Chapter 7

Summary
Combination circuits
Mostpracticalcircuitshavecombinationsofseries
andparallelcomponents.Youcanfrequently
simplifyanalysisbycombiningseriesandparallel
components.
Animportantanalysismethodistoformanequivalent
circuit.Anequivalentcircuitisonethathas
characteristicsthatareelectrically thesameas
anothercircuitbutisgenerallysimpler.

Summary
Combination circuits
For example:
R

1 .0 k
R

is equivalent to

2 .0 k

1 .0 k
There are no electrical measurements that can
distinguish the boxes.

Summary
Combination circuits
Another example:
is equivalent to
R

1 .0 k

1 .0 k

1 ,2

500

There are no electrical measurements that can

distinguish the boxes.

Summary
is equivalent to
R

1 .0 k
R

4 .7 k

2 .7 k

1 ,2

3 .7 k

4 .7 k

is equivalent to
R

1 ,2 ,3

2 .0 7 k

There are no electrical

measurements that can
distinguish between the
three boxes.

Summary

Combination circuits

KirchhoffsvoltagelawandKirchhoffscurrentlaw
canbeappliedtoanycircuit,includingcombination
circuits.
So will
For example,
this path!
R2
applying KVL, the
path shown will
have a sum of 0 V.

470

VS
5 .0 V

R 11
270

R4
100
R3
330
R6

S t a rt/ F in is h

S t a rt/ F in is h

100

R5
100

Summary
Kirchoffs current law can also be applied to the same
circuit. What are the readings for node A?
I
+

26.5mA

I
VS
5.0V

8.0mA

R2
470
R4

18.5mA

100
R1
270

R3
330
R6
100

R5
100

Summary
Combination
circuit

VS +
10 V

R1
270
R2

Tabulating current, resistance, voltage and power is a

useful way to summarize parameters. Solve for the
unknown quantities in the circuit shown.
I1= 21.6 mA
I2= 12.7 mA
I3= 8.9 mA
IT= 21.6 mA

R1= 270
R2= 330
R3= 470
RT= 464

V1= 5.82 V P1=

V2= 4.18 V P2=
V3= 4.18 V P3=
VS= 10 V PT=

126 mW
53.1 mW
37.2 mW
216 mW

R3

Summary
Kirchhoffslawscanbeapplied
asacheckontheanswer.

R1
270

VS +
10 V

R2

Notice that the current in R1 is

equal to the sum of the branch currents in R2 and R3.
The sum of the voltages around the outside loop is zero.
I1= 21.6 mA
I2= 12.7 mA
I3= 8.9 mA
IT= 21.6 mA

R1= 270
R2= 330
R3= 470
RT= 464

V1= 5.82 V P1=

V2= 4.18 V P2=
V3= 4.18 V P3=
VS= 10 V PT=

126 mW
53.1 mW
37.2 mW
216 mW

R3

Summary
Loadingeffectof
avoltmeter

VS +
10 V

R1
470 k

4.04
10 VV

R2
Assume VS = 10 V, but the
+
4.04 V
47k
meter reads only 4.04 V
when it is across either R1
or R2.
Can you explain what is happening?
All measurements affect the quantity being measured. A
voltmeter has internal resistance, which can change the
resistance of the circuit under test. In this case, a 1 M
internal resistance of the meter accounts for the readings.

Summary
Wheatstonebridge
TheWheatstonebridgeconsists
R3
R1
offourresistivearmsforming V S
O u tp u t
twovoltagedividersandadc
voltagesource.Theoutputis
R2
R4
takenbetweenthedividers.
Frequently,oneofthebridge
resistorsisadjustable.
When the bridge is balanced, the output voltage is zero,
and the products of resistances in the opposite diagonal
arms are equal.
+

Summary
Wheatstonebridge
R

O u tp u t

330

VS
12 V

Example: What is the

value of R2 if the bridge
is balanced? 384

R
470
R

R4
270

Key Terms
Balancedbridge A bridge circuit that is in the balanced state is
indicated by 0 V across the output.
Bleedercurrent The current left after the load current is
subtracted from the total current into the
circuit.
Load An element (resistor or other component)
connected across the output terminals of a
circuit that draws current from the circuit.

Key Terms
Unbalanced A bridge circuit that is in the unbalanced state
bridge is indicated by a voltage across the output that
is proportional to the amount of deviation
from the balanced state.
Wheatstone A 4-legged type of bridge circuit with which
bridge an unknown resistance can be accurately
measured using the balanced state. Deviations
in resistance can be measured using the
unbalanced state.

Quiz
1. Two circuits that are equivalent have the same
a. number of components
b. response to an electrical stimulus
c. internal power dissipation
d. all of the above

Quiz
2. If a series equivalent circuit is drawn for a complex
circuit, the equivalent circuit can be analyzed with
a. the voltage divider theorem
b. Kirchhoffs voltage law
c. both of the above
d. none of the above

Quiz
3. For the circuit shown,
a. R1 is in series with R2

d. R2 is in parallel with R3

c. R2 is in series with R3

b. R1 is in parallel with R2

Quiz
4. For the circuit shown,

a. R1 is in series with R2

d. none of the above

c. R2 is in parallel with R3

b. R4 is in parallel with R1

Quiz
5. The total resistance, RT, of the group of resistors is
a. 1.0 k

R1

b. 2.0 k
c. 3.0 k
d. 4.0 k

500
RT
R5

R2
1.0 k

R3
2.0 k

R4
1.0 k

Quiz
6. For the circuit shown, Kirchhoff's voltage law
a. applies only to the outside loop
b. applies only to the A junction.
c. can be applied to any closed path.
d. does not apply.
VS +
10 V

R1
270

R2

R3

Quiz
7. The effect of changing a measured quantity due to
connecting an instrument to a circuit is called
a. loading
b. clipping
c. distortion
d. loss of precision

Quiz
8. An unbalanced Wheatstone bridge has the voltages
shown. The voltage across R4 is
a. 4.0 V

d. 7.0 V

c. 6.0 V

VS
12 V

b. 5.0 V

R
7 .0 V

1 .0 V
2

Quiz
9. Assume R2 is adjusted until the Wheatstone bridge is
balanced. At this point, the voltage across R4 is measured
and found to be 5.0 V. The voltage across R1 will be
a. 4.0 V

d. 7.0 V

+ RL -

c. 6.0 V

b. 5.0 V

VS
12 V

R3

R1

R2

R4
5.0 V

Quiz
10. For the circuit shown, if R3 opens, the voltage at point
A will
a. decrease
b. stay the same.
c. increase.

VS +
10 V

R1
270

R2

R3

Quiz
Answers:
1. b

6. c

2. c

7. a

3. d

8. a

4. d

9. d

5. b

10. c