University of Technology, Jamaica

Faculty of Education and Liberal Studies

TVET Industrial Technology

Electrical Principles

Mr. Lewis

Lab # 6 Report

Understanding of Parallel and Parallel- Series Circuit

Rushanda Buchanan

1803538

October 29, 2019

Lab # 6

Title: Parallel and Series-Parallel Circuit

Objectives/Purpose: Understanding of Parallel and Series-Parallel Circuit.

Equipment: Resistors, digital multi-meter, meg ohmmeter.

Part A: Parallel Circuit

Procedures:

1. The parallel circuit shown below was set up.

2. The circuit was connected and readings were from the ammeter/galvanometer. The

results were recorded in table 1. The ammeter was moved to each branch, and readings

taken. It was noted that for current, the meter should be connected in series.

3. The multi-meter was used to find the voltage drop across each resistor as well as the

whole circuit. Results were recorded in table 1.

4. The circuit was disconnected quickly. This step was not missed.

5. The measured V and R for each resistor and what we learned in class about Ohm’s law

and parallel circuit in class was used to calculate the current for each resistor. If the

measured current differ from the calculated by at least 2% state what could be some

possible cause/s.

Part B: Series-Parallel Circuit.

Procedures:

1. The series-parallel circuit shown below was set up.

 2. The circuit was connected and readings were from the ammeter/galvanometer. The

results were recorded in table 2. The ammeter was moved to each branch, and readings

taken. It was noted that for current, the meter should be connected in series.

3. The multi-meter was used to find the voltage drop across each resistor as well as the

whole circuit. Results were recorded in table 2

4. The circuit was disconnected quickly. This step was not missed.

5. The current was calculated to complete the table.

Discussion:

Parallel Circuit

A parallel circuit is one that has two or more paths for the electricity to flow, the loads are

parallel to each other. If the loads in this circuit were light bulbs and one blew out, there is still

current flowing to the others because they are still in a direct path from the negative to positive

terminals of the battery. The parallel circuit has very different characteristics than a series circuit.

For one, the total resistance of a Parallel Circuit is NOT equal to the sum of the resistors (like in

a series circuit). 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. Some basis

characteristics of a parallel circuit are:

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 path is equal to the total current that flows from the

source.

4. You can find total resistance in a Parallel circuit with the following formula:

1/Rt = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + 1/R3 +...

Rt = R total

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

Series-Parallel Circuit

If circuit components are series-connected in some parts and parallel in others, we won’t be able

to apply a single set of rules to every part of that circuit. Instead, we will have to identify which

parts of that circuit are series and which parts are parallel, then selectively apply series and

parallel rules as necessary to determine what is happening. Take the following circuit, for

instance:

This circuit is neither simple series nor simple parallel. Rather, it contains elements of both. The

current exits the bottom of the battery splits up to travel through R 3 and R4, rejoins, then splits up
again to travel through R1 and R2, then rejoin again to return to the top of the battery. There

exists more than one path for current to travel (not series), yet there are more than two sets of

electrically common points in the circuit (not parallel).

Because the circuit is a combination of both series and parallel, we cannot apply the rules for

voltage, current, and resistance “across the table” to begin analysis like we could when the

circuits were one way or the other. For instance, if the above circuit were simple series, we could

just add up R1 through R4 to arrive at a total resistance, solve for total current, and then solve for

all voltage drops. Likewise, if the above circuit were simple parallel, we could just solve for

branch currents, add up branch currents to figure the total current, and then calculate total

resistance from total voltage and total current. However, this circuit’s solution will be more

complex.

If we are able to identify which parts of the circuit are series and which parts are parallel, we can

analyze it in stages, approaching each part one at a time, using the appropriate rules to determine

the relationships of voltage, current, and resistance.

Data Tables:

Table 1

Resistor # Resistance Voltage drop Current Current

(measured) Measured (measured) Calculated

1 2839Ω 10.01V 3.55mA 3.5mA

2 1089Ω 9.99V 9.2mA 9.2mA

3 1107Ω 10.0V 9.08mA 9mA

 Total 4604Ω 10V 21.71mA 21.71mA

Table 2

Resistor # Resistance Voltage drop Current Current

(measured) (measured) (measured) Calculated

1 2839Ω 10.04V 3.55mA 3.54mA

2 1089Ω 4.992V 4.58mA 4.58mA

3 1107Ω 5.073V 4.58mA 4.58mA

Total 1238Ω 10.015V 8.13mA 8.12mA

Data Analysis:

1. Does your data support the theory for both set up (state proof)?

A parallel circuit is one that has two or more paths for the electricity to flow. As shown

below within the circuit whichever path you chooses for the current to flow, it is seen

where the current splits into three; R1, R2, and R3, the amount of current depends on the

size of the resistors. Then join back together again and back to the source. As shown

above in the data table the amount of current that flow through the resistors depends on

the size of that resistor. R1 (2839Ω = 3.5mA), R2 (1089Ω = 9.2mA), and R3 (1107Ω =

9mA). While, in a series-parallel circuit, we will have to identify which parts of that

circuit are series and which parts are parallel, then selectively apply series and parallel

rules as necessary to determine what is happening. As seen below in the circuit, R3 and R2

are in series with their one another and R1 is parallel to both. With this circuit the same
 amount of current flows through all the resistors. Also with this circuit you’ll have to

apply the rules of a series circuit to R3 and R2, then the rules of a parallel circuit after

finding the total of R3 and R2 along with R1. As seen both circuit, the researcher had to

use the different rules of circuit to arrive at a conclusion, one circuit only used the rules

of a parallel circuit while the other circuit used both the series and parallel rules.

2. Compare both circuits in your discussion/conclusion (state proof).

Errors:

1. Testers wasn’t giving off correct readings.

2. Calculation errors when working out the theoretical values.

3. Incorrect use of prefixes from digital multi-meter.

Conclusion:

The purpose of this lab was to get a full understanding a parallel circuit and a series-parallel

circuit. A parallel circuit is one that has two or more paths for the electricity to flow, the loads

are parallel to each other and a series-parallel circuit we will have to identify which parts of that

circuit are series and which parts are parallel. This can be shown in figure 1 below where there is

sketch of a parallel circuit and figure 2 with a sketch of a series-parallel circuit. The

characteristics of a parallel circuit was proven from the data above also the series-parallel circuit.