DC Parallel Circuit
Chapter 4
DC Parallel Circuit
IT I1 I2 I3
VT R1 R2 R3
A parallel circuit is a circuit in which two or more components are
connected across the same voltage source.
VOLTAGE AND CURRENT IN A PARALLEL CIRCUIT
The voltage across parallel branches are equal.
VT = V1 = V2 = V3= VN
VOLTAGE AND CURRENT IN A PARALLEL CIRCUIT
The total current IT is equal to the sum of all branch
currents.
IT = I1 + I2 + I3+…+ IN
VOLTAGE AND CURRENT IN A PARALLEL CIRCUIT
EXAMPLE
Two lamps each drawing 2 A and a third lamp drawing 1 A are
connected in parallel across a 110-V line. What is the total
current?
IT I1 I2 I3
110 V
2A 2A 1A
DC power supply
VOLTAGE AND CURRENT IN A PARALLEL CIRCUIT
EXAMPLE
IT = I1 + I2 + I3
= 2+ 2 + 1
= 5A
VOLTAGE AND CURRENT IN A PARALLEL CIRCUIT
EXAMPLE
A parallel circuit consists of a coffee maker, a toaster, and a frying pan plugged into a
kitchen appliance circuit on a 120-V line .What currents will flow in each branch of
the circuit and what is the total current drawn by all the appliances?
VOLTAGE AND CURRENT IN A PARALLEL CIRCUIT
EXAMPLE
IT I1 I2 I3
V = 120 V R1 15 Ω R2 15 Ω R3 12 Ω
RESISTANCES IN PARALLEL
The total resistance in a parallel circuit is found by applying
Ohm's law.
The words total resistance and equivalent resistance are
used interchangeably.
RESISTANCES IN PARALLEL
General Reciprocal Formula
The total resistance in parallel is given by the formula
1 1 1 1 1
= + + +…+
RT R1 R2 R3 RN
RESISTANCES IN PARALLEL
EXAMPLE
Find the total resistance of a 2 Ω , a 4 Ω, and an 8 Ω resistor in parallel.
Write the formula for three resistances in parallel.
RESISTANCES IN PARALLEL
Simplified Formulas
The total resistance of equal resistors in parallel is equal to the
resistance of one resistor divided by the number of resistors.
RT = R
N
RESISTANCES IN PARALLEL
Simplified Formulas
When any two unequal resistors are in parallel, it is often easier to
calculate the total resistance by multiplying the two resistances and
then dividing the product by the sum of the resistances.
R1 R 2
RT =
R 1 + R2
RESISTANCES IN PARALLEL
EXAMPLE
1. Four lamps, each having a resistance of 60Ω, are connected in
parallel. Find the total resistance.
2. Find the total resistance of a 6 Ω and an 18 Ω resistor in parallel.
RESISTANCES IN PARALLEL
EXAMPLE
3. What value of resistance must be added in parallel with a 4- Ω
resistor to provide a total resistance of 3 Ω.
OPEN AND SHORT CIRCUITS
An “open” in any part of a circuit is, in effect, an extremely
high resistance that results in no current flow in the circuit.
OPEN AND SHORT CIRCUITS
When there is an open in the main line current to all the parallel
branches is stopped. When there is an open in one branch only
that branch will have no current. However, current in branches 1
and 3 will continue to flow so long as they are connected to the
voltage source.
Open in Main Line Open in Parallel Branch
OPEN AND SHORT CIRCUITS
A “short” in any part of a circuit is, in effect, an extremely
low resistance. The result is that very high current will flow
through the short circuit.
OPEN AND SHORT CIRCUITS
Assume that a conducting wire at point a in Fig. should
accidentally contact the wire at point b.
Short in parallel circuit
OPEN AND SHORT CIRCUITS
EXAMPLE
4. Find the current in each parallel branch (Fig. a). If the resistor in
the second branch burns out, causing an open circuit (Fig. b), find the
new branch currents.
a b
DIVISION OF CURRENT IN TWO PARALLEL BRANCHES
R2
I1 = IT
R1 + R2
R1
I2 = IT
R1 + R2
DIVISION OF CURRENT IN TWO PARALLEL BRANCHES
EXAMPLE
Find the branch currents I1 and I2 for the circuit shown .
CONDUCTANCES IN PARALLEL
Conductance is the opposite of resistance. The less the resistance,
the higher the conductance. The symbol for conductance is G and
its unit is siemens (S). G is the reciprocal of R, or
1
G=
R
CONDUCTANCES IN PARALLEL
Since conductance is equal to the reciprocal of resistance, the
reciprocal resistance equation,
GT = G1 + G2 + G3 +…Gn
POWER IN PARALLEL CIRCUITS
PT = P1 + P2 + P3 +…+Pn
POWER IN PARALLEL CIRCUITS
EXAMPLE
Find the power dissipated in each branch and the total power of the
circuit . First find the branch current and the power in each branch.
POWER IN PARALLEL CIRCUITS
SEATWORK
1. Branch circuits in a house wiring system are parallel circuits. A
toaster, a coffee maker, and a frying pan are plugged into a kitchen
appliance circuit across a 110-V [Link] current through the toaster is
8.3A; through the coffee maker, 8.3A; and
through the frying pan, 6A.
Find
(a) the total current from the main line,
(b) the voltage across each appliance, and
(c) the total resistance of the circuit.
POWER IN PARALLEL CIRCUITS
SEATWORK
2. Two resistors, each dissipating 2 W, are connected in parallel across
40 V . What is the current in each resistor? What is the total current
drawn?
I1 = ? I2 = ?
IT = ?
V = 40 V
R1 P1 = 2W R2 P2 = 2W