Electrical Circuit Analysis I
Chapter 5
Parallel dc Circuits
Introduction
There are two network
configurations – series and
parallel.
In Chapter 4 we covered a series
network. In this chapter we will
cover the parallel circuit and all
the methods and laws associated
with it.
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
For parallel 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 any number 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.
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
s
sum of the individual branch
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
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.
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
in
system,
current leaving the Iarea, Iout
or junction.
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.
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
I x IT
Rx
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.
E1 E 2 the total
The formula Itodetermine
current is: Rint Rint
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
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
