Series/Parallel Circuits

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Circuits consisting of both series and parallel elements are series-parallel circuits.

RESISTANCE IN SERIES-PARALLEL CIRCUITS

Equivalent circuits are used to find series-parallel resistance.

REDRAWING CIRCUITS FOR CLARITY

Circuits can be redrawn to make current flow understandable.

Steps for Redrawing the Circuit for Clarity

1. Trace the current paths in the circuit.
2. Label the nodes (junctions) in the circuit.
3. Recognize points that are the same voltage
4. Visualize a rearrangement
5. Redraw into a simpler form

REDRAWING A SERIES-PARALLEL CIRCUIT

Start with the negative terminal of the voltage source and follow the current flow through the components.

SERIES-PARALLEL CIRCUIT ANALYSIS

1. Reduce all parallel circuits to series-equivalent resistances.
2. Combine all the branches containing more than one resistance in series into a single resistance.
3. Redraw the resulting equivalent circuit and determine the equivalent resistance of the whole circuit.
4. When the series-parallel circuit has been simplified, solve for the total current, voltage, or power, as required.
5. To obtain a complete solution for the series-parallel circuit, find the individual component values by using the values obtained in the equivalent circuit and applying them to the original circuit. Solve for individual voltage, current, or power, as required.

WHEATSTONE BRIDGE

A series parallel circuit which is useful for rectifiers and measuring instruments is a bridge. A wheatstone bridge is a special measuring instrument.

Balancing the bridge

One of the resistances can be adjusted until there is zero current flow between the junction at the middle of each parallel branch.

TROUBLESHOOTING SERIES-PARALLEL CIRCUITS

Troubleshooting often involves isolating the circuit into smaller parallel or series elements.

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