SERIES AND PARALLEL CIRCUITS

Objectives

At the end of the topic, the students can able to perform the following :

a.) Identify and differentiate accurately a series and parallel circuit connections ;
b.) Compute for the voltage, current and resistance independently at each point of an
electric circuit using series, parallel connection and circuit safety.

Overview

The application of the principle of electricity to practical problems or applications has called for the design
of a vast number of electric circuits arrangements. There are two basic electric circuit arrangements. An electric
circuit with component arrange to provide a single conducting path for current is called the series circuit. The
components are connected end to end in a circuit where electricity must flow through each in succession. As seen in
our Christmas light decoration. When one of the Christmas bulb bust out, current flow will also stop.
The parallel circuit is one in which two or more components are connected across two common point in the
circuit to provide separate conducting paths for current. When we plug in a television set and cell phone charger in
our convenient outlet, we using a parallel connection.

Series Circuit Connection of Load

In the circuit diagram: The three loads or resistors whose resistance are R 1, R2, R3 are connected in
Series. The current in each resistors are I1, I2, I3 and V1, V2, V3 for their voltage or potential difference across
Each resistor.
R3 R2 R1
ΛΛΛ ΛΛΛΛ ΛΛΛ
V3 V2 V1

Itotal

Vtotal

The following facts are noted for series connection of resistors:

1. The current in all parts of a series circuit is the same.

Itotal = I1 = I2 = I3

2. The voltage across a group of resistors in series is equal to the sum of the voltage across the
Individual voltage.
Vtotal = V1 + V2 + V3
 3. The total resistance of a group of resistors in series resistance is equal to the sum of the
Individual resistance.
Rtotal = R1 + R2 + R3

Example 1: The resistances of four rheostats are 10, 4, 6, and 5 ohms. These resistors are connected in series to a
battery that produces a potential difference of 100V across its terminals. Find :
a) the total resistance of the circuit
b) the total current of the circuit
c) Voltage across each resistor.

Solution :
a) For the total resistance, use series rule # 3

Rtotal = R1 + R2 + R3 + R4
= 10 Ω + 4Ω + 6Ω + 5Ω

Rtotal = 25 Ω

b) for the total current , use ohm’s law

Itotal = VT = 100V = 4 amperes

RT 25 Ω

c) For the voltage across each resistor, apply ohm’s law and
series rule rule # 1 Itotal = I1 = I2 = I3 = I4 = 4 ampere

V1 = I 1 R1 = ( 4 A ) ( 10 Ω ) = 40 V
V2 = I 2 R2 = (4A)( 4Ω) = 16 V
V3 = I 3 R3 = (4A)( 6Ω) = 24 V Voltage total = 100 V
V4 = I 4 R4 = (4A)( 5Ω) = 20 V
Parallel Circuit Connection of Load

In the circuit diagram: The three loads or resistors whose resistance are R 1, R2, R3 are connected in
Parallel. The current in each resistors are I1, I2, I3 and V1, V2, V3 for their voltage or potential difference across
Each resistor.
R1
ΛΛΛ
V1

R2
• ΛΛΛ •
V2

R3
ΛΛΛΛ
V3

Itotal

Vtotal
The following facts are noted for parallel connection of resistors:

1. The current in all parts of a parallel circuit are different and inversely proportional to the resistance.
The total current is the sum of their separate current.

Itotal = I1 + I2 + I3

2. The voltage across a group of resistors in parallel connection is the same as the voltage across the
Individual voltage.
Vtotal = V1 = V2 = V3

3. The reciprocal of the total resistance of a group of resistors in parallel is equal to the sum of the
Reciprocal s of the separate resistance.

1 = 1 + 1 + 1
Rtotal R1 R2 R3
Example 2: The resistances of three resistors are 10, 4, and 6ohms. These resistors are connected in parallel
across a 35 volts battery . Find :
a) the total resistance of the circuit
b) the total current of the circuit
c) Current in each of the resistor.

Solution :
a) For the total resistance, use parallel rule # 3

1 = 1 + 1 + 1
Rtotal R1 R2 R3

= 1 + 1 + 1
10 Ω 4Ω 6Ω

Rtotal = 1.94 Ω

b) for the total current , use ohm’s law

Itotal = VT = 35 V = 18.04 amperes

RT 1.94 Ω

c) For the current in each resistor, apply ohm’s law and parallel rule
rule # 2 Vtotal = V1 = V2 = V3

I1 = V1 / R1 = ( 35 V ) ( 10 Ω ) = 3.5 A
I2 = V2 / R2 = ( 35 V ) ( 4 Ω ) = 8.7 A Total current = 18 A
I3 = V3 /R3 = ( 35 V ) ( 6 Ω ) = 5.8 A
Combination: Series and Parallel Connection

Networks is when we combine the two electric circuit connection into one common circuit.
In this case, we use each rule as identified in the circuit.

Example 1: Find the following in the given circuit. :

a) the total resistance of the circuit
b) the total current of the circuit
ΛΛΛ
R2 = 4 Ω
R1 = 6 Ω
ΛΛΛ
R3 = 10 Ω
ΛΛΛ

Itotal

Vtotal = 24 V
Solution :
a) For the total resistance, combine R2 , R3 using parallel rule # 3

1 = 1 + 1
R23 R2 R3

= 4Ω + 10 Ω

R23 = 2.86 Ω then,

Combine R1 = 6Ω and R23 = 2.86 Ω using series rule # 3

R123 = R1 + R23
= 6 Ω + 2.86 Ω

Rtotal = 8.86 Ω

b) for the total current , use ohm’s law

Itotal = VT = 24 V = 2.70 amperes

RT 8.86 Ω
Electrical Safety

Electric circuit are also protected. Excess voltage and current requirement can damage or can destroy the
circuit. Circuit breakers or other electrical device to avoid over loading and wire temperature rise. The household
users are also protected. When a conducting body is connected to the earth, normally called ground, There is a flow
of charge until the potential difference between appliances and the earth is zero avoiding electrocution. insulator or
non – conductor materials are also use when handling wire. Some insulator that are rubber, silk and glass .
Name ________________________________________ Score________________
Prog/yr/sec ___________________________________ Date:________________

Activity No. 15
Series and Parallel Circuits
Solve the following:

1. Find a) Draw the schematic diagram of the circuit and label, b) the total resistance of the four loads having the
following resistances: 6, 8, 10, and 9 ohms. If they are connected in :
a) series
b) parallel

2. The resistances of three resistors are 12, 15, and 9 ohms. These resistors are connected in parallel
across a 35 volts battery . Find :
a) Draw the schematic diagram of the circuit and label
b) the total resistance of the circuit
c) the total current of the circuit
d) Current in each of the resistor.

3. The resistances of three resistors are 12, 15, and 9 ohms. These resistors are connected in series
across a 35 volts battery . Find :
a) Draw the schematic diagram of the circuit and label
b) the total resistance of the circuit
c) the total current of the circuit
d) Voltage across each resistor

4. . The resistances of four resistors are 2, 3, 5 and 8 ohms connected across 12 volts battery. The first two
resistances and the last two are connected in parallel which is in series to one another. Find :
a) Draw the schematic diagram of the circuit and label
b) the total resistance of the circuit
c) the total current of the circuit