Circuit Theory Ch.
Class Notes
CHAPTER 3
SIMPLE RESISTIVE CIRCUITS
Chapter Topics
(1) Combination of series-connected resistors and parallel-connected resistors
(2) Voltage-divider and current-divider circuits
(3) Delta-to-wye and wye-to-delta equivalent circuits
3.1 Resistors in Series
Series-connected := when two elements connect at a single node
By KVL,
−vs + is R1 + is R2 + is R3 + is R4 + is R5 + is R6 + is R7 = 0
vs = is (R1 + R2 + R3 + R4 + R5 + R6 + R7 )
The seven resistors can be replaced by a single resistor whose resistance is:
Req = R1 + R2 + R3 + R4 + R5 + R6 + R7
Then,
vs = is Req
In general, if k resistors are connected in series, the equivalent single resistor has
a resistance as:
k
X
Req = Ri = R1 + R2 + · · · + Rk
i=1
Req is always larger than the largest Ri .
Textbook: J. W. Nilsson and R. A. Riedel, ”Electric Circuits”, 11 Ed. (Global), Pearson
Circuit Theory Ch. 3
3.2 Resistors in Parallel
Parallel-connected := when two elements connect at a single node pair
Parallel connected circuit elements have the same voltage across their terminals.
By KCL,
is = i1 + i2 + i3 + i4
By Ohm’s law,
vs vs vs vs
i1 = , i2 = , i3 = , i4 =
R1 R2 R3 R4
1 1 1 1
is = vs + + +
R1 R2 R3 R4
The four resistors can be replaced by a single resistor whose resistance is:
1 1 1 1 1
= + + +
Req R1 R2 R3 R4
Then,
vs = is Req
In general, if k resistors are connected in parallel, the equivalent single resistor
has a resistance as:
k
1 X 1 1 1 1
= = + + ··· +
Req i=1
R i R 1 R2 Rk
Req is always smaller than the smallest Ri .
Using conductance,
k
X
Geq = Gi = G1 + G2 + · · · + Gk
i=1
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Circuit Theory Ch. 3
The equivalent resistance of two parallel-connected resistors is:
R1 R2
Req =
R1 + R2
3.3 The Voltage-Divider and Current-Divider Circuits
Voltage-divider circuit := a circuit developing more than one voltage level
from a single voltage supply
By KVL,
vs
vs = iR1 + iR2 → i=
R1 + R2
By Ohm’s law,
R1 R2
v1 = iR1 = vs , v2 = iR2 = vs
R1 + R2 R1 + R2
3 Elect. Eng., Korea Univ.
Circuit Theory Ch. 3
Let a load resistor RL connected in parallel with R2 .
Req R2 RL
vo = vs , where Req =
R1 + Req R2 + RL
Therefore,
R2
vo = vs
R1 [1 + (R2 /RL )] + R2
As R2 /RL → 0, vo = R2 /(R1 + R2 )vs
As long as RL R2 (i.e., the load resistance is sufficiently larger than source resistances),
vo /vs ≈ R2 /(R1 + R2 ).
Current-divider circuit := a circuit dividing the source current among resis-
tors.
By Ohm’s law,
R1 R2
v = i1 R1 = i2 R2 = is
R1 + R2
from which
R2 R1
i1 = is , i2 = is
R1 + R2 R1 + R2
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Circuit Theory Ch. 3
3.4 Voltage Division and Current Division
Voltage-division equation
By KVL,
v v
i= =
R1 + R2 + · · · + Rn Req
Rj
vj = iRj = v
Req
Current-division equation
By KCL and Ohm’s law,
v = i(R1 k R2 k . . . k Rn ) = iReq
v Req
ij = = i
Rj Rj
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Circuit Theory Ch. 3
3.7 Delta-to-Wye (Pi-to-Tee) Equivalent Circuits
∆ interconnection and π interconnection
Y interconnection and T interconnection
∆-to-Y or Y -to-∆ transformation
• We can replace ∆-connected circuit with Y -connected one
by making the terminal behavior of the two configurations identical.
Rc (Ra + Rb )
Rab = = R1 + R2
Ra + Rb + Rc
Ra (Rb + Rc )
Rbc = = R2 + R3
Ra + Rb + Rc
Rb (Rc + Ra )
Rca = = R3 + R1
Ra + Rb + Rc
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Circuit Theory Ch. 3
Based on the above equations, the ∆-to-Y transformation is as follows:
Rb Rc
R1 =
Ra + Rb + Rc
Rc Ra
R2 =
Ra + Rb + Rc
Ra Rb
R3 =
Ra + Rb + Rc
On the contrary, the Y -to-∆ transformation is as follows:
R1 R2 + R2 R3 + R3 R1
Ra =
R1
R1 R2 + R2 R3 + R3 R1
Rb =
R2
R1 R2 + R2 R3 + R3 R1
Rc =
R3
7 Elect. Eng., Korea Univ.