Chapter 5 Series dc

Circuits
Introductory Circuit Analysis
Robert L. Boylestad

5.1 - Introduction
Two types of current are readily available, direct
current (dc) and sinusoidal alternating current (ac)
We will first consider direct current (dc)

Insert Fig 5.1

Introduction

If a wire is an ideal conductor, the

potential difference (V) across the
resistor will equal the applied
voltage of the battery.
V (volts) = E (volts)

Current is limited only by the

resistor (R). The higher the
resistance, the less the current.

5.2 - Series Resistors

The total resistance of a series
configuration is the sum of the
resistance levels.

RT R1 R2 R3 R4 ... RN
The more resistors we add in

series, the greater the

resistance (no matter what their
value).

Series Resistors
When series resistors have the same value,

RT NR
Where N = the number of resistors in the
string.
The total series resistance is not affected by
the order in which the components are
connected.

5.3 Series Circuits

Total resistance (RT) is all the
source sees.
Once RT is known, the current
drawn from the source can be
determined using Ohms law:

E
Is
R
Since E is fixed,Tthe magnitude

of the source current will be

totally dependent on the
magnitude of RT .

Series Circuits
The polarity of the voltage across a resistor
is determined by the direction of the
current.

V1 IR1

V2 IR2

V3 IR3

When measuring voltage, start with a scale

that will ensure that the reading is lower
than the maximum value of the scale. Then
work your way down until a reading with
the highest level of precision is made.

5.4 Power Distribution in a

Series Circuit
The power applied by the dc supply
must equal that dissipated by the
resistive elements.

PE PR1 PR2 ... PRN

5.5 - Voltage Sources in

Series
Voltage sources can be connected in
series to increase or decrease the
total voltage applied to the system.
Net voltage is determined by
summing the sources having the
same polarity and subtracting the
total of the sources having the
opposite polarity.

5.6 - Kirchhoffs Voltage

Law
Kirchhoffs voltage law (KVL) states that
the algebraic sum of the potential rises and
drops around a closed loop (or path) is zero.

Kirchhoffs Voltage Law

The applied voltage of a series circuit equals the sum
of the voltage drops across the series elements:

V
V

The sum of the rises around a closed loop must equal the
rises

drops

sum of the drops.

The application of Kirchhoffs voltage law need not

follow a path that includes current-carrying elements.
When applying Kirchhoffs voltage law, be sure to
concentrate on the polarities of the voltage rise or drop
rather than on the type of element.
Do not treat a voltage drop across a resistive element
differently from a voltage drop across a source.

5.7 Voltage Division in a Series

Circuit
The voltage across the resistive
elements will divide as the magnitude of
the resistance levels.
The greater the value of a resistor in a
series circuit, the more of the applied voltage
it will capture.

Voltage Divider Rule (VDR)

The VDR permits determining the voltage
levels of a circuit without first finding the
current.
X
X

E
V R
RT

Voltage Division in a Series

Circuit
The voltage across a resistor in a series
circuit is equal to the value of the resistor
times the total impressed voltage across
the series elements divided by the total
resistance of the series elements.
The rule can be extended to voltage
across two or more series elements if the
resistance includes total resistance of the
series elements that the voltage is to be
found across.

5.8 - Interchanging Series

Elements
Elements of a series circuit can be interchanged
without affecting the total resistance, current, or
power to each element
In the Figures below, resistors 2 and 3 are
interchanged without affecting the total resistance

Insert Fig 5.19

Insert Fig 5.20

5.9 - Notation
Voltage sources and grounds

Ground symbol
Voltage source symbol

Notation
Double-subscript notation
Because voltage is an across variable and
exists between two points, the double-subscript
notation defines differences in potential.
The double-subscript notation Vab specifies
point a as the higher potential. If this is not the
case, a negative sign must be associated with
the magnitude of Vab .
The voltage Vab is the voltage at point (a) with
respect to point (b).

Notation
Single-subscript notation
The single-subscript notation Va specifies
the voltage at point a with respect to
ground (zero volts). If the voltage is less
than zero volts, a negative sign must be
associated with the magnitude of Va .

Notation
General Relationship
If the voltage at points a and b are
known with respect to ground, then the
voltage Vab can be determined using the
following equation:

Vab = Va V

5.10 Voltage Regulation and the

Internal Resistance of Voltage
Sources
The ideal voltage source has no internal
resistance and an output voltage of E volts
with no load or full load.
Every practical voltage source (generator,
battery, or laboratory supply) has some
internal resistance.
Voltage across the internal resistance lowers the
source output voltage when a load is connected.
For any chosen interval of voltage or current, the
magnitude of the internal resistance is given by

Rint = VL / IL

Voltage Regulation and the Internal

Resistance of Voltage Sources
For any supply, ideal conditions dictate
that for a range of load demand (IL), the
terminal voltage remains fixed in
magnitude.
If a supply is set at 12 V, it is desirable that it
maintain this terminal voltage, even though
the current demand on the supply may vary.
Voltage regulation (VR) characteristics are
measures of how closely a supply will come to
maintaining a supply voltage between the
limits of full-load and no-load conditions.

Voltage Regulation and the Internal

Resistance of Voltage Sources
Ideal conditions: VFL = VNL and

VR = 0%
The lower the voltage regulation,

the less the variation in terminal

voltage with changes in load

VNL VFL
VR
100%
VFL

5.11 Loading Effects of

Instruments
For an up-scale (analog meter) or positive
(digital meter) reading an ammeter must be
connected with current entering the positive
terminal and leaving the negative terminal
Ammeters are placed in series with the
branch in which the current is to be measured

Loading Effects of
Instruments
Voltmeters are always hooked up across the element

for which the voltage is to be determined

For a double-script notation: Always hook up the red
lead to the first subscript and the black lead to the
second.
For a single-subscript notation: Hook up the red lead to
the point of interest and the black lead to the ground

5.13 Applications
Holiday lights
Holiday lights are connected in series if
one wire enters and leaves the casing.
If one of the filaments burns out or is
broken, all of the lights go out unless a
fuse link is used.
A fuse link is a soft conducting metal with a
coating on it that breaks down if the bulb
burn out, causing the bulb to be by-passed,
thus only one bulb goes out.

Applications
Microwave oven
A series circuit can be very useful in the
design of safety equipment.
In a microwave, it is very dangerous if the
oven door is not closed or sealed properly.
Microwaves use a series circuit with
magnetic switches on the door to ensure
that the door is properly closed.
Magnetic switches are switches where the
magnet draws a magnetic conducting bar
between two conductors to complete the
circuit.

Applications
A Series Alarm Circuit