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Chapter 6 - Parallel DC Circuits: Introductory Circuit Analysis Robert L. Boylestad
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.
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:
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.
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 currents.
s
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
E E Is I1 I 2 R1 R2
in
Iout
E1 E2 I Rint1 Rint 2
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.
6.13 Applications
Car system
The electrical system on a car is essentially a parallel system.
Applications
House wiring
Except in some very special circumstances the basic wiring of a house is done in a parallel configuration. Each parallel branch, however, can have a combination of parallel and series elements. Each branch receives a full 120 V or 208 V, with the current determined by the applied load.