7

Series-Parallel DC Circuits
Objective
This exercise will involve the analysis of basic series-parallel DC circuits with resistors. The use of
simple series-only and parallel-only sub-circuits is examined as one technique to solve for desired
currents and voltages.

Theory Overview
Simple series-parallel networks may be viewed as interconnected series and parallel sub-networks. Each
of these sub-networks may be analyzed through basic series and parallel techniques such as the
application of voltage divider and current divider rules along with Kirchhoff’s voltage and current laws. It
is important to identify the most simple series and parallel connections in order to jump to more complex
interconnections.

Equipment
(1) Adjustable DC power supply model:________________ srn:__________________
(1) Digital multimeter model:________________ srn:__________________
(1) 1 kΩ __________________
(1) 2.2 kΩ __________________
(1) 3.3 kΩ __________________
(1) 4.7 kΩ __________________
(1) 6.8 kΩ __________________

Schematics

Figure 7.1

36 Laboratory Manual for DC Electrical Circuit Analysis

 Figure 7.2
Procedure
1. Consider the circuit of Figure 7.1 with R1 = 1 k, R2 = 2.2 k, R3 = 4.7 k and E = 10 volts. R2 is in
parallel with R3. This combination is in series with R1. Therefore, the R2, R3 pair may be treated
as a single resistance to form a series loop with R1. Based on this observation, determine the
theoretical voltages at points A, B, and C with respect to ground. Record these values in Table
7.1. Construct the circuit. Set the DMM to read DC voltage and apply it to the circuit from point A
to ground. Record this voltage in Table 7.1. Repeat the measurements at points B and C,
determine the deviations, and record the values in Table 7.1.

2. Applying KCL to the parallel sub-network, the current entering node B (i.e., the current through
R1) should equal the sum of the currents flowing through R2 and R3. These currents may be
determined through Ohm’s law and/or the current divider rule. Compute these currents and record
them in Table 7.2. Using the DMM as an ammeter, measure these three currents and record the
values along with deviations in Table 7.2.

3. Consider the circuit of Figure 7.2. R2, R3 and R4 create a series sub-network. This sub-network
is in parallel with R1. By observation then, the voltages at nodes A, B and C should be identical
as in any parallel circuit of similar construction. Due to the series connection, the same current
flows through R2, R3 and R4. Further, the voltages across R2, R3 and R4 should sum up to the
voltage at node C, as in any similarly constructed series network. Finally, via KCL, the current
exiting the source must equal the sum of the currents entering R1 and R2.

4. Build the circuit of Figure 7.2 with R1 = 3.3 k, R2 = 2.2 k, R3 = 4.7 k, R4 = 6.8 k and E = 20
volts. Using the series and parallel relations noted in Step 3, calculate the voltages at points B, C,
D and E. Measure these potentials with the DMM, determine the deviations, and record the values
in Table 7.3.

Laboratory Manual for DC Electrical Circuit Analysis 37

 5. Calculate the currents leaving the source and flowing through R1 and R2. Record these values in
Table 7.4. Using the DMM as an ammeter, measure those same currents, compute the deviations,
and record the results in Table 7.4.

Simulation

6. Build the circuit of Figure 7.1 in a simulator. Using the virtual DMM as a voltmeter determine the
voltages at nodes A, B and C, and compare these to the theoretical and measured values recorded
in Table 7.1.

7. Build the circuit of Figure 7.2 in a simulator. Using the DC Operating Point simulation function,
determine the voltages at nodes B, C, D and E, and compare these to the theoretical and measured
values recorded in Table 7.3.

Data Tables

Voltage Theory Measured Deviation

VA
VB
VC

Table 7.1

Current Theory Measured Deviation

R1
R2
R3

Table 7.2

38 Laboratory Manual for DC Electrical Circuit Analysis

 Voltage Theory Measured Deviation
VB
VC
VD
VE

Table 7.3

Current Theory Measured Deviation

Source
R1
R2

Table 7.4

Questions
1. Are KVL and KCL satisfied in Tables 7.1 and 7.2?

2. Are KVL and KCL satisfied in Tables 7.3 and 7.4?

3. How would the voltages at A and B in Figure 7.1 change if a fourth resistor equal to 10 k was added
in parallel with R3? What if this resistor was added in series with R3?

4. How would the currents through R1 and R2 in Figure 7.2 change if a fifth resistor equal to 10 k was
added in series with R1? What if this resistor was added in parallel with R1?

Laboratory Manual for DC Electrical Circuit Analysis 39

Appendix D: Using a Solderless Breadboard

A solderless prototyping breadboard, or breadboard for short, is an essential part of the

electrical/electronics toolkit. It allows for the easy assembly, testing and disassembly of all manner of
electrical and electronic circuits. Breadboards are available in a wide variety of sizes and shapes, some of
which may include a metal mounting plate with binding posts. Whatever the size, all breadboards are
configured to provide multiple rows of connecting points using 0.1 inch spacing. This is required when
prototyping integrated circuits using through-hole DIP/DIL packages but it also proves to be convenient
for small discrete devices such as resistors, diodes, capacitors, transistors and the like. An example is
shown in Figure D-1, below.

Figure D-1

This breadboard is shown with an integrated circuit installed. The IC straddles a central trough, its pins
inserted into the first hole of each row on either side. All of the five holes in each row are common. For
example, directly below the IC is a row highlighted in yellow. These five pins comprise a common wiring
point. Similarly, the row highlighted in green presents another set of five common points. Therefore, each
pin of the IC has four remaining holes with which to connect to other components. This particular unit
contains 63 horizontal rows on either side of the trough, creating126 sets of five-hole contacts.

Laboratory Manual for DC Electrical Circuit Analysis 81

Along the left and right edges are double rows of common connection points called buses. These are used
for tie points that require a large number of connections such as a ground or power supply. This example
uses four buses. One of the buses is highlighted in purple. This board has 50 connection points per bus.

To illustrate the internal construction of a breadboard, the bottom cover of one has been removed and the
board is shown from the back in Figure D-2. Only a portion of the spring contacts remain, including two
long bus contacts shown toward the bottom of the unit. Note how each of the spring contacts is contained
in its own isolated “well”, effectively insulating it from neighboring rows.

Figure D-2

A close-up of a spring contact is shown in Figure D-3, poised above where it would be positioned. The
contact is made of five pairs of small “fingers”, each pair corresponding to a connection hole. The metal
is fairly thin and thus easily damaged if a wire of excessive diameter is forced in.

Figure D-3

82 Laboratory Manual for DC Electrical Circuit Analysis

Prototyping a circuit involves translating a schematic onto the breadboard in a clean an efficient manner.
The components should not be spaced too far apart nor should they be overcrowded as this will increase
the likelihood of accidental shorting of components. Particularly for beginning students, it is often best to
echo the overall look of the schematic, placing components in such a way that their location on the
breadboard is similar to their location on the schematic. A little forethought regarding circuit layout can
also ease the process of parameter measurement, especially when it comes to measuring currents. The
process will be illustrated using three examples: a series circuit, a parallel circuit, and a series-parallel
circuit.

Series Circuit Example

Consider the schematic shown in Figure D-4. It comprises three resistors connected in series with a single
DC voltage source.

Figure D-4

A common wiring technique is to use the buses for power supply and ground. This is not absolutely
necessary for this circuit given that there is only one positive power supply connection and one ground
connection, but this a good standard to get used to.

One possible version is shown in Figure D-5. The power supply itself is not shown, however, the red and
black connection leads are shown entering from the left side. These connect to the buses via short lengths
of solid interconnect wire. The three resistors are then connected in daisy-chain fashion; first from the
power bus to a connection row where the second resistor is located. The second resistor jumps to another
row of common connection holes, and from there the third resistor jumps down to the ground bus
completing the circuit. Note how the layout echoes the original schematic. This helps in the identification
of the individual components.

Laboratory Manual for DC Electrical Circuit Analysis 83

 Figure D-5

Of course, there are a great many ways to configure the components on the breadboard. Another
possibility is shown in Figure D-6. While this is technically correct, it is not a preferred layout.

Figure D-6

84 Laboratory Manual for DC Electrical Circuit Analysis

Generally, voltage measurements are a straight forward affair: simply place the measurement leads across
the component(s) to be measured. Figure D-7 shows the connections required to measure the voltage
across the 2.2 k ohm resistor. The DMM itself is not included but its leads are shown entering from the
right side of the picture.

Figure D-7

In contrast, current measurements require that the ammeter be inserted in-line. This means that the circuit
must be “broken open” in order to insert the ammeter. To do so, simply move one end of the component
of interest into an unused connection row and then connect the ammeter from this point to the original
location. This is shown in Figure D-8, showing the measurement of the current flowing through the 2.2 k
ohm resistor. The 2.2 k ohm has been moved over a couple of rows and the ammeter is then connected
from the original point to this new point. Again, the ammeter itself is not shown although its leads are
shown entering from the right.

Finally, note the polarity used for the meter on both the voltage and current measurements. The red lead is
placed at the expected positive point (i.e., the more positive voltage of the two points, or in the case of
current, the entering point for conventional current flow). Remember, conventional current flows from
positive to negative so the red lead should be positive and the black lead at negative. Failure to follow this
standard will create ambiguous positive/negative readings.

Laboratory Manual for DC Electrical Circuit Analysis 85

 Figure D-8

Parallel Circuit Example

Consider the schematic shown in Figure D-9. It comprises three resistors connected in parallel with a
single DC voltage source.

Figure D-9

A parallel circuit can make excellent use of the buses. This is shown in Figure D-10 (again, the power
supply leads enter from the left).

86 Laboratory Manual for DC Electrical Circuit Analysis

 Figure D-10

Once again, measurement of the current through a single component requires a slight rearrangement. For
example, measuring the current through the 4.7 k ohm resistor requires that the ammeter be inserted
between the power bus and the resistor. Thus, the resistor must be moved off of the bus and onto a five
hole connection row. The ammeter will then be connected between them, as shown in Figure D-11.

Figure D-11

Laboratory Manual for DC Electrical Circuit Analysis 87

Series-Parallel Circuit Example
Consider the schematic shown in Figure D-12. It comprises three resistors connected in series-parallel
with a single DC voltage source.

Figure D-12

One possible interconnection is shown in Figure D-13. Note the need to jump the 2.2 k and 4.7 k ohm
resistors to an unused common row somewhere on the board.

Figure D-13

88 Laboratory Manual for DC Electrical Circuit Analysis

Once again, voltage measurement is straight forward. The connections to measure the voltage across the
4.7 k ohm resistor are shown in Figure D-14 (voltmeter connection leads on the right side).

Figure D-14

Current measurement through the 2.2 k ohm resistor is shown in Figure D-15. Note the realignment of the
resistor and the ammeter insertion.

Figure D-15

Laboratory Manual for DC Electrical Circuit Analysis 89

Finally, measurement of the total circuit current (i.e., the supply current) requires inserting the ammeter
prior to the power bus. This is shown in Figure D-16. Note that the ammeter's positive lead is connected
directly to the power supply lead while the ammeter's black lead is connected back to the power bus (i.e.,
where the power used to be connected). Thus, all of the current exiting the supply must flow through the
ammeter before reaching the circuit, and therefore the ammeter measures the total circuit current.

Figure D-16

90 Laboratory Manual for DC Electrical Circuit Analysis