Laboratory #2

Theory:(introduction)
• Series circuits
Series circuit is a circuit in which resistors are arranged in a chain, so the
current has only one
to take. The current is the same through each resistor. The total resistance
of the circuit is
d by simply adding up the resistance values of the individual resistors:
Equivalent resistance
resistors in series: R = R1 + R2 + R3 +…

Parallel circuits
parallel circuit is a circuit in which the resistors are arranged with their heads
connected
her, and their tails connected together. The current in a parallel circuit
breaks up, with some
ng along each parallel branch and re-combining when the branches meet
again. The voltage
s each resistor in parallel is the same. The total resistance of a set of
resistors in parallel is
d by adding up the reciprocals of the resistance values, and then taking the
reciprocal of the
Equivalent resistance of resistors in parallel: ...

Most electronic circuits consist of combination of series and parallel circuits

called series
parallel circuits. When dealing with these circuits it is necessary to reduce
each combination
an equivalent resistance. These are then added to the series elements in the
circuit to
determine the total resistance.

Objective:

1
  To study series, parallel and series -parallel circuit connection of the resistors in an
electrical circuit.

 Determination of equivalent resistance of a series, parallel and series parallel circuit

and to verify the result by theoretical calculation.
 To compared the measured value to the calculated value.

Materials Required
 Resistors different value
 Circuit construction board
 Digital Multimeter
 Connecting wires

Procedure:A
Construct the series circuit shown in figure a & figure b.

Fig a
R1 = 2.186 M Ω
R2 = 2.216 M Ω
R3 = 2.208 M Ω

a. Calculate the circuit’s total resistance (RT) and record in a proper table.
b. Measure the circuit’s resistance and record in the same table.
c. Calculate the percentage difference b/n calculated and measured values
of RT and record in the same table. Show your calculation.

d. Remove the components for the circuit in figure a from your board and
construct the series circuit shown in figure b.

e. Repeat steps a-c above.

Calculation and data analysis
 RT =Rab=R1+R2+R3

RT =2.186 M Ω+ 2.216 M Ω + 2.208 M Ω

RT cal = 6.61 M Ω

2
 Rmeas = 6.61 M Ω
 %diff = Rcal – Rmeas ÷ Rcal
 %diff = 0%

Fig b
R1 = 0.272 K Ω
R2 = 4.808 M Ω
R3 = 32.59 K Ω
R4 = 118.1 K Ω

 RT =Rab=R1+R2+R3 +R4

RT =0.272 K Ω +4.808 M Ω + 32.59 K Ω + 118.1 K Ω

RT cal = 4.958962 M Ω
Rmeas = 4.959 M Ω
 %diff = Rcal – Rmeas ÷ Rcal
 %diff = -0.000766%

Procedure B:

1. Construct the parallel circuit shown in figure a .

Figure a

R1 = 2.186 M Ω

3
R2 = 2.216 M Ω
R3 = 2.208 M Ω

2. Calculate the circuit’s total resistance (RT) and record in the proper table. Show your
calculation.
3. Measure the circuit’s resistance and record in the same table.
4. Calculate the percentage difference between calculated and measured values or RT and record
in the same table. Show your calculation.
 %diff = Rcal – Rmeas ÷ Rcal

5. Remove circuit figure a from your board and construct the parallel circuit shown in figure b.
6. Repeat steps 2-4 above.

Calculation and data analysis

1/RT = 1/R1 +1/R2 +R3
1/RT = 1/ 2.186 M Ω + 1/2.216 M Ω + 1/2.208 M Ω
RT cal = 0.7344200335 M Ω
Rmeas = 0.735 M Ω
 %diff = Rcal – Rmeas ÷ Rcal
 %diff = -0.07896932%

Figure b

R1 = 0.272 K Ω
R2 = 4.808 M Ω
R3 = 32.59 K Ω
R4 = 118.1 K Ω
1/RT = 1/R1 +1/R2 +R3 + 1/R4
1/RT = 1/ 0.272 K Ω + 1/4.808 M Ω+ 1/32.59 K Ω + 1/118.1 K Ω
RT cal = 269.119 Ω

4
 Rmeas = 269.2 Ω
 %diff = Rcal – Rmeas ÷ Rcal
 %diff = -0.3014%
Procedure c:
1. Construct the serious parallel circuit as shown below figure a

Figure a

R1 = 2.186 MΩ
R2 = 2.208 M Ω
R3 = 47.3 Ω
R4 = 330.5 K Ω
R5 = 997 K Ω

2. Calculate the equivalent resistance at each junction in figure a. and record the result in the
appropriate columns in data table 2.1. Calculate also the total resistance and record in the
same data table. Show your calculations.
3. Measure the equivalent resistance at each junction and the total circuit resistance for figure
a and record in the appropriate columns in data table 2.1.
4. Remove circuit figure a from your board and construct the circuit shown in figure b.
5. Calculate the parallel resistances (Ra-b, Rc-d and Re-f ) and the total circuit resistance and
record this data in the appropriate column in data table 2.2. Show your calculation.
6. Measure the parallel resistance (Ra-b, Rc-d and Re-f ) & the total circuit resistance and record
in the appropriate column in data table 2.2.

Calculation and data analysis

 R1 and R2 are in parallel
1/ R12 = 1/ R1 + 1/ R2
RAB = 1.098 M Ω

5
  %diff = Rcal – Rmeas ÷ Rcal
%diff = -0.321%
 R12 and R3 is in series
R123 = R12 + R3
R123 = 1.0980473 M Ω
 R123 and R4 are in parallel
1/ R1234 = 1/ R123 + 1/ R4
RCD = 253.9784 K Ω
 %diff = Rcal – Rmeas ÷ Rcal

%diff =-0.0872%
 R1234 and R5 are in series
REF = R123 + R5
REF = 1.2509 M Ω
 %diff = Rcal – Rmeas ÷ Rcal
%diff = -0.0079%
data table 2.1
Circuit R calculated R measured %diff
Junction

RAB 1.098 M Ω 1.102 M Ω -0.321%

RCD 253.9784 K Ω 254.2 K Ω -0.0872%

REF 1.2509 M Ω 1.251 M Ω -0.0079%

Figure b

6
 R1 = 0.997 M Ω R7 =1.494M Ω
R2= 330.4 K Ω R8 = 0.272 K Ω
R3 = 43.3 Ω R9 = 4.808 M Ω
R4 = 2.216M Ω R10 = 32.59 K Ω
R5 = 2.186 M Ω R11 =118.1 K Ω
R6 =2.208M Ω
 R1 and R2 are in parallel
1/ R12 = 1/ R1 + 1/ R2
RAB = 248.161 K Ω
 R4 , R5 and R6 are in parallel
1/RCD= 1/R4 +1/R5+R6
RCD = 734.42 K Ω
 R8 , R9,R10 and R11 are in parallel
1/REF = 1/R8 +1/R9 +R10 + 1/R11
REF = 269.119 Ω
 RAB , R3,RCD , R7 and REF are in series
RT(AF) = RAB + R3 + RCD + R7
RT(AF) = 2.47689 M Ω
Data table 2.2

Circuit R calculated R measured

Junction

RAB 248.161 K Ω 248.2 K Ω

RCD 734.42 K Ω 735 K Ω

REF 269.119 Ω 269.2 Ω

RT(AF) 2.47689 M Ω 2.476 M Ω

Review questions
1. What do you understand from the above experiments?

From the above experiment we observe that when resistor is connected in series the total
resistance of the resistor is going to be greater than all individual resistor values; and also if we

7
connected resistors in parallel connection system the total resistance of the resistors will be less
than the individual resistor values in the circuit.

2. If you want to get the smallest resultant resistance from two or more
resistances,which type of connection, do you choose?
If you want to get the smallest resultant resistance from two or more resistances, you would
connect them in parallel. When resistors are connected in parallel, the current is divided among
the resistors, so the total resistance is less than the resistance of any individual resistor.
3. If you want to get the largest resultant resistance from two or more
resistances,which type of connection, do you choose?
If you want to get the largest resultant resistance from two or more resistances, you would
connect them in series. When resistors are connected in series, the current is the same through all
of the resistors, so the total resistance is equal to the sum of the individual resistances.
For example, if you have two resistors of 10 ohms each, the total resistance when they are
connected in series is 20 ohms. However, if they are connected in parallel, the total resistance is
5 ohms. This is because the current is divided equally between the two resistors, so each resistor
only has to provide 5 ohms of resistance.

4. Describe the advantage & disadvantage of series connection

Advantages:

 Simple to set up. Series circuits are very easy to set up, as all you need to do is connect
the components one after the other.
 Efficient power transfer. The current is the same throughout the circuit, so the power is
transferred efficiently from the source to the load.
 Less chance of overheating. Since the current is the same throughout the circuit, the heat
generated by each component is also the same. This means that there is less chance of
overheating.

Disadvantages:

 If one component fails, the whole circuit fails. If one component in a series circuit fails,
the circuit will be broken and no current will flow. This can be a safety hazard, as it can
lead to electrical fires.
 Current is limited by the weakest component. The current in a series circuit is limited by
the weakest component. This means that if one component has a lower resistance than the
others, the current will flow through that component and not the others. This can lead to
the component overheating and failing.

8
  More difficult to troubleshoot. Series circuits can be more difficult to troubleshoot than
parallel circuits. This is because you need to check each component individually to find
the one that is causing the problem.

5. Describe the advantage & disadvantage of paralle1 connection

Advantages:

 Increased current capacity: In a parallel circuit, the current is divided among the
branches, so the total current capacity is greater than the current capacity of any single
branch. This makes parallel circuits ideal for applications that require high current, such
as power distribution systems and industrial machines.
 Overload protection: If one branch in a parallel circuit fails, the other branches will
continue to function. This makes parallel circuits safer than series circuits, which can
cause a complete system failure if a single component fails.
 Individual component control: In a parallel circuit, each component can be turned on or
off independently. This allows for greater flexibility in system design and operation.

Disadvantages:

 More wiring: Parallel circuits require more wiring than series circuits. This can make
them more expensive to install and maintain.
 Reduced voltage: The voltage across each branch in a parallel circuit is the same. This
can be a disadvantage if the voltage drop across a branch is too high.
 Interference: In a parallel circuit, the components can interfere with each other. This can
cause problems with signal integrity and performance.

6. Is the real world load purely series, parallel or series-parallel type .

Real-world loads are rarely purely series, parallel, or series-parallel. In most cases, they are a
combination of different types of loads. For example, a home electrical system may have a series
of appliances that are connected in parallel. This type of load is called a parallel-series load.

There are a few reasons why real-world loads are not typically purely series, parallel, or series-
parallel. First, it is often more efficient to have loads connected in parallel. This is because the
current can flow through multiple paths, which reduces the voltage drop across each path.

9
Second, it is often more reliable to have loads connected in parallel. This is because if one load
fails, the other loads can still continue to operate.

Overall, parallel circuits offer a number of advantages over series circuits, including increased
current capacity, overload protection, and individual component control. However, they also
require more wiring and can cause voltage drop and interference. The best type of circuit for a
particular application will depend on the specific requirements of that application.

Conclusion

In this laboratory, the differences between series and parallel circuits were investigated. The
results showed that the current is the same in all parts of a series circuit, while the voltage is
divided among the parts of a parallel circuit. The total resistance of a series circuit is equal to the
sum of the individual resistances, while the total resistance of a parallel circuit is less than the
resistance of any individual branch.

The implications of these findings are that series circuits are more efficient than parallel circuits,
since the total resistance is lower. However, series circuits are also more dangerous, since a
single break in the circuit can disable the entire system. Parallel circuits are safer, since the
individual branches can continue to function even if one branch fails.

The results of this lab report can be applied to real-world circuits. For example, a car battery is
connected in parallel with the starter motor, so that the battery can provide more current to the
starter motor when it is trying to start the car. If the battery were connected in series with the
starter motor, the current would be too high and the battery would be damaged.

Overall, the results of this lab report demonstrate the importance of understanding the differences
between series and parallel circuits. This knowledge can be used to design electrical circuits
safely and effectively.

10
11