TOPIC 2

Introduction 2
1 BASIC CIRCUIT CONNECTION

2 APPLICATION OF OHM’S LAW AND POWER

CALCULATION WITH PASISVE SIGN CONVENTION

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 1. BASIC CIRCUIT CONNECTION

We will first look at what a NODE means. A node is a point that

joins circuit elements. Between two different nodes, there must be
at least one circuit element.

Node Node

Anode Another Another

N ode Another N ode
N ode

Another
Another node N ode

An essential node is a node that joins MORE than 2 elements.

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 1.1 SERIES CONECTION

Two elements are considered to be in series if the two elements

are joint at a node which meets only the two elements and no
other. From Figure 1: A & B are in series. D & E as well as E & F
are in series.

B D If a node connects more than two

elements, any pair of elements
A C E connected at the node are not in
series. From Figure 2: B&D are not
F
in series. Neither is C&F.
Figure 1

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 1.2 PARALLEL CONNECTION

Elements are connected in parallel if

they are connected at a single pair of
node
A B
i.e. from the diagram, one end of
terminal A is connected to terminal B.
The other end of terminal A is also
connected to terminal B.
B E
For illustration, consider Figure 2.
C&D are in parallel. So are G&H, A C D G H J
H&J, G&J. F

Figure 2

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 Some Common Misunderstanding

A common misunderstanding is that the connection between

circuit elements can only be either one: series or parallel. It is a
mistake to think that if a connection is not in series than it must
be in parallel (or the other way round)!
Some circuit elements are connected but are not in series or in
parallel since they do not meet the conditions of series as well
as parallel connection

Don’t just rely on guesses in deciding the nature of the

connection. Some connections can be misleading. The
description given on the conditions of series and parallel
should be met in order for it to be so.

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 2. APPLICATION OF OHM’S LAW AND POWER
CALCULATION WITH PASISVE SIGN CINVENTION

In any expression that relates voltage to current, apply this

sign convention:

Use the given sign of the current if the current enters the
element through its positive terminal. Otherwise (i.e. if it
enters the element through its negative terminal), use the
opposite sign of the current.

et the opposite sign of the current, multiply whatever stated

sign of the given current with a negative sign.

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 Passive sign convention explains how we should apply
these formulas if the current enters through the negative
terminal instead.

+ Vx -

IA R

- vx +

IA R

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 Example 1 Example 3
Find the value and power of R. Find the value and power of R.

Example 2 Example 4

Find V and power of 100 Find V and power of 100

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Example 5 to 8 are more examples on power calculation. This time involving
voltage and current sources. The power calculation is the same and always
obeys the passive sign convention

Example 5 Example 6

Example 7 Example 8

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 Looking at the examples above, we will notice that some power can be
negative or positive.

i) If an element has positive power, the element is absorbing power

(for resistors, we sometimes say dissipating power).
ii) If an element has negative power, the element is supplying, or
developing, or delivering power.

As seen, voltage and current sources can either be supplying or absorbing

power (charging or recharging).

We have several choices of formulas to calculate the power of a resistor (p = iv =

i2R = v2/R). The choice to use p = iv was made to demonstrate the passive sign
convention

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Example 9
Question:
Calculate the power of B and state whether the power is flowing from A to
B or B to A. Given that i = -2 A and v = - 60 V.

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 Example 10
Question:
Find the power of each element and state whether it is absorbing or
delivering power. Check if the power calculation is balanced.

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