You are on page 1of 15

Series Parallel circuit

With simple series circuit, all


components are connected end-to-end
to form only one path from electrons to
flow through the circuit. With simple
parallel circuit, all components are
connected between the same two sets of
electrically common points, creating
simple paths for electrons to flow from
one end of the battery to the other.
With each of these two basic
circuit configuration, we have
specific sets of rules describing
voltage, current, and resistance
relationships.
• Series circuit
 Voltages drops add to equal total voltage
 All components share the same (equal)
current.
 Resistance add to equal total resistance.
• Parallel circuit
 All components share the same (equal) voltage.
 Branch currents add to equal total current.
 Resistance diminish to equal total resistance.
However, if circuit components are series
connected in some parts and parallel in
others, we have wont be able to apply a
single set of rules to every part of that circuit.
Instead, we will have to identify which parts
of that circuit are series and which parts are
parallel, then selectively apply series and
parallel rules as necessary to determine what
is happening.
Analysis Technique

The goal of series parallel resistor circuit analysis is to be able to determine all voltage drops, current, and power dissipations in a circuit. The general strategy to accomplish this goal is as follows:
Step 1

• Asses which resistors in a circuit are connected


together in simple series or simple parallel.
Step 2
• Redraw the circuit, replacing each of those
series or parallel resistor combination
identified in step 1 with a single, equivalent
value resistor. If using a table to manage
variables, make a new table column for each
resistance equivalent.
Step 3

• Repeat step 1 and 2 until the entire circuit is


reduced to one equivalent resistor.
Step 4
• Calculate the total current from total voltage
and total resistance (I=V/R).
Step 5
• Taking total voltage and total current values,
go back to the last step in the circuit reduction
process and insert those values where
applicable
Step 6
• For known resistances and total voltage/ total
current values from step5, use ohms law to
calculate unknown values (voltage or current)
(V=IxR or I=V/R).
Step 7
• Repeat step 5and 6 until all values for voltage
and current are known in the original circuit
configuration. Essentially, you will proceed
step by step from the simplified version of the
circuit back into its original, complex form,
plugging in values of voltage and current
where appropriate until all values of voltage
and current are known.
Step 8
• Calculate power dissipation from known
voltage, current, and/or resistance values.

You might also like