrated in Fig. 6–2,
which shows two identical series strings in parallel. Suppose that four 120-V, 100-W lightbulbs
are to be wired with a voltage source that produces 240 V. Each bulb needs 120 V for normal
brilliance. If the bulbs were connected directly across the source, each would have the applied
voltage of 240 V. This would cause excessive current in all the bulbs that could result in burned-
out filaments
Figure 6–2 Two identical series strings in parallel. All bulbs have a 120-V, 100-W rating. ( a )
Wiring diagram. ( b ) Schematic diagram.

Another example is illustrated in Fig. 6–3. This circuit has just two parallel branches. One
branch includes R1 in series with R2. The other branch has just the one resistance R3. Ohm’s
law can be applied to each branch.

Figure 6–3 Series string in parallel with another branch. ( a ) Schematic diagram. ( b )
Equivalent circuit.

Calculating IT

The total line current equals the sum of the branch currents for all parallel strings. Here IT is 3 A,
equal to the sum of 1 A in branch 1 and 2 A in branch 2.

Calculating RT
The resistance of the total series-parallel circuit across the voltage source equals the applied
voltage divided by the total line current. In Fig. 6–3a, RT =12 V/3 A, or 4 . This resistance can
also be calculated as 12  in parallel with 6 . Fig. 6–3b shows the equivalent circuit. Using the
product divided by the sum formula, 72/18 = 4  for the equivalent combined RT.

Applying Ohm’s Law

There can be any number of parallel strings and more than two series resistances in a string.
Still, Ohm’s law can be used in the same way for the series and parallel parts of the circuit. The
series parts have the same current. The parallel parts have the same voltage. Remember that
for V / R the R must include all the resistance across the two terminals of V.

Resistance Banks in Series

In Fig. 6–4 a , the group of parallel resistances R2 and R3 is a bank. This is in series with R1
because the total current of the bank must go through R1.

To find the resistance of the entire circuit, combine the parallel resistances in each bank and
add the series resistance. As shown in Fig. 6–4 b , the two 10- resistances, R2 and R3 in
parallel, are equivalent to 5 . Since the bank resistance of 5  is in series with 1  for R1, the
total resistance is 6  across the 24-V source. Therefore, the main-line current is 24 V/6 ,
which equals 4 A.

Figure 6–4 Parallel bank of R2 and R3 in series with R1. ( a ) Original circuit. ( b ) Equivalent
circuit.

Resistance Banks and Strings in Series-Parallel

To find the currents and voltages in Fig. 6–5, first find RT to calculate the mainline current IT as
VT/ RT. In calculating RT, start reducing the branch farthest from the source and work toward
the applied voltage. The reason for following this order is that you cannot tell how much
resistance is in series with R1 and R2 until the parallel branches are reduced to their equivalent
resistance. If no source voltage is shown, RT can still be calculated from the outside in toward
the open terminals where a source would be connected.

To calculate RT in Fig. 6–5, the steps are as follows:

1. The bank of the 12- R3 and 12- R4 in parallel in Fig. 6–5 a is equal to the 6- R 7 in Fig.
6–5 b.
2. The 6- R 7 and 4- R 6 in series in the same current path total 10  for R 13 in Fig. 6–5c.
3. The 10- R 13 is in parallel with the 10- R 5 , across the branch points A and B. Their
equivalent resistance, then, is the 5- R18 in Fig. 6–5 d.
4. Now the circuit in Fig. 6–5 d has just the 15- R1, 5-R 18 , and 30- R 2 in series. These
resistances total 50  for RT, as shown in Fig. 6–5 e.
5. With a 50- R T across the 100-V source, the line current IT is equal to 100/50 = 2 A.
To see the individual currents and voltages, we can use the IT of 2 A for the equivalent circuit in
Fig. 6–5 d . Now we work from the source V out toward the branches. The reason is that IT can
be used to find the voltage drops in the main line. The IR voltage drops here are

V1 = IT R1 = 2 x 15 = 30 V
V18 = IT R18 = 2 x 5 = 10 V
V2 = IT R2 = 2 x 30 = 60 V

Figure 6–5 Reducing a series-parallel circuit to an equivalent series circuit to find the RT. ( a )
Actual circuit. ( b ) R3 and R4 in parallel combined for the equivalent R7. ( c ) R7 and R6 in
series added for R13. ( d ) R13 and R5 in parallel combined for R18. ( e ) The R 18 , R 1 , and
R 2 in series are added for the total resistance of 50 _ for RT.

Analyzing Series-Parallel Circuits with Random Unknowns

The circuits in Figs. 6–6 to 6–9 will be solved now. The following principles are illustrated:

1. With parallel strings across the main line, the branch currents and IT can be found without
RT (see Figs. 6–6 and 6–7).
2. When parallel strings have series resistance in the main line, RT must be calculated to find
IT, assuming no branch currents are known (see Fig. 6–9).
3. The source voltage is applied across the RT of the entire circuit, producing an IT that flows
only in the main line.
4. Any individual series R has its own IR drop that must be less than the total VT. In addition,
any individual branch current must be less than IT.

Solution for Figure 6–6

The problem here is to calculate the branch currents I1 and I 2–3, total line current IT, and the
voltage drops V 1, V 2 , and V 3 . This order will be used for the calculations because we can
find the branch currents from the 90 V across the known branch resistances
.In the 30- branch of R 1 , the branch current is 90/30 = 3 A for I1. The other branch resistance,
with a 20- R 2 and a 25- R3, totals 45 . This branch current then is 90/45 = 2 A for I 2–3 . In
the main line, IT is 3 A + 2 A, which is equal to 5 A.

For the branch voltages, V1 must be the same as VA, equal to 90 V, or V1 = I1 R1, which is 3 x
30 = 90 V.

In the other branch, the 2-A I 2–3 flows through the 20- R 2 and the 25- R 3. Therefore, V2 is
2 x 20 = 40 V. Also, V 3 is 2 x 25 = 50 V. Note that these 40-V and 50-V series IR drops in one
branch add to equal the 90-V source.

If we want to know RT, it can be calculated as VA/IT. Then 90 V/5 A equals 18 . Or RT can be
calculated by combining the branch resistances of 30  in parallel with 45 . Then, using the
product-divided-by-sum formula, RT is (30 x 45)/(30 + 45) or 1350/75, which equals the same
value of 18  for RT.

Solution for Figure 6–7

To find the applied voltage first, the I1 branch current is given. This 3-A current through the 10-
 R1 produces a 30-V drop V1 across R1. The same 3-A current through the 20- R2 produces
60 V for V2 across R2. The 30-V and 60-V drops are in series with each other across the
applied voltage. Therefore, VA equals the sum of 30 + 60, or 90 V. This 90 V is also across the
other branch combining R3 and R4 in series.

The other branch current I2 in Fig. 6–7 must be 4 A, equal to the 7-A IT minus the 3-A I1. With 4
A for I2, the voltage drop across the 12- R 3 equals 48 V for V 3 .Then the voltage across R4
is 90 - 48, or 42 V for V4, as the sum of V3 and V4 must equal the applied 90 V.

Finally, with 42 V across R4 and 4 A through it, this resistance equals 42/4, or 10.5 . Note that
10.5  for R4 added to the 12  of R3 equals 22.5 , which allows 90/22.5 or a 4-A branch
current for I2.
Solution for Figure 6–8

The division of branch currents also applies to Fig. 6–8, but the main principle here is that the
voltage must be the same across R1 and R2 in parallel. For the branch currents, I2 is 2 A, equal
to the 6-A IT minus the 4-A I 1. The voltage across the 10- R 1 is 4 x 10, or 40 V. This same
voltage is also across R2. With 40 V across R2 and 2 A through it, R 2 equals 40/2 or 20 .

We can also find V T in Fig. 6–8 from R 1 , R 2 , and R 3 . The 6-A I T through R 3 produces a
voltage drop of 60 V for V3. Also, the voltage across the parallel bank with R1 and R2 has been
calculated as 40 V. This 40 V across the bank in series with 60 V across R3 totals 100 V for the
applied voltage.

Solution for Figure 6–9

To find all currents and voltage drops, we need RT to calculate IT through R6 in the main line.
Combining resistances for RT, we start with R1 and R2 and work in toward the source. Add the
8- R 1 and 8- R2 in series with each other for 16 . This 16  combined with the 16- R 3 in
parallel equals 8  between points C and D. Add this 8  to the series 12- R4 for 20 . This
20  with the parallel 20- R5 equals 10  between points A and B. Add this 10  in series
with the 10- R6 , to make R T of 20  for the entire series-parallel circuit.

Current IT in the main line is VT / RT, or 80/20, which equals 4 A. This 4-A IT flows through the
10- R6, producing a 40-V IR drop for V6.
Now that we know IT and V6 in the main line, we use these values to calculate all other voltages
and currents. Start from the main line, where we know the current, and work outward from the
source. To find V5, the IR drop of 40 V for V6 in the main line is subtracted from the source
voltage. The reason is that V5 and V6 must add to equal the 80 V of VT. Then V5 is 80 - 40 =
40 V.

Voltages V5 and V6 happen to be equal at 40 V each. They split the 80 V in half because the
10- R 6 equals the combined resistance of 10  between branch points A and B.

With V5 known to be 40 V, then I5 through the 20- R 5 is 40/20 = 2 A. Since I5 is 2 A and IT is

4 A, I4 must be 2 A also, equal to the difference between IT and I5. The current flowing into
point A equals the sum of the branch currents I4 and I5.

The 2-A I4 through the 12- R4 produces an IR drop equal to 2 x 12 = 24 V for V4. Note now
that V4 and V3 must add to equal V5. The reason is that both V5 and the path with V4 and V3
are across the same two points AB or AD. Since the potential difference across any two points
is the same regardless of the path, V5 = V4 + V3. To find V3 now, we can subtract the 24 V of
V4 from the 40 V of V5. Then 40 - 24 = 16 V for V 3.

With 16 V for V 3 across the 16- R3, its current I3 is 1 A. Also, I1–2 in the branch with R1 and
R2 is equal to 1 A. The 2-A I4 consists of the sum of the branch currents, I3 and I1–2, flowing into
point C.

Finally, with 1A through the 8- R 2 and 8- R1, their voltage drops are V2 = 8 V and V 1 = 8 V.
Note that the 8 V of V 1 in series with the 8 V of V2 add to equal the 16-V potential difference
V3 between points C and D.

All answers for the solution of Fig. 6–9 are summarized below:

REFERENCES

Grob’s Basic Electronics, 11th ed by M. Schultz

Activities/Assessments:

1. Explain why components are connected in series-parallel, showing a circuit as an example

of your explanation.
2. Draw a circuit with nine 40-V, 100-W bulbs connected to a 120-V source.