PARALLEL CIRCUIT
INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES:
• Identify, describe and distinguish
between types of branch circuit
components.
• Name, describe and distinguish between
types of electrical circuits and compute
circuit loads.
• Solve problems in KCL and KVL
Parallel Connections
Resistors are said to be connected in parallel
when there is more than one path for current.
For Parallel Resistors:
Parallel Connection:
V2 = V 4 = V 6 = V T
2Ω 4Ω 6Ω
I2 + I4 + I6 = IT
For Series Resistors:
Series Connection:
I2 = I4 = I6 = IT
2Ω 4Ω 6Ω V2 + V 4 + V 6 = V T
Equivalent Resistance: Parallel
VT = V 1 = V 2 = V 3 Parallel Connection:
IT = I1 + I2 + I3 VT
R1 R2 R3
Ohm’s law:
The equivalent resistance
for Parallel resistors:
Summary (Cont.)
Resistors connected in parallel:
For parallel V = V 1 = V2 = V3
connections: IT = I1 + I2 + I3
Parallel Connection
VT R1 R2 R3
2Ω 4Ω 6Ω
12 V
Example 3. Find the equivalent resistance
Re for the three resistors below.
VT R1 R2 R3
2Ω 4Ω 6Ω
Re = 1.09 Ω
For parallel resistors, Re is less than the least Ri.
Example 3 (Cont.): Assume a 12-V emf is
connected to the circuit as shown. What is
the total current leaving the source of emf?
VT R1 R2 R3 VT = 12 V; Re = 1.09 Ω
2Ω 4Ω 6Ω
V1 = V2 = V3 = 12 V
12 V IT = I1 + I2 + I3
Ohm’s Law:
Total current: IT = 11.0 A
Example 3 (Cont.): Show that the current
leaving the source IT is the sum of the
currents through the resistors R1, R2, and R3.
VT R1 R2 R3 IT = 11 A; Re = 1.09 Ω
2Ω 4Ω 6Ω V1 = V2 = V3 = 12 V
12 V IT = I1 + I2 + I3
6 A + 3 A + 2 A = 11 A Check !
Short Cut: Two Parallel Resistors
The equivalent resistance Re for two parallel
resistors is the product divided by the sum.
Example:
VT R1 R2
6Ω 3Ω
Re = 2 Ω
Series and Parallel Combinations
In complex circuits resistors are often connected
in both series and parallel. R
1
In such cases, it’s best to V T R2 R3
use rules for series and
parallel resistances to
reduce the circuit to a
simple circuit containing
one source of emf and VT Re
one equivalent resistance.
Example 4. Find the equivalent resistance for
the circuit drawn below (assume VT = 12 V).
4Ω
VT 3Ω 6Ω
Re = 4 Ω + 2 Ω
Re = 6 Ω
4Ω
12 V 2Ω 12 V 6Ω
Example 3 (Cont.) Find the total current IT.
Re = 6 Ω
4Ω
VT 3Ω 6Ω
IT = 2.00 A
4Ω
IT
12 V 2Ω 12 V 6Ω
Example 3 (Cont.) Find the currents and the
voltages across each resistor.
4Ω I4 = IT = 2 A
VT 3Ω 6Ω V4 = (2 A)(4 Ω) = 8 V
The remainder of the voltage: (12 V – 8 V = 4 V)
drops across EACH of the parallel resistors.
This can also be found from
V3 = V 6 = 4 V V3,6 = I3,6R3,6 = (2 A)(2 Ω)
(Continued . . .)
Example 3 (Cont.) Find the currents and voltages
across each resistor.
V4 = 8 V V6 = V 3 = 4 V 4Ω
VT 3Ω 6Ω
I3 = 1.33 A
I6 = 0.667 A I4 = 2 A
Note that the junction rule is satisfied:
ΣI (enter) = ΣI (leaving) IT = I4 = I3 + I6
Sign Conventions for Emf’s
▪ When applying Kirchoff’s laws you must
assume a consistent, positive tracing direction.
▪ When applying the voltage rule, emf’s are
positive if normal output direction of the emf is
with the assumed tracing direction.
▪ If tracing from A to B, this +
A B
emf is considered positive. E
▪ If tracing from B to A, this +
A B
emf is considered negative. E
Signs of IR Drops in Circuits
▪ When applying the voltage rule, IR drops are
positive if the assumed current direction is with
the assumed tracing direction.
▪ If tracing from A to B, this +
A B
IR drop is positive. I
▪ If tracing from B to A, this +
A B
IR drop is negative.
I
Summary (Cont.)
Resistors connected in parallel:
For parallel V = V 1 = V2 = V3
connections: IT = I1 + I2 + I3
Parallel Connection
VT R1 R2 R3
2Ω 4Ω 6Ω
12 V
Summary Kirchoff’s Laws
Kirchoff’s first law: The sum of the currents
entering a junction is equal to the sum of the
currents leaving that junction.
Junction Rule: ΣI (enter) = ΣI (leaving)
Kirchoff’s second law: The sum of the emf’s
around any closed loop must equal the sum
of the IR drops around that same loop.
Voltage Rule: ΣE = ΣIR
Example:
•
Alternate Solution:
•
Example:
• A parallel circuit consists of a coffee maker, a
toaster, and a frying pan plugged into a kitchen
appliance on a 120-V line (see figure). What
currents will flow in each branch of the circuit
and what is the total current drawn by all the
appliances?
Solution:
• Equivalent circuit:
Alternate solution in solving
the total current:
•
Complex Circuits
A complex circuit is one
containing more than a
I3
single loop and different
current paths. R3 E2
R1
At junctions m and n: m n
I1 = I2 + I3 or I2 + I3 = I1
I1
R2 E1
Junction Rule:
I2
ΣI (enter) = ΣI (leaving)
Kirchoff’s Laws for DC Circuits
Kirchoff’s first law: The sum of the currents
entering a junction is equal to the sum of the
currents leaving that junction.
Junction Rule: ΣI (enter) = ΣI (leaving)
Kirchoff’s second law: The sum of the emf’s
around any closed loop must equal the sum
of the IR drops around that same loop.
Voltage Rule: ΣE = ΣIR
Solution:
•
•
•
Solution Cont.