CHAPTER 1

SERIES-PARALLEL RESISTOR CIRCUIT

1.1 Learning Outcomes

After practical series-parallel resistor circuits, students will be able to:
1. Explain the characteristics of series-parallel resistor circuits,
2. Calculate the voltage and current values in a series-parallel resistor circuit in theory,
3. Calculate the voltage and current values in a series-parallel resistor circuit using software
simulation,
4. Measure the voltage and current values in a series-parallel resistor circuit in practice,
5. Compare the results of theoretical calculations, software simulations, and practical work.
Practical work with the sub-subject of series-parallel resistor circuits is to prove the
characteristics of voltage and current in series and parallel resistor circuits. Resistors
arranged in series can be used as a voltage divider. Resistors arranged in parallel can be used
as a current divider. The practicum is carried out in three stages, namely calculations,
simulations with software, and measurement of practicum results. From the results of these
three stages, students can compare the scores obtained and can conclude the causes of the
differences in scores.
1.2 Tools and Materials
The tools and materials used in the practicum are as follows:
1. Power supply: 1 piece,
2. Analog multimeter: 1 piece,
3. Digital multimeter: 1 piece,
4. Banana to banana cable: 2 pieces,
5. Cable alligator: 2 pieces
6. Series-parallel resistor circuit module/protoboard: 1 piece,
7. Simulation software (multisim/lifewire).
1.3 Basic Theory
1.3.1 Series-Parallel Resistor Circuit
In electrical circuits there are many circuit configurations of electronic components, not just
simple circuits that only consist of a voltage source and load, but more than that. The two
most widely used circuit configurations in electronic circuits are series and parallel. Series
and parallel resistor circuits are shown in Figure 1.1.

Figure 1.1 Series-parallel resistor circuit

In a series circuit, the resistors are arranged like a series of train cars, where the flow of
electrons flows in only one path. In a parallel circuit, resistors are arranged by combining
each end into one so that the flow of electrons can be divided into several paths.
1.3.2 Measuring Instruments
Measuring tools used for practical electrical circuits include a multimeter which functions to
measure current (ammeter), measure voltage (volt meter), and measure resistance
(ohmmeter). Because of its capabilities as an ammeter (A), voltmeter (V), and ohmmeter
(O), it is called an AVO meter.
Types of multimeters, namely analog multimeters and digital multimeters. Analog
multimeters use a pointer, while digital multimeters show measurement results in the form of
numbers, which are shown in Figure 1.2.

Figure 1.2 Analog and digital mustimeters

1. Analog Multimeter
An analog multimeter is a multimeter with a measuring needle. Analog multimeters are
widely used because they are cheaper, but reading measuring results is more difficult
because there are quite a lot of measuring scales on the display. Analog multimeter
application for measuring DC voltage, AC voltage, current, and resistors.
Analog multimeter calibration procedure:
a) Calibration of Voltage and Current Measurements
Calibration is carried out before measurements (DC voltage, AC voltage, and DC),
position the scale needle at zero (on the left). If it doesn't show zero, then adjust the
scale needle slowly so it doesn't get damaged.
b) Calibration of resistor measurements
Ohmmeter calibration is carried out before measuring the resistor value. The selector
switch is directed at the ohmmeter measuring limit first, then the positive probe (+) and
negative probe (-) are connected until the probe tips touch each other, after that the scale
needle is adjusted until it shows zero on the right using the zero-ohm control knob.
c) DC Voltage Measurement
There are several things you need to pay attention to before using a voltmeter, namely:
 The voltage measured is lower than the selected scale, for example when measuring a
12V DC battery voltage, the 25V DC scale is selected.
 The method of installing a voltmeter in a circuit is in parallel, measuring in series can
cause the multimeter to burn out.
 Test leads (gauges) are installed correctly.
DC voltage measurement procedure:
 The selector is set to the DCV position.
 The measuring limit scale is selected based on the estimated amount of voltage to be
measured. If the voltage being measured is around 12V then the scale position is set
at the measuring limit of 50V.
 When measuring a voltage whose value is unknown, the measuring limit is set to the
highest position so that the multimeter is not damaged.
  The multimeter probe is connected to the voltage point to be measured, the red probe
is in the (+) position and the black probe is in the (-) position and must not be
reversed.
 The measurement results are read on the multimeter.
d) AC Voltage Measurement
There are several things you need to pay attention to before using a voltmeter, namely:
 The measured voltage is lower than the selected scale, for example when measuring a
battery voltage of 220 VAC, a scale of 250 VAC is selected.
 The method of installing a voltmeter in a circuit is in parallel, measuring in series can
cause the multimeter to burn out.
 Test leads can be installed reversibly.
 AC voltage measurement procedure:
 The selector is set to the ACV position.
 The measuring limit scale is selected based on the estimated voltage magnitude.
 When measuring a voltage whose value is unknown, the measuring limit is set to the
highest position so that the multimeter is not damaged.
 The multimeter probe is connected to the voltage point to be measured.
 Multimeter probes are installed correctly.
e) Current Measurement
There are several things you need to pay attention to before using an ammeter, namely:
 The measured current is lower than the selected measuring scale, some multimeters
have a limit of 500 mA or 0.5 A.
 The method of installing an ammeter in a circuit is in series, measuring in parallel
can cause the multimeter to burn out.
 Test leads are installed correctly. The ammeter measuring scale on a multimeter
varies widely, between 250 mA and 20 A.
Current measurement procedure:
 The selector is set to the 250 mA position.
 The ammeter is installed in series with the load, the red probe (+) is to the positive
side of the load and the black probe (-) is to the negative side of the load.
f) Resistor Measurement
There are several things you need to pay attention to before using an ohmmeter, namely:
 The resistance measured is within the effective measurement range of the resistance
being measured, for example measuring a resistance of 220 Ω then choosing the 1X
scale, a resistance of 800 Ω using 10X, and a resistance of 8 K Ω using 1x1K.
 Calibrate the measuring instrument before use, by short-connecting the measuring
plug, and setting the needle to position 0 (zero)
 The resistor measurement in the circuit is not electrified, and the components are
when taking measurements.
Resistor measurement procedure:
 The selector is rotated to the 1X Ω position.
 The measuring instrument is calibrated by short-connecting the measuring
plug and setting the needle to position 0 (zero) by turning the ohm calibration.
 The measuring plug is connected to the resistor to be measured.
 The measurement results are read.
2. Digital Multimeter:
A digital multimeter has almost the same function as an analog multimeter, but a digital
multimeter uses a display in the form of digital numbers. Digital multimeter measurement
results produce more precise values when compared to analog multimeters. A digital
multimeter can be used to measure a certain value of a component in detail.
Digital multimeter calibration is carried out before measurement. The positive probe (+) and
negative probe (-) are connected until the probe tips touch each other, and the settings are
rotated until the display shows the number 0 (zero).
a) AC Voltage Measurement
 The selector is selected in the ACV (AC Volt) position.
 The selector switch is rotated to the required scale position.
 The probe is connected to the component to be measured after being connected to the
measuring instrument.
 The numbers printed on the digital multimeter are recorded.
b) DC Voltage Measurement
 The selector is selected in the DCV (Volt DC) position.
 The selector switch is rotated to the required scale position.
 The probe is connected to the component to be measured after being connected to the
measuring instrument.
 The numbers printed on the digital multimeter are recorded.
c) DC Current Measurement
 The selector is selected at the DCA position.
 The selector switch is selected at the required scale position.
 The probe is connected to the component to be measured after being connected to the
measuring instrument.
 The numbers printed on the digital multimeter are recorded.
d) Resistor Measurement
 The resistor value is measured in the power-off condition.
 The selector is selected at the ohmmeter position.
 The red plug is placed in positive polarity and the black plug is placed in negative
polarity.
 The numbers printed on the digital multimeter are recorded.
 Pay attention to the units so that there are no errors in making measurement data.
Table 1.1 shows how to read resistor values. How to read resistor values using a table that
has resistance values for 5 colored bands, as follows:
 Bracelet color sequences 1, 2, and 3 are as digits.
 The 4th color bracelet is the multiplier value.
 Bracelet color sequence 5 is a tolerance value.
Table 1.1 How to read resistor values
1.4 Network image
Figure 1.3 and Figure 1.4 are a series of series circuit experiments and parallel circuit
experiments.

Figure 1.3 Practical module for series resistor circuits

I

I1 I2 I3

Vs
R1 R2 R3

Figure 1.4 Parallel resistor circuit practical module

1.5 Practical Procedures
The practical procedure for series-parallel resistor circuits is as follows:
1. The value of each resistor and the equivalent resistor value are read, and then the results
are entered in table 1.2, in the 'reading' column. The results of calculating the equivalent
resistor value using the formula are as follows:
Series:
R S = R1 + R2 + Rn
Parallel:
1 1 1 1
= + +
Rp R 1 R 2 Rn
2. Calibration is carried out on analog and digital multimeter measuring instruments.
3. The series circuit value is measured first by connecting a series resistor circuit with an
ohmmeter. The resistor value is read on the ohmmeter and the reading value is compared
based on the color bracelet, then the value is filled in in Table 1.2 in the 'measurement'
column.
4. The power supply is prepared
5. The voltmeter is connected in parallel with the VS and the ammeter is connected in
series with the resistor circuit. The right end of the resistor is jumpered to the negative
pole of the source voltage.
6. The source voltage (VS) is set according to Table 1.2 of the practical results.
7. The results of current and voltage measurements on each resistor connected in series
with the resistor circuit according to changes in source voltage are then filled in in Table
1.2A
8. Every change that occurs is observed and a graph is made for the change in Vs to current
(I) in the calculated, simulated, and measured values.
9. After completing the series resistor circuit, continue with practical work on the parallel
resistor circuit.
10. Parallel circuit practicum first measures the resistor value by connecting a banana to a
banana cable at the end of the parallel resistor to the negative pole of the voltage source.
The resistor value is observed on the ohmmeter, the reading results are compared and
then filled in in Table 1.3 in the 'measurement' column.
11. The parallel voltmeter is connected to VS and jumpered between the left end of the
ammeter module and the top end of the parallel resistor
12. Source voltage (VS) is set according to Table 1.3.
13. The value of the current flowing in the circuit is observed at each change in source
voltage and fills in Table 1.3 in the 'Current' column.
14. Every change in Vs that occurs is observed and a graph is made for the change in Vs
against the current (I).
15. Practical series-parallel resistor circuits have been completed.
16. The next stage is to create a practicum results report.

1.6 Practical Results Table

Practical results are included in Table 1.2 and Table 1.3.
Table 1.2A Practical results for series resistor circuits
No R value Vs Measure Measure Voltage Value
Current Value
P (k) U volt I scala V1 scale V2 scale V3 scale V1,2,3
R(k) (mA) (Volt) (Volt) (Volt) (Volt)

1 2

2 4
R1= R1=
3 6
R2= R2=
4 8
R3= R3=
5 10
Rt= Rt=
6 12

7 14

Table 1.2B Calculation and Simulation Results for Series Resistor Circuits
No R value Vs Current Value Voltage value
P U I I V1 V1 V2 V2 V3 V3 V1,2,3 V1,2,3
(k) (k) (Volt) (mA) (mA) (Volt) (Volt) (Volt) (Volt) (Volt) (Volt) (Volt) (Volt)
(H) (S) (H) (S) (H) (S) (H) (S) (H) (S)

1 2

2 4
R 1= R1=
3 6
R 2= R2=
4 8
R 3= R3=
5 Rt= Rt= 10

6 12
 7 14

Information: P = reading, U = measurement, H = calculation, S = Simulation

Table 1.3A Practical results of parallel resistor circuits
ResistorValue Vs Current Value
No R R I scale I1 scale I2 scale I3 scale
(kOhm) (kOhm) (Volt) (mA) (mA) (mA) (mA)
(P) (U)
1. 2

2. 4

3. R 1= R1= 6
R 2= R2=
4. 8
R 3= R3=
5. Rt = R t= 10

6. 12

7. 14

Information: P = reading, U = measurement, H = calculation, S = Simulation

Table 1.3B Calculation and Simulation Results of Parallel Resistor Circuits
Resistor
VS Current Value
value
I I I1 I1 I2 I2 I3 I3
No R
(mA) (mA) (mA) (mA) (mA) (mA) (mA) (mA)
(kOhm) (Volt)
(H) (S) (H) (S) (H) (S) (H) (S)
(P)

1. 2

2. 4

3. R1= 6
R2=
4. 8
R3=
5. Rt = 10

6. 12

7. 14

1.7 Analysis of Practical Results

Analysis of practicum results is made based on learning achievements in sub-discussion
(1.1) and to facilitate analysis of practicum results. Table 1.2 (results of practical series
resistor circuits) graphs the changes in the Vs value against the current value which is
depicted graphically (excel). Table 1.3 (practical results of parallel resistor circuits) graphs
the changes in the Vs value against the current value which is depicted graphically (excel).
In one graph there are three values, namely the results of calculations, measurements, and
software simulations. The analysis focuses on the results of differences in values from
calculations, software simulations, and measurements. The difference in values is analyzed
and a solution to the cause is sought.
1.8 Conclusion
Conclusions are obtained based on graphic analysis of practicum results which refer to
learning outcomes
1.9 Reference
References used to create a theoretical basis and material for analyzing practical results
1.10 Attachment
Attachments are supporting data for creating a practicum report which contains temporary
data after the practicum has been carried out and/or additional data sheets.