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CH 6 Parallel Circuits
CH 6 Parallel Circuits
PARALLEL CIRCUITS
A parallel circuit is a complete circuit that has
more than one path for the current.
The separate paths which split and meet at junction
points are called branches, legs, or shunts.
SUMMARY
1. A parallel circuit, such as is used for all automotive
lighting, has the same voltage available to each
resistance (bulb).
2. The total resistance of a parallel circuit is always
lower than the smallest resistance.
3. The separate paths which split and meet at
junction points are called branches, legs, or
shunts.
4. Kirchhoffs current law states: The current flowing
into any junction of an electrical circuit is equal to
the current flowing out of that junction.
5. There are five basic methods that can be used to
calculate the total resistance in a parallel circuit.
Diagnosis and Troubleshooting of Automotive Electrical,
Electronic, and Computer Systems, Fifth Edition
By James D. Halderman
REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. Why is the total resistance of a parallel circuit less
than the smallest resistance?
2. Why are parallel circuits (instead of series circuits)
used in most automotive applications?
3. What does Kirchhoffs current law state?
4. What are three of the five ways to calculate the
total resistance of a parallel circuit?
CHAPTER QUIZ
1.
Technician A only
Technician B only
Both Technicians A and B
Neither Technician A nor B
CHAPTER QUIZ
1.
Technician A only
Technician B only
Both Technicians A and B
Neither Technician A nor B
CHAPTER QUIZ
2. Calculate the total resistance and current in a
parallel circuit with three resistors of 4 , 8 , and
16 , using any one of the five methods (calculator
suggested). What are the values?
a)
b)
c)
d)
CHAPTER QUIZ
2. Calculate the total resistance and current in a
parallel circuit with three resistors of 4 , 8 , and
16 , using any one of the five methods (calculator
suggested). What are the values?
a)
b)
c)
d)
CHAPTER QUIZ
3. If an accessory such as an additional light is
spliced into an existing circuit in parallel, what
happens?
a)
b)
c)
d)
CHAPTER QUIZ
3. If an accessory such as an additional light is
spliced into an existing circuit in parallel, what
happens?
a)
b)
c)
d)
CHAPTER QUIZ
4. A 6-cylinder engine uses six fuel injectors
connected electrically in two groups of three
injectors in parallel. What would be the resistance
if the three 12 ohm injectors were connected in
parallel?
a)
b)
c)
d)
36 ohms
12 ohms
4 ohms
3 ohms
CHAPTER QUIZ
4. A 6-cylinder engine uses six fuel injectors
connected electrically in two groups of three
injectors in parallel. What would be the resistance
if the three 12 ohm injectors were connected in
parallel?
a)
b)
c)
d)
36 ohms
12 ohms
4 ohms
3 ohms
CHAPTER QUIZ
5. A vehicle has four taillight bulbs all connected in
parallel. If one bulb burns out (opens), the current
flow in the circuit _____.
a) Increases and the other bulbs get brighter
b) Decreases because only three bulbs are operating
c) Remains the same because all the bulbs are wired in
parallel
d) Drops to zero and the other three bulbs go out
CHAPTER QUIZ
5. A vehicle has four taillight bulbs all connected in
parallel. If one bulb burns out (opens), the current
flow in the circuit _____.
a) Increases and the other bulbs get brighter
b) Decreases because only three bulbs are operating
c) Remains the same because all the bulbs are wired in
parallel
d) Drops to zero and the other three bulbs go out
CHAPTER QUIZ
6. Two identical bulbs are connected to a 12 volt
battery in parallel. The voltage drop across the
first bulb is 12 volts as measured with a voltmeter.
What is the voltage drop across the other bulb?
a)
b)
c)
d)
0 volt
1 volt
6 volts
12 volts
CHAPTER QUIZ
6. Two identical bulbs are connected to a 12 volt
battery in parallel. The voltage drop across the
first bulb is 12 volts as measured with a voltmeter.
What is the voltage drop across the other bulb?
a)
b)
c)
d)
0 volt
1 volt
6 volts
12 volts
CHAPTER QUIZ
7. Three resistors are connected to a 12 volt battery
in parallel. The current flow through each resistor
is 4 amperes. What is the value of the resistors?
a)
b)
c)
d)
1 ohm
2 ohms
3 ohms
4 ohms
CHAPTER QUIZ
7. Three resistors are connected to a 12 volt battery
in parallel. The current flow through each resistor
is 4 amperes. What is the value of the resistors?
a)
b)
c)
d)
1 ohm
2 ohms
3 ohms
4 ohms
CHAPTER QUIZ
8.
Technician A only
Technician B only
Both Technicians A and B
Neither Technician A nor B
CHAPTER QUIZ
8.
Technician A only
Technician B only
Both Technicians A and B
Neither Technician A nor B
CHAPTER QUIZ
9.
Technician A only
Technician B only
Both Technicians A and B
Neither Technician A nor B
CHAPTER QUIZ
9.
Technician A only
Technician B only
Both Technicians A and B
Neither Technician A nor B
CHAPTER QUIZ
10. Three resistors are connected in parallel to a 12
volt battery. The total current flow from the battery
is 12 amperes. The first resistor is 3 ohms and the
second resistor is 6 ohms. What is the value of the
third resistor?
a)
b)
c)
d)
1
2
3
4
CHAPTER QUIZ
10. Three resistors are connected in parallel to a 12
volt battery. The total current flow from the battery
is 12 amperes. The first resistor is 3 ohms and the
second resistor is 6 ohms. What is the value of the
third resistor?
a)
b)
c)
d)
1
2
3
4
END