Series & Parallel

Resistors

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 Series Resistors & Voltage Division
Consider the single-loop circuit as shown in figure. The two resistors are in
series, since the same current i flows in both of them. Applying Ohm’s
law to each of the resistors, we obtain
v1 = iR1 and, v2 = iR2 ……………………. (1)
If we apply KVL to the loop, we have
−v + v1 + v2 = 0 ………….……….. (2)
Combining Eqs. (1) and (2), we get Fig.1
v = v1 + v2 = i(R1 + R2) ................(3)
or
i = v / (R1 + R2) …..………......... (4)
Notice that Eq. (3) can be written as
v = iReq ………………..………....(5) Fig.2
implying that the two resistors can be replaced by an equivalent resistor Req; that
is,
Req = R1 + R2 …………..…...…...(6)
Thus, Fig.1 can be replaced by the equivalent circuit in Fig. 2. The two circuits in
Figs. 1 and 2 are equivalent because they exhibit the same voltage-current
relationships at the terminals a-b. An equivalent circuit such as the one in Fig. 2
is useful in simplifying the analysis of a circuit.
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 In general,

For N resistors in series then,

To determine the voltage across each resistor in Fig. 1, we substitute

Eq. (4) into Eq. (1) and obtain

This is called the principle of voltage division, and the circuit in Fig. 1 is
called a voltage divider. In general, if a voltage divider has N resistors
(R1,R2, . . . , RN) in series with the source voltage v, the nth resistor (Rn) will
have a voltage drop of

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 Parallel Resistors & Current Division
Consider the circuit in Fig.1, where two resistors are connected in parallel
and therefore have the same voltage across them. From Ohm’s law,
v = i1R1 = i2R2
or (1)

Applying KCL at node a gives the total current i as

(2)
Substituting Eq. (1) into Eq. (2), we get
Fig.1
(3)

where Req is the equivalent resistance of the resistors in parallel:

(4)

(5)
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 We can extend the result in Eq. (4) to the general case of a circuit
with N resistors in parallel. The equivalent resistance is

(6)

It is often more convenient to use conductance rather than resistance

when dealing with resistors in parallel. From Eq. (2.38), the equivalent
conductance for N resistors in parallel is

(7)

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 CURRENT DIVISION
i2 / i1 = R1 / R2
Or, i2 = i1 R1 / R2 --------------- (4)
Insert the value of i1 from eq. (1)
Therefore, i2 = (i– i2) R1 / R2
i2 R2 = i R1 – i2 R1
i R1 = i2 (R1 + R2)
i = i1 + i2 Or, i2 = i R1 / (R1 + R2) ---------- (5)
Or, i1 = i – i2 ----------------- (1) Insert the value of i2 from eq. (5)
But, i2 = v / R2 ----------------- (2) into eq. (4) we have,

and i1 = v / R1 ------------------ (3) i1 = i R2 / (R1 + R2)

From equations (2) and (3), We

have:
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Example: Find Req for the circuit shown in
Fig. 1.
Solution:
The 6Ω and 3 Ω resistors in the given Fig. 1
are in parallel therefore,
Req = 6 × 3 / 6 + 3 = 2 Ω
Also, the 1 Ω and 5 Ω resistors are in series; Fig. 1
hence Req = 1 + 5 = 6 Ω
Thus the given circuit of Fig. 1 is reduced to
that in Fig. 2.
In Fig. 2. the two 2 Ω resistors are in series, so
Req = 2 + 2 = 4 Ω
This 4 Ω resistor is now in parallel with the 6 Ω
Fig. 2
resistor in Fig. 2; Therefore,
Req = 4 × 6 / 4 + 6 = 2.4 Ω
The circuit in Fig. 2 is now replaced with that
in Fig. 3. In Fig. 3, the three resistors are in
series. Hence, the equivalent resistance
for the circuit is
Req = 4 + 2.4 + 8 = 14.4 Ω Fig. 3
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Example: Find Rab of the given circuit.

3
6

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Example: Find R13 for the circuit shown in
Solution:

Example: Find R12 for the circuit shown in

Solution:

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Example:

Calculate Geq in the circuit of the given Fig.

S
Solution:

Therefore, Geq = 12 x 6 / 12 + 6 = 4s

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Example: Calculate the equivalent resistance Rab in the circuit in the givenFig.
Solution:

b
a
Therefore, Rab = 10 + 1.2 = 11.2 Ohms

b
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Example: Find v1 and v2 in the circuit shown in the given Fig. Also calculate i1 and
i2 and the power dissipated in the 12 and 40 Ohms resistors.

Solution:

Total current, i = 15/12 = 1.25 A V2 = i2 x 40 = 0.25 x 40 = 10V

i1 = 1.25 x 6/12+6 = 0.416 A
I2 = 1.25 x 10/10+40 =0.25A
V1 = i1 x 12 = 0.416 x 12 = 4.992 V
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P12 = i12 x 12 = (0.416)2 x 12 = 2W
P40= i22 x 40 = (0.25)2 x 40 = 248W
12
Example: Find v1, v2 and v3 in the following circuit.

Solution:

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Example: Calculate v1, i1, v2 and i2 in the given circuit.

Solution:

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Example: In the given circuit find v, I, and the power absorbed by
the 4 Ohm
resistor.

Solution:

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Example: Calculate VO and IO in the following circuit.

Solution:

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Example: Calculate the equivalent resistance Rab at terminals a-b for each
of the circuits given below:

(a) (b)
Solution:

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 (C)
Solution: Solution: (D)

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 Example: If Req = 50 Ohms in the given circuit find R.

Solution:

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 Example: Reduce the following circuit shown in the given figure to a single
resistor at terminals a-b.

Solution:

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 Example: Reduce the following circuit shown in the given figure to a single
resistor at terminals a-b.

Solution:

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 Example: Calculate the equivalent resistance Rab at terminals a-b for the
given circuit .

Solution:

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 Example: Find the equivalent resistance Rab in the following circuit:

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 TUTORIAL # 01

Q.1 Find v1 and v2 in the following circuit.

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