Parallel resonance is the special case where XL and XC are equal, or very near equal, in a

parallel RLC or LC circuit. The capacitor current, IC, and the inductor current, IL, are in
opposite directions in parallel RLC and LC circuits. The inductor current and capacitor current
cancel each other as viewed from the source. In reality the IC and IL currents circulate between
the capacitor and inductor. These circulating currents can be many times larger than the total
circuit current. A vector diagram of a parallel RLC circuit is shown in figure one. Notice that the
inductor current and capacitor current are in opposite directions. The source sees only the resistor
current as shown in figure two. A fully worked out parallel resonant RCL circuit analysis can be
seen by clicking on the example tab at the upper left of this page.

Click on the “Begin” button when you are ready to start the exercise. Each use of the activity
will have new component values and voltages assigned. The exercise has a help option that will
give formulas and procedures for analyzing the circuit. A small score penalty is applied for each
use of the help option. One should practice without concern for scores until the solution
procedure has been mastered. You should then attempt to get high scores in minimum time
without the using the help option. Keep in mind that there may be more than one approach to
analyzing the circuit.