Current and Voltage Divider

Resistance in Series
 When some conductor having resistance 𝑅1 , 𝑅2 and 𝑅3 are joined end to end.
 Total resistance between points “A” and “D” is equal to the sum of three
individual resistances.

 Being a series circuit you should remember the following points.

I. Current is the same through all the three conductors.
II. Voltage drop across each resistor is different due to the different resistance.
III. Sum of three voltage drops is equal to the voltage applied across three conductor.
 Resistance in Series (Cont…)
The main characteristics of a series circuit are:
Same current flows through all parts of the circuit.
Different resistors have their individual voltage drops.
Voltage drops are additive.
Applied voltage equals the sum of different voltage drops.
Resistances are additive.
Powers are additive.
 Resistance in Series (Cont.…)

𝑉 = 𝑉1 + 𝑉2 +𝑉3 = 𝐼𝑅1 + 𝐼𝑅2 +𝐼𝑅3

𝑉 = 𝐼𝑅
Where R is the equivalent resistance of series combination.
𝐼𝑅 = 𝐼𝑅1 + 𝐼𝑅2 +𝐼𝑅3 or 𝑅𝐸𝑄 = 𝑅1 + 𝑅2 +𝑅3
 Voltage Divider Rule
V1 = I R1 Eqn 1

Multiply right sides of Eqn 1 with R/R (where R = R1 + R2 + R3)

V1 = I R R1/R  V1 = V R1/R

The source voltage v is divided among the resistors in direct proportion to their resistances;
the larger the resistance, the larger the voltage drop. This is called the principle of voltage
division, and the circuit in figure is called a voltage divider.
 Voltage Divider Rule
 24-V battery connected across a series combination of three
resistors.
𝑅 = 𝑅1 + 𝑅2 + 𝑅3 = 12Ω
 According to the voltage divider rule, various voltage drops are:
𝑅1 2
𝑉1 = 𝑉. = 24 × = 4V
𝑅 12
𝑅2 4
𝑉2 = 𝑉. = 24 × = 8V
𝑅 12
𝑅3 6
𝑉3 = 𝑉. = 24 × = 12V
𝑅 12
What is a Branch?

In other words, a branch represents any two-terminal element. Or

That part of the network which lies between 2 network.

How many branches in the circuit above?

There are five (05) branches in the above given circuit.
What is a Node?

• A node is usually indicated by a dot in a circuit

• If a short circuit (a connecting wire) connects two nodes, the
two nodes constitute a single node

• There are (03) Three Nodes in both of these circuits

• Circuits are actually identical
 Resistance in Parallel
 Three resistance, as joined in the figure is said to be connected in parallel.
 In this case:
Potential difference across all resistances is the same.
Current in each resistor is different.
Total current is sum of three separate current.
𝑉 𝑉 𝑉
𝐼 = 𝐼1 + 𝐼2 + 𝐼3 = + +
𝑅1 𝑅2 𝑅3
𝑉
𝐼= 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑉 𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑑 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒
𝑅
𝑅 = 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑙 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑏𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛.
1 1 1 1
= + +
𝑅𝑒𝑞 𝑅1 𝑅2 𝑅3
 Resistance in Parallel (Cont.…)
The main characteristics of a parallel circuit are:
Same voltage acts across all parts of the circuit.
Different resistors have their individual currents.
Branch currents are additive.
Conductance are additive.
Powers are additive.
 Parallel Resistors and Current Division

i1 = V / R 1 Eqn 1

V = iR

So, i1 = i R / R1

R=

So,

I in one branch is equal to total I multiply

by equivalent resistance excluding
resistance of branch under consideration
divided by sum of resistance of branch
under consideration and equivalent
resistance of remaining branches 1/RT = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + 1/R3
Parallel Resistors and Current Division (Cases)

1) if R2 = 0
…(current divider)

then i1 = 0 and i2 = i

2) if R2 = ∞
or
then Req = R1, so (current divider) => i1=i & i2=0
 Combination of Series and Parallel Resistance
 Find the equivalent resistance by making combinations of series and parallel
resistors until only one resistor is left

1kW 1kW

2kW 2kW 1kW 1kW

 Class Example 1

• Find io and vo in the circuit shown below. Calculate the power dissipated in the 3W
resistor.
 Class Example 2
 Find Req for the circuit shown in figure.
 Class Example 3
• Calculate the equivalent resistance Rab.
 Class Example 3
• Calculate the equivalent resistance Rab.
 Class Example 3
• Calculate the equivalent resistance Rab.
 Class Example 3
• Calculate the equivalent resistance Rab.