ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS 1

I. LESSON : RESISTIVE NETWORK

II. SCHEDULE :
III. OVERVIEW

This module will be discussing the resistive network. We will learn how
to solve different types of resistive networks and modify circuits for a more
straightforward solution.

IV. LEARNING OUTCOME

At the end of this module, you should be able to:

1. Solve problems on Series circuit.

2. Solve problems on Parallel circuit.
3. Solve Problems on Series-Parallel circuit.

V. ACTIVITIES/ TASKS

PART I: READINGS

UNIT 1: Resistor in Series and Parallel in a circuit

● A resistive circuit is a circuit containing only resistors, ideal current
sources, and ideal voltage sources.
● If the sources are constant (DC) sources, the result is a DC circuit.
● Analysis of a circuit consists of solving for the voltages and currents
present in the circuit.
● Resistors can be connected in an unlimited number of series and
parallel combinations to form complex resistive circuits.
● A circuit is a closed conducting path through which an electric current
either flows or is intended to flow.

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Resistance in Series

When some conductors having resistance 𝑅1, 𝑅2, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑅3 etc. are joined
end-on-end, as shown in the figure below, they are said to be connected in
series. It can be proved that the equivalent resistance or total resistance
between points A and D is equal to the sum of the three individual resistances.
Being a series circuit, it should be remembered that:

I. Current is the same through all the three resistance.

II. Voltage drop across each resistor is different due to its different
resistance and is given by Ohm’s Law.
III. The Sum of the three voltage drops is equal to the voltage applied
across the three resistors. There is a progressive fall in potential as we
go from point A to D, as shown in the figure below.

For resistor in series connection, the equation for resistance, current, voltage,
and power is expressed in:

𝑅𝑇 = 𝑅1 + 𝑅2 + 𝑅3 + … + 𝑅𝑁

𝑉𝑇 = 𝑉1 + 𝑉2 + 𝑉3 + … + 𝑉𝑁

𝐼𝑇 = 𝐼1 = 𝐼2 = 𝐼3 = 𝐼𝑁

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𝑃𝑇 = 𝑃1 + 𝑃2 + 𝑃3 + … + 𝑃𝑁

𝑃 = 𝐼𝐸 , 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡 𝑖𝑛 𝑊𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑠

EXAMPLE 1: In the given circuit, find the following:

a) Total Resistance
b) Total Current
c) Voltage drop on 𝑅1, 𝑅2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑅3
d) Total power

Solution:
a) 𝑅𝑇 = 𝑅1 + 𝑅2 + 𝑅3
3
(
𝑅𝑇 = 3×10 ) + (10×103) + (5×103)
3
𝑅𝑇 = 18×10 = 18 𝑘Ω

b)
𝑉
𝐼= 𝑅𝑇
9 −3
𝐼= 3 = 0. 5 × 10 = 0. 5 𝑚𝐴
18×10

−3
c) (
𝑉1 = 𝐼1𝑅1 = 0. 5 × 10 )(3 × 103) = 1. 5 𝑉
−3 3
𝑉2 = 𝐼2𝑅2 = (0. 5 × 10 )(10 × 10 ) = 5 𝑉
−3 3
𝑉3 = 𝐼3𝑅3 = (0. 5 × 10 )(5 × 10 ) = 2. 5 𝑉

−3
d) (
𝑃𝑇 = 𝐼𝑇𝐸𝑇 = 0. 5 × 10 )(9) = 4. 5×10−3 = 4. 5 𝑚𝑊
using the other formula for Power:
2 −3 2
(
𝑃1 = 𝐼1𝑅1 = 0. 5 × 10 ) (3 × 103) = 0. 75×10−3
−3 2 3 −3
𝑃2 = 𝐼2𝑅2 = (0. 5 × 10 ) (10 × 10 ) = 2. 5×10
−3 2 3 −3
𝑃3 = 𝐼3𝑅3 = (0. 5 × 10 ) (5 × 10 ) = 1. 25×10

−3
(
𝑃𝑇 = 𝑃1 + 𝑃2 + 𝑃3 = 0. 75×10 ) + (2. 5×10−3) + (1. 25×10−3) = 4. 5×10−3

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 𝑃𝑇 = 4. 5 𝑚𝑊

Another solution:
2
𝐸1 1.5
2
−3
𝑃1 = 𝑅1
= 3 = 0. 75×10
3×10
2
𝐸2 2
5 −3
𝑃2 = 𝑅2
= 3 = 2. 5×10
10×10
2
𝐸3 2.5
2
−3
𝑃3 = 𝑅3
= 3 = 1. 25×10
5×10

Voltage Divider Rule

In a series resistance circuit, another way of finding the value of voltage

on a resistor (voltage drop) is by using the voltage divider rule.
According to the voltage divider rule, various voltage drops are:

𝑅
𝑉1 = 𝑉𝑇( 𝑅1 )
𝑇

𝑅
𝑉2 = 𝑉𝑇( 𝑅2 )
𝑇

𝑅
𝑉3 = 𝑉𝑇( 𝑅3 )
𝑇

Using Example 2:
3
𝑉1 = (9) × (
3×10 )
3 = 1. 5 𝑉
18×10

3
𝑉2 = (9) × (
10×10 )
3 = 5𝑉
18×10

3
𝑉3 = (9) × (
5×10 )
3 = 2. 5 𝑉
18×10

Resistance in Parallel

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 Resistors are in parallel when their two terminals connect to the same
nodes. In this case:
I. The potential difference (voltage) across all resistance is the same
II. Current in each resistor is different and is given by Ohm’s Law
III. The total current is the sum of the three separate currents.

The current, voltage, total resistance, and power in a parallel circuit is expressed
by:

𝐼𝑇 = 𝐼1 + 𝐼2 + 𝐼3 + … + 𝐼𝑁

𝑉𝑇 = 𝑉1 = 𝑉2 = 𝑉3 = 𝑉𝑁

1 1 1 1
𝑅𝑇
= 𝑅1
+ 𝑅2
+ 𝑅3
+ … + 𝑅𝑁

𝑃𝑇 = 𝑃1 + 𝑃2 + 𝑃3 + … + 𝑃𝑁

𝑃 = 𝐼𝐸

EXAMPLE 3: In the given circuit, find the following:

(a)Total Resistance
(b)Total current
(c) Current in 𝑅1, 𝑅2, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑅3
(d)Total Power

Solution:
(a)
1 1 1 1
𝑅1
= 𝑅1
+ 𝑅2
+ 𝑅3

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 1 1 1 1
𝑅𝑇
= 3 + 3 + 3
10×10 2×10 1×10

𝑅𝑇 = 625 Ω

𝑉𝑇 −3
(b)
9
𝐼𝑇 = 𝑅𝑇
= 625
= 14. 4×10 = 14. 4 𝑚𝐴

𝑉1 −3
(c)
9
𝐼1 = 𝑅1
= 3 = 0. 9×10 = 0. 9 𝑚𝐴
10×10

𝑉2 9 −3
𝐼2 = 𝑅2
= 3 = 4. 5×10 = 4. 5 𝑚𝐴
2×10

𝑉3 9 −3
𝐼3 = 𝑅3
= 3 = 9×10 = 9 𝑚𝐴
1×10

−3
(d) 𝑃𝑇 = 𝐼𝑇𝐸𝑇 = 14. 4×10 ( )(9) = 129. 6×10−3 = 129. 6 𝑚𝑊

Using the other formula:

2
𝐸1 9
2
−3
𝑃1 = 𝑅1
= 3 = 8. 1×10
10×10

2
𝐸2 9
2
−3
𝑃2 = 𝑅2
= 3 = 40. 5×10
2×10

2
𝐸3 9
2
−3
𝑃3 = 𝑅3
= 3 = 81×10
1×10

−3
𝑃𝑇 = 𝑃1 + 𝑃2 + 𝑃3 = 8. 1×10 ( ) + (40. 5×10−3) + (81×10−3) = 129. 6×10−3
𝑃𝑇 = 129. 6 𝑚𝑊

Current Divider Rule

In parallel circuits, the source or supply current divides into a number of
parallel paths. One way of finding these currents is the use of the current divider
rule.
According to the current divider rule, the current that passed through a
resistor can be found using the equations:

2
𝑅
𝐼1 = 𝐼𝑇( 𝑅 +𝑅 )
1 2

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 𝑅 1
𝐼2 = 𝐼𝑇( 𝑅 +𝑅 )
1 2

KIRCHHOFF’S POINT LAW OR CURRENT LAW (KCL)

When a negative charge electrons travel through a conductor, it

produces a flow of electric current in a circuit. The rate at which a negative
charge electron is carried through the circuit is known as electric current.
The Law of Conservation of Energy states that energy can neither be created
nor destroyed. It only transforms from one form of energy to another.

Kirchhoff’s 1st law is also known as

Kirchhoff’s current law (KCL), and it states that
in any electrical network or circuit, the
algebraic sum of the currents meeting at a
point (or junction) is zero. Looking at the figure
on the left, the current in the wire must be
related by:

𝐼1 + 𝐼2 − 𝐼3 = 0

Kirchhoff’s current law (KCL) can also be

stated as “the current entering a point (or junction) is equal to the current
leaving the junction. Looking at the same figure, the equation for current can
also be express as:

𝐼1 + 𝐼2 = 𝐼3

KIRCHHOFF’S MESH LAW OR VOLTAGE LAW (KVL)

The 2nd law of Kirchhoff’s, also known as Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law (KVL)
states that the algebraic sum of the products of current and resistance in each

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of the conductors in any closed path in a network plus the algebraic sum of the
EMF’s in that path is zero.

Looking at the figure on the right, the

voltage equation can be expressed as:

𝑉𝑇 − 𝑉1 − 𝑉2 = 0

Or

𝑉𝑇 = 𝑉1 + 𝑉2

Series – Parallel Resistance Network

A Series-Parallel resistance network is a circuit that consists of a

combination of series and parallel connection of resistors in a single circuit.

EXAMPLE 4: In the given circuit, find the following

a) Total Resistance
b) Total Current
c) Voltage in 𝑅1
d) Current in 𝑅2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑅3
e) Total Power

Solution:
(a) Resistance 𝑅2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑅3 are connected in parallel. For two resistance connected
in parallel, the formula is:

𝑅2𝑅3 30×50
𝑅23 = 𝑅2+𝑅3
= 30+50
= 18. 75 Ω

After getting the equivalent resistance of 𝑅2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑅3,

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the equivalent circuit will be 🡪

For total resistance in the circuit:

𝑅𝑇 = 𝑅1 + 𝑅23 + 𝑅4 = 20 + 18. 75 + 20 = 58. 75 Ω

(b) For total current:

𝑉𝑇 10
𝐼𝑇 = 𝑅𝑇
= 58.75
= 0. 17 𝐴
(c) For the voltage drop on 𝑅1, we can see that 𝑅1 is connected in series with the
voltage source. Therefore, the current in resistance 𝑅1 is equal to the total
current or source.
𝑉1 = 𝐼1𝑅1 = 𝐼𝑇𝑅𝑇 = (0. 17)(20) = 3. 4 𝑉

(d) using current divider for current 𝐼2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐼3, and using the original circuit:

𝐼2 = 𝐼𝑇 ( ) 𝑅3
𝑅2+𝑅3
= (0. 17) ( 50
30+50 ) = 0. 10625 𝐴 = 106. 25 𝑚𝐴

𝐼3 = 𝐼𝑇 ( ) 𝑅2
𝑅2+𝑅3
= (0. 17) ( 30
30+50 ) = 63. 75×10
−3
= 63. 75 𝑚𝐴

(e) for total power:

𝑃𝑇 = 𝐼𝑇𝐸𝑇 = (0. 17)(10) = 1. 7 𝑊

ADDITIONAL EXAMPLE

EXAMPLE 5: Four resistors are connected in series across a 6.0-V battery. The
values are 𝑅1 = 10 Ω, 𝑅2 = 20 Ω, 𝑅3 = 50 Ω, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑅4 = 100 Ω. The voltage
across 𝑅2 is?

Solution 1: Using Ohm’s Law

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 𝑅𝑇 = 𝑅1 + 𝑅2 + 𝑅3 + 𝑅4 = 10 + 20 + 50 + 100 = 180 Ω

𝑉𝑇 6
𝐼𝑇 = 𝑅𝑇
= 180
= 33. 33 𝑚𝐴

For 𝑉2:
−3
(
𝑉2 = 𝐼2𝑅2 = 33. 33×10 )(20) = 0. 667 𝑉

Solution 2: Using Voltage Divider Rule:

𝑉2 = 𝑉𝑇 ( 𝑅2
𝑅1+𝑅2+𝑅3+𝑅4 ) = (6) ( 20
10+20+50+100 ) = 0. 667 𝑉

EXAMPLE 6: In the given circuit with a current source, find the following:

a) Total Voltage
b) Current in 𝑅2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑅3
c) Voltage in 𝑅2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑅4
d) Total Power

Solution:
(a) The total voltage is expressed in:
𝑉𝑇 = 𝐼𝑇𝑅𝑇

For total resistance:

𝑅34 = 𝑅3 + 𝑅4 = 150 + 100 = 250 Ω

After getting the equivalent resistance of
𝑅3 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑅4, the circuit will be modified to 🡪

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Looking at the Fig 1, we can see that the resistance 𝑅2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑅34 is connected in
parallel.

𝑅2𝑅34 100×250
𝑅234 = 𝑅2+𝑅34
= 100+250
= 71. 429 Ω

After getting the equivalent resistance of 𝑅2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑅34,

the circuit will be modified to 🡪

For Total Resistance,

𝑅𝑇 = 𝑅1 + 𝑅234 = 200 + 71. 43 = 271. 43 Ω

For total voltage:

𝑉𝑇 = 𝐼𝑇𝑅𝑇 = (10)(271. 43) = 2714. 3 𝑉

(b) Using Current Divider Rule for currents 𝐼2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐼4 with Fig 1.
Also: 𝐼4 = 𝐼3 = 𝐼34

𝐼2 = 𝐼𝑇 ( 𝑅34
𝑅2+𝑅34 ) = (10) ( 250
250+100 ) = 7. 143 𝐴
𝐼34 = 𝐼𝑇 ( 𝑅2
𝑅2+𝑅34 ) = (10) ( 100
250+100 ) = 2. 857 𝐴
(c) For the voltages 𝑉2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑉4, using the original circuit:

𝑉2 = 𝐼2𝑅2 = (7. 143)(100) = 714. 3 𝑉

𝑉4 = 𝐼4𝑅4 = (2. 857)(100) = 285. 7 𝑉

(d) For total power:

𝑃𝑇 = 𝐼𝑇𝐸𝑇 = (10)(2714. 3) = 27143 𝑊 = 27. 143 𝑘𝑊

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