Series and Parallel Circuits

ENGR. ELVIS Y. EYAO JR.

RME
 Series and Parallel Network
 Why it is important to understand?
Series and parallel networks There are two ways in which
components may be connected together in an electric
circuit. One way is ‘in series’ where components are
connected ‘end-to-end’; another way is ‘in parallel’ where
components are connected ‘across each other’. When a
circuit is more complicated than two or three elements, it is
very likely to be a network of individual series and parallel
circuits.
 Series and Parallel Network
At first glance, these circuits may seem very complicated,
but with a methodical analysis approach the functionality of
the circuit can become obvious. This chapter explains with
examples, series, parallel and series/parallel networks. The
relationships between voltages, currents and resistances for
these networks are considered through calculations.
 Series
Circuit
From Ohm’s law:
I=V/R

V1 = I1R1,V2 = I2R2,V3 = I3R3

and
V total= Itotal x Rtotal
where R is the total circuit
In a series circuit: resistance.
Since V total= V1 + V2 + V3
(a) The current I is the same in then IR =IR1+IR2+IR3
all parts of the circuit and hence Dividing throughout by I gives:
the same reading is found on
each of the two ammeters Rtotal = R1 + R2 + R3
shown.
Itotal= I1 = I2 =I3 Thus for a series circuit, the
total resistance is obtained by
(b) The sum of the voltages V1, adding together the values of
V2 and V3 is equal to the total
the separate resistances.
applied voltage, V , i.e.
Vtotal = V1 + V2 + V3
 Series
EXAMPLE 1:
Determine (a) the battery
Circuit
SOLUTION
(a) Battery voltage :
voltage V , (b) the total V =V1 + V2 + V3
resistance of the circuit, and =5 + 2 + 6
(c) the values of resistance =13V
of resistors R1, R2 and R3, (b) Total circuit resistance :
given that the p.d.s across R = V / I = 13V/4 A=3.25 ohms
R1, R2 and R3 are 5 V, 2 V (c) Resistance R1 = V1/ I1 = 5V /4a
and 6 V, =1.25 ohm
Resistance R2 = V2 /I2 = 2V /4a
=0.5 ohms
Resistance R3 = V3 /I 3= 6V /4a
=1.5 ohms
(Check: R1 + R2 + R3 =1.25 + 0.5 + 1.5
=3.25= R)
 Series
EXAMPLE 2:
Circuit
Determine the p.d. across
SOLUTION
P.d. across R3,
resistor R3. If the total V3 =25 − 10− 4=11V
resistance of the circuit is Vtotal = V1+V2 + V3
100, determine the current
flowing through resistor R1. P3 = 11V(0.25A) = 2.75W
Find also the value of Current I = V / R = 25V
resistor R2., /100ohms
=0.25 A,

which is the current flowing in each

resistor Resistance R2 = V2/ I 2=
4V /0.25 A=16 ohms
Circuits

 In order for electricity to flow we need

 Power source
 Closed circuit

 There are two type of circuits we will explore

 Series circuit
 Parallel circuit
 Series Circuit

 In a series circuit there is only one path for the electrons to

flow
 In other words all the components are in series with each other

 Because there is only one path each charge will go through

each resistor
Predict, Test and Explain
 Howwill the brightness of the bulbs
change as we add more in series?

+ + +

 What does this imply about the current

in the circuit?
 Parallel Circuit
 In a Parallel circuit there are multiple pathways for
charge to flow
 Each device is placed on it’s own separate branch

 Current goes through each of the branches at the

same time
Predict, Test and Explain
 Howwill the brightness of the bulbs
change as we add more in parallel?

+ + +

 What does this imply about the current

in the circuit?
 Parallel
Networks
Figure shows three resistors, R1,
R2 and R3, connected across
each other, i.e. in parallel,
across a battery source of V
In a parallel circuit:
volts.
(a)The sum of the currents I1, I2 and
I3 is equal to the total circuit
current, I, i.e.
Itotal =I1 +I2 +I3
(a)The source p.d., V volts, is the
same across each of the resistors
 Parallel
From Ohm’s law: Networks
This equation must be used when
finding the total resistance R of a
parallel circuit. For the special case
of two resistors in parallel.
 Parallel
Networks
EXAMPLE 1: SOLUTION
Determine (a) the reading on the
ammeter, and (b) the value of P.d. across R1 is the same as the
resistor R2 supply voltage V .
Hence supply voltage,
Vt= V1=8 A× 5ohms=40V
(a)Reading on ammeter,
I3 = V/ R3 = 40V /20ohms
=2 A
(b) Current flowing through
I2 =11A−8A−2A=1A
Itotal = I1 + I2 +I3

Hence,
R2 = V /I2 = 40 V/ 1A =40
ohms
 Parallel
Networks
EXAMPLE 2: SOLUTION
(a) The total circuit resistance R is
Two resistors, of resistance 3 and
given by
6, are connected in parallel
across a battery having a voltage
of 12 V. Determine (a) the total
circuit resistance and (b) the
1 / R = (2 + 1)/ 6 = 3 / 6
current flowing in the 2 resistor
ohms
Hence,
R = 6/ 3 = 2 ohms
Alternatively,

(b) Current flowing in the 2

resistor
I = V/R = 12V/2ohms =6 amp
Key Concepts
 Bulbs in series represent a source of resistance to
current flow, similar to boulders in a stream which can
block the flow of water
 Bulbs in parallel offer additional pathways for current
flow, similar to branches of a stream which can carry
more water.