Parallel Circuit

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Series or Parallel???

Comment on whether R1, R2 and R3 are in series/parallel/series-parallel

combination. Signify your answer.
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Parallel elements
Two elements, branches, or networks are in parallel if they have
two points in common.

FIG. 1 Different ways in which three parallel elements may appear.

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Total conductance & resistance

Recall that for series resistors, the total resistance is the sum of the
resistor values. What about conductance???
Can you work it out?????
For parallel elements, the total conductance is the sum of the individual
conductances.
That is, for the parallel network
of Fig. 2, we write

FIG. 2 Determining the total conductance of

parallel conductances.

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Total conductance & resistance

Substituting resistor values for the network of Fig. 2 will result in
the network of Fig. 3. Since G =1/R, the total resistance for the network
can be determined by direct substitution into the equation of GT ,

FIG. 3 Determining the total resistance of

parallel resistors
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Example problems
Q.1 Find the total resistance for the circuit shown in fig 4.
Also find the total conductance.

FIG. 4 Circuit diagram for example problem#1

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Resistors in parallel.
The total resistance of parallel resistors is always less than the value
of the smallest resistor. (check it out with Q.1 u just did!!!)
For equal resistors in parallel, the equation becomes significantly easier
to apply. In other words, the total resistance of N parallel resistors of
equal value is the resistance of one resistor divided by the number (N)
of parallel elements.

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Resistors in parallel.
The total resistance of two parallel resistors is the product of the two
divided by their sum.

For 3 parallel resistors

Parallel elements can be interchanged without changing the
total resistance or input current.
For parallel resistors, the total resistance will always decrease as
additional elements are added in parallel.
Q.2 Find the RT for the circuit in fig. 5.
FIG. 5 Circuit diagram for
example problem#2
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Resistors in parallel.
The voltage across parallel elements is the same.
For single-source parallel networks, the source current (Is ) is equal
to the sum of the individual branch currents.

FIG. 6 Parallel network.

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Example problems
Q.3 For the parallel network of Fig. 7
a. Calculate RT.
b. Determine Is.
c. Calculate I1 and I2, and demonstrate that Is = I1+I2.
d. Determine the power to each resistive load.
e. Determine the power delivered by the source, and compare it to the
total power dissipated by the resistive elements.

FIG. 7 Circuit diagram for example problem#3

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Example problems
Q.4 Given the information provided in Fig. 8,
a. Determine R3.
b. Calculate E.
c. Find Is.
d. Find I2.
e. Determine P2.

FIG. 8 Circuit diagram for example problem#4

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KIRCHHOFFS Current Law

Kirchhoffs current law (KCL) states that the algebraic sum of the
currents entering and leaving an area, system, or junction (or node)
is zero.
In other words,
The sum of the currents entering an area, system, or junction must
equal the sum of the currents leaving the area, system, or junction.

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Dont use calculator

Q.5 Determine the currents I1 ,I3 ,I4 & I5 of Fig. 9 using Kirchhoffs
current law.

FIG. 9 Circuit diagram for example problem#5

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Dont use calculator

Q.6 Find the magnitude and direction of the currents I3, I4, I6, and I7 for
the network of Fig. 10. Even though the elements are not in series or
parallel, Kirchhoffs current law can be applied to determine all the
unknown currents.

FIG. 10 Circuit diagram for example problem#6

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Current divider rule

For two parallel elements of equal value, the current will divide equally.
For parallel elements with different values, the smaller the resistance, the
greater the share of input current.
For parallel elements of different values, the current will split with a ratio
equal to the inverse of their resistor values.

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Current divider rule

Technique #2

Current seeks the path of least resistance.

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Voltage sources in parallel

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Open circuit
An open circuit can have a potential difference (voltage) across its
terminals, but the current is always zero amperes.

FIG. 11 Demonstrating the characteristics of an

open circuit.

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Short circuit
A short circuit can carry a current of a level determined by the external
circuit, but the potential difference (voltage) across its terminals is always
zero volts.

Net resistance = 0; V=10 V, hence, I=infinite.

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FIG. 12 Single phase of house wiring:

physical details;

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Reference
1. Introductory Circuit Analysis by Robert . L. Boylestad
2. http://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/dccircuits/dcp_1.html

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