ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

ACTIVITY3.2: POWER IN A PARALLEL RESISTIVE CIRCUIT

3.2.1 Program Outcomes (POs) Addressed by the Activity

b. ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data
d. ability to function on multidisciplinary teams
e. ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems
g. ability to communicate effectively

3.2.2 Activity’sIntended Learning Outcomes (AILOs)

At the end of this activity, the student shall be able to:
a. calculate the power in a parallel resistive circuit using P = EI
E2
b. calculate the power in a parallel resistive circuit using P =
R
c. calculate the power in a parallel resistive circuit using P = I 2R
d. compare computed and measured data

3.2.3 Objectives of the Activity

The objectives of this activityareto:
1. determine the power dissipated in a parallel resistive circuit by using a power formula.
2. verify the result with a multimeter.

3.2.4 Principle of the Activity

The total dissipated in a parallel circuit is the sum of the power dissipated by each leg of
the parallel branch. In a parallel circuit, the voltage across each leg of the branch is the same, but
the current through each leg varies. As a result, you may apply the same power formulas to a
parallel circuit as you did to series circuit. For example, if you are given the voltage across a
branch and the resistor values that make up each leg of the branch, you can determine power in
each leg by using the formula P = E2/R.

In Figure 3.2-1, the applied voltage and resistor values of the circuit are known;

ACTIVITY 3: DC POWER MEASUREMENTS

therefore, you can use the power formula P = E2/R to find the power dissipated by each resistor.

Figure 3.2-1.Power in a parallel circuit.

The power dissipated by R1 is found as follows.

PR1 = E2/R1

PR1 = (20 X 20)/10000

PR1 = 400/10,000

PR1 = 40mW

Similarly, the power dissipated by R2 is found as follows.

PR2 = E2/R2

PR2 = (20 X 20)/5,000

PR2 = 400/5000

PR2 = 0.08W

The total power dissipated by the circuit is the sum of the power dissipated by each resistor. You
can calculate PT from the formula below.

PT = PR1 + PR2

PT = 0.04 + 0.08

PT = 0.12W

An alternate method of finding total power is to calculate the equivalent resistance of the parallel
circuit and use this value in the power formula. Based on the product-over-sum method, the
equivalent resistance is 3,333 ohms. By plugging this value into the power formula, you can
determine total power as follows.

PT = E2/RE

PT = (20 x 20)/3,333

PT = 400/3,333

PT = 0.12W

Power is also a function of the current flowing through a resistor. This relationship is shown in
Figure 3.2-2. In this circuit, the voltage source is not known, but the current through each leg of

ACTIVITY 3: DC POWER MEASUREMENTS

the branch is specified. Because both the resistance and current of each leg are known, you can
determine power from the formula P = I2R

Figure 3.2-2. Power in a parallel circuit.

Power dissipated by R1 is found as follows.

PR1 = IR12 x R1

PR1 = (0.002 x 0.002) x 10,000

PR1 = 0.000004 x 10,000

PR1 = 40mW

Similarly power dissipated by R2 is found as shown below.

PR2 = IR22x R2

PR2 = (0.004 x 0.004) x 5,000

PR2 = 0.000016 x 5,000

PR2 = 80 mW

Recall that power is related to voltage and current by a square factor, meaning that power
increases four times when the current or voltage doubles. Conversely, power decreases by one
fourth when voltage or current decreases by one half. In Figure 3.2-3, the source voltage
increases from 10V to 20 V (voltage doubles). The power increases from 0.1W to 0.4W (power
increases by four).

ACTIVITY 3: DC POWER MEASUREMENTS

 Figure 3.2-3. Squaring relationship of power and voltage.

In Figure 3.2-4, the circuit current increases from 10mA to 20mA (current doubles). The power
increases from 01.W to 0.4W (power increases by four).

Figure 3.2-4. Squaring relationship of power and current.

3.2.5 Materials/Equipment

1- F.A.C.E.T Base Unit

1- DC FUNDAMENTAL Circuit Board
2- 15Vdc Power Supply
1- Multimeter

3.2.6 Procedure/s

ACTIVITY 3: DC POWER MEASUREMENTS

 1. Turn off the power sources. Insert the DC FUNDAMENTALS circuit board into the
base unit. Turn on the power sources.

Figure 3.2-5. Power in a parallel branch.

2. Locate the POWER circuit block, and connect the circuit shown in Figure 3.2-5. Place
the switch that is in the POWER circuit block in position A.
3. Based on the resistor color code, determine and record the values of R2 and R3.
R2 = 2000 Ohms R3 = 2000 Ohms
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

4. Measure and record the voltage drop of R2. What is the power dissipated by R2 (Use
PR2 = VR22/R2)?
28.125 mW
____________________________________________________________

5. Measure and record the current through R3. What is the power dissipated by R3 (use
PR3 =IR32 x R3)?
29.4912 mW
____________________________________________________________

57.6162 mW
6. What is the total power dissipated by the parallel branch of this circuit? ____________

7. Use the product-over-sum method to calculate and record the equivalent resistance of
R2 and R3.
1000 Ohms
_____________________________________________________________

8. Move the switch from position A to position B, measure and record the voltage across
5V
R4. __________________________________________________________________

9. Based on the value recorded in step 8, calculate the value of resistance needed to
dissipate 56.250mW of power (Use R = E2/P).
444.44 . Ohms
_________________________________

10. Use the resistive color code to determine the value of R4. Does this value match the
No
value you calculated in step 9? ____________________________________________

ACTIVITY 3: DC POWER MEASUREMENTS

 11. Measure and record the voltage across R4. Use the value to calculate and record the
current and power through R4.
I = 5 mA P = 25 mW
_____________________________________________
12. Based on your observation can the parallel circuit be duplicated by an equivalent
Yes
resistance? ____________________________________________________________

13. If the voltage source in Figure 3.2-5 were doubled to 30Vdc, what would happen to
power dissipated across R4 (use the square law relationship of power to voltage)?
Increases
_____________________________________________________________________

14. Calculate power across R4 when VA, the source voltage, is 30Vdc. Does your answer
agree with the answer given in step 13?
0.45 W
______________________________________

ACTIVITY 3: DC POWER MEASUREMENTS

3.2.7 Activity Report

Section: Date Performed: 28/05/2022

1A
Course Code: CIRCUIT 1 LAB Date Submitted: 28/05/2022
Course Title:
CIRCUIT 1
Instructor:
Melodia Pahati
Group No.: Activity No.:
3.2
Group Members: Signature:
1. Jeldin I. Laspiñas
2.
3.
4.
5.

3.2.7.1 Calculations

4.) 7.)
PR2 = V2 / R2 Req = R2xR3 / R2+R3
= (7.5V)2 / 2000 Ohms = 2000 x 2000 / 2000 + 2000
= 28.125 mW = 1000 Ohms

5.) 9.)
PR3 = I2 x R3 R4 = V2 / P
= 3.82 mA x 2000 Ohms = 52 / 56.250x10-3
= 29.4912 mW = 444.44 Ohms

6.) 11.)
PT = PR2 + PR3 IR4 = V / R
= 28.125 + 29.4912 = 5 / 1000
= 57.6162 mW = 5 mA

PR4 = IV
= 5x10-3 x 5
= 25 mW

ACTIVITY 3: DC POWER MEASUREMENTS

3.2.7.2 Conclusion/s: Write at least three (3) conclusions.

* The power dissipated in every resistor can be calculated by using the formula P = V/R. A parallel
circuit comprises branches so that the current divides and only part of it flows through any branch.
Parallel circuit does have the same voltage (or potential difference) on each branch, but the currents may
change.
*The relationship between the voltage source and the power dissipated in parallel resistor is, Whenever
the voltage source increase the power dissipated also increase.

ACTIVITY 3: DC POWER MEASUREMENTS

3.2.7.3 Rating (See Attached Rubric)

ACTIVITY 3: DC POWER MEASUREMENTS