Scribd
Upload
288 views15 pages

Combination Circuits

The document provides steps for solving combination circuits containing both series and parallel resistors. It describes identifying and simplifying parallel resistors into an equivalent resistance using the parallel resistance formula. Then identifying any resistors in series and replacing with a series equivalent resistance. This reduces the circuit to a single resistance to calculate total current using Ohm's law. It then works through an example circuit calculation, simplifying parallel resistors, then series resistors, and solving for total current, current through each resistor, and voltage drop across each resistor.

Uploaded by

tjm
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
288 views15 pages

Combination Circuits

The document provides steps for solving combination circuits containing both series and parallel resistors. It describes identifying and simplifying parallel resistors into an equivalent resistance using the parallel resistance formula. Then identifying any resistors in series and replacing with a series equivalent resistance. This reduces the circuit to a single resistance to calculate total current using Ohm's law. It then works through an example circuit calculation, simplifying parallel resistors, then series resistors, and solving for total current, current through each resistor, and voltage drop across each resistor.

Uploaded by

tjm
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 15

Combination Circuits

Steps to Solve Combined Series-Parallel Circuits


1. If necessary, draw a diagram of the circuit.
2. Find any parallel resistors in the circuit and simplify
them into one equivalent resistance using the
formula for parallel equivalent resistance.
3. If necessary, draw a new diagram using the
equivalent resistor instead of the multiple previous
resistors.
4. Find any resistors that are now in series and replace
them with the equivalent resistance using the formula
for series equivalent resistance.
5. If necessary, draw a new diagram using the
equivalent resistance.
6. Once the circuit is reduced into a single resistor, you
can now solve for the current using Ohms Law.

Calculate the following:


a)total equivalent
resistance
b)total current
c)the current across each
resistor
d)the voltage drop across
each resistor

Draw the Circuit

Solve for Req for parallel resistors


1/Req = 1/4 + 1/12
Remember, the first
step in combination
circuits is ALWAYS to
calculate the
equivalent resistance
of the parallel
resistors!

1/Req = .333
Req = 3

Redraw the Circuit


5

24 V

Solve for Req for series resistors


Req = 8 + 3 + 5

Note: the 3
resistor came from
the result of our
solving for the Req
for the parallel
circuit section

Req = 16
5

24 V

Redraw the Circuit


24 V

16

Solve for the Total Current


Vt = (It)(Rt)

Ohms Law:
V = IR

24 = It(16)
It = 1.5 amps

Solve for the Current through Each Resistor


Since resistors R1 and R4
are in series, the current
in series-connected
resistors is the same
everywhere. Therefore,

It Note:
= I1In=a Series
I4 = Circuit,
1.5 amps
to solve for total current: I = I
t

= I2 = I3 =

Solving for the Current through Each Resistor


Since resistors R2 and R3
are in parallel, the current
in parallel-connected
resistors is added up to
equal the total current.
Therefore,

It = I1 + I4 = 1.5 amps

However, this gets a bit tricky because the resistors do not have the
same value; therefore we must first calculate the voltage drop through
each resistor and then come back to calculate the current

Series Circuit, to solve for total voltage: Vt = V1 + V2 + V3 +

Calculate the voltage drop across the seriesconnected resistors. (R1 and R4 in diagram)
V1 = I1R1
V1 = (1.5)(5) = 7.5 V

V4 = I4R4
V 4 = (1.5)(8) = 12 V

Next, subtract the values for the series voltage


from the total voltage
VT Vseries = Vparallel
24 V 7.5 V 12 V = 4.5 V

This tells us that the voltage drop across


EACH parallel resistor is 4.5 V because
Vt = V 1 = V 2 = V 3 =

Lastly, using Ohms Law calculate the current traveling through


each parallel resistor
V2 = I2R2
4.5 = I2(4)
I2 = 1.125 amps

Remember, current
varies through each
parallel resistor since
there is more than
one path for the
electrons to take!

V 3 = I3R3
4.5 = I 3(12)
I 3 = .375 amps

Results of our calculations:

You might also like