6 Current Divider Rule

Module 6–Current Divider Rule

Learning After finishing this module, you are expected to:
Objectives:
1. Calculate unknown current in a parallel network by
current divider rule.
2. Understand the characteristics of parallel network.
3. Calculate the total resistance, branch current and
power across each resistor in parallel network.

Topics: 1.1. Overview

1.2. Current Divider Rule
1.3. Illustrative Examples

Allotted Time: 2 Hrs.

Introductory Circuit Analysis, 10th Edition, Boylestad

Electrical Circuits Theory and Technology, 3rd Edition, John Bird 2007
Fundamentals of Electric Circuits, Third Edition, Charles A. Alexander & Matthew N.O. Sadiku

Warm Up:
Give three things that you expect you will learn in this module.
1. _________________________________________________________
2. _________________________________________________________
3. _________________________________________________________
_____________

Pre-Test: From the circuit shown calculate the current passing through
the resistors.

Prepared by: Engr. Eddie L. Cabaltera || Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges 69

 6 Current Divider Rule

1.1. Overview

In the current division rule, it is said that the current in any of the
parallel branches is equal to the ratio of opposite branch resistance to the total
resistance, multiplied by the total current.

In electronics, a current divider is a simple linear circuit that produces

an output current (IX) that is a fraction of its input current. Current division
refers to the splitting of current between the branches of the divider. (Wikipedia)

1.2. Current Divider Rule

The current divider rule (CDR) will determine how the current entering
a set of parallel branches will split between the elements.

For two parallel elements of equal value, the current will divide equally.

For parallel elements with different values, the smaller the resistance,
the greater the share of input current.

For parallel elements of different values, the current will split with a ratio
equal to the inverse of their resistor values.

For networks in which only the resistor values are given along with the
input current, the current divider rule should be applied to determine the
various branch currents. It can be derived using the network of Figure 6.1:

FIGURE 6.1

The input current I equal V/RT, where RT is the total resistance of the
parallel branches. Substituting VN = IN RN into the above equation, where IN
refers to the current through a parallel branch of resistance RN, we have

V I R
I= =
R R

Prepared by: Engr. Eddie L. Cabaltera || Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges 70

6 Current Divider Rule
and
R
I = I → eq. (6.1)
R

For Two resistors in parallel as in Figure 6.2

FIGURE 6.2: Applying Current Divider Rule for two resistors in parallel

𝑅 𝑅
𝑅 =
𝑅 +𝑅

𝐼 = 𝐼
𝑅

𝑅
𝐼 = 𝐼 → 𝑒𝑞. (6.2)
𝑅 +𝑅

Similarly, for I2:

𝑅
𝐼 = 𝐼 → 𝑒𝑞. (6.3)
𝑅 +𝑅

In words, for two parallel branches, the current through either branch is
equal to the product of the other parallel resistor and the input current divided
by the sum (not the total parallel resistance) of the two parallel resistances

For Three resistors in parallel:

FIGURE 6.3: Applying Current Divider Rule for three resistors in parallel

Prepared by: Engr. Eddie L. Cabaltera || Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges 71

 6 Current Divider Rule
𝑅 𝑅 𝑅
𝑅 =
𝑅 𝑅 +𝑅 𝑅 +𝑅 𝑅

𝐼 = 𝐼
𝑅

𝑅 𝑅
𝐼 = 𝐼 → 𝑒𝑞. (6.4)
𝑅 𝑅 +𝑅 𝑅 +𝑅 𝑅

Similarly for I2and I3:

𝑅 𝑅
𝐼 = 𝐼 → 𝑒𝑞. (6.5)
𝑅 𝑅 +𝑅 𝑅 +𝑅 𝑅

𝑅 𝑅
𝐼 = 𝐼 → 𝑒𝑞. (6.6)
𝑅 𝑅 +𝑅 𝑅 +𝑅 𝑅

1.3. Illustrative Examples

EXAMPLE 6.1:

Determine I1 and I2 from Figure 6.4 shown using CDR.

Figure 6.4 for example 6.1

Solution: by CDR.

𝑅 9
𝐼 = 𝐼= (3) = 2.25 𝐴
𝑅 +𝑅 3+9

Prepared by: Engr. Eddie L. Cabaltera || Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges 72

6 Current Divider Rule
𝑅 3
𝐼 = 𝐼= (3) = 0.75 𝐴
𝑅 +𝑅 3+9

EXAMPLE 6.2:

From the Figure 6.5 shown below, determine I1, I2 and I3 using CDR.

FIGURE 6.5

Solution: by CDR
𝑅 𝑅
𝐼 = 𝐼
𝑅 𝑅 +𝑅 𝑅 +𝑅 𝑅
(3𝑘)(4𝑘)
= (100𝑚𝐴)
(1𝑘)(3𝑘) + (1𝑘)(4𝑘) + (3𝑘)(4𝑘)

= 63.157 𝑚𝐴

𝑅 𝑅
𝐼 = 𝐼
𝑅 𝑅 +𝑅 𝑅 +𝑅 𝑅

(1𝑘)(4𝑘)
= (100𝑚𝐴)
(1𝑘)(3𝑘) + (1𝑘)(4𝑘) + (3𝑘)(4𝑘)

= 21.052 𝑚𝐴

𝑅 𝑅
𝐼 = 𝐼
𝑅 𝑅 +𝑅 𝑅 +𝑅 𝑅

(1𝑘)(3𝑘)
= (100𝑚𝐴)
(1𝑘)(3𝑘) + (1𝑘)(4𝑘) + (3𝑘)(4𝑘)

= 15.789 𝑚𝐴

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VojwBoSHc8U
Watch this video explaining the current divider rule.

Prepared by: Engr. Eddie L. Cabaltera || Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges 73

 6 Current Divider Rule

Worksheet No. 8

Name: ________________________________Course/Year: ______________

Instructor: _____________________________ Rating: ___________________

PROBLEMS:
Instruction: Solve the following problems and write the solution on the space
provided. Write your final answer on the space provided for.

1. From the circuit shown in Figure 6.5, determine the curentI1, I2, and I3 using
Current Divider Rule (CDR)

FIGURE 6.6 of problem 1

Prepared by: Engr. Eddie L. Cabaltera || Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges 74

6 Current Divider Rule

2. From the circuit shown in Figure 6.7, determine the current I1, I2, and I3 using
Current Divider Rule (CDR)

FIGURE 6.7 of problem 2

Prepared by: Engr. Eddie L. Cabaltera || Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges 75

6 Current Divider Rule

3. From the circuit shown in Figure 6.8, determine the value of R and current I1,
I2, and I3 using Current Divider Rule (CDR)

FIGURE 6.8 of problem 3

Prepared by: Engr. Eddie L. Cabaltera || Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges 76

6 Current Divider Rule

4. From the circuit shown in Figure 6.9, determine the current and the value of R
using Current Divider Rule.

FIGURE 6.9 of problem 4

Prepared by: Engr. Eddie L. Cabaltera || Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges 77

6 Current Divider Rule

5. From the circuit shown in Figure 6.9, determine the currentI2, I3, I4and IT using
Current Divider Rule (CDR)

FIGURE 6.9 of problem 5

Prepared by: Engr. Eddie L. Cabaltera || Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges 78