CONFIRMING PAGES

CHAPTER 5 Multiple-Load Circuits

Learning Outcomes
This chapter will help you to:
A great majority of electric circuits
operate more than one load. Circuits
that contain two or more loads are called
5-1 Use subscripts to reference specific multiple-load circuits. A multiple-load cir-
components, voltages, currents, etc. cuit can be a series circuit, a parallel circuit,
5-2 Express the relationships between individual or a series-parallel circuit.
powers and total power in multiple-load
circuits.
5-3 Measure and calculate individual and total 5-1 Subscripts
powers, currents, resistances and voltages in
a series circuit. Notice the symbols R1, R2, and R3 in Fig. 5-1.
5-4 Understand how the internal resistance of The subscripts “1,” “2,” and “3” are used to Subscripts
the source influences the transfer of power identify the different-load resistors in the cir-
from a source to a load as well as the cuit. Two-level subscripts are also used in these
efficiency of the system. types of circuits. For example, IR2 is used to in-
5-5 Measure and calculate individual and total dicate the current flowing through resistor R2.
powers, currents, resistance and voltages in The symbol VR1 indicates the voltage across re-
a parallel circuit. sistor R1. Similarly, PR3 is used to specify the
5-6 Learn the meaning of conductance and its power used by R3.
relationship to resistance. In some electrical and electronics literature,
5-7 Use your knowledge of series-circuit and only one level of subscript is used. For example,
parallel-circuit relationships to reduce a VR1 would be written as VR1. Either way, the ref-
series-parallel circuit to a simple single-load erence is to the voltage across resistor R1.
equivalent circuit. Electrical quantities for a total circuit are
5-8 Determine the output voltages of an identified by the subscript T. Thus, the voltage
unloaded and a loaded resistor voltage of the battery of Fig. 5-1 is indicated by the
divider circuit and compare these voltages symbol V T . The symbol IT indicates the source
with voltages obtained from a zener diode (battery) current, and RT represents the total re-
regulated circuit. sistance of all the loads combined. The power
from the battery or source is identified as PT .

5-2 Power in Multiple-Load

Circuits
The total power taken from a source, such as a
battery, is equal to the sum of the powers used
by the individual loads. As a formula, this state-
ment is written
PT 5 PR1 1 PR2 1 PR3 1 etc.
The “1 etc.” means that the formula can be
expanded to include any number of loads. Re-
gardless of how complex the circuit, the above
formula is appropriate.

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R1 meters in Fig. 5-2 give the same current reading

provided the voltage and the total resistance are
the same in each case.
VT R2 Resistance in Series Circuits
IT
The total resistance in a series circuit is equal to Total resistance
the sum of the individual resistances around the
series circuit. This statement can be written as
R3
RT 5 R1 1 R2 1 R3 1 etc.
Fig. 5-1 Series circuit. There is only one path
for current. This relationship is very logical if you remember
two things: (1) resistance is opposition to current
and (2) all of the current has to be forced through
5-3 Series Circuits all the resistances in a series circuit.
A series circuit contains two or more loads but The total resistance RT can also be deter- Series circuit
only one path for current to flow from the source mined by Ohm’s law if the total voltage V T
voltage through the loads and back to the source. and total current IT are known. Both methods
Figure 5-1 is an example of a series circuit. of determining RT can be seen in the circuit of
Fig. 5-3. In this figure, the “2 A” near the amme-
Current in Series Circuits ter symbol means that the meter is indicating a
In Fig. 5-1, the battery current IT flows through current of 2 A. The resistance of each resistor is
the first load R1, the second load R2, and the given next to the resistor symbol. Using Ohm’s
third load R3. If 1 A flows through R1, then 1 A law, the total resistance is
also flows through R2 and R3. And, of course,
the battery provides 1 A of current. In symbolic VT 90 V
RT 5 ___ _____
I 5 2 A 5 45 V
form, the current relationship in a series circuit is T

IT 5 IR1 5 IR2 5 IR3 5 etc. Using the relationship for series resistance
Current in a series circuit can be measured yields
by inserting a meter in series. Since there is RT 5 R1 1 R2 1 R3
only one path for current, any part of the circuit 5 5 V 1 10 V 1 30 V One path for
can be interrupted to insert the meter. All the 5 45 V current

⫹
A
⫺ ⫹ ⫺
A
(a) (b)

A
⫹ ⫹ ⫺
A
⫺

(c) (d )

Fig. 5-2 Measuring current in a series circuit. The ammeter will indicate the same value
of current in any of the positions shown in diagrams (a) to (d).

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A
R1 Switch open
2A
5⍀
R1
R2
90 V 10 ⍀ ⍀

R3 R2
30 ⍀

(a) Measuring RT
Fig. 5-3 Total resistance can be found by using
Ohm’s law or by adding individual
resistances.
The total resistance of a series circuit can be Switch open

measured by connecting an ohmmeter across ⍀ R1

the loads as in Fig. 5-4(a). The power source
must be disconnected from the loads. Indi-
vidual resistances can be measured as shown in R2
Fig. 5-4(b) and (c).

Voltage in Series Circuits

(b) Measuring R1
The battery voltage in Fig. 5-3 divides up across
the three load resistors. It always divides up
so that the sum of the individual load voltages
Switch open
equals the source voltage. That is,
VT 5 VR1 1 VR2 1 VR3 1 etc. R1

Kirchhoff’s This relationship is often referred to as Kirch-

voltage law hoff’s voltage law. Kirchhoff’s law states that ⍀ R2
“the sum of the voltage drops around a circuit
equals the applied voltage.”
For Fig. 5-3, this relationship can be verified
(c) Measuring R2
by using Ohm’s law to determine the individual
voltages: Fig. 5-4 Measuring resistance in series.

VR1 5 IR1 3 R1 5 2 A 3 5 V 5 10 V
say that a voltage develops across the resistor.
VR2 5 IR2 3 R2 5 2 A 3 10 V 5 20 V That is, part of the potential energy difference
VR3 5 IR3 3 R3 5 2 A 3 30 V 5 60 V of the source develops, or appears, across each
resistor as a smaller potential energy difference.
VT 5 VR1 1 VR2 1 VR3 There is a distinction between source voltage and
5 10 V 1 20 V 1 60 V the voltage across the loads. The source voltage
provides the electric energy, and the load voltage
5 90 V converts the electric energy into another form.
Polarity Notice from the above calculations that in- The voltage drop across a resistor has polar-
dividual voltages are directly proportional to ity. However, in this case the polarity does not
individual resistances. The voltage across R2 is necessarily indicate a deficiency or excess of
twice the voltage across R1 because the value of electrons. Instead, it indicates the direction of
R2 is twice the value of R1. current flow and the conversion of electric en-
ergy to another form of energy. Current moves
Voltage Drop and Polarity through a load resistor from the negative polar-
The voltage, or potential energy difference, across ity to the positive polarity. This means that elec-
Voltage drop a resistor is referred to as a voltage drop. We can tric energy is being converted to another form.

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A R1
⫺ ⫹
R1 V R2
⫹ ⫺
B R3
⫺

R2
⫹ Fig. 5-6 Measuring the total voltage of
C a series circuit.

Fig. 5-5 Voltage polarity in a series

circuit. defined as “a potential energy difference between
two points.” Therefore, it is meaningless to speak
of a voltage or a polarity at point B. Point B by
The current through a battery moves from the itself has neither voltage nor polarity. But, with
positive to the negative polarity. Thus, the bat- respect to either point A or point C, point B has
tery is providing the electric energy. both polarity and voltage. Point B is positive with
Polarity signs are shown on the resistors in respect to point A; this means that point B is at a
Fig. 5-5. The current through R1 and R2 flows lower potential energy than point A. It also means
from the negative end of the resistors to the that electric energy is being converted to heat en-
positive end. Current inside the battery flows ergy as electrons move from point A to point B.
from the positive to the negative. However, the
external current still flows from the negative Measuring Series Voltages
terminal to the positive terminal of the battery. The total voltage of a series circuit must be
Notice in Fig. 5-5 that point B is labeled both measured across the voltage source, as shown in
negative (2) and positive (1). This may seem con- Fig. 5-6. Voltages across the series resistors are
tradictory, but it is not. Point B is positive with re- also easily measured. The correct connections
spect to point A, but negative with respect to point for measuring series voltages are illustrated in
C. It is very important to understand the phrase Fig. 5-7. The procedure is to first determine the
“with respect to.” Remember that voltage is correct function, range, and polarity on the meter.

⫹ ⫺
V

R1

R2

R3

(a) Measuring VR1

R1 R1
⫹

R2 V R2
⫺
R3 R3

(b) Measuring VR2

⫺ V ⫹

(c) Measuring VR3

Fig. 5-7 Measuring voltage drops across each resistor in a series circuit.

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Then touch the meter leads to the two points at

which voltage is to be measured. Voltmeters have
a very high internal resistance, so high that con-
necting them to a circuit has no noticeable effect
on many circuits. For now, assume that meters
(both ammeters and voltmeters) do not change
the circuits in which they are used. Also, assume
that the voltage source has insignificant internal
resistance.

Open in Series Circuits An example of a series circuit.

Open In a series circuit, if any part of the circuit is open,
current stops flowing and voltage and power are The diagrams of Fig. 5-8 show the open res-
removed from all loads. This is one of the weak- istor. However, in a real physical circuit, R2 may
nesses of a series circuit. For example, when one look just like R1 and R3. There may be no physical
lamp in a series (such as the old-style holiday tree evidence to indicate that it is open. A technician
lights) burns out (opens), all lamps go out. repairing the circuit would have to interpret the
An easy way to determine which load in a se- voltmeter readings to conclude that R2 is open.
ries is open is to measure the individual voltages.
The load that is open will have a voltage drop Shorts in Series Circuits
Shorted equal to the entire source voltage. In Fig. 5-8(a) When one load in a series circuit is shorted out,
a meter connected across either of the good re- the other loads may continue to operate. Or, one
sistors reads 0 V. Since R2 is open, no current of the other loads may open because of increased
flows in the series circuit. A meter across the voltage, current, and power. In Fig. 5-9(a), each
open resistor R2, however, as in Fig. 5-8(b), reads lamp is rated at 10 V and 1 A. Each lamp has a
approximately 50 V. When a voltmeter is con- power rating of 10 W (P 5 IV 5 1 A 3 10 V).
nected across R2 as in Fig. 5-8(b), a small current When lamp L2 shorts out, as shown in Fig. 5-9(b),
flows through R1, the voltmeter, and R3. In most the 30-V source must divide evenly between the
circuits, the internal resistance of the voltmeter two remaining lamps. This means that each re-
is very, very high compared with the other series maining lamp must drop 15 V. Since the lamp
loads. Therefore, nearly all the battery voltage voltages increase by 50 percent, the lamp currents
is developed (and read) across the voltmeter. It also increase by 50 percent to 1.5 A (this assumes
should be noted that 50 V is also across R2, in the individual lamp resistance does not change).
Fig. 5-8(a). It has to be to satisfy Kirchhoff’s With 15 V and 1.5 A, each lamp has to dissipate
voltage law. That is, VR11VR21VR3 has to equal 22.5 W. One or both of the lamps will soon burn
the 50 V of the source. out (open).

0V
V

R1 R1

50 V 50 V V Approximately
Open Open
R2 50 V
R2
R3 R3

V
0V
(a) (b)

Fig. 5-8 Voltage drops across (a) normal loads and (b) open loads.

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10 V
10 W ABOUT ELECTRONICS
L1
Nuclear Reactions Nuclear plants in the United States
number 110 and meet 20 percent of the country’s power
L2 10 V
30 V
10 W needs. Since 1986 no new reactors have been authorized.
Japan, on the other hand, has 49 reactors that meet 30 per-
L3 cent of its power needs, and 40 more are under construction.
A Elsewhere in Asia: South Korea has 11, with 19 more in prog-
1A
10 V ress; Taiwan has 6; Indonesia has 12 in progress; and China
10 W has 3, with 3 more in progress.
(a)
15 V
22.5 W

L1
(a) Short
If you are calculating the total voltage, you
30 V L2 should write
VT 5 ITRT
L3
A
15 V E X A M P L E 5 -1
1.5 A
22.5 W

(b) As shown in Fig. 5-10, an 8-V, 0.5-A lamp is

to be operated from a 12.6-V battery. What
Fig. 5-9 Effects of a shorted series load.
resistance and wattage rating are needed for
R1?
The effects of one shorted load in a series
Given: VT 5 12.6 V
can be summarized as follows:
VL1 5 8 V
1. The total resistance decreases. IL1 5 0.5 A
2. The total current increases. Find: R1, PR1
3. The voltage across the remaining loads
VR 1
increases. Known: R1 5 ___
IR1
4. The power dissipation of the remaining
load increases. VT 5 VL1 1 VR1
5. The total power increases. IT 5 IR1 5 IL1
6. The resistance, voltage, and power of the PR1 5 VR1IR1
shorted load decrease. If the short is a dead Solution: IR1 5 IL1 5 0.5 A
short, these quantities decrease to zero. VT 5 VL1 1 VR1
Therefore,
Solving Series-Circuit Problems
VR1 5 VT 2 VL1
Proper use of Ohm’s law and the series rela- VR1 5 12.6 V 2 8 V 5 4.6 V
tionships of current, voltage, resistance, and
4.6 V
power solves most series problems. In using R1 5 _____
0.5 V 5 9.2 V
Ohm’s law, you should develop the habit of
using subscripts for voltage, current, and PR1 5 VR1IR1 Using subscripts
resistance. Without subscripts, it is easy 5 4.6 V 3 0.5 A
to forget which voltage, current, or resis- 5 2.3 W
tance to substitute into the formula. If you are Answer: The calculated values for R1
using Ohm’s law to find the voltage across R1, are 9.2 V and 2.3 W. Use a
write 5-W resistor to provide a safety
factor.
VR1 5 IR1R1

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example 5-2 can be cross-checked by using

R1 Kirchhoff’s voltage law:
L1
12.6 V 8V
VT 5 VR1 1 VR2 1 VR3
0.5 A
5 21 V 1 42 V 1 27 V
5 90 V
Fig. 5-10 Circuit diagram for example 5-1. Since 90 V was specified for V T , the cross-check
verifies that at least the sum of the individual
EX AMPLE 5-2 voltages is as it should be.

Find the total current and total resistance of Voltage-Divider Equation

the circuit in Fig. 5-11. Also determine the When you want to find the voltage across only
voltage across each resistor. one of the resistors in a series circuit, you can
Voltage-divider Given: VT 5 90 V use the voltage-divider equation. This equation
equation R1 5 35 V in its general form is
R2 5 70 V V T Rn
R3 5 45 V VRn 5 ____
R T
Find: IT , RT , VR1, VR2, VR3
where Rn is any one of the resistors in the series
VT
___ circuit. The logic of this equation is obvious if
Known: IT 5 R
T it is written in the form
RT 5 R1 1 R2 1 R3 VT
VR1 5 IR1R1 VRn 5 ___
R 3 Rn 5 IT 3 Rn 5 IRn 3 Rn
T
IT 5 IR1 5 IR2 5 IR3
Solution: RT 5 35 V 1 70 V 1 45 V To illustrate the usefulness of the voltage-
5 150 V divider equation, let us use it to solve for
90 V VR2 in Fig. 5-11. If we remember that RT 5
IT 5 ______ 5 0.6 A R1 1 R2 1 R3 for Fig. 5-11, we can write the
150 V
VR1 5 0.6 A 3 35 V 5 21 V voltage divider equation as
VR2 5 0.6 A 3 70 V 5 42 V VT R2
VR3 5 0.6 A 3 45 V 5 27 V VR2 5 ___________
R 1R 1R
1 2 3
Answer: IT 5 0.6 A, RT 5 150 V 90 V 3 70 V
VR1 5 21 V 5 __________________ 5 42 V
35 V 1 70 V 1 45 V
VR2 5 42 V
VR3 5 27 V Estimations, Approximations,
and Tolerances
After you solve a complex problem, it is a In a series circuit, the resistor with the most
Cross-check good idea to cross-check the problem for math- resistance dominates the circuit. That is, the
ematical errors. This can usually be done by highest resistance drops the most voltage,
checking some relationship not used in origi- uses the most power, and has the most effect
nally solving the problem. The problem of on the total current. Sometimes one resistor is
so much larger than the other resistors that its
value almost determines the total current. For
R1 example, resistor R1 in Fig. 5-12 dominates the
35 ⍀ circuit. Shorting out R2 in the circuit would in-
R2
90 V
70 ⍀ crease the current from about 18 mA to only
R3 20 mA. Assume R1 and R2 are 610 percent
45 ⍀
resistors. Then R1 could be as low as 90 kV
and R2 as low as 9 kV. If this were the case,
Fig. 5-11 Circuit diagram for example 5-2. the current in Fig. 5-12 would still be about

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R1
100 k⍀
20 V 24 V
R2
10 k⍀

Fig. 5-12 Dominant resistance. Circuit current Fig. 5-14 Lamp-intensity control.
and power are largely determined
by R1.
that it is inefficient. Sometimes the resistance
20 mA. The presence or absence of R2 has no converts more electric energy to heat than the
more effect on the current than the tolerance of motor converts to mechanical energy.
R1 does. Therefore, a good estimate of the cur- The intensity of an indicator lamp is often Estimate
rent in Fig. 5-12 could be obtained by ignoring controlled by a variable series resistor. Such Variable resistor
R2. This estimate would be close enough for circuits are used to illuminate dials and meters
such things as on radio and navigation equipment in airplanes.
1. Determining the power rating needed for A typical circuit is illustrated in Fig. 5-14. In
the resistors by using P 5 I2R this circuit, increasing the resistance decreases
2. Determining which range of an ammeter the total current and the lamp intensity. No-
should be used to measure the current tice that the symbol for the variable resistor
3. Estimating the power required from the in Fig. 5-14 is different from the one used in
battery Fig. 5-13. Either symbol is correct. They both
are symbols for a rheostat. Rheostat
When estimating current in a series circuit, ig-
nore the lowest resistance if it is less than the
tolerance of the highest resistance.
EX AMPLE 5-3
Applications of Series Circuits
The rheostat (R) in Fig. 5-14 is adjusted to
One application of series circuits has already provide a lamp voltage (VL) and lamp current
been mentioned — holiday tree lights. Other ap- (IL) of 16 V and 0.6 A, respectively. What re-
plications include (1) motor-speed controls, (2) sistance (RR) is the rheostat set for, and how
lamp-intensity controls, and (3) numerous elec- much power (PR) is the rheostat dissipating?
tronic circuits.
A simple motor-speed control circuit is Given: Vbattery (VT) 5 24 V Motor-speed
shown in Fig. 5-13. This type of control is VL 5 16 V control
used on very small motors, such as the motor IL 5 0.6 A
on a sewing machine. With a sewing machine, Find: Rrheostat (RR)
the variable resistance is contained in the Prheostat (PR)
foot control. The circuit provides continuous,
Known: VT 5 VL 1 VR
smooth control of motor speed. The lower the
resistance, the faster the motor rotates. A big IT 5 IL 5 IR
disadvantage of this type of motor control is PR 5 IR 3 VR
Solution: VR 5 VT 2 VL 5 24 V 2 16 V 5 8 V
R (speed control)
IR 5 IL 5 0.6 A
RR 5 VR 4 IR 5 8 V 4 0.6 A
5 13.33 Ω
M Motor
PR 5 IR 3 VR 5 0.6 A 3 8 V
120 V ac 5 4.8 W
Answer: RR 5 13.33 Ω
PR 5 4.8 W
Fig. 5-13 Motor-speed control.

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Transistor A portion of a transistor circuit is shown in

Fig. 5-15. Resistor R1 is in series with the collec- R1
1 k⍀
tor and emitter of the transistor. The transistor
Collector 9V
acts like a variable resistor. Its resistance is con-
Transistor
trolled by the current supplied to the base. Thus, base
controlling the current to the base controls the Emitter
current through the transistor. This makes it
Amplify possible for a transistor to amplify, or increase,
Fig. 5-15 Series resistor in a transistor circuit.
the small current presented to the base.

Self-Test
Answer the following questions. 10. A series circuit contains two resistors.
One resistor is good, and the other is
1. Write the symbol for
open. Across which resistor will a voltme-
a. Voltage across resistor R4
ter indicate more voltage?
b. Source current
11. A series circuit contains three resistors:
c. Current through resistor R2
R1, R2, and R3. If R2 shorts out, what hap-
2. True or false. In any multiple-load circuit
pens to each of the following:
the total power is the sum of the individ-
a. Current through R1
ual powers.
b. Total power
3. True or false. When resistors are in series,
c. Voltage across R3
they share a common current.
12. A 125-V resistor (R1) and a 375-V re-
4. True or false. In a series circuit, the sistor (R2) are connected in a series to a
source current is equal to the current 100-V source. Determine the following:
through any load. a. Total resistance
5. Give two formulas for determining the b. Total current
total resistance of a series circuit. c. Voltage across R1
6. Can the resistance of a resistor in a series d. Power dissipated by R2
circuit be measured without completely 13. Refer to Fig. 5-10. Change L1 to a 7-V,
removing it from the circuit? 150-mA lamp. What resistance is now
7. Write the formula that shows the relation- needed for R1? How much power does the
ship between total and individual voltages battery have to furnish?
in a series circuit. 14. If the resistance in Fig. 5-14 decreased, what
8. Which drops more voltage in a series cir- would happen to the intensity of the lamp?
cuit, a 100-V resistor or a 56-V resistor? 15. If the transistor in Fig. 5-15 opened, how
9. Does a negative-polarity marking on a much voltage would be measured across R1?
voltage drop indicate an excess of elec- 16. If the transistor in Fig. 5-15 shorted, how
trons at that point? much current would flow through R1?

5-4 Maximum Power Transfer Maximum power transfer occurs when

Maximum power Maximum power transfer refers to getting the the source’s internal opposition to the current
transfer maximum possible amount of power from a equals the load’s opposition to the current. Re-
source to its load. The source may be a battery, sistance is one form of opposition to current;
Impedance and the load a lamp, or the source could be a impedance is another form of opposition. You
guitar amplifier and the load a speaker. will learn more about impedance when you

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⫺ terminal
internal resistance (RB1) of the battery and
Internal Source the maximum power (Pmax) that B1 can de-
RB
resistance 3⍀ liver to any load resister.
R1
Constant B1 Given: VNL 5 16 V
voltage 12 V Load
source V L 5 15 V
⫹ terminal
RL 5 25 V
Find: RB1
Fig. 5-16 Maximum power transfer occurs when RB Pmax
and R1 are equal.
Known: IB1 5 IL
RB1 5 (VNL 2 VL) 4 IL
study alternating current. In dc circuits, maxi-
IL 5 VL 4 RL
mum power transfer occurs when resistances
are matched. RT 5 RL 1 RB1
Referring to Fig. 5-16 will aid you in under- Pmax occurs when RL 5 RB1
standing resistance matching and power transfer. P 5 I2R
In this figure, the internal resistance of the Solution: IB1 5 IL 5 VL 4 RL 5 15 V 4 25 V
battery is represented by R B. The battery B1 5 0.6 A
represents what is called a constant voltage RB1 5 (VNL 2 VL) 4 IL Constant voltage
source or an ideal voltage source. That is, it 5 (16 V 2 15 V ) 4 0.6 A source
represents a voltage source that has no inter- 5 1 V 4 0.6 A 5 1.67 V
nal resistance. The dotted line around RB and RT 5 RL 1 RB1 5 1.67 V 1 1.67 V
B1 means that RB and B1 together behave like 5 3.34 V
a real battery. Resistance RB and battery B1 do
IL 5 VNL 4 RT 5 16 V 4 3.34 V
not actually exist as separate components. They
5 4.79 A
cannot be separated. Thus, they are enclosed in
dotted lines. Together they form the source. The Pmax 5 IL2 RL 5 (4.79 A)2 3 1.67 V
load is R1. When R1 equals RB, the maximum 5 38.32 W
amount of power is transferred from the source Answer: Internal resistance of the battery
to the load. This statement can be proved by an is 1.67 V.
example. First assign fixed values to RB and B1. Maximum power available from
Then calculate the power dissipated by R1 for the battery is 38.32 W.
various values of R1. For example, when R1 is
9 V, the series calculations are
RT 5 R1 1 RB 5 9 V 1 3 V 5 12 V Calculations for other values of R1 have been
made and recorded in Table 5-1. Notice that
VT _____
12 V the maximum power dissipation occurs when
IT 5 ___
RT 5 12 V 5 1 A R1 is 3 V.
PR1 5 IR12R1 5 (1 A)2 3 9 V 5 9 W
PRB 5 IRB2RB 5 (1 A)2 3 3 V 5 3 W Table 5-1 Calculated Values for Fig. 5-16
PT 5 PR1 1 PRB
R1 RT IT PR1 PRB PT
5 9 W 1 3 W 5 12 W (Ω) (Ω) (A) (W) (W) (W)
1 4 3.00 9.00 27.00 36.00
EX AMPLE 5-4 2 5 2.40 11.52 17.28 28.80
3 6 2.00 12.00 12.00 24.00
A battery (B1) produces 16 V (VNL) when
no load is connected to it. Connecting a 4 7 1.71 11.76 8.82 20.57
25-V load resistor (RL) to B1 causes its volt- 5 8 1.50 11.25 6.75 18.00
age (VL) to drop to 15 V. Determine the 6 9 1.33 10.67 5.33 16.00

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Also shown in Table 5-1 are the power dis- only 50 percent. Of the 24 W furnished by the
sipated within the source and the total power source, only 12 W is used by the load. As the
taken from the source. Notice that when maxi- load gets larger, the efficiency improves and
mum power transfer occurs, the efficiency is the power transferred decreases.

Self-Test
Answer the following questions. 18. For high efficiency, should the load re-
sistance be equal to, less than, or greater
17. When is maximum power transferred
than the internal resistance of the source?
from a source to a load?

5-5 Parallel Circuits turning switch S2 on and off does not affect the
lamps in the other branches. Figure 5-18 illus-
Parallel circuits Parallel circuits are multiple-load circuits trates the way in which the lamps in your home
which have more than one path for current. are connected. In a house, the electric circuits
More than one
Each different current path is called a branch. are parallel circuits. The fuse in Fig. 5-18 pro-
path
The circuit in Fig. 5-17 has three branches. Cur- tects all three branches. It carries the current
Branch rent from the battery splits up among the three for all branches. If any one branch draws too
branches. Each branch has its own load. As long much current, the fuse opens. Also, if the three
as the voltage from the source remains con- branches together draw too much current, the
stant, each branch is independent of all other fuse opens. Of course, when the fuse opens, all
branches. The current and power in one branch branches become inoperative.
are not dependent on the current, resistance, or
power in any other branch. Voltage in Parallel Circuits
In Fig. 5-18, switch S2 in the second branch All voltages in a parallel circuit are the same.
controls the lamp in that branch. However, In other words, the source voltage appears
across each branch of a parallel circuit. In
Fig. 5-19(a), each voltmeter reads the same

R1 R2 R3
V R1 V R2 V

Fig. 5-17 Parallel circuit. There is more than one

path for current to take. (a)

F1
S1 S2 S3 V R1 R2 V

L1 L2 L3
(b)

Fig. 5-19 Voltage measurement in parallel circuits.

Fig. 5-18 Independence of parallel branches. Opening All voltmeters will indicate the same value
or closing S2 has no effect on L1 or L3. of voltage.

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voltage. Rearranging the circuit in Fig. 5-19(a)

yields the circuit shown in Fig. 5-19(b). It is eas-
History of
ier to see in Fig. 5-19(b) that each branch of the
circuit receives the total battery voltage. For a
E l e c t ro n i c s
parallel circuit, the relationship of source volt-
Gustav R. Kirchhoff
age to load voltage is expressed as German physicist Gustav R.
VT 5 VR1 5 VR2 5 VR3 5 etc. Kirchhoff is best known for his
statement of two basic laws of
In a parallel circuit, the voltage measured the behavior of current and volt-
across the load does not change if the load age. Developed in 1847, these
opens. If R2 in Fig. 5-19(a) were open, the volt- laws enable scientists to under-
meter across R2 would still measure the voltage stand and therefore evaluate the
of the battery. behavior of networks.
Current in Parallel Circuits
The relationship of the currents in a parallel
circuit is as follows:
IT 5 IR1 1 IR2 1 IR3 1 etc.
In other words, the total current is equal to
the sum of the individual branch currents. This law states that “the sum of the currents en- Branch currents
Figure 5-20 shows all the places where an tering a junction equals the sum of the currents
ammeter could be inserted to measure current leaving a junction.” No matter how many wires Junction
in a parallel circuit. The current being measured are connected at a junction, Kirchhoff’s current
at each location is indicated inside the meter law still applies. Thus, in Fig. 5-20, the follow-
symbol. The total current IT in Fig. 5-20 splits ing relationships exist:
at junction 1 into two smaller currents — namely
IR1 and IA. At junction 2, IA splits into currents IR2 IT 5 IR1 1 IA
and IR3. Currents IR2 and IR3 join at junction 3 to IA 5 IR2 1 IR3
form IB. Finally, IB and IR1 join at junction 4 and
IR2 1 IR3 5 IB
form the total current returning to the source.
The various currents entering and leaving a IR1 1 IB 5 IT
junction are related by Kirchhoff’s current law. IB 5 IA Kirchhoff’s
current law
In Fig. 5-21, five wires are joined at a junction.
Junction 1 Junction 2
If three of the wires carry a total of 8 A into the
junction, the other two must carry a total of 8 A
IT IA
out of the junction. Therefore, the unmarked
wire in Fig. 5-21 must be carrying 3 A out of
the junction.
IR1 IR2 IR3

5A

R1 R2 R3 3A

3A
IR1 IR2

2A
IT IB IR3

Junction 4 Junction 3 Fig. 5-21 Current at a junction. The unmarked line

must carry 3 A of current away from the
Fig. 5-20 Current measurement in parallel circuits. junction.

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R1 R2 Solution: R1 5 1000 V 1 (1000 V 3 0.10)

1 k⍀ 10 k⍀ 5 1100 V
⫾10% ⫾10%
10 V
R2 5 10,000 V 1 (10,000 V 3
11 mA A 10 mA A 1 mA 0.10) 5 11,000 V
A IR1 5 10 V 4 1100 V 5 9.09 mA
IR2 5 10 V 4 11,000 V
Fig. 5-22 Resistor tolerance and estimated current. 5 0.91 mA
Notice that the small resistance carries
IT 5 9.09 mA 1 0.91 mA
nearly all the circuit current.
5 10 mA
Answer: IR1 5 9.09 mA
As shown in Fig. 5-22, the branch of a paral-
lel circuit with the lowest resistance dominates IR2 5 0.91 mA
the circuit. That is, the lowest resistance takes IT 5 10 mA
the most current and power from the source.
Ohm’s law shows why this is so:
EX AMPLE 5-6
V
__
I5R
Determine IR1 , IR2 , and IT for Fig. 5-22 when
both resistors are at the low side of their 610
With V equal for all branches, a low value of
percent tolerance.
R results in a high value of I. As R increases, I
decreases. Since V is the same for all branches, Given: Nominal value of R1 is 1 kV
the branch with the most current uses the most 610%
power (P 5 IV). Nominal value of R2 is 10 kV
In Fig. 5-22, removing the 10-kV resistor 610%
would reduce the total power and current about VT 5 10 V
10 percent. Following the logic used for series Known: IR1 5 VT 4 R1 and IR2 5 VT 4 R2
Rule of thumb circuits, engineers have developed a rule of
for parallel IT 5 IR1 1 IR2
thumb for parallel circuits. When estimating
circuits total current and power, ignore a parallel resis- Solution: R1 5 1000 V – (1000 V 3 0.10) 5
tor whose resistance is 10 times higher than that 900 V
of the other resistor. This rule assumes that the R2 5 10,000 V – (10,000 V 3
resistors have a 10 percent tolerance. If the toler- 0.10) 5 9000 V
ance is 5 percent, the rule is modified to read “20 IR1 5 10 V 4 900 V 5 11.11 mA
times higher.” In Fig. 5-22, ignoring the 10-kV IR2 5 10 V 4 9000 V 5 1.11 mA
resistor results in an estimated total current of IT 5 11.11 mA 1 1.11 mA
10 mA. 5 12.22 mA
EX AMPLE 5-5 Answer: IR1 5 11.11 mA
IR2 5 1.11 mA
Determine IR1, IR2, and IT for Fig. 5-22 when IT 5 12.22 mA
both resistors are at the high side of their
610 percent tolerance.
Given: Nominal value of R1 is 1 kV Examples 5-5 and 5-6 show that when both
±10% resistors are on the high side of their 610 per-
Nominal value of R2 is 10 kV cent tolerance, the rule of thumb for estimating
±10% total current provides the correct value of cur-
VT 5 10 V rent for the circuit. However when they are both
on the low side of their tolerance, the estimated
Known: IR1 5 VT 4 R1 and IR2 5 VT 4 R2
current is 10 percent lower than the total circuit
IT 5 IR1 1 IR2 current obtained using the actual resistor values
(see Fig. 5-22).

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A 1 mA A 1 mA A 0.1 mA
10 V 10 V

R1 R1 R2
10 k⍀ 1.1 mA 10 k⍀ 100 k⍀

(a) (b)

A 1 mA A 0.1 mA A 10 mA
10 V

R1 R2 R3
11.1 mA 10 k⍀ 100 k⍀ 1 k⍀

(c)

Fig. 5-23 Total resistance in parallel circuits. Adding resistors, as in circuits (b) and (c),
increases total current and decreases total resistance.

Resistance in Parallel Circuits resistance. Also, notice that the total resistance
The total resistance of a parallel circuit is always is less than the lowest (10-kV) resistance. In Total resistance
less than the lowest branch resistance. It may Fig. 5-23(c), a 1-kV resistor has been added to
the circuit of Fig. 5-23(b). The total resistance Lowest branch
seem illogical at first that adding more resistors
of Fig. 5-23(c) is resistance
to a parallel circuit decreases the total resistance.
The logic of the above statements can be shown VT ________
10 V
through the use of Ohm’s law and reference to RT 5 ___
IT 5 0.0011 A
Fig. 5-23. In Fig. 5-23(a) the current in the circuit is
5 900.9 V 5 0.901 kV
V ________
10 V
I 5 __
R 5 10,000 V Again, notice that RT has decreased and is less
5 0.001 A 5 1 mA than the lowest resistance (1 kV).
In the above examples, the total resistance
Adding R2 in parallel, as in Fig. 5-23(b), does not was calculated by using Ohm’s law and the
change either the resistance of R1 or the voltage circuit voltage and current. A formula to de-
across R1. Therefore, R1 will still draw 1 mA. The termine the total resistance directly from the
current drawn by R2 can also be calculated: branch resistance can be developed using
V2 ________
10 V Ohm’s law and the current and voltage relation-
IR2 5 __
R2 5 10,000 V ships in a parallel circuit. From parallel-circuit
relationships, I1 1 I2 1 I3 1 etc. can be substi-
5 0.0001 A 5 0.1 mA
tuted for IT, and V T can be substituted for VR1
By Kirchhoff’s current law, the total current in or VR2 , etc. Since, by Ohm’s law, VR1yR1 can be
Fig. 5-23(b) is 1.1 mA (IT 5 IR1 1 IR2). Now, if the substituted for IR1, and V T can be substituted for
total voltage is still 10 V and the total current has VR1, we can substitute V TyR1 for IR1. Now, start-
increased, the total resistance has to decrease. By ing with Ohm’s law for a parallel circuit, we
Ohm’s law, the total resistance of Fig. 5-23(b) is can write
VT ________
10 V VT ________________
VT
RT 5 ___
IT 5 0.0011 A RT 5 ___
IT 5 IR1 1 IR2 1 IR3 1 etc.
5 9091 V 5 9.09 kV VT
5 __________________
V T ___
V V
Notice that the addition of a 100-kV resistor in ___ 1 T 1 ___T 1 etc.
parallel with a 10-kV resistor reduces the total R1 R2 R3

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Finally, both the numerator and the denomina- formula is derived from the reciprocal formula.
tor of the right side of the equation can be di- It is
vided by V T to yield R1 3 R2
RT 5 _______
R 1R
1
RT 5 _________________
1
1 2
1 1 __
__ 1 1 __ 1 etc. This formula is sometimes referred to as the
R1 R2 R3
product-over-sum formula.
This formula is often referred to as the The simpler formula can also be used for cir-
Reciprocal reciprocal formula because the reciprocals of cuits containing more than two resistors. The
formula the branch resistances are added, and then the process is to find the equivalent resistance of
Equivalent reciprocal of this sum is taken to obtain the R1 and R 2 in parallel, label it R1,2, and then use
resistance total (equivalent) resistance. this equivalent resistance and R3 in a second
Instead of using fractions to calculate the application of the formula to find RT. As an
total resistance, you can convert the reciprocals

EX AMPLE 5-8
E X A M P L E 5 -7
What is the total resistance of a 27-V resistor
What is the total resistance of three in parallel with a 47-V resistor?
resis tors — 20 V, 30 V, and 60 V —
connected in parallel? Given: R1 5 27 V
R2 5 47 V
Given: R1 5 20 V
Find: RT
R2 5 30 V
R1 3 R2
R3 5 60 V Known: RT 5 _______
R1 1 R2
Find: RT
1269
27 3 47 _____
1 Solution: RT 5 _______
27 1 47 5 74
Known: RT 5 ____________ 1
1 1 __
__ 1 1 __
R1 R2 R3 5 17.1 V
1 Answer: The total resistance is 17.1 V.
Solution: RT 5 _____________
1 1 ___1 1 ___
1
___
20 30 60
1 illustration, let us solve example 5-7 using this
5 ____ 5 10 V
( )
6
___
60
two-step method.
Answer: The total resistance is 10 V. R1 3 R2 _______
20 3 30 ____
600
R1,2 5 _______
R 1 R 5 20 1 30 5 50
1 2

5 12 V
Decimal to their decimal equivalents. Let us solve the R1.2 3 R3 _______
12 3 60 ____
720
equivalents problem in example 5-7 using the decimal RT 5 ________
R 1 R 5 12 1 60 5 72
1.2 3
equivalents:
5 10 V
1 When all the resistors in a parallel circuit
RT 5 _____________
1 1 ___
1 1 ___ 1
___ have the same value, the total resistance can be
20 30 60 found easily. Just divide the value of a resistor
1 by the number of resistors. That is, RT 5 Ryn,
5 ___________________
0.05 1 0.033 1 0.017 where n is the number of resistors. For example,
1 three 1000-V resistors in parallel have a total
5 _____
0.100 5 10 V resistance of
Two resistors 1000
R _____
in parallel When only two resistors are in parallel, RT 5 __
n5 3
R a simplified formula can be used to solve
RT 5 __n parallel-resistance problems. This simplified 5 333.3 V

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1
RT 5 _________________
1
1 1 __
__ 1 1 __ 1 etc.
R1 R2 R3
R1 R2 ⍀ R3
PT 5 PR1 1 PR2 1 PR3 1 etc.
V
I 5 __
R
Lead removed at junction
V2
(a) Measuring R2 P 5 IV 5 I2R 5 ___
R

EX AMPLE 5-9
R1 R2 ⍀ R3
For the circuit in Fig. 5-25, find IT , RT ,
and PT .
(b) Measuring RT Given: VT 5 10 V R1 5 100 V
Fig. 5-24 Measurement of resistance in parallel. PL1 5 2 W IR 5 0.5 A
2

Find: IT , RT , PT
Two 100-V parallel resistors have an equivalent Known: Parallel-circuit formulas
resistance of Solution: For branch I:
100
R ____ PL1
RT 5 __
n 5 2 5 50 V IL1 5 ___
2W
_____
VL1 5 10 V 5 0.2 A
For branch II:
Measuring Resistance in VR1 10 V
Parallel IR1 5 ___ ______
R1 5 100 V 5 0.1 A
The total resistance of a parallel circuit is mea-
sured in the same way that it is measured in For the total circuit:
other types of circuits: the power source is IT 5 IL1 1 IR1 1 IR2
disconnected and the resistance is measured 5 0.2 A 1 0.1 A 1 0.5 A
across the points where the power was applied. 5 0.8 A
VT _____
10 V
To measure an individual resistance in a RT 5 ___
IT 5 0.8 A 5 12.5 V
parallel circuit, one end of the load must be
disconnected from the circuit. The correct PT 5 ITVT 5 0.8 A 3 10 V
technique is shown in Fig. 5-24(a). When the load 58W
is not disconnected, as illustrated in Fig. 5-24(b), Answer: The total current is 0.8 A. The
the meter again reads the total resistance. total resistance is 12.5 V. The
total power is 8 W.
Solving Parallel-Circuit
Problems
Now that we know the relationship between indi-
Branch Branch Branch
vidual and total resistance, current, voltage, and I II III
power, we can solve parallel-circuit problems.
These relationships, plus Ohm’s law and the
0.5 A A
power formula, allow us to solve most parallel-
circuit problems. The formulas listed below will L1 R1
10 V
be the “Known” for examples that follow. 2W 100 ⍀

R2
Parallel-Circuit Formulas
IT 5 IR1 1 IR2 1 IR3 1 etc.
VT 5 VR1 5 VR2 5 VR3 5 etc. Fig. 5-25 Circuit for example 5-9.

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E X A M P L E 5 - 10 Current-Divider Formula
When you are interested in finding the current
Current-divider With the data found in example 5-9, find the
through only one of two parallel resistors, you can
formula total resistance using the reciprocal formula.
use the current-divider formula. This formula is
VL1 10 V I T R2 I T R2
Solution: RL1 5 ___ _____
I 5 0.2 A 5 50 V IR1 5 _______ or IR2 5 _______
L1 R 1R
1 2
R 1R1 2
VR 1 10 V
R2 5 ___ _____ The current-divider formula can easily be de-
IR2 5 0.5 A 5 20 V rived by substituting parallel relationships and
1
RT 5 ______________ formulas into the Ohm’s law expression for IR1.
___ 1 1 ___
1 1 ____ 1 The derivation is
50 100 20
1
5 _________________
0.02 1 0.01 1 0.05
1
VR1 RT IT
IR1 5 ___
R1 5 ____
R1 5
(
R1R2
_______
R1 1 R2 T
__________
I )
5 ____ R1
0.08 5 12.5 V
R1R2IT IT R2
Answer: The total resistance is 12.5 V. 5 __________ _______
(R1 1 R2)R1 5 R1 1 R2
We can demonstrate the usefulness of the
Using the reciprocal formula can be a labori-
current-divider formula by solving for IR1 in the
ous task—especially when the resistances do not
circuit shown in Fig. 5-26:
have an easily determined common denominator.
This task is greatly simplified by using one of the IT R2 2 A 3 47 V
IR1 5 _______ ___________
R1 1 R2 5 22 V 1 47 V 5 1.36 A
many computer programs available for analyzing
or simulating electrical or electronic circuits.
Calculating IR1 in Fig. 5-26 without the current
divider formula involves the following steps:
ABOUT ELECTRONICS 1. Calculate RT using either the reciprocal
formula or the product-over-sum formula.
The Sky Is the
Limit Most eleva- 1
RT 5 _______ 1
5 ____________
1 1 __
__ 1 1 1 _____
_____ 1
tors cannot go any R1 R2 22 V 47 V
higher than about
600 meters because 1 1
5 ______________ 5 ______
of the limitations 0.0455 1 0.0213 0.0668
of braided steel
cables—that is, 5 14.97 V
until recently. Otis, R1 3 R2 ___________
an elevator manu- or RT 5 _______ 5 22 V 3 47 V
facturer since 1853, R1 1 R2 22 V 1 47 V
is designing people- 1034 V 5 14.99 V
5 _______
moving systems 69 V
for today’s highest
buildings. Its sys- 2. Calculate VT using Ohm’s law.
tems use a series VT 5 IT 3 RT 5 2 A 3 14.99 V 5 29.98 V
of shafts that allow
people to shuttle A
both vertically and
2A
horizontally without R1 R2
changing cars. This 22 ⍀ 47 ⍀
is a software-run, gearless system that changes its dispatching
decisions in response to building traffic demands. Otis, which
also invented the escalator, was the first to make elevators
completely controlled by microprocessors. Fig. 5-26 The current-divider formula can solve for
IR1 without calculating RT or VT .

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3. Calculate IR using Ohm’s law. Taking the reciprocal of both sides yields
1

1
V 29.99 V 5 1.36 A GT 5 __________________
1 1
IR1 5 ___T 5 _______ 1
___ 1 ___
1 ___ 1 etc.
R1 22 V G1 G2 G3
Although the calculated value for IR1 was the The formula for total conductance of parallel
same using either procedure, the current- conductances can be found in a like manner.
divider formula requires far fewer calculations 1
and is a faster way to determine the value of IR1 RT 5 _________________
1 1
1 1 __
__ 1 __ 1 etc.
when the values of V T and RT are unknown. R1 R2 R3

Applications of Parallel Circuits Taking the reciprocal of both sides gives

An electric system in which one section can 1
___ 1
___ 1
___ 1
___
fail and other sections continue to operate has RT 5 R1 1 R2 1 R3 1 etc.
parallel circuits. As previously mentioned, the so
electric system used in homes consists of many 1
___ 1
___ 1
___ 1
___
1 1 1
parallel circuits. ___
GT 5 ___ 1 ___ 1 1 1 etc.
___
An automobile electric system uses parallel cir- G1 G2 G3
cuits for lights, heater motor, radio, etc. Each of This reduces to
these devices operates independently of the others.
GT 5 G1 1 G2 1 G3 1 etc.
Individual television circuits are quite com-
plex. However, the complex circuits are connected The relationships between I, V, and G can be
in parallel to the main power source. That is why determined by taking the reciprocal of both
the audio section of television receivers can still sides of R 5 VyI. This yields G 5 IyV and I 5
work when the video (picture) is inoperative. GV and V 5 IyG. The voltage-divider equa-
tion for series conductance can be derived from
these relationships as follows:
5-6 Conductance
IG GTVT GTVT
So far in this text, we have considered only a re- VG 5 ___n 5 _____ so VG 5 _____
Gn
sistor’s opposition to current. However, no resistor n Gn Gn n

completely stops current. Therefore, we could just For parallel conductance, the current divider
as well consider a resistor’s ability to conduct cur- formula is derived as:
rent. Instead of considering a resistor’s resistance, IT GnIT
IG 5 GnVG 5 Gn 3 ___ so IG 5 ____ Conductance
we could consider a resistor’s conductance. Con- n n GT n GT
ductance refers to the ability to conduct current. Siemens
It is symbolized by the letter G. The base unit E X A M P L E 5 - 11
for conductance is the siemens, abbreviated S, in
honor of the inventor Ernst Werner von Siemens. Determine the individual conductances and
Conductance is the exact opposite of resis- the total conductance of a 25-V resistor (R1)
tance. In fact, the two are mathematically de- and a 50-V resistor (R2) connected in series.
fined as reciprocals of each other. That is,
Given: R1 5 25 V
1
__ 1
__ R2 5 50 V 1
G 5 __
G5R and R5G R
Thus, a 100-V resistor has a conductance of Find: G1, G2, and GT
1
R 5 __
1
⁄100, or 0.01, siemens (S). Known: G 5 1yR G
Using the relationship R 5 1yG and the 1
GT 5 ___________
series-resistance formula, we can determine 1yG1 1 1yG2
total conductance of conductances, in series. Solution: G1 5 1y25 5 0.04 S
G2 5 1y50 5 0.02 S
RT 5 R1 1 R2 1 R3 1 etc. 1
GT 5 ______________
so 1y0.04 1 1y0.02
1
___ 1
__ 1
___ 1
___ 1 5 0.0133 S
5 ___
GT 5 G1 1 G2 1 G3 1 etc. 75

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E X A M P L E 5 - 13
Answer: The conductances are as fol-
lows: 0.04 S, 0.02 S, and Determine the current through G2 when G1 5
0.0133 S. Notice that the total 0.5 S, G2 5 0.25 S, G3 5 0.20 S, IT 5 19 A, and
conductance could also have the conductances are connected in parallel.
been found by determining RT
Given: G1 5 0.5 S
and taking the reciprocal of it.
G2 5 0.25 S
G3 5 0.20 S
IT 5 19 A
Find: IG2
E X A M P L E 5 - 12 Known: GT 5 G1 1 G2 1 G3
Determine the total conductance for the resis- G2IT
IG2 5 ____
tors in example 5-11 when they are in parallel. GT
Given: G1 5 0.04 S Solution: GT 5 0.5 S 1 0.25 S 1 0.20 S
G2 5 0.02 S 5 0.95 S
Find: GT 0.25 S 3 19 A
IG2 5 ____________
0.95 S
Known: GT 5 G1 1 G2
4.75 SA 5 5 A
5 _______
Solution: GT 5 0.04 1 0.02 5 0.06 S 0.95 S
Answer: The total conductance is 0.06 S. Answer: The current through G2 is 5 A.

Self-Test
Answer the following questions. 29. True or false. The resistance of a parallel
resistor can be measured while the resis-
19. Define parallel circuit.
tor is connected in the circuit.
20. How is the voltage distributed in a
30. True or false. Voltage measurements are
parallel circuit?
used to determine whether or not a load is
21. How is the current distributed in a parallel
open in a parallel circuit.
circuit?
31. If one load in a parallel circuit opens,
22. Does the highest or the lowest resistance
what happens to each of the following?
dominate a parallel circuit?
a. Total resistance
23. Give two formulas that could be used to
b. Total current
find the total resistance of two parallel
c. Total power
resistors.
d. Total voltage
24. True or false. The base unit for conduc-
32. Refer to Fig. 5-27. What are the values of
tance is the siemens.
IR1 and IR2?
25. True or false. Adding another resistor in
33. Refer to Fig. 5-27. What is the voltage of B1?
parallel increases the total resistance.
34. Refer to Fig. 5-27. What is the resistance
26. True or false. The total resistance of
of R2?
a 15-V resistor in parallel with a 39-V
35. Refer to Fig. 5-27. Determine the
resistor is less than 15 V.
following:
27. True or false. The total resistance of two
a. Total resistance
100-V resistors in parallel is 200 V.
b. Total conductance
28. True or false. In a parallel circuit, a 50-V
c. Current through R2
resistor dissipates more power than does a
d. Power dissipated by R1
150-V resistor.

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3A
Resistors R1 and R2 in Fig. 5-28(a) are not di-
rectly in series because the same current does
R3 not flow through each. However, the equivalent
B1 R1 R2
20 ⍀ of R2 and R3 in parallel [R2,3 in Fig. 5-28(b)] is
in series with R1. Combining R2 and R3 is the
5A 1A first step in determining the total resistance of
this circuit. The result is R2,3. Of course, R2,3
Fig. 5-27 Circuit test questions 32 to 35. is not an actual resistor; it merely represents
R2 and R3 in parallel. Resistor R1 is in series
with R2,3. The final step in finding the total re-
sistance is to combine R1 and R2,3, as shown in
5-7 Series-Parallel Circuits Fig. 5-28(c). Referring to Fig. 5-28(a), assume
Some of the features of both the series circuit that R1 5 15 V, R2 5 20 V, and R3 5 30 V.
and the parallel circuit are incorporated into Combining R2 and R3 gives
series-parallel circuits. For example, R2 and R3 Series-parallel
R 3R 20 3 30 ____
600
in Fig. 5-28(a) are in parallel. Everything that R2,3 5 R 1 R 5 _______
_______
2 3
5 50 5 12 V circuits
has been said about parallel circuits applies to 2 3
20 1 30
these two resistors. In Fig. 5-28(d), R7 and R8
The total resistance is
are in series. All the series-circuit relationships
apply to these two resistors. RT 5 R1 1 R2,3 5 15 1 12 5 27 V

R1
R7

R9
R2 R3
R8

(a) Series-parallel (d) Series-parallel

circuit circuit

R1

R7,8 R9

R2,3

(b) Reduced to a (e) Reduced to a

series circuit parallel circuit

RT RT
(R1,2,3) (R7,8,9)

(c) Reduced to a (f ) Reduced to a

simple circuit simple circuit

Fig. 5-28 Reducing series-parallel circuits to equivalent simple circuits.

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Neither R7 nor R8 in Fig. 5-28(d) is in paral- R1 3 R2,3,4,5 200 3 100

lel with R9 because neither is across the same RT 5 __________
R 1R 5 _________
200 1 100
1 2,3,4,5
voltage source as R9. Therefore, the first step
20,000
in reducing this circuit is to combine the 5 ______
300
series resistors R7 and R8. This results in the
circuit shown in Fig. 5-28(e). Now the paral- 5 66.7 V
lel circuit of Fig. 5-28(e) can be reduced, by
Kirchhoff’s laws a parallel-resistance formula, to the simple Using Kirchhoff’s Laws in
in series- circuit of Fig. 5-28( f ). Refer to Fig. 5-28(d) Series-Parallel Circuits
parallel circuits and let R7 5 40 V, R8 5 60 V, and R9 5 20 V. Individual currents and voltages in series-
R7,8 5 R7 1 R8 5 40 1 60 5 100 V parallel circuits can often be determined by
Kirchhoff’s laws. In Fig. 5-30, current in some
R7,8 3 R9 of the conductors is given. The rest of the cur-
RT 5 ________
R 1R
7,8 9 rents can be found using Kirchhoff’s current
law. Since 0.6 A enters the battery, the same
100 3 20 _____
2000
5 ________
100 1 20 5 120 5 16.7 V amount must leave. This is the total current IT.
Thus IT 5 0.6 A. Since R3 and R4 are in series,
A more complex series-parallel circuit the current entering R3 is the same as the cur-
is shown in Fig. 5-29(a). Determining the rent leaving R4. Therefore, I2 5 0.2 A. The cur-
total resistance of the circuit is illustrated in rent entering point A is 0.6 A. Leaving that point
Fig. 5-29(b) through (e). The calculations re- are I1 and I2. From Kirchhoff’s current law we
quired to arrive at the total resistance are know that I1 1 I2 5 0.6 A. But I2 5 0.2 A, and
R3,5 5 R3 1 R5 5 50 1 30 5 80 V thus I1 1 0.2 A 5 0.6 A, and I1 5 0.4 A. We can
check this result by examining point B. Here
R4 or R3,5 80 I1 1 0.2 A 5 0.6 A. Since I1 was found to be
R3,4,5 5 ________
2 5 ___ 5 40 V
2 0.4 A, we have 0.4 A 1 0.2 A 5 0.6 A, which
R2,3,4,5 5 R2 1 R3,4,5 5 60 1 40 5 100 V agrees with Kirchhoff’s current law.

R2
R2
60 ⍀

R3
R1 50 ⍀ R1
200 ⍀ R4 R4 R 3,5
80 ⍀
R5
30 ⍀

(a) (b)

R2

R1 R1 R 2,3,4,5 RT
66.7 ⍀
R 3,4,5

(c) (d) (e)

Fig. 5-29 Complex series-parallel circuit (a) can be simplified, as shown in (b) to (d ).

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E X A M P L E 5 - 14
R1
For the circuit of Fig. 5-31(a), determine all
A unknown currents and voltages.
R2 I2 Given: VT 5 60 V
100 V R3
40 V VR2 5 40 V
IT 5 4 A
I1 R4
0.6 A 0.2 A 30 V
R3 5 20 V
Find: VR1, VR3, IR1, IR2, IR3
B
Known: Ohm’s law and Kirchhoff’s
Fig. 5-30 Currents and voltages in series-parallel laws
circuits. Kirchhoff’s laws can be used to
determine the unknown values. Solution: VR3 5 VT 2 VR2
5 60 V 2 40 V
5 20 V
Some of the voltage drops in Fig. 5-30 are VR1 5 VT 5 60 V
indicated beside the resistor symbols. The un- VR
specified voltage drops can be found by using IR3 5 ___3
R3
Kirchhoff’s voltage law. In a series-parallel 20
_____V 51A
5
circuit, Kirchhoff’s law applies to all loops, or 20 V
current paths, in the circuit. Thus, for the circuit of IR2 5 IR3 5 1 A
Fig. 5-30, we can write two voltage relationships. IR1 5 IT 2 IR2
54A21A53A
VT 5 VR1 1 VR2
VT 5 VR1 1 VR3 1 VR4 Answer: VR1 5 60 V, VR3 5 20 V, IR1
5 3 A, IR2 5 1 A, IR3
Studying the above two equations shows that 51A
VR2 5 VR3 1 VR4
E X A M P L E 5 - 15
In other words, the voltage between points A
and B is 40 V, no matter which path is taken.
Refer to Fig. 5-31(b). For this circuit com-
Rearranging the first equation, we can solve for
pute the resistance of R3, the power dissipa-
the voltage drop across R1:
tion of R4, and the voltage across R1.
VR1 5 VT 2 VR2 5 100 V 2 40 V 5 60 V
Given: VT 5 100 V
The voltage across R3 can be found by rearrang- IR1 5 0.8 A
ing the second equation: IR3 5 0.3 A
VR3 5 VT 2 VR1 2 VR4 R2 5 100 V
VR4 5 30 V
5 100 V 2 60 V 2 30 V
Find: R3, PR4, VR1
5 10 V
Known: Ohm’s law and Kirchhoff’s
Also, the voltage across R3 can be found with- laws
out knowing the voltage across R1: Solution: IR2 5 IR1 2 IR3
VR3 5 VR2 2 VR4 5 40 V 2 30 V 5 10 V 5 0.8 A 2 0.3 A
5 0.5 A
VR2 5 IR2R2
Solving Series-Parallel 5 0.5 A 3 100 V Solving series-
Problems parallel
5 50 V
problems
Several problems are solved in the examples VR1 5 VT 2 VR2 2 VR4
that follow. These problems illustrate how to 5 100 V 2 50 V 2 30 V
use Ohm’s law and Kirchhoff’s two laws to 5 20 V
solve series-parallel problems.

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VR35 VR2 5 50 V
VR 50 V R2
R3 5 ___3 5 _____ 40 V
IR3 0.3A 60 V R1
5 166.7 V R3
PR45 IR4VR4 20 ⍀
5 0.8 A 3 30 V 5 24 W 4A

Answer: R3 5 166.7 V, PR4 5 24 W,

(a)
VR15 20 V

R1
0.3 A

0.8 A
For Fig. 5-31(a), all the currents and volt- 100 V R2 R3
ages have now been determined. Using Ohm’s 100 ⍀
R4
law and the power formula, we can easily find 30 V
the resistance and power of each resistor.
(b)
Relationships in Series-Parallel
Circuits Fig. 5-31 Circuits for examples 5-14 and 5-15.

As in series circuits, the current, the voltage,

and the power in series-parallel circuits are de-
pendent on one another. That is, changing any 25 ⍀
one resistance usually changes all currents, R1 0.5 A
12.5 V
voltages, and powers except the source volt- 6.25 W
age. For example, increasing the resistance of
R3 in Fig. 5-32(a) from 40 to 90 V causes the 40 ⍀
0.375 A
changes listed below: 50 V 300 ⍀
R3
15 V
25 W 0.125 A 5.63 W
1. RT increases (because R3,4 increases). R2
37.5 V
60 ⍀
2. IT decreases (because RT increases). 4.69 W
0.375 A
R4
3. VR1 decreases (because IT 5 IR1). 22.5 V
4. VR2 increases (because VR2 5 VT 2 VR1). 8.4 W
5. IR2 increases (because IR2 5 VR2yR2).
6. IR4 decreases (because IR4 5 IR1 2 IR2).
(a)
7. VR4 decreases (because VR4 5 IR4 R4).
8. VR3 increases (because VR3 5 VR2 2 VR4).
9. PR1 decreases, PR2 increases, PR4 25 ⍀
0.4 A
decreases, and PT decreases (because of R1
10 V
the I and V changes specified above). 4W
10. PR3 increases (because VR3 increases more 90 ⍀
than IR3 decreases). R3 0.267 A
50 V 24 V
300 ⍀
The magnitude of these changes is shown in 20 W 6.4 W
R2 0.133 A
Fig. 5-32(b). 40 V
60 ⍀
The changes detailed above occur when 5.3 W
R4 0.267 A
any resistor is changed, except in circuits like 16 V
4.27 W
the one in Fig. 5-29(a). In this circuit, chang-
ing R1 affects only the current and power of R1
and the battery. This is because R1 is in paral- (b)
lel with the combination of R2, R3, R4, and R5 Fig. 5-32 Effects of changing R3. (a) Original circuit
[Fig. 5-29(d)]. values. (b) Values after R3 increases.

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Self-Test
Answer the following questions. 40. Refer to Fig. 5-32(a). Change the value of
R1 to 50 V. Then determine the value of
36. Refer to Fig. 5-29(a). Which resistors, if
each of the following:
any, are
a. RT
a. Directly in series?
b. VR1
b. Directly in parallel?
c. IR4
37. Referring to Fig. 5-29(a), determine
d. PR3
whether each of the following statements
41. For Fig. 5-33, determine the following:
is true or false.
a. R1
a. IR2 5 IR3 1 IR5
b. IR2
b. IR2 5 IR4 1 IR5
c. PR3
c. IR1 5 IT 2 IR2
d. IT
d. VR3 5 VR5
e. RT
e. VR4 5 VR1 2 VR2
38. Refer to Fig. 5-31(a) and compute the R1
following: 10 V
a. R1
b. PR2
c. PT 80 V R2 R3
39. Refer to Fig. 5-28(a). If R2 is decreased, R4 75 ⍀ 150 ⍀
indicate whether each of the following 20 V
1A
increases or decreases:
a. IR1
b. VR3 Fig. 5-33 Circuit diagram for test question 41.
c. PR3
d. VR1

5-8 Voltage Dividers change when a load is connected to either point A

and Regulators or point B. Loading the divider converts the cir-
cuit from a series to a series-parallel circuit. For
A series circuit is an unloaded voltage divider. example, if a 5-kV load is connected to point B,
The circuit in Fig. 5-34 shows how a single-source the resistance from point B to ground is reduced to
voltage can provide three voltages. In this figure,
the voltage values include a polarity sign, which C
indicates the voltage at a given point (A, B, or C) ⫹50 V
R1
with reference to the common ground. The volt- 5 k⍀
B1
ages at points A and B are easily calculated using 50 V B
the voltage-divider formula given in section 5-3, ⫹25 V
R2
Series Circuits. The calculations are: 3 k⍀
VB1R3 50 V 3 2 kV A
VA 5 _____ 5 ___________ 5 10 V ⫹10 V
RT 10 kV R3
2 k⍀
VB1 xR3 1 R2c 50 V 3 5 kV
VB 5 ___________
RT 5 ___________ 5 25 V
10 kV

The problem with this type of voltage divider is Fig. 5-34 A series voltage divider providing two
that the voltages at both point A and point B will voltages in addition to the source voltage.

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2.5 kV and the total resistance reduces to 7.5 kV. Cathode lead
Now the voltage at point B will be
50 V 3 2.5 kV
VB 5 _____________ 5 16.67 V
7.5 kV
Anode lead
and at point A it will reduce to
16.7 V 3 2 kV Fig. 5-35 Symbol for a zener diode.
VA 5 _____________ 5 6.67 V
5 kV
The severity of the voltage changes can be re- Simple resistor voltage dividers have been
duced by using smaller resistances for R1, R2, and replaced by solid-state circuits that divide the
R3. Of course, this requires more power from the source voltage while providing much better volt-
source and reduces the efficiency of the circuit. age regulation than straight resistor dividers. The
Zener diode
When the load current is insignificant compared zener diode is a solid-state device that can be
to the current through the divider resistors, then used in series with a resistor to make a voltage
the change in divider voltage will be very small. divider. The symbol for the zener diode is shown
The current through the divider resistance is in Fig. 5-35. Notice the zener diode, like the
often called the bleeder current. The smaller the LED, is a polarized device and incorrect polarity
ratio is of the load current to the bleeder current, connections on either device will destroy it. As
the smaller the decrease in voltage will be be- can be seen in Fig. 5-36(a), the zener diode is op-
tween the unloaded and the loaded divider. erated with its cathode positive with respect to its
If one knows the approximate voltage and anode. This mode of operation is called reverse
current requirements of the load (or loads) before bias. With reverse bias, the zener does not allow
the divider is designed, then one can use one’s current to flow until the voltage across the zener
knowledge of series-parallel circuits and design reaches a value very close to the voltage rating of
a divider that will provide the desired voltage the zener. After this critical voltage is reached,
when the divider is loaded. However, the current the current through the zener can increase to any
requirements of most loads vary as conditions value less than its rated maximum value and the
change so the voltage out of the divider will vary. zener voltage will increase very little. Thus, the
The severity of voltage variation as a load zener diode provides good voltage regulation.
Percentage changes is usually expressed as a percentage of Table 5-2 compares the operation of the two
of voltage voltage regulation. Percentage of voltage regu- divider circuits in Fig. 5-36 in terms of voltage
regulation lation is determined with the formula regulation and efficiency as the load resistance
varies from its nominal value of l kV down to
VML 2 VFL 500 V and up to 2 kV. The data for the zener
% Regulation 5 _________
V 3 100
FL diode circuit [Fig. 5-36(a)] were obtained using
electronic circuit simulation software. The data
where VML 5 the voltage with the minimum
for the resistor circuit were calculated using the
load (highest-resistance load)
values given in Fig. 5-36(b). Both circuits were
VFL 5 the voltage with the maximum
designed to provide 5 V across a 1-kV load. The
load (lowest-resistance load)
calculations needed to determine the data for the
The percentage of voltage regulation for resistor circuit with a 500-V load are
Fig. 5-34 with no load (which is VML) and a
1000 V 3 500 V
5-kV load (which is VFL) is R2, load 5 _______________ 5 333.3 V
1000 V 1 500 V
% Regulation for point A 5 10 V 2 6.67 V
_____________
6.67 V RT 5 500 V 1 333.3 V 5 833.3 V
3 100 5 50%
R2, load 3 VT 333.3 V 3 10 V
V 2 16.67 V VL 5 _________ 5 ______________ 5 4.00 V
% Regulation for point B 5 25
______________ RT 833.3 V
16.67 V
3 100 5 50% VL 4.00 V
IL 5 ____ ______
Rload 5 500 V 5 8 mA
The divider in Fig. 5-34 would have to be
redesigned if it has to provide approximately RI _______
10 V
IT 5 ___
RT 5 833.3 V 5 12 mA
25 V to a 5-kV load.

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R1 R1
500 ⍀ 500 ⍀

B1 B1
10 V 10 V

D1 R load R2 R load
5V 1 k⍀ 1 k⍀ 1 k⍀

(a) (b)

Fig. 5-36 Voltage divider and regulator circuits. The zener diode circuit has very good
regulation. (a) Zener divider and regulator. (b) Resistor voltage divider.

Pload _____________
4 V 3 8 mA
% eff 5 ____
P 5 10 V 3 12 mA 3 100 Given: VT 5 10 V, VD1 5 5 V,
T
R1 5 500 V, Rload 5 1.5 kV.
32 mW
5 ________
120 mW 3 100 5 26.7% Find: IR1, IR,load, ID1
Known: Ohm’s law and Kirchhoff’s laws
Notice in Table 5-2 that the zener circuit is
much more efficient than the resistor circuit Solution: VR,load 5 VD1 5 5 V
when the load current is larger than the value IR,load 5 VR,load 4 Rload
the circuits were designed for. However, at a 5 5 V 4 1.5 kV
current load less than design value, the resistor 5 3.33 mA
circuit is slightly more efficient. VR1 5 VT 2 VD
1
Look carefully at the percentage of voltage 5 10 V 2 5 V 5 5 V
regulation column in Table 5-2. It shows the big IR1 5 VR1 4 R1
advantage of the zener circuit over the resistor 5 5 V 4 500 V 5 10 mA
circuit. ID1 5 IR1 2 IR,load
5 10 mA 2 3.33 mA
E X A M P L E 5 - 16 5 6.67 mA
Answer: IR1 5 10 mA
Determine IR1, IR,load, and ID1 for Fig. 5-36(a) IR,load 5 3.33 mA
when Rload is 1.5 kV. ID1 5 6.67 mA

Self-Test
Answer the following questions. 45. What will happen to the load voltage in
Fig. 5-36(a) when the load is reduced to
42. What happens to the load voltage of an
750 V?
unloaded resistor voltage divider circuit
46. Show the calculations you would use to
when a load is connected to it?
determine the percentage of efficiency
43. Calculate the voltage at point B in Fig. 5-34
listed in Table 5-2 for the zener circuit
when a 15-kV load is connected to point B.
with a 2-kV load.
44. Calculate the percentage of voltage regula-
tion for the conditions given in question 43.

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Table 5-2 A comparison of two voltage divider circuits

Chapter 5 Multiple-Load Circuits

VL IL IT % of V reg. % of eff.
Load Zener Resistor Zener Resistor Zener Resistor Zener Resistor Zener Resistor
resistance circuit circuit circuit circuit circuit circuit circuit circuit circuit circuit
500 V 4.92 V 4.00 V 9.84 mA 8.00 mA 10.16 mA 12.00 mA 47.6 26.7
1 kV 4.97 V 5.00 V 4.97 mA 5.00 mA 10.05 mA 10.00 mA 24.6 25.0
2 kV 4.98 V 5.71 V 2.49 mA 2.86 mA 10.03 mA 8.57 mA 12.4 19.1
Increase 1 kV to 0.2 14.3
2 kV
Decrease 1 kV to 1.0 25.0
500 V
Increase 500 V to 1.2 42.8
2 kV
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Chapter 5 Summary and Review

Summary
1. Multiple-load circuits include series, parallel, and 12. Maximum power transfer occurs when the source
series-parallel circuits. resistance equals the load resistance.
2. Series circuits are single-path circuits. 13. Conductance is the ability to conduct current. Its
3. The same current flows throughout a series circuit. symbol is G. Its base unit is siemens (S).
4. The total resistance equals the sum of the individual 14. Parallel circuits are multiple-path circuits.
resistances in a series circuit. 15. Each branch of a parallel circuit is independent of
5. The sum of the voltage drops around a circuit equals the other branches.
the total source voltage (Kirchhoff’s voltage law). 16. The same voltage appears across each branch of a
6. A voltage drop (voltage across a load) indicates that parallel circuit.
electric energy is being converted to another form. 17. The currents entering a junction must equal the
7. The polarity of a voltage drop indicates the direction currents leaving a junction (Kirchhoff’s current
of current flow. law).
8. The voltage across an open series load is usually 18. The total current in a parallel circuit equals the sum
equal to the source voltage. of the branch currents.
9. A shorted load in a series circuit increases the 19. Adding more resistance in parallel decreases the
current, voltage, and power of the other loads. total resistance.
10. When one resistance in a series circuit is smaller 20. The total resistance in a parallel circuit is always
than the tolerance of another, the smaller resistance less than the lowest branch resistance.
has little effect on the circuit current and power. 21. The relationships of both series and parallel
11. The highest resistance in a series circuit drops the circuits are applicable to parts of series-parallel
most voltage. circuits.

Related Formulas
PT 5 PR1 1 PR2 1 PR3 1 etc. For parallel circuits:
IT 5 IR1 1 IR2 1 IR3 1 etc.
1
R 5 __
G VT 5 VR1 5 VR2 5 VR3 5 etc.

For series circuits: 1

RT 5 _________________
1
1 1 __ 1
IT 5 IR1 5 IR2 5 IR3 5 etc.
__ 1 __ 1 etc.
R1 R2 R3
VT 5 VR1 1 VR2 1 VR3 1 etc. GT 5 G1 1 G2 1 G3 1 etc.
RT 5 R1 1 R2 1 R3 1 etc. R1 3 R2
RT 5 ______
R 1R
1
GT 5 __________________ 1 2
1
1 1 ___ 1
___ 1 ___ 1 etc. R
G1 G 2
G 3 RT 5 __
n

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Chapter Review Questions

For questions 5-1 to 5-5, supply the missing word or 5-16. The unit of conductance is the siemen. (5-6)
phrase in each statement. 5-17. A voltage drop indicates that some other form
5-1. The total current is equal to the sum of the indi- of energy is being converted to electric energy.
vidual currents in a ________ circuit. (5-3) (5-3)
5-2. The highest resistance dissipates the least power 5-18. The direction of current flow determines the
in a ________ circuit. (5-3) polarity of the voltage drop across the resistor.
5-3. The highest resistance drops the ________ (5-3)
voltage in a series circuit. (5-3) 5-19. The lowest resistance in a series circuit domi-
5-4. Adding another parallel resistor ________ the nates the circuit current and power. (5-3)
total resistance. (5-5) 5-20. Most circuits in a home are series circuits.
5-5. The total voltage is equal to the sum of the volt- (5-5)
age drops in a ________ circuit. (5-3) For questions 5-21 and 5-22, choose the letter that best
completes each sentence.
For questions 5-6 to 5-20, determine whether each
statement is true or false. 5-21. The total resistance of a 45-V resistor and a
5-6. To measure the resistance of an individual resis- 90-V resistor connected in series is (5-3)
tor in a parallel circuit, one end of the resistor a. 30 V
must be disconnected from the circuit. (5-5) b. 45 V
5-7. Maximum power transfer occurs when the c. 67.5 V
source resistance is very low compared with the d. 135 V
load resistance. (5-4) 5-22. The total resistance of a 30-V resistor and a
5-8. The negative polarity marking on a resistor in a 60-V resistor connected in parallel is (5-5)
schematic diagram indicates an excess of elec- a. 20 V
trons at that point. (5-3) b. 30 V
5-9. Voltmeters have a very low internal resistance. c. 45 V
(5-3) d. 90 V
5-10. In a series circuit, an open load drops no volt- Answer the following questions.
age. (5-3)
5-23. If R2 in Fig. 5-39 is increased to 1200 V, does
5-11. If one load in a parallel circuit opens, all the
VR1 increase, decrease or remain the same?
other loads will use more power. (5-5)
(5-7)
5-12. If one load in a series circuit shorts out, all the
5-24. What would happen to GT in Fig. 5-38 if a
other loads will use more power. (5-3)
fourth parallel resistor were added? (5-6)
5-13. Adding more resistors to a parallel circuit in-
5-25. What would happen to GT in Fig. 5-37 if a
creases the total power used by the circuit. (5-5)
fourth series resistor were added? (5-6)
5-14. The total resistance of parallel resistances is
5-26. For the circuit in Fig. 5-34, is it possible for
always less than the value of the lowest resis-
PR2 or PR3 to be larger than PR1 under any load
tance. (5-5)
conditions? Explain your answer. (5-8)
5-15. Changing the value of one resistor in a parallel
5-27. Which circuit in Fig. 5-36 has the better voltage
circuit changes the current through all other re-
regulation? (5-8)
sistors in that circuit. (5-5)

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Chapter Review Problems

5-1. For the circuit in Fig. 5-37, compute the follow- 5-4. If IT in Fig. 5-38 is changed to 280 mA, what is
ing: (5-3) the value of: (5-5)
a. VR1 a. R1
b. R2 b. PT
c. PT 5-5. Change the value of R3 in Fig. 5-37 to 40 V and
d. G3 then determine: (5-3)
a. R1
R1 b. R2
c. RT
60 V R2 5-6. Change the voltage across R2 in Fig. 5-39 to
30 V
R3 80 V and then determine: (5-7)
0.5 A
20 ⍀ a. R1
A
b. RT
Fig. 5-37 Circuit for chapter review problem 5-1.
c. PT
5-7. How much current does a 3-kV load draw when
connected to point A in Fig. 5-34? (5-8)
5-2. For the circuit in Fig. 5-38, compute the follow-
5-8. Using the data in Table 5-2, determine I zener
ing: (5-5)
when the load resistance is 2 kV. (5-8)
a. IR1
5-9. How much power does the zener use under the
b. R1
conditions given in problem 5-8 above? (5-8)
c. IR2
5-10. How much power is used by R1 in Fig. 5-36(a)
d. GT
when the load resistance is 1 kV? Use data
given in Table 5-2. (5-8)
A A
5-11. Determine ID1, IT, and PD1 for the circuit in
300 mA 50 mA
Fig. 5-40.
R3
R1 R2 5-12. Determine the efficiency of the circuit in
100 V
200 mA Fig. 5-40.
A

Fig. 5-38 Circuit for chapter review problem 5-2. R1

1000 ⍀

5-3. For the circuit in Fig. 5-39, compute the follow-

ing: (5-7) Source
20 V
a. VR3
b. IR1 D1 RL
5V 800 ⍀
c. VR1

R1 R3
500 ⍀
R2 Fig. 5-40 Circuit for chapter review problems 5-11 and 5-12.
100 V 60 V
1000 ⍀ R4
40 V

Fig. 5-39 Circuit for chapter review problem 5-3.

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Critical Thinking Questions

5-1. List and explain several applications of parallel 5-9. When only a voltmeter is available, how could
circuits not mentioned in this chapter. you determine whether any of the loads in
5-2. For Fig. 5-11, assume that all resistors have a Fig. 5-41 were open?
tolerance of 65 percent and that the source has
an internal resistance of 9.2 V. Determine the
maximum total power dissipated by the loads. F1
R1 R2 R3
5-3. Is it desirable to have an amplifier’s output B1
25 ⍀ 100 ⍀ 60 ⍀
12 V
impedance (opposition) equal to the speaker’s ⫾1% ⫾5% ⫾ 2%
impedance? Why?
5-4. Is it desirable to have a 100-kW generator’s
S1
internal resistance equal to the resistance of its
load? Why? Fig. 5-41 Circuit for critical thinking questions 5-8 and 5-9.
5-5. Derive the reciprocal formula for parallel resis-
tances from the formula for parallel conductances. 5-10. Determine the efficiency of a 24-V battery with
5-6. Are measured circuit voltages more likely to be 0.04 V of internal resistance when it is supply-
inaccurate in a series or a parallel circuit? Why? ing 150 A to a load.
5-7. Discuss the results of shorting out R2 in 5-11. In Fig. 5-34, what value of resistor is needed for
Fig. 5-11 when the power ratings for R1, R2, and R2 and R3 to provide the specified voltages at
R3 are 25 W, 50 W, and 25 W respectively. points A and B when a 5-kV load is connected
5-8. Without disconnecting either end of any of the to point A and a 10-kV load is connected to
loads in Fig. 5-41, how could you determine point B?
whether one or more of the loads is outside its
tolerance range?

Answers to Self-Tests

1. a. VR4 b. 0.2 A
b. IT c. 25 V
c. IR2 d. 15 W
2. T 13. R1 is 37.3 V. The battery has to furnish 1.89 W.
3. T 14. It would increase.
4. T 15. 0V
5. RT 5 R1 1 R2 1 16. 9 mA
R3 1 etc. 17. when load resistance is equal to source resistance
RT 5 VT yIT 18. greater than
6. Yes. 19. A parallel circuit is one that has two or more loads
7. VT 5 VR1 1 VR2 1 VR3 1 etc. and two or more independent current paths.
8. 100-V resistor 20. The total (source) voltage is applied to each load:
9. No. VT 5 VR1 5 VR2 5 VR3
10. across the open resistor 21. The total current divides among the branches of the
11. a. increases circuit:
b. increases IT 5 IR1 1 IR2
c. increases 1 IR3 1 etc.
12. a. 500 V 22. lowest

134 Chapter 5 Multiple-Load Circuits

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1
23. RT 5 _______
1 1 __
1 37. a. F
__
R1 R2 b. T
R1 3 R2 c. T
RT 5 _______ d. F
R1 1 R2
24. T e. T
25. F 38. a. 20 V
26. T b. 40 W
27. F c. 240 W
28. T 39. a. increases
29. F b. decreases
30. F c. decreases
31. a. increases d. increases
b. decreases 40. a. 125 V
c. decreases b. 20 V
d. remains the same c. 0.3 A
32. IR1 5 IT 2 (IR2 1 IR3) d. 3.6 W
55A23A 41. a. 10 V
52A b. 0.67 A
IR2 5 (IR2 1 IR3) 2 IR3 c. 16.7 W
53A21A d. 1 A
52A e. 80 V
33. VB1 5 VR3 5 IR3R3 42. The voltage decreases. The magnitude of the
5 1 A 3 20 V decrease is a function of the ratio of bleeder current
5 20 V to load current.
34. VR2 5 VR3 5 20 V 43. 21.4 V
VR2 44. 16.8 %
R2 5 ___ 20 V
_____ 45. It will decrease slightly. The data in Table 5-2
IR2 5 2 A
indicate it will decrease less than 0.05 V.
5 10 V
46. Pin 5 10 V 3 10 mA
35. a. 4 V
5 100 mW
b. 0.25 S
Pout 5 Pload
c. 2 A
5 4.98 V 3 2.49 mA 5 12.4 mW
d. 40 W
12.4 mW
% eff 5 ________
36. a. R3 and R5 100 mW
b. none 3 100 5 12.4 %

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