Scribd
Upload
166 views

Lecture3. Parallel Circuits-Chapter 6

This document summarizes key concepts about parallel DC circuits: 1) Parallel circuits have branches that share two common points. The total resistance is calculated using the reciprocal of the sum of the reciprocals of the individual resistances. 2) Voltage is the same across parallel elements while current divides between the branches depending on their resistances. 3) Kirchhoff's Current Law states the algebraic sum of currents entering and leaving a junction is zero. 4) The current divider rule is used to calculate the current through a resistor in a parallel circuit based on its resistance and the total current.

Uploaded by

Keshav Gopaul
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
166 views

Lecture3. Parallel Circuits-Chapter 6

This document summarizes key concepts about parallel DC circuits: 1) Parallel circuits have branches that share two common points. The total resistance is calculated using the reciprocal of the sum of the reciprocals of the individual resistances. 2) Voltage is the same across parallel elements while current divides between the branches depending on their resistances. 3) Kirchhoff's Current Law states the algebraic sum of currents entering and leaving a junction is zero. 4) The current divider rule is used to calculate the current through a resistor in a parallel circuit based on its resistance and the total current.

Uploaded by

Keshav Gopaul
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 35

Chapter 6 – Parallel dc Circuits

Introductory Circuit Analysis


Robert L. Boylestad
6.1 - Introduction
There are two network configurations – series
and parallel.
In Chapter 5 we covered a series network. In
this chapter we will cover the parallel circuit and
all the methods and laws associated with it.
6.2 – Parallel Resistors
Two elements, branches, or circuits are in parallel if
they have two points in common as in the figure below

Insert Fig 6.2


Parallel Resistors
For resistors in parallel, the total resistance is
determined from

Note that the equation is for the reciprocal of RT


rather than for RT.
Once the right side of the equation has been
determined, it is necessary to divide the result into 1 to
determine the total resistance
Parallel Resistors
 Forparallel elements, the total conductance is the
sum of the individual conductance values.
GT  G1  G2  G3  ...  GN
As the number of resistors in parallel increases, the input
current level will increase for the same applied voltage.
 This is the opposite effect of increasing the number of
resistors in a series circuit.
Parallel Resistors
The total resistance of anynumber of parallel
resistors can be determined using

1
RT 
1 1 1 1
   ... 
R1 R2 R3 RN

The total resistance of parallel resistors is always less


than the value of the smallest resistor.
Parallel Resistors
For equal resistors in parallel:

Where N = the number of parallel resistors.


Parallel Resistors
A special case: The total resistance of two
resistors is the product of the two divided by their
sum.

The equation was developed to reduce the effects of


the inverse relationship when determining RT
Parallel Resistors
 Parallel resistors can be interchanged without
changing the total resistance or input current.
 For parallel resistors, the total resistance will
always decrease as additional parallel elements
are added.
6.3 – Parallel Circuits
Voltage is always the same across parallel elements.

V =V =E
1 2

The voltage across resistor 1 equals the voltage across


resistor 2, and both equal the voltage supplies by the source.
Parallel Circuits
 For single-source parallel networks, the source
current (I ) is equal to the sum of the individual branch
s

currents.

Is  I1  I 2
 For a parallel circuit, source current equals the sum
of the branch currents. For a series circuit, the
applied voltage equals the sum of the voltage drops.
Parallel Circuits
 For parallel circuits, the greatest current will
exist in the branch with the lowest resistance.

E E
Is  I1  I 2  
R1 R2
6.4 – Power Distribution in a Parallel
Circuit
 For any resistive circuit, the power applied by
the battery will equal that dissipated by the
resistive elements.

PE  PR1  PR2  PR3  ...  PRN


 The power relationship for parallel resistive
circuits is identical to that for series resistive
circuits.
6.5 - Kirchhoff’s Current Law
 Kirchhoff’s voltage law provides an important relationship among
voltage levels around any closed loop of a network.
Kirchhoff’s current law (KCL) states that the algebraic sum of the
currents entering and leaving an area, system, or junction is zero.
 The sum of the current entering an area, system or junction must
equal the sum of the current leaving the area, system, or junction.

I in   Iout
Kirchhoff’s Current Law
 Most common application of the law will be at the
junction of two or more paths of current.
 Determining whether a current is entering or
leaving a junction is sometimes the most difficult
task.
If the current arrow points toward the junction, the
current is entering the junction.
 If the current arrow points away from the junction, the
current is leaving the junction.
6.6 – Current Divider Rule
 The current divider rule (CDR) is used to find the
current through a resistor in a parallel circuit.
General points:
 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.
Current Divider Rule
RT
Ix  IT
Rx
6.7 - Voltage Sources in Parallel
 Voltage sources are placed in parallel only if they
have the same voltage rating.
 The purpose for placing two or more batteries in parallel is
to increase the current rating.
the current rating of the combination is
determined by I =I + I s 1 2
Voltage Sources in Parallel
Two batteries of different terminal voltages
placed in parallel
 When two batteries of different terminal voltages are
placed in parallel, the larger battery tries to drop
rapidly to the lower supply
 The result is the larger battery quickly discharges to
the lower voltage battery, causing the damage to both
batteries
E1  E 2
I
Rint1  Rint 2
Voltage Sources in Parallel
Two batteries of different terminal voltages
placed in parallel

6.8 - Open and Short Circuits
 An open circuit can have a potential difference (voltage)
across its terminal, but the current is always zero
amperes.
Open and Short Circuits
 A short circuit can carry a current of a level determined
by the external circuit, but the potential difference
(voltage) across its terminals is always zero volts.

Insert Fig 6.44

You might also like