MODULE NO.

: 8
TITLE : SERIES AND PARALLEL CIRCUIT
In this Module:

ILO8.1 Derive formulas of series and parallel circuit

ILO8.2 Solve circuit problems of series and parallel circuit connections by applying
KCL, KVL
and other techniques

INTRODUCTION:

Series circuits are useful where you need to maintain a constant current through each component. Every
device must function for the circuit to be complete. If one bulb burns out in a series circuit, the entire circuit is
broken. In parallel circuits, each light bulb has its own circuit, so all but one light could be burned out, and the last
one will still function. How series and parallel circuit works

PRESENTATION:

A. Resistors in series
Resistors are said to be connected in series when they are daisy chained together in a
single line resulting in a common current flowing through them.[3]

Quantities: Voltage, current ,resistance and power

Given:
Resistance: R1 =1k, R2 = 2k, R3 =6k
Voltage: 9V
Find the ff.: Rt, It, I1, I2, I3, E1, E2, E3, Pt, P1, P2, P3

I1 = 1mA I2 = 1mA I3 = 1mA

Figure 8.1 Series circuit

Rtotal = R1 + R2 + R3 etc.
Step 1. Find Total Resistance : Rt = 1k + 2k + 6k = 9k ohms
Step 2. Find Total Current : It= Et/Rt: 9V/9000 = 1mA or 0.001A (Ohms Law)
Step 3. Current in Series formula: It = I1= I2 = I3, so I1 = 1mA, I2 = 1mA, I3 = 1mA
Step 4. Find E1 = I1XR1, .001A*1000 = 1V (using OHMS LAW)
Step 5. Find E2: = I2xR2, E2 = 1mAx 2k = 2v (using OHMS LAW)
Step 6. Find E3: = I3xR3, E3 = 1mAx 6k = 6v (using OHMS LAW)
Power formula : P = I x E
 Step 7. Find total power: Pt = It x Et, Pt = 0.001x9v = 0.009W = 9 milli watts
Step 8. Find Consumed power @R1 : P1 = I1xE1, P1 = 0.001x1v = 1mwatt
Step 9. Find Consumed power @R2 : P2 = I2xE2, P2 = 0.001x2v = 2 mwatts
Step 10. Find Consumed power @R3 : P3 = I3xE3, P3 = 0.001x6v = 6 mwatts

Alternatives formula
CHECKING:

Voltage using Prop method

E1 = R1/Rt (Et), 1000/9000 (9v) = 1v
E2 = R2/Rt (Et), 2000/9000 (9v) = 2v
E3 = R3/Rt (Et), 6000/9000 (9v) = 6v

(Kvl) E3 = Et – E1 – E2, e3 = 9v -1v -2v = 6v

Et = E1 + E2 + E3 Et = 1v +2v +6v = 9v
Pt = P1+ P2+ P3 Pt = 1mw + 2mw + 6mw = 9mw

Summary of Series circuit formula

I1 = (Rt/R1) It
I2 = (Rt/R2) It

Total power = or Pt = It x Et

Additional formula for power

P= IxE
Pt = P1 +P2 etc.

1. The total RESISTANCE of a series circuit is equal to

the sum of individual resistances.

Figure 8.2 Series

FORMULA: RT = R1 + R2 + R3
Ex. 2 + 2 + 3 = 7 Ohms
Rt is 7 Ohms

2. The same CURRENT flows through each part of a series circuit.

 Figure 8.3 Series

In a series circuit, the amperage at any point in the circuit

is the same. This will help in calculating
circuit values using Ohm's Law.
FORMULA: It = I1 = I2 = I3
It = 1A = 1A = 1A
3. VOLTAGE applied to a series circuit is equal to the sum of the individual voltage
drops
This simply means that the voltage drops have to add up to the voltage coming from the
battey or batteries..

FORMULA: V total = V1 + V2 + V3 ..
example below, this means that
6V + 6V = 12Vtotal

Figure 8.4a Series

Figure 8.4b Series battery

4V +4V +4v = 12Vtotal

4. The total POWER is equal to the sum of the power used by the individual resistors
FORMULA: Pt = P1 + P2 + P3 etc.
Example::
Given: P1 = 3W, P2 = 5W, P3 = 2W
Ptotal= 3+5+2 = 10watts
Pt = 10watts

Troubles and effects

a.) Open = no current flows in the circuit
b.) Short in the mainline = current is very high, fuse burst or circuit breaker trips off
c.) Short in any resistance in the circuit = total resistance decreases, current increases

Applications of series circuit

a.) Indoor Christmas light
b.) Heater connections of electron tubes
 PARALLEL CIRCUIT
A Parallel circuit is one with several different paths for the electricity to travel. It's like a river that has been div
up into smaller streams, however, all the streams come back to the same point to form the river once again. [2]

Figure 8.5 Parallel circuit Figure 8.6 Parallel circuit

Value of R1/number of resistors
12/2 = 6 ohms
Features of Parallel Circuit
- in PARALLEL means two paths up to thousands of paths. The flow of electricity is divided between
each according to the resistance along each route.

- The sum of the currents through each path is equal to the total current that flows from the source

1. Current Formula: It = i1 + i2 +i3 etc.

If one path is drawing 1 amp and the other is drawing 1 amp then the total is 2 amps at the
source. If there are 4 branches
in this same 2 amp circuit, then one path may draw 1/4A (.25A), the next 1/4A (.25), the
next 1/2A (.5A) and the last 1A

amperage at any point in the circuit is the same. This will help in calculating
circuit values using Ohm's Law.

Figure 8.7 Parallel circuit Equal voltage

2. Voltage is the same across each component of the parallel circuit

FORMULA: V total = V1 = V2 = V3 ...

Example, this means that 12V + 12V = 12Vt.

3. total resistance is less than the smallest branch resistance

a.) Equal resistance
 Formula: value of one resistor
divided by total number of resistors
Rt = 4/2 = 2 ohms

Figure 8.8 Parallel Equivalent Resistance

b.) Unequal parallel connections

Formula: Rt = product /sum (good for two

resistance only)
Or 1/Rt = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + 1/R3 + (two or more
resistance)
• R1 = 4 Ohm
• R2 = 4 Ohm
• R3 = 2 Ohm
Figure 8.9 Unequal Resistance

Remember that "Rt" means Total resistance of the circuit.

R1, R2, etc. are Resistor one, Resistor two, etc.
Now we will apply the formula above to this example:
1 1 1 1
—= —-+—-+—-
Rt R1 R2 R3
Therefore:
1
1 1 1
—-
— = —-+—-+
2
Rt 4 4
It is easiest to change the fractions into decimal numbers (example 1 divide by 4 equals .25):

• 1/Rt = .25 + .25 + .5

• 1/Rt = 1

Now you have to get rid of the 1 on the left side so...

• Rt = 1/1
• Rt = 1 Ohm

NOW, Let's try a more complex one:

 • Voltage = 12 Volts
• R1 = 10 Ohms
• R2 = 20 Ohms
• R3 = 10 Ohms
• R4 = 1 Ohms
• 1/Rt = 1/10 + 1/20 + 1/10 + 1/1
• 1/Rt = .1 + .05 + .1 + 1
• 1/Rt = 1.25
• Rt = 1/1.25 = .8 Ohms

4. The total POWER is equal to the sum of the power used by the individual resistors
FORMULA: Pt = P1 + P2 + P3 etc.
Example::
Given: P1 = 3W, P2 = 5W, P3 = 2W
Ptotal= 3+5+2 = 10watts
Pt = 10watts

Exmple 1. Series circuit summary

Given:

1.) Find Rt?, Rt= 10 + 20 = 30ohms

2.) Find It?. It= 60/30 = 2Amperes
3.) Find I1?, I1 = 2amperes because I1 is equal to It
4.) Find I2?, I2 = 2amperes because I1 is equal to I2
5.) Find E1? Use ohms law: E1 = I1 X R1, so E1 = 2A x 10 = 20Volts
6.) Find E2? Use ohms law: E2 = I2 X R2, so E2 = 2A x 20 = 40Volts

Exmple 2. Parallel circuit summary

Given: It = 5Ampere, R1 = 6 ohms, R2 = 4 ohms

12v 12v
12v
2A 3A

2.4 ohms

1.) Find Rt?, Rt = R1xR2/R1+R2, Rt= 6x4 24

Product/sum is applicable for 2 resistors in paralllel
6+4 10 = 2.4ohms
2.) Find Et or Total voltage?. Et = It x Rt , Et= 5Ax2.4 = 12volts
3.) Find E1 or voltage across R1?, E1 = 12V because E1= Et=E2
4.) Find E2 or voltage across R2?, E2 = 12V because E1= Et=E2
5.) Find I1 or Current flows through R1? Use ohms law: I1 = E1/R1, I1=12v/6ohms = 2A
6.) Find I2 or Current flows through R2? Use ohms law: I2 = E2/R2 I2=12v/4 = 3A
7.) find total power: Pt = It x Et, 5Ax12v = 60Watts
8.) find power across R1 : P1 = I1 x E1, 2Ax12v = 24Watts
9.) find power across R3 : P2 = I2 x E2, 3Ax12= 36watts
Or
P2 = Pt –P1, 60 – 24 = 36watts

CHECKING
Pt = P1 + P2, 24watts +36 watts = 60watts
It = I1 + I2, 2A + 3A = 5Amperes
1 1 1
— = —-+ —-
=
Rt 6 4
.167 + .25 = 1/.417
Rt = 2.4ohms or 2.3999ohms

Parallel Formula Ohms Law

Rt= Product/sum.
Et = E1 = E2
It = I1 + I2
It = Et/Rt
E=IxR

Additional formula for Power in watts:

P=IxE

Formula for Two or more resistors in parallel

1 1 1 1
—= —-+—-+—-
Rt R1 R2 R3

Therefore:
1 1 1
— = —-+ —-
=
Rt 6 4
0 .167 + .25 = 1/.417
Rt = 2.4ohms or 2.3999ohms
Current Divider Example No1
A 20Ω resistor is connected in parallel with a 60Ω
resistor. If the combination is connected across a 30
volts battery supply, find the current flowing through
each resistor and the total current supplied by the
source.

Note that the smaller 20Ω resistor has the larger

current because by its very nature, a greater current
will always flow through the path or branch of least
resistance. This implies then that a short-circuit will
produce maximum current flow, while an open-circuit will result in zero current flow.
Remember also that the equivalent resistance, REQ of parallel connected resistors will always be
less than the ohmic value of the smallest resistor with the equivalent resistance decreasing as
more parallel resistances are added.

Sometimes it is not necessary to calculate all the branch currents, if the supply or total current, IT
is already known, then the final branch current can be found by simply subtracting the calculated
currents from the total current as defined by Kirchhoffs current law.

Current Divider Example No2

Three resistors are connected together to form a current
divider circuit as shown below. If the circuit is fed from a
100 volts 1.5kW power supply, calculate the individual
branch currents using the current division rule and the
equivalent circuit resistance.

1) Total circuit current IT 2) Equivalent resistance REQ 3) Branch currents

IR1, IR2, IR3
We can check our calculations as according to Kirchhoff’s Current Rule, all the branch currents
will be equal to the total current, so: IT = IR1 + IR2 + IR3 = 10 + 4 + 1 = 15 amperes, as expected.
Thus we can see that the total current, IT is divided according to a simple ratio determined by the
branch resistances. Also, as the number of resistors connected in parallel increases, the supply ot
total current, IT will also increase for a given supply voltage, VS as there are more parallel
branches taking current.

Voltage Divider Example No1

How much current will flow through a 20Ω resistor
connected in series with a 40Ω resistor when the supply
voltage across the series combination is 12 volts dc.
Also calculate the voltage drop produced across each
resistor.

Voltage Divider Example No2

Three resistive elements of 6kΩ, 12kΩ and 18kΩ are
connected together in series across a 36 volt supply.
Calculate, the total resistance, the value of the current
flowing around the circuit, and the voltage drops
across each resistor.

Data given: VS = 36 volts, R1 = 6kΩ, R2 = 12kΩ and

R3 = 18kΩ

Voltage Divider Circuit

 The voltage drops across all three resistors should add up
to the supply voltage as defined by Kirchhoff’s Voltage
Law (KVL). So the sum of the voltage drops is: VT = 6 V
+ 12 V + 18 V = 36.0 V the same value of the supply
voltage, VS and so is correct. Again notice that the largest
resistor produces the largest voltage drop.

MODULE NO. :9
TITLE : SERIES-PARALLEL CIRCUIT
In This Module:
ILO9.1 Derive formulas in series-parallel circuit
ILO9.2 Calculate combinational circuit problems in series-parallel circuit connections
using different techniques.

INTRODUCTION

Components in electronic equipment are not all series connected or only parallel
connected but combination of both. Analysis of such circuits is sometimes necessary in
troubleshooting and repair of equipment. How do we go about it?

PRESENTATION

Series-Parallel resistor circuits consist of combinations of series-connected and parallel-

connected resistors. Figure 1 shows a circuit diagram of a very simple three-resistor series-
parallel circuit. Resistors R2 and R3 are seen to be connected in parallel, and resistor R1 is in
series with the parallel combinations of R2 and R3. The circuit currents vary from branch to
branch, and the component voltage drops depend on the branch currents and on the component
resistances. The supply current depends on the supply voltage and on the circuit resistance
offered to the voltage source. Kirchhoff’s voltage and current laws are applied for analyzing
series-parallel circuits. [2]

Series-Parallel Circuit Example 1

Arrow shows the Current flow
 Figure 9.1 Series-parallel circuit

Circuit analysis:R1 is connected in series to a parallel connected R2 and R3.

Solution

1. Solve for Total Resistance (Rt)

Formula: Rtotal = R1+ (R1*R2/R1+R2)

(Substitute) Rt = 8 + (18/9) = 10 ohms

2. Solve for Total Current (It) (use OhmsLaw)

Formula: It = Et/Rt
20v/10 ohms = 2 Amperes
Solve for I1 (use series circuit current) I1 and It are the same because they are in series connection
Formula: I1 = It
Substitute I1 = 2amps.

Solve for E1 (use OhmsLaw)

Formula: E1 = I1 * R1
Substitute E1 = 2 * 8 = 16volts.

Solve for E2, E3 (use KvL)

Formula: E2 = Et - E1
Substitute E2 = 20 - 16 = 4volts.

Solve for E3 (use parallel circuit voltage)

Formula: E3 = E2 they same because they are connected in parallel
E3 = 20 - 16 = 4volts.
Solve for I2 (use OhmsLaw)
Formula: I2 = E2 / R2
Substitute 4v/3 ohms = 1.333 Amperes
 Solve for I3 (use OhmsLaw)
Formula: I3 = E3 / R3
Substitute 4v/6 ohms = 0.666667 Amperes

Series-Parallel Circuit Example 2

In figure 3 (a), another series-parallel resistor combination is shown. In this case, the
circuit is reduced to a simple parallel circuit when R2 and R3 are replaced by their equivalent
resistance. [See Figure 3(b)]

Arrow shows the Current flow Arrow shows the Current flow

Fig.9.2 Series-Parallel Circuit and its Equivalent Circuit

Determine the level of the supply current for the circuit shown in figure 3 (a).

1st Solution

Draw the equivalent circuit as in figure 3(b).

Req=R2+R3=35+40=75Ω
R1 and Req are in parallel:
R=R1||Req
To compute equivalent resistance:
Rt=R1∗ReqR1+Req=50∗7550+75=30Ω
It=Et/Rt=75/30=2.5A

2nd Solution

1. Solve for Total Resistance (Rt)

Formula:
a. Solve for R2and R3 equivalent
Req = R1 + R2,
Substitute Req = 35+40 = 75 ohms

b. Rt = R1* R2andR3 eq / R1+ R2andR3eq

35+40 (50*75 / 50+75)
3750/125 = 30 ohms
2. Solve for Total Current (It) (use OhmsLaw)
Formula: It = Et/Rt
75v/30 ohms = 2.5 Amperes

3. Solve for E1 (use parallel circuit voltage)

Formula: Et = E1 the same because voltage source and R1 are connected in parallel
E1 = 75volts

4. Solve for Total Current (It) (use OhmsLaw)

Formula: I1 = E1/R1
75v/50 ohms = 1.5 Amperes
5. Solve for I2 and I3 (use KCL)
Formula: I2 = It - I1
Substitute I2 = 2.5A – 1.5A = 1Ampere.

6. Solve for I3
Formula: I2 = I3 current is the same because R2 and R3 are connected in series
Substitute I3 = 1Ampere.

7. Solve for E2 (use OhmsLaw)

Formula: E2 = I2 * R2
Substitute E2 = 1 * 35 = 35volts.

8. Solve for E3 (use OhmsLaw)

Formula: E3 = I3 * R3
Substitute E3 = 1 * 40 = 45volts.
Current analysis in Series-Parallel Circuit

The figure 3 with the branch currents and voltages identified. It is seen that the supply current
flows through resistor R1 and that it splits up into I2 and I3 in order to flow through R2 and R3.
Returning to the supply negative terminal, the current is once again I. it is seen that It = I2+I3

Arrow shows the Current flow

Fig.9.3 Current and Voltage in Series-Parallel Circuit

Series-Parallel Circuit Example 3

Given: Arrows shows the Current flow
1.) Find Rt?, first, identify the series connection, so solve for R2,R3,R4: look they are in
series, so simply just add R2+R3+R4= 1+2+3 = 6 ohms

Simplified or the result of combining R2,R3,R4 is parallel circuit

So u may now get

the Rtotal using
formula
Rt=product/sum
Rt=
6ohms x4ohms
24
6ohms+4ohms 10 = 2.4ohms, so
Rt=2.4 ohms
2.) Find It?. Use ohms law, Itotal= 12volts/2.4 = 5A
3.) Find E1 or V1?, use parallel formula, E1 = 12V because in parallel formula E1= Et=E2
5.) Find I1? Use ohms law: I1=12v/4ohms = 3Amps
6.) Find I2, I3,I4 they are equal current because in series current is the same,
first find the I2 using KCL formula: I2= It - I1, so I2= 5A – 3A = 2Amps
I2 =2amps, I3 = 2amps, , I4 = 2mps , they are equal current because in series
current is the same,
7.) Find E2? Use ohms law: E2=I2xR2, =2amps x 1 ohms = 2 volts
8.) Find E3? Use ohms law: E3=I3xR3, =2amps x 2 ohms = 4 volts
9.) Find E4? Use ohms law: E4=I4xR4, =2amps x 3 ohms = 6 volts
Note: Total Resistance( Rt)

Total voltage (Et), Voltage across R1(E1), Voltage across R2(E2), Voltage across R3(E3),
Total current (It), Current flows through R1(I1), Current flows through R2(I12), Current flows
through R3(I3)

Find the total resistance, power, current and voltage of the circuit (arrows shows the flow of
current)
1. Find the Rt: total resistance
Solve for R4 and R5, are in series connection, so just add: 6 + 4 = 10 ohms
Solve for R2 and R3, are in series connection, so just add: 4 + 8 = 12 ohms
Solve for R2,3 and R4,5, are in parallel connection, so use Product over Sum :
12x10/12+10 = 5.45 ohms
Solve for R1 and R2,3,4,5, are in series connection, so just add: 5.45 +0.55 = 6 ohms
Solve for Rtotal, so R6 and R1,2,3,4,5, are in parallel connection, so use Product over
Sum : 3x6/3+6 = 2 ohms
2. Find the Et: total Voltage
Et = It x Rt, 6A x 2 ohms = 12 V
3. Find the Pt: total power
Pt = It x Et, 6A x 12 = 72 Watts
P1 = 2Ax1.1v = 2.2watts
4. Find the E6, Source and R6 are connected in parallel, so use formula: E6 = Et = 12v
5. Find the I6, use Ohms Law: I6 = E6/R6, I6 = 12v/3v = 4A
6. Find the I1, since R1 is connected in series with the source, the formula is: I1 = It – I6, 6A –
4A = 2A
7. Find the E1: Voltage across R1
E1 = I1 x R1,2A x 0.55 ohms = 1.1 V
8. Find the E2 and E3, E2,3 = Et – E1 = 10.9 v
9. Find the I2 and I3, formula is ohms law : E2,3 /R2,3 = 0.91A, so I2 = 0.91A, and I3 = 0.91A
10. Find the E2, Formula is ohms law, E2 = I2,3 x R2 = 0.91 x 4 = 3.63 V
11. Find the E3, Formula is ohms law, E3 = I2,3 x R3 = 0.91 x 8 = 7.28 V
12. Find the I4 and I, 5 the formula is: I4 = I1 – I2, 2A – 0.91A = 1.09A
13. Find the E4, Formula is ohms law, E4 = I4 x R4 = 1.09 x 6 = 6.54V
14. Find the I 5, it is equal to I4, so the formula is: I5 = 1.09A
15. Find the E5, Formula is ohms law, E5 = I5 x R5 = 1.09 x 4 = 4.36 V
Summary of series circuit formula
ASSIGNMENT # 1 :

1. Calculate the Rt. Answer

2. Calculate the E2. Answer:

3. Calculate the I1 Answer

4. Calculate the I4, Answer:Rt=60ohms, It = 2A, E1 = 50v, E5= 40v, E3 = 30v, I4

=
5. Find the total resistance: Answer:

6. Find the current flow through R3: Answer:

7. Find the total resistance: Answer:

8. Find the voltage across R2: Answer:

9. Find the current flows through R6: Answer:

10. . Find the total resistance: Answer:

11 . Find the I5: Answer:

12. . Find the total resistance: Answer:

13. Simplify the circuit in figure 1a and calculate the following: