Parallel dc Circuits

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INTRODUCTION

Two network configurations, series

and parallel, form the framework for
some of the most complex network
structures.
A clear understanding of each will pay
enormous dividends as more complex
methods and networks are examined.

Introductory Circuit Analysis, 12/e Copyright 2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.

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PARALLEL RESISTORS

The term parallel is used so often to

describe a physical arrangement
between two elements that most
individuals are aware of its general
characteristics.
In general, two elements, branches, or
circuits are in parallel if they have two
points in common.

Introductory Circuit Analysis, 12/e Copyright 2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.

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PARALLEL RESISTORS

FIG. 6.1 (a) Parallel resistors; (b) R1 and R2 are in parallel; (c) R3 is in parallel with the
series combination of R1 and R2.

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PARALLEL RESISTORS

FIG. 6.2 Schematic representations of three parallel resistors.

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PARALLEL RESISTORS

For resistors in parallel as shown in Fig.

6.3, the total resistance is determined from
the following equation:

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PARALLEL RESISTORS

FIG. 6.3 Parallel combination of resistors.

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PARALLEL RESISTORS

In general, however, when the total

resistance is desired, the following format
is applied:

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PARALLEL RESISTORS

FIG. 6.5 Parallel resistors for Example 6.2.

FIG. 6.4 Parallel resistors for Example 6.1.

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PARALLEL RESISTORS

FIG. 6.6 Network to be investigated in Example 6.3.

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PARALLEL RESISTORS

FIG. 6.7 Network in Fig. 6.6 redrawn. FIG. 6.8 Adding a parallel 100 resistor to
the network in Fig. 6.4.

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PARALLEL RESISTORS

FIG. 6.9 Three equal parallel resistors to be investigated in Example 6.5.

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PARALLEL RESISTORS

FIG. 6.11 Network in Fig. 6.10 redrawn.

FIG. 6.10 Parallel configuration for

Example 6.6.

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PARALLEL RESISTORS
Special Case: Two Parallel Resistors

In the vast majority of cases, only two or

three parallel resistors will have to be
combined.
With this in mind, an equation has been
derived for two parallel resistors that is
easy to apply and removes the need to
continually worry about dividing into 1 and
possibly misplacing a decimal point.
For three parallel resistors, the equation to
be derived here can be applied twice, or
Eq. (6.3) can be used.
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PARALLEL RESISTORS
Special Case: Two Parallel Resistors

FIG. 6.12 Reduced equivalent in Fig. 6.7.

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PARALLEL RESISTORS
Special Case: Two Parallel Resistors

FIG. 6.13 Parallel network for Example 6.9.

FIG. 6.14 Redrawn network in Fig. 6.13
(Example 6.9).

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PARALLEL RESISTORS
Special Case: Two Parallel Resistors

FIG. 6.15 Parallel network for FIG. 6.16 Parallel network for Example
Example 6.10. 6.11.

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PARALLEL RESISTORS
Analogies
On a ladder, the rungs of the ladder form a
parallel configuration.
When ropes are tied between a grappling
hook and a load, they effectively absorb
the stress in a parallel configuration.
The cables of a suspended roadway form a
parallel configuration.
There are numerous other analogies that
demonstrate how connections between the
same two points permit a distribution of
stress between the parallel elements.

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PARALLEL RESISTORS
Instrumentation

FIG. 6.17 Using an ohmmeter to measure the total resistance of a parallel network.

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PARALLEL CIRCUITS
A parallel circuit can
now be established by
connecting a supply
across a set of parallel
resistors as shown in
Fig. 6.18.
The positive terminal
of the supply is directly
connected to the top
of each resistor, while
the negative terminal FIG. 6.18 Parallel network.
is connected to the
bottom of each
resistor.

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PARALLEL CIRCUITS

In general, the voltage is always the

same across parallel elements.
Therefore, remember that if two
elements are in parallel, the voltage
across them must be the same.
However, if the voltage across two
neighboring elements is the same,
the two elements may or may not be
in parallel.

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PARALLEL CIRCUITS

FIG. 6.19 Replacing the parallel resistors

in Fig. 6.18 with the equivalent total
resistance. FIG. 6.20 Mechanical analogy for
Fig. 6.18.

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PARALLEL CIRCUITS

For single-source parallel networks, the

source current (Is) is always equal to
the sum of the individual branch
currents.

FIG. 6.21 Demonstrating the duality that exists between series

and parallel circuits.

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PARALLEL CIRCUITS

FIG. 6.23 Parallel network for

FIG. 6.22 Parallel network for Example 6.13.
Example 6.12.

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PARALLEL CIRCUITS

FIG. 6.24 Parallel network for Example 6.14.

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PARALLEL CIRCUITS
Instrumentation

FIG. 6.25 Measuring the voltages of a parallel dc

network.

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PARALLEL CIRCUITS
Instrumentation

FIG. 6.26 Measuring the source current of a parallel network.

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PARALLEL CIRCUITS
Instrumentation

FIG. 6.27 Measuring the current through resistor

R1.

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POWER DISTRIBUTION IN A
PARALLEL CIRCUIT
Recall from the discussion of series circuits
that the power applied to a series resistive
circuit equals the power dissipated by the
resistive elements.
The same is true for parallel resistive
networks.
In fact, for any network composed of
resistive elements, the power applied by the
battery will equal that dissipated by the
resistive elements.

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POWER DISTRIBUTION IN A
PARALLEL CIRCUIT

FIG. 6.28 Power flow in a dc parallel

network.

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POWER DISTRIBUTION IN A
PARALLEL CIRCUIT

FIG. 6.29 Parallel network for Example 6.15.

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KIRCHHOFFS CURRENT LAW

In the previous chapter, Kirchhoffs voltage

law was introduced, providing a very
important relationship among the voltages
of a closed path.
Kirchhoff is also credited with developing
the following equally important relationship
between the currents of a network, called
Kirchhoffs current law (KCL):
The algebraic sum of the currents entering
and leaving a junction (or region) of a
network is zero.

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KIRCHHOFFS CURRENT LAW

FIG. 6.30 Introducing Kirchhoff s current law.

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KIRCHHOFFS CURRENT LAW

FIG. 6.31 (a) Demonstrating Kirchhoff s current law; (b) the water analogy for the
junction in (a).

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KIRCHHOFFS CURRENT LAW

In technology, the term node is commonly

used to refer to a junction of two or more
branches.

FIG. 6.32 Two-node configuration for Example 6.16.

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KIRCHHOFFS CURRENT LAW

FIG. 6.33 Four-node configuration for Example 6.17.

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KIRCHHOFFS CURRENT LAW

FIG. 6.34 Network for Example 6.18.

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KIRCHHOFFS CURRENT LAW

FIG. 6.35 Parallel network for Example 6.19.

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KIRCHHOFFS CURRENT LAW

FIG. 6.36 Redrawn network in Fig.

6.35.
FIG. 6.37 Integrated circuit for
Example 6.20.

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VOLTAGE SOURCES IN PARALLEL

Because the voltage is the same

across parallel elements, voltage
sources can be placed in parallel
only if they have the same voltage.
The primary reason for placing two or
more batteries or supplies in parallel
is to increase the current rating above
that of a single supply.

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VOLTAGE SOURCES IN PARALLEL

FIG. 6.46 Demonstrating the effect of placing two ideal supplies of the same voltage in
parallel.

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VOLTAGE SOURCES IN PARALLEL

If for some reason two batteries of different

voltages are placed in parallel, both will become
ineffective or damaged because the battery with
the larger voltage will rapidly discharge through
the battery with the smaller terminal voltage.

FIG. 6.47 Examining the impact of placing

two lead-acid batteries of different terminal
voltages in parallel.

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VOLTAGE SOURCES IN PARALLEL

In general, it is always
recommended that when you are
replacing batteries in series or
parallel, replace all the batteries.

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