Course AC 6 – Basic Electrical Engineering

Sem/AY First Semester/2020-2021

Module No. 4
Lesson Title Connection of Resistors
Week
5
Duration
Date
Description This Topic Covers the finding of total resistance for Series, Parallel and the
of the Combination Circuit Resistances and other circuit element, variables and parameters.
Lesson

Learning Outcomes

Intended Students should be able to meet the following intended learning outcomes:
Learning ● Define the term equivalent resistance
Outcomes ● Calculate the equivalent resistance of resistors connected in series
● Calculate the equivalent resistance of resistors connected in parallel
● Calculate the equivalent resistance of resistors connected in combination
circuit.

Targets/ At the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

Objectives ● Explore the effect of the type of connection upon the overall current and
resistance of the circuit.
● Know the means by which the resistors are connected will have a major effect
upon the overall resistance and the total current in the circuit and the current in
each resistor.

Student Learning Strategies

Online Activities A. Online Discussion via Google Meet

(Synchronous/ You will be directed to attend in a two-hour class discussion on
Asynchronous) Connection of Resistors. To have access to the online discussion, refer to
this link: ____________________.

The online discussion will happen on , from

(For further instructions, refer to your Google Classroom and see the
schedule of activities for this module)

Some useful links for YouTube lectures:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mdc-lRrW1c
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtTlCL3pb-w
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VojwBoSHc8U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1l6fdT6KyQ
 B. Learning Guide Questions:
1. As the number of resistors increases, what happens to the overall
current within the circuit?
2. As the number of resistors increases, what happens to the overall
resistance within the circuit?
3. If one of the resistors is pulled off, what happens to the other resistors
in the circuit? Will the circuit remain complete?

Note: The insight that you will post on online discussion forum using Learning
Management System (LMS) will receive additional scores in class participation.

Offline Activities Lecture Guide

(e-Learning/Self-
Paced) Introduction

When there are two or more electrical elements present in a circuit with an
energy source, there are a couple of basic means by which to connect them.
They can be connected in series or connected in parallel or a combination there
off. Suppose that there are multiple resistors connected together in the same
circuit if connected in series, then they are connected in such a way that an
individual charge would pass through each one of the resistors in consecutive
manner. When in series, charge passes through every resistor. If connected in
parallel, a single charge passing through the external circuit would only pass
through one of the resistors. The resistors are placed within a separate branch,
called branch circuit, and a charge traversing the external circuit will pass
through only one of the branches during its path back to the energy source.
However, if circuit components are series-connected in some parts and parallel
in others, we won’t be able to apply a single set of rules to every part of that
circuit. Instead, we will have to identify which parts of that circuit are series
and which parts are parallel, then selectively apply series and parallel rules as
necessary to determine what is happening. In solving such circuits, apply the
same principles as the series and the parallel and reduce the circuit to its
simplest possible form. To determine the current or voltage in a circuit that
contains multiple resistors, the total resistance must first be calculated.

Series circuits
A series circuit is a circuit in which an Elements, such as resistors are arranged
in a chain, so the current has only one path to take. The current is the same
through each resistor. The total resistance of the circuit is found by simply
adding up the resistance values of the individual resistors:
Equivalent resistance or Total Resistance of resistors in series:
RT = R1 + R2 + R3 + …

Since current has only one path to flowthrough, the current that passes through
each resistor is the same as the source current I. In calculating for current I,
divide the value of source voltage V T with the total connected resistance R T
used Ohm’s Law, IT = VT/RT.
IT = IR1 = IR2 = IR3 = …

But the sum of all potential differences in each of the resistors is equal to the
potential difference across the battery denoted by V.
VT = V1 + V2 + V3 + ...
Or
VT = IR1 + IR2 + IR3 + …

A series circuit can be constructed by connecting light bulbs, i.e. Christmas

Light, in such a manner that there is a single pathway for charge flow; the bulbs
are added to the same line with no branching point. As more and more light
bulbs are added, the brightness of each bulb gradually decreases. This
observation is an indicator that the current within the circuit is decreasing due
to increasing of the resistance of the circuit. As per Ohm’s Law, the greater the
resistance, the lesser the current.

Example:
In the series circuit given below, find the value of Equivalent Resistance, Total
Current and potential difference across each resistor.

For Equivalent Resistance, RT

 RT = R1 + R2 + R3
RT = 3kΩ + 10kΩ + 5kΩ
RT = 18kΩ
For Total Current, IT
IT = V/RT
IT = 9V/18kΩ
IT = 500 µA

For the Potential Difference across each resistor, V 1, V2, V3

In solving for the potential difference in each resistor consider the following
equation;
V1 = IR1
V2 = IR2
V3 = IR3
Since, the circuit is connected in series, IT = I1 = I2 = I3, where IT = 500 µA
Hence,
V1 = (500 µA)(3kΩ) = 1.5 V
V2 = (500 µA)(10kΩ) = 5 V
V3 = (500 µA)(5kΩ) = 2.5 V

Take a look at what happen when we sum up the potential difference of each
resistor
V1 + V2 + V3 = VT
1.5V + 5V + 2.5 V = VT
9V = VT
As you can see, the computed VT is equal to the source voltage from the given
circuit which is 9V.

Advantages of Series Circuit

 Series circuits do not overheat easily.
 Series circuits are easy to learn and to make.
 It acts as a current regulator
 The cost to build is less compared to Parallel due to its simplicity.

Disadvantages of Series Circuit

 If an element breaks, the current flow will stop.
 The more load is connected the lesser the current will flow throughout
the circuit

Parallel circuits

A parallel circuit is a circuit in which the resistors are arranged with their
heads connected together, and their tails connected together. The current in a
parallel circuit breaks up, with some flowing along each parallel branch and
re-combining when the branches meet again. The voltage across each resistor
in parallel is the same.
The total resistance of a set of resistors in parallel is found by adding up the
reciprocals of the resistance values, and then taking the reciprocal of the total:
Equivalent resistance of resistors in parallel:
1/RT = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + 1/R3 +...
1
RT =
1 1 1
+ + +…
R 1 R 2 R3

Due to this reciprocal relationship, the total resistance is always smaller than
any individual resistance.

A parallel circuit is shown in the diagram above. In this case the current
supplied by the battery splits up, and the amount going through each resistor
depends on the resistance. If the values of the three resistors are: R1 = 8 ohms,
R2 = 8 ohms, R3 = 4 ohms.
1/RT = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + 1/R3
1/RT = 1/8 + 1/8 + ¼
1/RT = 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.25
1/RT = 0.5
RT = 1/0.5
RT = 2 ohms
With a 10 V battery, by V = I R the total current in the circuit is:
I=V/R
I = 10 / 2 = 5 A.

The individual currents can also be found using I = V / R. The voltage across
each resistor is 10 V, so:

I1 = 10 / 8 = 1.25 A
I2 = 10 / 8 = 1.25 A
I3 =10 / 4 = 2.50 A
Note that the currents add together to 5A, the total current.

Advantages of Parallel Circuit

 Parallel circuits may overheat easily.
 Parallel circuit are hard to learn and to make.
 It acts as a voltage regulator
 The current will continue to flow even when there is/are component/s
is/are removed/faulty from the circuit.

Disadvantages of Parallel Circuit

 It is more complicated to design
 Expensive to build
 Short circuit can occur accidentally in parallel wiring and can be
dangerous.

Series-Parallel Circuits

It was mentioned that there are two different ways to connect two or more
electrical devices together in a circuit. They can be connected by means of
series connections or by means of parallel connections. When all the devices in
a circuit are connected by series connections, then the circuit is referred to as
a series circuit. When all the devices in a circuit are connected by parallel
connections, then the circuit is referred to as a parallel circuit. A third type of
circuit involves the combination of series and parallel connections in a circuit;
such circuits are referred to as compound circuits or combination circuits or
much known as Series-Parallel Circuit.
When analyzing Series-Parallel Circuits, it is critically important to have a solid
understanding of the concepts that pertain to both series circuits and parallel
circuits. Since both types of connections are used in combination circuits, the
concepts associated with both types of circuits apply to the respective parts of
the circuit. If circuit components are series-connected in some parts and
parallel in others, we won’t be able to apply a single set of rules to every part of
that circuit. Instead, we will have to identify which parts of that circuit are
series and which parts are parallel, then selectively apply series and parallel
rules as necessary to determine what is happening. Take the following circuit,
for instance:
 Current will split
This circuit is neither simple series nor simple parallel. Rather, it contains
elements of both. The current exits the bottom of the battery splits up to travel
through R3 and R4, rejoins, then splits up again to travel through R1 and R2,
then rejoin again to return to the top of the battery. There exists more than one
path for current to travel (not series), yet there are more than two sets of
electrically common points in the circuit (not parallel).
If we are able to identify which parts of the circuit are series and which parts
are parallel, we can analyze it in stages, approaching each part one at a time,
using the appropriate rules to determine the relationships of voltage, current,
and resistance. Remember this, the rules of series and parallel circuits must be
applied selectively to circuits containing both types of interconnections.

Lets take an example, in the following circuit calculate the total current (I T)
taken from the 12v supply.

SERIES Parallel
At first glance this may seem a difficult task, but if we look a little closer, we can
see that the two resistors, R2 and R3 are actually both connected together in a
“SERIES” combination so we can add them together to produce an equivalent
resistance the same as we did in the series resistor tutorial. The resultant
resistance for this combination would therefore be:
 R2 + R3 = 8Ω + 4Ω = 12Ω

So we can replace both resistor R2 and R3 above with a single resistor of

resistance value 12Ω

Parallel
So our circuit now has a single resistor RA in “PARALLEL” with the resistor R4.
Using our resistors in parallel equation we can reduce this parallel combination
to a single equivalent resistor value of R(combination) using the formula for
two parallel connected resistors as follows.

The resultant resistive circuit now looks something like this:

We can see that the two remaining resistances, R1 and R(comb) are connected
together in a “SERIES” combination and again they can be added together
(resistors in series) so that the total circuit resistance between points A and B
is therefore given as:

R(ab) = Rcomb + R1 = 6Ω + 6Ω = 12Ω

Thus, a single resistor of just 12Ω can be used to replace the original four
resistors connected together in the original circuit above.

By using Ohm’s Law, the value of the current ( I ) flowing around the circuit is
calculated as:

Then we can see that any complicated resistive circuit consisting of several
resistors can be reduced to a simple single circuit with only one equivalent
resistor by replacing all the resistors connected together in series or in parallel
using the steps above.
We can take this one step further by using Ohms Law to find the two branch
currents, I1 and I2 as shown.

V(R1) = I*R1 = 1*6 = 6 volts

V(RA) = VR4 = (12 – VR1)

V(RA) = VR4 = (12 – 6) = 6 volts
V(RA) = VR4 = 6 volts
Thus:

I1 = 6V ÷ RA = 6 ÷ 12 = 0.5A or 500mA

I2 = 6V ÷ R4 = 6 ÷ 12 = 0.5A or 500mA

Since the resistive values of the two branches are the same at 12Ω, the two
branch currents of I1 and I2 are also equal at 0.5A (or 500mA) each. This
therefore gives a total supply current, IT of: 0.5 + 0.5 = 1.0 amperes as
calculated above.

It is sometimes easier with complex resistor combinations and resistive

networks to sketch or redraw the new circuit after these changes have been
made, as this helps as a visual aid to the math. Then continue to replace any
series or parallel combinations until one equivalent resistance, R EQ is found.

Let’s take another example, this time we will make more complex.

Find the equivalent resistance, R EQ for the following resistor combination

circuit.
Again, at first glance this resistor ladder network may seem a complicated task,
but as before it is just a combination of series and parallel resistors connected
together. Starting from the right-hand side and using the simplified equation
for two parallel resistors, we can find the equivalent resistance of the R 8 to R10
combination and call it RA.

Rs = R8 + R10 = 10 + 2 = 12 --- SERIES CONNECTED RESISTORS

1
RT =
1 1
+
R 9 RS

1
RT =
1 1
+
6 12
1 1
RT = = =¿ 4.01 = 4
0.166+ 0.0833 0.2493

R = R1 R2/(R1+R2) = R9(R8+R10)/R9 + (R8+R10)

R = R9(R8+R10)/ R9+R8+R10
RA is in series with R7 therefore the total resistance will be RA + R7 = 4 + 8 = 12Ω
as shown.

This resistive value of 12Ω is now in parallel with R 6 and can be calculated as
RB.

RB is in series with R5 therefore the total resistance will be RB + R5 = 4 + 4 = 8Ω

as shown.

This resistive value of 8Ω is now in parallel with R 4 and can be calculated as RC

as shown.

RC is in series with R3 therefore the total resistance will be R C + R3 = 8Ω as

shown.
This resistive value of 8Ω is now in parallel with R2 from which we can
calculated RD as:

RD is in series with R1 therefore the total resistance will be R D + R1 = 4 + 6 =

10Ω as shown.

Then the complex combinational resistive network above comprising of ten

individual resistors connected together in series and parallel combinations can
be replaced with just one single equivalent resistance, R EQ, of value 10Ω.

Rules regarding Series and Parallel Circuits

With each of these two basic circuit configurations, we have specific sets of
rules describing voltage, current, and resistance relationships.

Series Circuits:
1. Voltage drops add to equal total voltage.
VT = V1 + V2 + V3 + …
 2. All components share the same (equal) current.
IT = I1 = I2 = I3 = …I100
3. Resistances add to equal total resistance.
RT = R1 + R2 + R3 + …

Parallel Circuits:
1. All components share the same (equal) voltage.
VT = V1 = V2 = V3 = …
2. Branch currents add to equal total current.
IT = I1 + I2 + I3 + …
3. Resistances diminish to equal total resistance.
1
RT = 1 + 1 + 1 + …
R1 R2 R3

Voltage and Current Divider Principles

Voltage Divider Principle (applicable only for Series Circuit)

The voltage divider rule is used to solve circuits to simplify the solution.
Applying this rule can also solve simple circuits thoroughly. The main concept
of this voltage divider principle is “The voltage is divided between two
resistors which are connected in series in direct proportion to their resistance.
Voltage divider involves of two important parts they are the circuit and the
equation.

V =V 1+V 2
V 1=IR 1∧V 2=IR 2
Then :V =IR 1+ IR 2
Therefore :V =I (R 1+ R 2)
V
So :I =
R 1+ R 2

The current flowing through the series network is simply I = V/R following
Ohm’s Law. Since the current is common to both resistors, (IR1 = IR2) we can
calculate the voltage dropped across resistor, R2 in the above series circuit as
being:
I 2=I T ❑

V2 V
=
R 2 R 1+ R 2

R2
V 2=V
R 1+ R 2
R2
V 2=V
RT
V2 = ITR2

Likewise, for resistor R1 as being:

V1 V
I 1= =
R 1 R 1+ R 2

R1
V 1=V
R 1+ R 2
R1
V 1=V
RT

V1 = ITR1

Current Divider Principle (applicable only for parallel circuit)

The current divider rule is used to solve circuits to simplify the solution.
Applying this rule can also solve simple circuits thoroughly. The main concept
of this current divider principle is “The current is divided between two
resistors which are connected in parallel in direct proportion to their
resistance. Current divider involves of two important parts they are the circuit
and the equation.

I =I 1+ I 2
I 1=V /R 1∧I 2=V /R 2
Then : I =V / R1+V /R 2
1 1
Therefore : I =V ( + )
R1 R2
I
So :V =
1 1
+
R1 R2
R1 R2
V =I (
R 1+ R 2 )
The voltage across the parallel resistor is simply V = IR following Ohm’s Law.
Since the voltage is the same across to both resistors, (V/R1 = V/R2)
V =V 1=V 2
IRT =I 1 R 1=I 2 R 2
we can calculate the current that passes through each resistor, R2 in the
parallel circuit as being:

V R1R2
I 2=
R2
=I (
R 1+ R 2 )
I 2 R 2=I ( RR1+1 RR22 )
I R1R2
I 2= (
R 2 R 1+ R 2 )
, cancelling the R 2 will result ¿

I 2=I ( R 1+R 1R 2 )
Likewise, for resistor R1 as being:

V R1R2
I 1=
R1
=I (
R 1+ R 2 )
I 1 R 1=I ( RR1+1 RR22 )
I R1R2
I 1= (
R 1 R 1+ R 2 )
, cancelling the R 1 will result ¿

I 1=I ( R 1+R 2R 2 )
Example:

1. Three resistive elements of 6Kω, 12Kω and 18Kω are connected

together in series across a 36-volt supply. Calculate, the total resistance,
the value of the current flowing around the circuit, and the voltage
drops across each resistor.

Data given: VS = 36 volts, R1 = 6Kω, R2 = 12Kω and R3 = 18Kω

The voltage drops across all three resistors should add up to the supply
voltage. So, the sum of the voltage drops is: V T = 6 V + 12 V + 18 V = 36.0 V the
same value of the supply voltage, V S and so is correct. Notice that the largest
resistor produces the largest voltage drop.

2. Three resistors are connected together to form a current divider circuit as

shown below. If the circuit is fed from a 100 volts 1.5Kw power supply,
calculate the individual branch currents using the current division rule and the
equivalent circuit resistance.

 
1) Total circuit current IT

IT = V/RT = 100V/6.667 Ohms = 15 A

2)  Equivalent resistance REQ
 

3)  Branch currents IR1, IR2, IR3

VR1 = VRT = VR2 = VR3

VR1 = VRT
I1R1 = ITRT
I1 = ITRT/R1
I1 = IT(RT/R1)
 
VR2 = VRT
I2R2 = ITRT
I2 = ITRT/R2
I2= IT(RT/R2)

VR3 = VRT
I3R3 = ITRT
I3= ITRT/R3
I3 = IT(RT/R3)
 We can check our calculations, all the branch currents will be equal to the total
current, so: IT = IR1 + IR2 + IR3 = 10 + 4 + 1 = 15 amperes, as expected. Thus, we
can see that the total current, I T is divided according to a simple ratio
determined by the branch resistances. Also, as the number of resistors
connected in parallel increases, the supply of total current, I T will also increase
for a given supply voltage, V S as there are more parallel branches taking
current.

Performance Tasks
PT 4
Check Your Understanding. Analyze the following given problem statement.

1. Use your understanding of equivalent resistance to complete the following statements:

a. Two 3-Ω resistors placed in series would provide a resistance that is equivalent to one _____-Ω
resistor.
b. Three 3-Ω resistors placed in series would provide a resistance that is equivalent to one _____-Ω
resistor.
c. Three 5-Ω resistors placed in series would provide a resistance that is equivalent to one _____-Ω
resistor.
d. Three resistors with resistance values of 2-Ω, 4-Ω, and 6-Ω are placed in series. These would provide
a resistance that is equivalent to one _____-Ω resistor.
e. Three resistors with resistance values of 5-Ω, 6-Ω, and 7-Ω are placed in series. These would provide
a resistance that is equivalent to one _____-Ω resistor.
f. Three resistors with resistance values of 12-Ω, 3-Ω, and 21-Ω are placed in series. These would
provide a resistance that is equivalent to one _____-Ω resistor.

2. As the number of resistors in a series circuit increases, the overall resistance __________ (increases,
decreases, remains the same) and the current in the circuit __________ (increases, decreases, remains the
same).

3. Compare circuit X and Y below. Each is powered by a 12-volt battery. The voltage drop across the
12-ohm resistor in circuit Y is ____ the voltage drop across the single resistor in X.
a. smaller than
b. larger than
c. the same as

4. A 12-V battery, a 12-ohm resistor and a 4-ohm resistor are connected as shown. The current in the
12-ohm resistor is ____ that in the 4-ohm resistor.

5. A 12-V battery and a 12-ohm resistor are connected as shown in circuit. A 6-ohm resistor is added to
the 12-ohm resistor to create circuit Y as shown. The voltage drop across the 6-ohm resistor in circuit
Y is ____ that across the resistor in X.

a. larger than
b. smaller than
c. the same as

6. For the circuit shown below, calculate the following

a. Equivalent Resistance
b. Total Current
c. I1, I2, I3, I4
d. V1, V2, V3, V4
 Learning Resources

References
Boylestad, R. (2015). Introductory Circuit Analysis, 13th Edition. Pearson.
Hayt, J. e. (n.d.). Engineering circuit Analysis, 7th Edition. 2007: McGraw-Hill Education.
Romeo A. Rojas, J. (n.d.). 1001 Solved Problems in Electrical Engineering.
Sadiku. (2007). Fundamentals of Electric Circuit, 4th Edition. McGraw-Hill Education.
Theraja, B. L. (2005). A textbook of Electrical Technology Volume 1. S. Chand and Co. Ltd.
V. K. Mehta, R. M. (2008). Basic Electrical Engineering, Revised Edition. S. Chand and Co. Pvt. Ltd.

https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/textbook/direct-current/chpt-5/simple-series-circuits/
https://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/circuits/Lesson-4/Parallel-Circuits
https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/textbook/direct-current/chpt-5/what-are-series-and-parallel-
circuits/
https://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/resistor/res_3.html

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