Lecture 1: D.C.

Series &
Parallel Networks
Course textbook reference:
Electrical & Electronic Technology
by E. Hughes, 9th edition,
chapter 3, pages 30 60.
(chapters 1 and 2 should be read as self-study,
plus chapter 3 too!)
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Resistance

When a potential difference (or p.d) of 1 volt is

applied across a conductor (a piece of wire) and a
current flow in this section of the conductor of 1
ampere (or amp) is produced, then the electrical
resistance is defined as 1 ohm (or 1 ).
It may be shown that:

Voltage Current = resistance

V/I=R
practical values are usually in the range
100 through 1,000 (or 1 k ) to 1,000,000 (or 1 M)

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Resistor Types
Check out
Electronics and
Computing
Principles V7
which is available
on all the PCs in
D411 and D421

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R.Cloutman@herts.ac.uk

Resistor Colour Codes

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AM1

Resistor Connections
Series connection:

IS*R1 + IS*R2 = IS*RT

3mA

R1

R2

R3
+

9V

AM2 3mA

R1 + R2 = RT
same CURRENT through each component

Parallel connection:

9V

1/R1 + 1/R2 = 1/RT

A
AM2 9mA

R3

VS/R1 + VS/R2 = VS/RT

R2

AM1 27mA
+
R1

AM3 9mA

VM1 9V
+

A
AM4 9mA

same VOLTAGE across each component

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TINA on-line tutorials

http://www.tina.com/course/course.htm

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TINA on-line tutorials

http://www.tina.com/course/course.htm

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Voltage, V, is always
measured ACROSS a
component, or w.r.t. ground.

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A
AM1 9mA

Current, I, is always
measured IN SERIES with a
component.
NEVER confuse meter
positions or units!

VM1 9V
+

9 V+

AM1

R1

Basic Measurements

9mA

R1

9V

R.Cloutman@herts.ac.uk

SAFETY in the LAB:

1.
2.

3.
4.

5.

Always check your meters range settings,

Always start of the HIGHEST range and work
down,
Never measure resistance on a live circuit,
Never measure voltage and then switch the
meter to current (yet keeping the meter in the
same place),
Always double check your circuit before
turning on the power.

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R.Cloutman@herts.ac.uk

Voltage Divider Rule

The d.c. voltage across

individual series
resistances may be
related back to the supply
voltage.

VS

R1

The voltage divider rule can

be stated as;

R2

V2 = [ (VS R2) / RT ]

V2

Where V2 is the voltage

across R2
and RT = (R1 + R2)

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R.Cloutman@herts.ac.uk

Current Divider Rule

The d.c. current through

individual parallel
resistances may be
related back to the
supply current.

IS

I2
R1

R2

The current divider rule

can be stated as;
I2 = [ (IS R1) / RT ]

Where I2 is the current

through R2
and RT = (R1 + R2)

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R.Cloutman@herts.ac.uk

Design Example

A design specification for

a potential divider
network states:

Two series resistors are

required to produce an
output voltage across R2 of
2 volts from a 5 volt supply.
The supply current should
be less than 1 mA.

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R1
5V

R2
2V

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Further References

Photos were copied from:

Electronics and Computing Principles V7
which is available on all the PCs in D411 and D421.

Basic electronics information can be found at

TINA Pro Circuit Simulation software and onon-line teaching

Download a demonstration version from www.eptsoft.com

http://www.elexp.com/t_resist.htm
http://www.elexp.com/t_resist.htm

materials may be accessed from:

http://www.tina.com
http://www.tina.com//

See also the exercises at the end of Hughes, Chapter 3.

and TUTORIAL SHEET 1 !!!!

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