BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY

College of Engineering, Architecture & Fine Arts

Gov. Pablo Borbon Campus II, Alangilan, Batangas City, Philippines

4200 www.batstate-u.edu.phTelefax: (043) 300-4404 locs. 106-118

ECE 422 BASIC ELECTRONICS LABORATORY

ACTIVITY NO. 3
SERIES, PARALLEL, AND SERIES-PARALLEL CIRCUITS

PAIR # 10
MARASIGAN, ALEXIS A.
UMALI,GENEANA CLAIRE D.
BSME 3208
MONDAY: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM, SATURDAY: 7:00 AM - 10:00 AM

DATE OF PERFORMANCE: APRIL 17, 2023

DATE OF SUBMISSION: MAY 05,2023

ENGR. ANTHONY L. RIEGO

INSTRUCTOR
 I. INTRODUCTORY INFORMATION
There are several ways to connect the parts of an electrical or electronic circuit. The
two most common of these are parallel and series. A single path links components connected
in series, allowing the same current to flow through each component simultaneously. The
same voltage is applied to each component when components are connected in parallel since
they are connected through multiple paths. Electrical circuits in series, parallel, and
series-parallel combinations are often employed in a variety of applications, from simple
electronic devices to complex electrical distribution systems.

Figure 1. Series Circuit Figure 2. Parallel Circuit

According to Diffen (n.d.), a series circuit has the same current flowing through
each component, and the circuit's overall voltage equals the sum of the voltages across each
component. In contrast, each component in a parallel circuit has the same voltage applied
across it, and the sum of the currents flowing through all of the components determines the
overall current.

Figure 3. Series -Parallel Circuit

According to Talwar (n.d.), a series-parallel circuit is a combination of both parallel
and series circuits, where some components are connected in series while others in parallel.
This circuit maintains a constant current flow, and the voltage across the three resistors is the
same as the voltage at the other points in the circuit.
In general, series circuits have a single channel for current to flow, parallel circuits
have many paths for current to flow, and series-parallel circuits combine both. Each sort of
circuit has distinct qualities that make it helpful in a variety of applications. For the purposes
of constructing, evaluating, and troubleshooting electronic circuits, it is important to
comprehend how specific circuit types function.
 II. OBJECTIVES
The following are the objectives in performing the activity:
1. To understand the concept of electric circuits and their components.
2. Using a multimeter, determine the voltage drops and current in each resistor
for the series, parallel, and series-parallel circuits.
3. To understand the concept of series, parallel, and series-parallel circuits, as
well as their characteristics, including voltage drops and current distribution.

III. PROCEDURES

SERIES CIRCUIT
1. Using the Multisim, connect the three resistors R1, R2 and R3 as shown below:

Figure 3a. Circuit connection for Series Circuit

2. Measure the voltage drops in all the resistor and record in Table 3.1.
3. Measure the currents in all the resistor and record in Table 3.1.
4. Compute the voltage drops and currents in each resistor. Use separate sheet for the
solutions.
Table 3.1. Voltage and Current Measurement for a Series Circuit
Resistor VOLTAGE CURRENT
Values,
Ω Vmeasured Vcalculated Imeasured Icalculated

1.0K

5.0K

15K

NOTE: You must draw/ or take the screenshot of the diagram of at least one resistor.
• PARALLEL CIRCUIT
1. Using the Multisim, connect the three resistors as shown below:
 Figure 3b. Circuit connection for Parallel Circuit
2. Measure the voltage drops in all the resistors and record in Table 3.2.
3. Measure the currents in all the resistor and record in Table 3.2.
4. Compute the voltage drops and currents in each resistor. Use a separate sheet for the
solutions.
Table 3.2. Voltage and Current Measurement for a Parallel Circuit
Resistor VOLTAGE CURRENT
Values,
Ω Vmeasured Vcalculated Imeasured Icalculated

1.0K

5.0K

15K

NOTE: You must draw/ or take the screenshot of the diagram of at least one resistor.

• SERIES-PARALLEL CIRCUIT
1. Connect the circuit as shown in Figure 3c by using the software tool.
2. Measure the voltages of the resistors and record in Table 3.3.
3. Measure all the currents in the circuit and record in Table 3.3.

Figure 3c. Circuit connection for Series-Parallel Circuit

 Table 3.3. Voltage and Current Measurement for a Series-Parallel Circuit

Resistor VOLTAGE CURRENT

Values,
Ω Vmeasured Vcalculated Imeasured Icalculated

1.0K

5.0K

15K

NOTE: You must draw/ or take the screenshot of the diagram of at least one resistor.

IV. DATA AND RESULTS

Table 3.1. Voltage and Current Measurement for a Series Circuit
Resistor VOLTAGE CURRENT
Values,
Ω Vmeasured Vcalculated Imeasured Icalculated

1.0K 428.576 mV 0.429 V 428.577 uA 0.429 mA

5.0K 2.143 mV 2.143 V 428.577 uA 0.429 mA

15K 6.429 mV 6.429 V 428.577 uA 0.429 mA

Solution:
V= IR
9V= I (1.0K + 5K + 15K)
9V= I (21 K)

V1 = I x R1
V1 = 0. 4285714286 mA x 1.0K

V2= I x R2
V2 = 0. 4285714286 mA x 5.0K
V3= I x R3
V3= 0. 4285714286 mA x 15.0K

Figure 4. Series Circuit: Voltage and Current Measurement

Table 3.2. Voltage and Current Measurement for a Parallel Circuit

Resistor VOLTAGE CURRENT
Values,
Ω Vmeasured Vcalculated Imeasured Icalculated

1.0K 9V 9V 9 mA 0.111 mA

5.0K 9V 9V 1.8 mA 0.556 mA

15K 9V 9V 600 uA 1.667 x103 uA

Solution:
I1 = 1/I1
I1 = 1/9 mA

I2 = 1/I2
I2 = 1/1.8 mA

I3 = 1/I3
I3 = 1/600 uA

Figure 5. Parallel Circuit : Voltage and Current Measurement

 Table 3.3. Voltage and Current Measurement for a Series-Parallel Circuit

Resistor VOLTAGE CURRENT

Values,
Ω Vmeasured Vcalculated Imeasured Icalculated

R1 1.636 V 1 kΩ 1.636 mA 1.636 mA

R2 7.364 V 5 kΩ 1.473 mA 1.473 mA

R3 2.455 V 15 kΩ 163.636 uA 0.164 mA

R4 4.909 V 30 kΩ 163.636 uA 0.164 mA

Solution:
Total Resistance:
R3,4 = R3 + R4
R3,4 = 15 kΩ + 30 kΩ
R3,4 = 45 kΩ

1 1 1
𝑅2,3,4
= ( 𝑅2 ) + ( 𝑅3,4 )
1 1 1
𝑅2,3,4
= 5
kΩ + 45
kΩ
R2,3,4 = 4.5 kΩ

RT = R1 + R2,3,4
RT = 4.5 kΩ + 1 kΩ
RT = 5.5 kΩ

Current:
𝑉𝑇
IT = 𝑅𝑇
9𝑉
IT = 5500 Ω
IT = 1.636363636 mA

I1 = IT = 1.636363636 mA

𝑅3,4
I2 = (IT) 𝑅2 + 𝑅3,4
45000 Ω
I2 = (0.001636363636 A) 5000 Ω + 45000 Ω
 𝑅2
I3,4 = (IT) 𝑅2 + 𝑅3,4
5000 Ω
I3,4 = (0.001636363636 A) 5000 Ω + 45000 Ω
I3,4 = 0.00016363636 A
I3 = I4 = 0.00016363636 A

Voltage:
V = IR
V1 = I1R1
V1 = (0.001636363636 A)(1 kΩ)
V1 = 1.63636364 V

V2 = VT - V1
V2 = 9 V - 1.63636364 V
V2 = 7.36363636 V

V3 = I3R3
V3 = (0.00016363636 A)(15 kΩ)
V3 = 2.454545453 V

V4 = I4R4
V4 = (0.00016363636 A)(30 kΩ)
V4 = 4.909090907 V

Figure 6. Series Parallel Circuit for Voltage Measurement

 Figure 7. Series Parallel Circuit for Current Measurement

V. QUESTIONS
Attached below are the questions with the corresponding answers:
1. If one of the resistors is removed from the series circuit, what do you think will
happen to its current?
Removing a resistor from a series circuit causes the current in the supply circuit to
drop to zero. This is because the resistance in a series circuit increases to infinity, and the
removal of one or multiple resistors causes the circuit to break or open up..

2. If the source voltage in a series circuit is reduced to 3V, what will happen to the
current in the circuit?
When the source voltage is reduced to 3 V, the voltage differential across the circuit
also decreases, which reduces the current. This is based on Ohm's law (I = V/R), which
states that in a series circuit where voltage is directly proportional to current.
3. When one of the resistors is open is a series circuit, what do you think will happen
to its current?
There is just one channel for current flow in a series circuit. If one of the resistors
along that path is open in a series circuit, no current can flow through it, and the circuit is
broken.Since the open resistor prevents current from passing through it, none of the other
resistors in the circuit will have any current flowing through them.Therefore, the circuit
cannot have any electricity flowing through it
4. If one of the resistors is removed from the parallel circuit, what do you think will
happen to its current?
In contrast to a series circuit, if a resistor is removed from a parallel circuit, the
circuit's total current will continue to flow. Instead, the other resistors in the parallel circuit
will continue to experience current flow. This is due to the fact that parallel circuits provide
many routes for current flow, even if one resistor is removed, the current can still flow via
the other resistors. Although the circuit's overall resistance will decrease, this will also
mean an increase in the total current that the circuit is carrying.
5. If the source voltage in a parallel circuit is reduced to 3V, what will happen to the
current in the circuit?
The current flowing through a parallel circuit decreases if the source voltage
decreases to 3 volts. This occurs as a result of the reason that in a parallel circuit, the total
current is determined by the circuit's total voltage and resistance. According to Ohm's law,
if the voltage is decreased, the amount of current passing through the circuit will also
decrease.
6. When one of the resistors is open in a parallel circuit, what do you think will
happen to its current?
The amount of current flowing through a parallel circuit will be affected if one of
the resistors is open (broken). In a parallel circuit, an open resistor produces a gap or break
in the current's path, preventing the current from passing through that specific resistor for
an extended period. But because the circuit's additional resistors are still linked to one
another, current can still pass through them. Thus, the current flowing through a parallel
circuit will increase when one of the resistors is open since the circuit's overall resistance
has decreased.
7. If R1 is open in a series-parallel circuit, will there be a current in the circuit?
Both series and parallel connections are used to link components in a series-parallel
circuit. When a component (R1) in a series connection is open, the circuit is effectively
broken since current cannot flow through that component.In a series-parallel circuit, if R1
is open, no current can pass through it and, as a result, no current can pass through any of
the other circuit elements. Therefore, there won't be any current flowing across the circuit.
It's important to remember that things would be different if R1 were a part of a
parallel branch of the circuit and that branch were open. The circuit's other branches would
still be linked in such a case and be able to conduct current.
8. If R2 is open in a series-parallel circuit, what happens to the total current in the
circuit?
When resistor R2 in a series-parallel circuit is open (broken), the total current
flowing in the circuit decreases. This is because the current flowing in a series-parallel
circuit is distributed among the resistors in proportion to their resistance. If R2 is open, the
current flowing through it stops, but the other resistors in the circuit continue to allow
 current to flow through them. However, since R2 is no longer acting as a path for current
flow, the circuit's overall resistance will increase, which will result in a decrease in the
circuit's total current.
9. When R2 is shorted in a series-parallel circuit, what will happen to the total
resistance of the circuit?
The total resistance of the circuit will increase. As R2 becomes 0 and can no longer
be added to the overall resistance, the circuit will become entirely in series. Due to the
absence of a parallel circuit, the resistance value will increase rapidly.
10. Calculate the total current of the circuit when R2 is shorted.
Given that R2 is shorted and will thus be equal to zero, R2 will be treated as a shorted
resistor, and R1, R3, and R4 will be connected in series.
Thus
RT= R1 + R3+ R4
RT= 1000 Ω + 15000 Ω + 30000 Ω
RT= 46000 Ω

IT = VT / RT
IT = 9V/ 46000 Ω

VI. CONCLUSION
First, this laboratory activity focuses on gaining a basic understanding of electric
circuits and their components. It is essential to understand the fundamentals of electric
circuits, including the components such as resistors, capacitors, and conductors.
Understanding these components is necessary to understand how electric circuits work and
how to troubleshoot electrical issues.
Also, it focuses on the practical aspect of measuring voltage drops and current in
different types of circuits using a multimeter. Measuring voltage and current is a crucial step
in understanding how circuits behave and how they can be optimized for specific purposes.
Using a multimeter, we can measure the voltage drops and current flowing through each
resistor in series, parallel, and series-parallel circuits. These measurements can help identify
issues such as open circuits, short circuits, and other problems that may affect the
performance of the circuit.
Furthermore, a series circuit is formed when components are connected in a chain,
resulting in the same current flowing through all of them. The total resistance is the sum of
the individual resistances, and voltage is divided proportionally among the resistors, resulting
in voltage drops across each resistor that are proportional to its resistance. If one component
fails in a series circuit, the circuit will be open and no current will flow. In a parallel circuit,
components are connected side by side and have their own path to the voltage source. The
voltage across all the resistors is the same, but the current is divided among the branches. The
total resistance of a parallel circuit is less than the resistance of the smallest resistor, and if
one component fails, the current will still flow through the other branches. Series-parallel
circuits combine both series and parallel connections. There may be multiple branches in
parallel, and each branch may have resistors connected in series. The behavior of a
series-parallel circuit depends on the specific configuration.
Understanding the properties of series, parallel, and series-parallel circuits is crucial
in creating and fixing electrical circuits. By understanding how the components are
connected and how current and voltage are distributed, engineers and technicians can ensure
that circuits function properly and identify issues when they arise.

VII. REFERENCES

All about circuits (n.d.). Series Circuits and the Application of Ohm’s Law | Series And
Parallel Circuits | Electronics Textbook. Www.allaboutcircuits.com.
https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/textbook/direct-current/chpt-5/simple-series-circuits/#:~:te
xt=In%20a%20series%20circuit%2C%20all

‌ iffen (n.d.). Parallel Circuit vs Series Circuit - Difference and Comparison | Diffen.
D
https://www.diffen.com/difference/Parallel_Circuit_vs_Series_Circuit#:~:text=In%20a%20se
ries%20circuit%2C%20the

Talwar, S (n.d.). Combined Series-Parallel Circuits Study Guide | Inspirit. [online] Available
at:
https://www.inspiritvr.com/general-physics/electric-circuits/combined-series-parallel-circuits
-study-guide.