Laguna State Polytechnic University

Sta. Cruz Campus

College of Engineering

Laboratory Report No. 1

Series / Parallel DC Circuit

Submitted by:

Perez, Maria Gella M.

ME 2A

Submitted to:

Ms. Ma. Chriselda B. Andrada

August 31, 2019

A. Title: Series / Parallel DC Circuit

B. Materials

6V AAA Battery Solid Wires

3pcs-100ohm
resistor
1 LED

Breadboard
C. Schematic Diagram

D. Theory

 Series Parallel

A series circuit is one with all the loads in a row. There is only ONE

path for the electricity to flow. If this circuit was a string of light

bulbs, and one blew out, the remaining would turn off.

UNDERSTANDING & CALCULATING SERIES CIRCUITS BASIC RULES

1. The some current flows through each part of a series circuit.

2. The total resistance of a series circuit is equal to the sum of the individual resistances.

3. Voltage applied to a series circuit is equal to the sum of the individual voltage drops.

4. The voltage drop across a resistor in a series circuit is directly proportional to the size

of the resistor.

5. If the circuit is broken at any point, no current will flow.

 Parallel Circuit

A parallel circuit is one of with several different paths for

the electricity to travel. It’s like a river that has been divided up

into smaller streams, however, all the streams come back to the

same point to form the river once again.

 The total resistance in a parallel circuit is always less than any of the branch

resistances. Adding more parallel resistances to the paths causes the total resistance in the

circuit to decrease. As you add more and more branches to the circuit the total current will

increase because Ohm’s Law states that the lower the resistance, the higher the current.

BASIC RULES

1. A parallel circuit has two or more paths for current to flow through.

2. Voltage is the same across each component of the parallel circuit.

3. The sum of the currents through each part is equal to the total current that flows

from the source.

4. If one of the parallel paths is broken, current will continue to flow in all the other

paths.

 Breadboard

Breadboard comprises of a grid of holes, with collections

of holes electrically connected. Integrated circuits (dual

in-line packages/DIP), leaded components (e.g. LED’S,

capacitors, resistors), connectors and wires can be

inserted in to the holes, enabling circuit prototypes to be

built without the need for soldering.

 Light Emitting Diode(LED)

The LED is a two-lead semiconductor light source. In 1962, Nick

Holonyak has come up with an idea of light emitting diode, and he

was working for the general electric company. The LED is a special

type of diode and they have similar electrical characteristics of a PN

junction diode. Hence the LED allows the flow of current in the

forward direction and blocks the current in the reverse direction.

E. Procedure

1. Analyze the task given.

2. Connect the 4 batteries from positive to negative charge. You can use wire to connect the

batteries. Make sure that you create a 6V battery.

3. Cut 2 pc of 30cm solid wire.

4. Peal the two ends of the 30cm solid wire to expose the wire inside.

5. Insert the 3pcs of 100ohm resistor in the breadboard. Make sure that they are connected

either horizontally or vertically.

6. Check if you already create a Series-Parallel Circuit.

7. Insert the LED. Make sure that it is connected from positive to negative charge. Also make

sure if this is connected to the resistors.

8. You can use a jumper wire if the series is not yet connected

9. Insert one of the 30cm wires from the connection of positive charge. Then insert the other

30cm wires to the end of the connection.

10. Connect the first wire to the positive part of the battery and connect the second wire to

the negative part of the battery.

F. Output
G. Conclusions/Analysis

In this activity, we understand clearly the concept of series and parallel circuit and how

breadboard and resistor works. We should locate the resistor very well because the resistor

will dictate if our connection will work. If one resistor is not connected to the other, then the

power will not flow. We should also know how to identify the positive or negative part of a

battery and a LED, cause if they are not properly located, it will cause a short circuit. It is

better to use a battery holder for your batteries.

References:

https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/textbook/direct-current/chpt-5/simple-series-circuits

https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/textbook/direct-current/chpt-5/what-are-series-and-

parallel-circuits

https://www.swtc.edu/Ag_Power/electrical/lecture/parallel_circuits.htm

https://os.mbed.com/handbook/Breadboard

https://www.elprocus.com/light-emitting-diode-led-working-application