Republic of the Philippines

NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY

Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.4:EE 1-1S

College: Engineering
Campus: Bambang

DEGREE PROGRAM BSECE/BSME COURSE NO. EE 01

SPECIALIZATION COURSE TITLE Circuit 1/Basic Electrical Engineering
YEAR LEVEL 2nd Year TIME FRAME WK NO. IM NO. 4

I. UNIT TITLE/CHAPTER TITLE

DIRECT CURRENT CIRCUITS 1

II. LESSON TITLE

SERIES-PARALLEL RESISTORS

III. LESSON OVERVIEW

This lesson discusses circuit connections used in electrical networks. It includes discussions and
examples for students to understand. Learning activities are provided for students to assessed
their understanding on this topic.

IV. DESIRED LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of this lesson, students must be able to:

1. Recognized circuit connections whether it is series-parallel or parallel-series circuit.

2. Solve circuit parameters by simplifying the given connections

V. COURSE CONTENT

SERIES-PARALLEL CIRCUIT
A series-parallel circuit is any circuit containing both series and parallel current paths.

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INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.4:EE 1-1S
Figure above shows a simple example of a series-
parallel circuit.

Example 4.1

Which resistors in Figure are series and which are

parallel?

R3 and R4 are in series with each other; however, the

series combination of R3 and R4 is in parallel with R5.

R1 and R2 are in series with each other; however, the series combination of R1 and R2 is in series with
the series-parallel combination of R3, R4, and R5.

Practice Problem 4.1.

Using Figure determine whether the following

resistor combinations are series, parallel, or
series-parallel

1. R1 & R2 ______________

2. R4 & R5 ______________

3. R7, R8, & R9 __________

4. R1, R2, & R3 __________

5. R4, R5, & R6 __________

6. R7 & R8 ______________

TOTAL RESISTANCE
By separating a series-parallel circuit into to its simpler series and parallel components, the total
resistance can be found in these complex circuits.

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NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.4:EE 1-1S

Example 4.2
Determine the total resistance in Figure

Solution:

Using Kirchhoff’s Law, find an equivalent resistance for the

parallel combination of R2 and R3.
1 1
𝑅𝑒𝑞 = = = 12Ω
1 1 1 1
+ +
𝑅2 𝑅3 30Ω 20Ω

The equivalent resistance is in series with R1,

𝑅𝑇 = 𝑅1 + 𝑅𝑒𝑞 = 50Ω + 12Ω = 𝟔𝟐Ω

Example 4.3
Determine the total current in Figure
Solution:
find the equivalent resistance for R2 and R3
1 1
𝑅𝑒𝑞 = = = 12Ω
1 1 1 1
+ +
𝑅2 𝑅3 30Ω 20Ω
Get the total resistance
𝑅𝑇 = 𝑅1 + 𝑅𝑒𝑞 + 𝑅4 = 50Ω + 12Ω + 38Ω = 100Ω

use Ohm’s Law to find the total current.

𝑉𝑇 10𝑉
𝐼𝑇 = = = 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝒎𝑨
𝑅𝑇 100Ω

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NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.4:EE 1-1S

Example 4.4
Determine the current through R3 in Figure

Solution:
calculate the total resistance of the circuit.
1
𝑅𝑇 = 𝑅1 +
1 1
+
𝑅2 + 𝑅3 𝑅4
1
𝑅𝑇 = 50Ω + = 100Ω
1 1
+
40Ω + 60Ω 100Ω
calculate the total current in the circuit.
𝑉𝑇 10𝑉
𝐼𝑇 = = = 100𝑚𝐴
𝑅𝑇 100Ω
determine the branch current flowing through R2 and R3 using current divider rule
𝑅𝑒𝑞 50Ω
𝐼𝑅2,𝑅3 = × 𝐼𝑇 = × 100𝑚𝐴 = 50𝑚𝐴
𝑅2 + 𝑅3 40Ω + 60Ω

Since R2 and R3 are in series in this branch, branch current is the current through each resistor.
𝑰𝑹𝟑 = 𝟓𝟎𝒎𝑨

Example 4.5
determine the voltage across the parallel 𝑉𝑅2 .
Solution:
find the total resistance.
1
𝑅𝑇 = 𝑅1 + + 𝑅4
1 1
+
𝑅2 𝑅3
1
𝑅𝑇 = 50Ω + + 20Ω = 100Ω
1 1
+
50Ω 75Ω

Using the voltage-divider rule, determine the voltage drops across R1 and R4.
𝑅1 50Ω
𝑉𝑅1 = × 𝑉𝑇 = × 10𝑉 = 5𝑉
𝑅𝑇 100Ω

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NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.4:EE 1-1S
𝑅4 20Ω
𝑉𝑅4 = × 𝑉𝑇 = × 10𝑉 = 2𝑉
𝑅𝑇 100Ω

Note! The equivalent resistance of the parallel combination of R2 and R3 must be used in the calculation
for these two drops. 𝑉𝑅2 = 𝑉𝑅3
𝑅𝑒𝑞 30Ω
𝑉𝑅2 = 𝑉𝑅3 = × 𝑉𝑇 = × 10𝑉 = 𝟑𝐕
𝑅𝑇 100Ω

Example 4.6
Determine the voltage drop across R3 in Figure
Solution:
determine the total resistance.
1
𝑅𝑇 = 𝑅1 + + 𝑅5
1 1
+
𝑅2 𝑅3 + 𝑅4
1
𝑅𝑇 = 45Ω + + 35Ω = 120Ω
1 1
+
60Ω 70Ω + 50Ω
find the voltage drop across the parallel combination of R2 and the equivalent resistance R3 + R4.
1 1
1 1 1 1
𝑅𝑒𝑞 + +
𝑉𝑅2,𝑅3+𝑅4 = × 𝑉𝑇 = 𝑅2 𝑅3 + 𝑅4 × 𝑉𝑇 = 60Ω 70Ω + 50Ω × 12𝑉 = 4𝑉
𝑅𝑇 𝑅𝑇 120Ω

Note! parallel branches have equal voltage drops.

use the voltage-divider rule again to find the individual drop across R3.

𝑅3 70Ω
𝑉𝑅3 = × 𝑉𝑅3+𝑅4 = × 4𝑉 = 𝟐. 𝟑𝟑𝟑𝑽
𝑅3 + 𝑅4 70Ω + 50Ω

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NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.4:EE 1-1S

LEARNING ACTIVITIES

Find the total resistance in Figure 5.5.

1. RT = __________

Determine the following currents in Figure 5.8.

1. IT = __________

2. IR3 = __________

3. IR5 = __________

Calculate the following voltages in Figure 5.11.

1. VR1 = __________

2. VR4 = __________

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NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.4:EE 1-1S
True or False and Multiple Choice : Read the following questions or statements and select the best
answer.

1. If VR4 = 10V in Figure 5.28, what is the value of VA-D?

a) 40V
b) 10V
c) 30V All resistors
d) 20V = 10kΩ

2. If all the resistors in Figure 5.28 are 10kΩ, what is the

resistance between B and E?
a) 20kΩ
b) 40kΩ
c) 10kΩ
d) 30kΩ

3. R1 is in series with the parallel combination of R2 and R3 in Figure 5.29.

a) True
b) False

4. If R1 = 4.7kΩ, R2 = 3.3kΩ, and R3 = 1kΩ, determine the total

resistance in Figure 5.29.
a) 5700Ω
b) 4125Ω
c) 5467Ω
d) 660Ω

5. In Figure 5.29, R2 is connected in:

a) parallel with R3
b) series with R3
c) parallel with R1
d) series with R1

6. If two resistors are in parallel, they must carry the same current.
a) True
b) False

7. In a two-source circuit, one source alone produces 10mA through a branch. If the other source alone
produces 8mA in the opposite direction through the same branch, what is the total current through the
branch?
a) 8mA
b) 2mA
c) 10mA
d) 18mA

8. The parallel combination of a 470Ω and a 330Ω resistor is in series with the parallel combination of four
1kΩ resistors. Which resistor drops the most voltage?
a) 1kΩ
b) 470Ω
c) 330Ω

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NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.4:EE 1-1S

9. The Superposition Theorem provides a method for:

a) building complex series-parallel circuits
b) all of the above
c) analyzing complex series-parallel circuits
d) designing complex series-parallel circuits

10. If all the resistors in Figure 5.30 are 4.7kΩ, what is the
value of RT:
a) 4.7kΩ
b) 18.8kΩ
c) 12.53kΩ
d) 9,44kΩ

11. If R1 = 10kΩ, R2 = 4.7kΩ, R3 = 4.7kΩ, R4 = 10kΩ,

and R5 = 4.7kΩ in Figure 5.30, what is the value of
RT?
a) 24.7Ω
b) 18.3Ω
c) 6.1Ω
d) 0Ω

12. Two or more resistors connected in series form what is known as a voltage divider.
a) True
b) False

13. Two series-connected 1kΩ resistors are connected in parallel with a 2.2kΩ resistor. If the voltage
across one of the 1kΩ resistors is 6V, what is the voltage across the 2.2kΩ resistor?
a) 3V
b) 13.2V
c) 12V
d) 6V

14. In the series portion of a series-parallel circuit, the total resistance is:
a) equal to the largest resistance
b) less than the largest resistance
c) less than any one resistance
d) greater that the largest resistance

15. The parallel combination of a 330Ω resistor and a 470Ω resistor is connected in series with the parallel
combination of four 1 kΩ resistors. If a 100 V source is connected across the circuit, then which resistor
carries the most current?
a) 470Ω
b) 1kΩ
c) 330Ω

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for educational purposes only and not for commercial distribution.”
 Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.4:EE 1-1S
16. If VS = 25V, R1 = 10kΩ, R2 = 15kΩ, and R3 = 50kΩ in
Figure 5.31, what is IT?
a) 2.5mA
b) 1.58mA
c) 2.17mA
d) 1.16mA

17. In Figure 5.31, R1 is connected in:

a) parallel with R3
b) none of these
Figure 5.31 – Assessment Series Parallel
c) parallel with R2 Circuit (by F. Mohajer – Multisim)
d) series with R3
e) series with R2

18. A circuit has a 15V battery and an 8V battery connected series aiding. If a 10V battery is connected
opposing the first two, what is VT?
a) 33V
b) 15V
c) 25V
d) 13V

19. Two resistors connected in parallel form a circuit known as a current divider.
a) True
b) False

REFERENCES

B. L.Theraja, A.K. Theraja, Textbook of Electrical Technology Volume I –, S. Chand & Co.

Charles k. Alexander & Matthew N. Sadiku. (2000). Fundamentals of Electric Circuits. New York: Mc
Graww Hill Companies Inc.
Siskind, C. S. (1982). Electrical Circuits. Johannesburg: Mc- Graw Hill International Book Company.

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