Republic of the Philippines

BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY

The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus
Golden Country Homes, Alangilan Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
E-mail Address: ceafa@g.batstate-u.edu.ph | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

College of Engineering – Department of Mechanical Engineering

ECE 422 - BASIC ELECTRONICS LABORATORY

ACTIVITY NO. 3
SERIES, PARALLEL AND SERIES- PARALLEL CIRCUITS

PAIR # 10
GUMAPAC, KERNAN
DARELL

MORTEL, RENZ JOHN

ME - 3208

DATE OF PERFORMANCE: April 17, 2023

DATE OF SUBMISSION: May 1, 2023

RATING

ENGR. ANTHONY L. RIEGO

INSTRUCTOR
 I. INTRODUCTORY INFORMATION

Series circuits, parallel circuits, and series-parallel circuits are the three primary types of

electrical circuits. Designing and analyzing electrical circuits requires an understanding of each

type's traits and behavior.

A series circuit is one in which the parts are linked in series, which means that the current

flows through each part in turn and at the same rate through each part. In a series circuit, the voltage

is distributed among the components, and the total resistance is equal to the sum of the individual

resistances. Christmas lights and other electronic devices are examples of applications that use

series circuits.

A parallel circuit is a circuit in which the components are linked in parallel, sharing the

same voltage across each component and the same current. The sum of the individual currents in a

parallel circuit result in a total current that is equal to the overall resistance, which is less than the

resistance of the smallest individual resistance. Applications like house wiring and electronic

equipment employ parallel circuits.

A circuit that incorporates both series and parallel connections is known as a series-parallel

circuit. Some components of a series-parallel circuit are linked in series, while others are linked in

parallel. Electronic gadgets and automobile wiring are two examples of applications that use series-

parallel circuits.

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 II. OBJECTIVES
This activity aims to know the following objectives. Specifically:

1. To familiarize and learn how to use Multisim in making a series, parallel and

series-parallel circuits.

2. To determine what will happen to the total current if the resistors are being

removed in series and parallel circuits.

3. To know what will happen to the current or series, parallel and series-parallel

circuit if one of the resistors is open.

III. PROCEDURES

A. SERIES CIRCUIT

1. Using the Multisim, connect the three resistors R1, R2, R3, as shown

below:

Figure 3e: Circuit Connection for Series Circuit

2. Measure the voltage drops in all the resistor and record in Table 3.1.

3. Measure the currents in all the resistor and record in Table 3.1

4. Compute the voltage drops and currents in each resistor. Use separate

sheet for the solutions.

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 Table 3.1. Voltage and Current Measurement for a Series Circuit

Resistor VOLTAGE CURRENT

Values, Ω Vmeasured Vcalculated Imeasured Icalculated

1.0K

5.0K

15K

NOTE: You must draw/or take the screenshot of the diagram of at least one resistor.

B. PARALLEL CIRCUIT

1. Using the Multisim, connect the three resistors as shown below:

Figure 3f: Circuit Connection for Parallel Circuit

2. Measure the voltage drops in all the resistor and record in Table 3.2.

3. Measure the currents in all the resistor and record in Table 3.2.

4. Compute the voltage drops and currents in each resistor. Use separate

sheet for the solutions.

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 Table 3.1. Voltage and Current Measurement for a Parallel Circuit

Resistor VOLTAGE CURRENT

Values, Ω Vmeasured Vcalculated Imeasured Icalculated

1.0K

5.0K

15K

NOTE: You must draw/or take the screenshot of the diagram of at least one resistor.

C. SERIES – PARALLEL CIRCUIT

1. Connect the circuit as shown in Figure 3g by using the software tool.

Figure 3g: Circuit connection for Series- Parallel Circuit

2. Measure the voltage drops in all the resistor and record in Table 3.3.

3. Measure the currents in all the resistor and record in Table 3.3.

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 Table 3.1. Voltage and Current Measurement for a Series- Parallel Circuit

Resistor VOLTAGE CURRENT

Values, Ω Vmeasured Vcalculated Imeasured Icalculated

1.0K

5.0K

15K

NOTE: You must draw/or take the screenshot of the diagram of at least one resistor.

IV. DATA AND RESULTS

A. SERIES CIRCUIT

Figure: Series Circuit Diagram Simulation (Voltage)

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 Figure: Series Circuit Diagram Simulation (Current)

MANUAL COMPUTATION FOR SERIES CIRCUIT

Given:

V = 9V
1000 Ω
R1 = 1kΩ × = 1000Ω
1𝑘Ω
1000 Ω
R2 = 5kΩ × = 5000Ω
1𝑘Ω
1000 Ω
R3 = 15kΩ × = 15000Ω
1𝑘Ω

Solving for Rtotal:

Rtotal = R1 + R2 + R3

Rtotal = 1kΩ + 5kΩ + 15kΩ

1000 Ω
Rtotal = 21kΩ ×
1𝑘Ω

Rtotal = 21000Ω

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Solving for I:

I=𝑉
𝑅

9 𝑉
I=
21 000 Ω

I = 0.0004285714286 A

Since the circuit is in series, therefore the current that runs through the whole

circuit is 0.0004285714286 A

Solving for V1:

V1 = IR1

V1 = 0.0004285714286 A (1000 Ω)

V1 = 0.4285714286 V

Solving for V2:

V2 = IR2

V2 = 0.0004285714286 A (5000 Ω)

V2 = 2.142857143 V

Solving for V3:

V3 = IR3

V3 = 0.0004285714286 A (15000 Ω)

V3 = 6.428571429 V

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 Table 3.4: Voltage and Current Measurement for a Series Circuit

Resistor VOLTAGE CURRENT

Values, Ω
Vmeasured Vcalculated Imeasured Icalculated

1.0 kΩ 0.428576 V 0.4285714286 V 0.000428571A 0.0004285714286 A

5.0 kΩ 2.143 V 2.142857143 V 0.000428571A 0.0004285714286 A

15.0kΩ 6.429 V 6.428571429 V 0.000428571A 0.0004285714286 A

B. PARALLEL CIRCUIT

Figure: Parallel Circuit Diagram Simulation (Voltage)

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 Figure: Parallel Circuit Diagram Simulation (Current)

MANUAL COMPUTATION FOR PARALLEL CIRCUIT

Given:

V = 9V
1000 Ω
R1 = 1kΩ × = 1000Ω
1𝑘Ω
1000 Ω
R2 = 5kΩ × = 5000Ω
1𝑘Ω
1000 Ω
R3 = 15kΩ × = 15000Ω
1𝑘Ω

Solving for Rtotal:

1 1 1 1
= + +
𝑅𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑅1 𝑅2 𝑅3

1 1 1 1
= + +
𝑅𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 1000Ω 5000Ω 15000Ω

Rtotal = 789.4736842Ω

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Solving for V:

V = 9V

Since the circuit is in parallel, therefore the voltage that runs through the whole

circuit is 9V.

Solving for I1:

𝑉
I1 =
𝑅1

9𝑉
I1 = 1000Ω

I1 = 0.009 A

Solving for I2:

𝑉
I2 =
𝑅2

9𝑉
I2 = 5000Ω

I2 = 0.0018 A

Solving for I3:

𝑉
I3 =
𝑅3

9𝑉
I3 = 1000Ω

I3 = 0.0006 A

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 Table 3.5: Voltage and Current Measurement for a Parallel Circuit

Resistor VOLTAGE CURRENT

Values, Ω
Vmeasured Vcalculated Imeasured Icalculated

1.0 kΩ 9V 9V 0.009 A 0.009 A

5.0 kΩ 9V 9V 0.0018 A 0.0018 A

15.0kΩ 9V 9V 0.0006 A 0.0006 A

C. SERIES – PARALLEL CIRCUIT

Figure: Series - Parallel Circuit Diagram Simulation (Voltage)

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 Figure: Series - Parallel Circuit Diagram Simulation (Current)

MANUAL COMPUTATION FOR SERIES - PARALLEL CIRCUIT

Given:

V = 9V
1000 Ω
R1 = 1kΩ × = 1000Ω
1𝑘Ω
1000 Ω
R2 = 5kΩ × = 5000Ω
1𝑘Ω
1000 Ω
R3 = 15kΩ × = 15000Ω
1𝑘Ω
1000 Ω
R4 = 30kΩ × = 30000Ω
1𝑘Ω

Solving for R3,4:

R3,4 = 15000Ω + 30000Ω

R3,4 = 45000Ω

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Solving for R2,3,4:
1
= 1 1 1
+ +
𝑅2,3,4 𝑅2 𝑅3 𝑅4

1
= 1 1 1
+ +
𝑅2,3,4 5000Ω 15000Ω 30000Ω

R2,3,4 = 4500Ω

Solving for Rtotal:

Rtotal = R1 + R2,3,4

Rtotal = 1000Ω + 4500Ω

Rtotal = 5500Ω

Solving for I1,2:

𝑉
I1,2 =
𝑅𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙

9𝑉
I1,2 =
5500Ω

I1,2 = 0.001636363636 A

Solving for V1:

V1 = I1,2 R1

V1 = 0.001636363636 A (1000Ω)

V1 = 1.636363636 V

Solving for V2:

V2 = I1,2 R2

V2 = 0.001636363636 A (4500Ω)

V2 = 7.363636364 V

Since V3 and V4 are in series and in parallel with V2, we need to solve for the new I.

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Solving for I3,4:
𝑉2
I3,4 =
𝑅3,4

7.363636364 V
I3,4 =
45000Ω

I3,4 = 0.0001636363636 A

Solving for V3:

V3 = I3,4 R3

V3 = 0.0001636363636 A (15000Ω)

V3 = 2.454545455 V

Solving for V4:

V4 = I3,4 R4

V4 = 0.0001636363636 A (30000Ω)

V4 = 4.909090909 V

Table 3.6: Voltage and Current Measurement for a Series - Parallel Circuit

Resistor VOLTAGE CURRENT

Values, Ω
Vmeasured Vcalculated Imeasured Icalculated

1.0 kΩ 1.636 V 1.636363636 V 0.001636A 0.001636363636 A

5.0 kΩ 7.364 V 7.363636364 V 0.001473A 0.001636363636 A

15.0kΩ 2.455 V 2.454545455 V 0.000163636A 0.0001636363636 A

30.0kΩ 4.909 V 4.909090909 V 0.000163636A 0.0001636363636 A

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 V. QUESTIONS

1. If one of the resistors is removed from the series circuit, what do you think will

happen to its current?

A four-band and a five-band resistor differ primarily in the number of color

bands used to indicate the resistance value and tolerance of the resistor. On a four-

band resistor, the resistance value and tolerance are represented by four colored

bands. The first two bands represent the first two digits of the resistance value,

followed by the multiplier band, multiplier value, and tolerance band. For example, a

resistor with the color code brown-black-red-gold would have a tolerance of 5% and

a resistance value of 1. On the other hand, a five-band resistor uses five colored

bands to indicate the resistance value, tolerance, and temperature coefficient.

2. If the source voltage in a series circuit is reduced to 3V, what will happen to the

current in the circuit?

If the source voltage in a series circuit is reduced to 3V, the current in the circuit

will also decrease. This is because the current in a series circuit is directly proportional

to the voltage applied to the circuit, and inversely proportional to the total resistance in

the circuit. When the source voltage is reduced to 3V, the voltage drop across each

resistor in the circuit also decreases. As a result, the total voltage drop across all of the

resistors in the circuit will be less than before, which leads to a decrease in the total

current in the circuit. This decrease in current can be calculated using Ohm's law,

which states that current is directly proportional to voltage and inversely proportional

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 to resistance. Therefore, when the source voltage is reduced to 3V, the current in the

circuit will also decrease proportionally to the decrease in voltage.

3. When one of the resistors is open is a series circuit, what do you think will happen

to its current?

When one of the resistors in a series circuit is open, the current in the circuit will

stop flowing completely. This is because resistors in a series circuit are connected end-to-

end, which means that the same current flows through each resistor. When one of the

resistors is open, it creates a gap in the circuit that prevents the flow of current through the

entire circuit. The open resistor acts as an open switch, interrupting the flow of current and

causing it to stop completely. As a result, the current in the circuit is effectively zero, and

none of the other resistors in the circuit will be able to receive any current. In addition, the

voltage drop across the open resistor will be zero, since no current is flowing through it.

This can cause problems in the circuit, such as malfunctioning devices or damage to the

circuit components. Therefore, it is important to ensure that all resistors in a series circuit

are properly connected and functioning correctly to prevent any interruptions in the current

flow.

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 4. If one of the resistors is removed from the parallel circuit, what do you think will

happen to its current?

A parallel circuit's overall current will increase if one of the resistors is removed.

Each resistor in a parallel circuit is connected across the same voltage source, and the

resistance value of each resistor controls how much current flows through it. The circuit's

overall resistance lowers when one of the resistors is removed, which results in a rise in the

circuit's overall current. This occurs as a result of the circuit's overall resistance decreasing

while the voltage across each of the remaining resistors remaining constant. The remaining

resistors in the circuit see increased current flow as a result, raising the circuit's overall

current.

5. If the source voltage in a parallel circuit is reduced to 3V, what will happen to the

current in the circuit?

The current in a parallel circuit will alter based on the resistances in the circuit if

the source voltage is dropped to 3V. In a parallel circuit, the resistance of each branch

determines how the current is distributed throughout the circuit's branches. The voltage

across each branch will also drop to 3V when the source voltage is decreased. Accordingly,

the resistance of each branch will determine the current that flows through it. Current will

flow through a branch more readily if its resistance is low. Conversely, less current will

flow through a branch if its resistance is large.

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 6. When one of the resistors is open in a parallel circuit, what do you think will

happen to its current?

In a parallel circuit, if one resistor opens up or is unplugged, its current is

effectively zero. Each resistor has its own branch in a parallel circuit, and the voltage

across each branch is the same. When one of the resistors opens, the voltage across

that branch does not change, but the branch's resistance rises noticeably because the

resistor is no longer blocking the flow of current. As a result, the circuit's overall

resistance drops, which causes the circuit's overall current to rise. The open resistor,

on the other hand, has an almost infinite resistance, thus no current will pass through

that branch; instead, it will all pass via the other branches. According to Ohm's rule,

which states that current is directly proportional to voltage and inversely proportional

to resistance, the current in the other branches will increase in proportion to the

reduction in the circuit's overall resistance. As a result, when a resistor in a parallel

circuit is opened, the current flowing through it effectively drops to zero, and the

current in the other branches rises proportionately to the drop in total resistance

7. If R1 is open in a series-parallel circuit, will there be a current in the circuit?

There won't be any current flowing through the circuit if R1, one of the resistors in

a series-parallel circuit, is open (i.e., there is a break in the circuit). This is due to the

fact that an open circuit acts as a gap in the current's path, preventing the current from

flowing through the circuit. A series-parallel circuit's resistor design determines the

exact pattern in which current flows across them. Since R1 is connected to the other

resistors in the circuit in series, an open circuit at R1 will stop current flow through

the circuit's entire series branch, meaning that none of the resistors in the branch will
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 have any current flowing through them. Therefore, if R1 is open in a series-parallel

circuit, there will be no current in the circuit at all.

8. If R2 is open in a series-parallel circuit, what happens to the total current in the

circuit?

In a series-parallel circuit, the overall current will drop if R2 is open. R2's

open circuit has raised the circuit's overall resistance, which means that the

circuit's overall current will decrease. The circuit's total resistance and

applied voltage, both of which will have changed as a result of R2's open

circuit, will be used to calculate the new total current.

9. When R2 is shorted in a series-parallel circuit, what will happen to the total

resistance of the circuit?

In a series-parallel circuit, the overall resistance will decrease if R2 is shorted.

This is so because R2 is one of the resistors in the circuit that is connected in parallel.

Since R2 is effectively a wire with zero resistance when it is shorted, the parallel

portion of the circuit now has less resistance. As a result, the total resistance of the

parallel segment decreases, lowering the whole circuit's total resistance.

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 10. Calculate the total current of the circuit when R2 is shorted.

When R2 is shorted, its resistance becomes zero, resulting in a direct connection

between nodes A and B in the circuit. This modifies the circuit layout and simplifies it

to a series circuit with two resistors in series (R1 and R3).

Ohm's law, which states that the current (I) flowing through a circuit equals

the voltage (V) applied to the circuit divided by the total resistance (R) of the circuit,

can be used to calculate the circuit's total current.

Figure: Series Circuit Diagram Simulation (Voltage)

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 In this situation, the total resistance of the circuit is the sum of R1 and R3 resistances:

R = R1 + R3

We can now calculate the total current using Ohm's law:

I=V/R

where V denotes the applied voltage to the circuit.

It should be noted that because R2 is shorted, no current will flow through it.

As a result, we can disregard its resistance in the calculation.

Let say the R2 in the figure is shorted:

R = R1 + R3; since R2 = 0

R = 1 kΩ + 15 kΩ = 16 kΩ

Therefore, the total current of the circuit when R2 is shorted is equal to 16kΩ.

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VI. CONCLUSION

The purpose of the laboratory experiment the students conducted was to highlight

their understanding of how to correctly create a series, parallel, and series-parallel circuit

using a multisim. Using multisim, the students can become familiar with the various parts

required to create various circuits.

When it comes to removing the resistors from each circuit, the current flowing

through the series circuit will increase as one of the resistors is removed. If one resistor is

removed from the parallel circuit, the current will also increase. Therefore, the said current

that passes through it will increase when one of the resistors in the series and parallel circuits

is removed.

The current will stop flowing across the entire circuit if one of the resistors in a series

circuit is open (has infinite resistance). This is because current can only flow down one path,

and if that path is blocked, current cannot flow through the circuit. In a parallel circuit,

current will still flow through the other branches of the circuit even if one of the resistors is

open. On the other hand, the circuit's overall resistance will increase while its total current

throughput decreases. This is brought on by an increase in the circuit's overall resistance,

which lowers current flow. In a series-parallel circuit, current will stop flowing if one of the

resistors in the series section is open. Although current will still flow through the other

branches of the circuit if one of the parallel resistors in the circuit is open, the total resistance

of the circuit will increase and the total current flowing through the circuit will decrease. The

placement of the resistor and the design of the circuit in general dictate the precise impact of

an open resistor on a circuit.

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VII. REFERENCES

https://www.khanacademy.org/science/physics/circuits-topic/circuits-resistance/v/circuits

part-2

Boylestad, R. L., & Nashelsky, L. (2017). Electronic devices and circuit theory (11th ed.).

Pearson.

Floyd, T. L. (2017). Electronic devices: Conventional current version (10th ed.). Pearson.

Nilsson, J. W., & Riedel, S. A. (2016). Electric circuits (10th ed.). Pearson.

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