Module 5:

Parallel Circuits
PREPARED BY: ALEXANDER T. MONTERO, REE, RME
Contents
• Parallel Circuits
• Kirchhoff’s Current Law
• Resistors in Parallel
• Voltage Sources in Parallel
• Current Divider Rule
• Analysis of Parallel Circuits
• Voltmeter Loading Effects
• Switches, Fuses and Circuit Breakers
Parallel Circuits
The illustration of Figure 6–1 shows that one terminal of each
light bulb is connected to the positive terminal of the battery
and that the other terminal of the light bulb is connected to the
negative terminal of the battery. These points of connection are
often referred to as nodes.
Parallel Circuits
The elements between the nodes may be any two-terminal
devices such as voltage sources, resistors, light bulbs, and the
like.
Elements or branches are said to be in a parallel connection
when they have exactly two nodes in common.
Parallel Circuits
In the illustrations of Figure 6–2, notice that every element has
two terminals and that each of the terminals is connected to
one of the two nodes.
Parallel Circuits
Very often, circuits contain a combination of series and parallel
components. It is important at this point to be able to recognize
the various connections in a given network. Consider the
networks shown in Figure 6–3.
Parallel Circuits
When analyzing a particular circuit, it is usually easiest to first
designate the nodes (we will use lowercase letters) and then to
identify the types of connections. Figure 6–4 shows the nodes
for the networks of Figure 6–3.
Parallel Circuits
Indicate which of the elements in Figure 6–47 are connected in
parallel and which elements are connected in series.
Kirchhoff’s Current Law
Kirchhoff’s current law states the following:
The summation of currents entering a node is equal to the
summation of currents leaving the node.
An analogy which helps us understand the principle of
Kirchhoff’s current law is the flow of water. When water flows in
a closed pipe, the amount of water entering a particular point in
the pipe is exactly equal to the amount of water leaving, since
there is no loss.
In mathematical form, Kirchhoff’s current law is stated as
follows:
Kirchhoff’s Current Law
Using the equation 6-1

NODE
Kirchhoff’s Current Law
Verify that Kirchhoff’s current law applies at the node shown in
Figure 6–6.
Kirchhoff’s Current Law
When we analyze a given circuit, we are unsure of the
direction of current through a particular element within
the circuit.
In such cases, we assume a reference direction and base
further calculations on this assumption.
If our assumption is incorrect, calculations will show that
the current has a negative sign.
The negative sign simply indicates that the current is in
fact opposite to the direction selected as the reference.
Kirchhoff’s Current Law
Kirchhoff’s Current Law
Kirchhoff’s Current Law
Kirchhoff’s Current Law
Kirchhoff’s Current Law
Kirchhoff’s Current Law
Kirchhoff’s Current Law
Kirchhoff’s Current Law
Kirchhoff’s Current Law
Kirchhoff’s Current Law
Kirchhoff’s Current Law
Resistors in Parallel
A simple parallel circuit is constructed by combining a voltage
source with several resistors as shown in Figure 6–12.
The voltage source will result in current from the positive
terminal of the source toward node a. At this point the current
will split between the various resistors and then recombine at
node b before continuing to the negative terminal of the voltage
source.
Resistors in Parallel
If we were to apply Kirchhoff’s voltage law around each closed
loop in the parallel circuit of Figure 6–12, we would find that the
voltage across all parallel resistors is exactly equal, namely
VR1 = VR2 = VR3 = E.

Therefore, by applying Kirchhoff’s voltage law, we make the

following statement:
The voltage across all parallel elements in a circuit will be the
same.
Resistors in Parallel
Using the principle that the voltage across all parallel elements
in a circuit will be the same.
The equivalent resistance, RT, is the effective resistance “seen”
by the source and determines the total current, IT, provided to
the circuit. Applying Kirchhoff’s current law to the circuit of
Figure 6–11, we have the following expression:
Resistors in Parallel
Since Kirchhoff’s voltage law also applies to the parallel circuit,
the voltage across each resistor must be equal to the supply
voltage, E.
The total current in the circuit, which is determined by the
supply voltage and the equivalent resistance, may now be
written as
Resistors in Parallel
Simplifying the expression

gives us the general expression for total resistance of a parallel

circuit as

Since conductance was defined as the reciprocal of resistance, we

may write the above equation in terms of conductance, namely,
Resistors in Parallel
The equivalent resistance of n parallel resistors may be
determined in one step as follows:

An important effect of combining parallel resistors is that the

resultant resistance will always be smaller than the smallest
resistor in the combination.
Resistors in Parallel
n Equal Resistors in Parallel
If we have n equal resistors in parallel, each resistor, R, has the
same conductance, G. By applying Equation 6–3, the total
conductance is found:
Resistors in Parallel
Resistors in Parallel
Resistors in Parallel
Resistors in Parallel
Voltage Sources in Parallel
Voltage sources of different potentials should never be
connected in parallel, since to do so would contradict
Kirchhoff’s voltage law.
However, when two equal potential sources are connected in
parallel, each source will deliver half the required circuit current.
For this reason automobile batteries are sometimes connected
in parallel to assist in starting a car with a “weak” battery.
Voltage Sources in Parallel
In practice, if voltage sources of different potentials are placed in
parallel, the resulting closed loop can have a very large current.
The current will occur even though there may not be a load
connected across the sources. Example 6–9 illustrates the large
currents that can occur when two parallel batteries of different
potential are connected.
Voltage Sources in Parallel
Current Divider Rule
The voltage divider rule (VDR) was used to
determine the voltage across all resistors within a
series network.
In parallel networks, the voltage across all parallel
elements is the same. However, the currents
through the various elements are typically
different.
The current divider rule (CDR) is used to
determine how current entering a node is split
between the various parallel resistors connected
to the node.
Current Divider Rule
Consider the network of parallel resistors shown in
Figure 6–25.
Current Divider Rule
If the network of resistors is supplied by a voltage source, the
total current in the circuit is

Since each of the n parallel resistors has the same voltage, E,

across its terminals, the current through any resistor in the
network is given as
Current Divider Rule

The current divider rule allows us to calculate the current in any

resistor of a parallel network if we know the total current
entering the network.
Current Divider Rule
Notice the similarity between the voltage divider rule (for series
components and the current divider rule (for parallel
components).
The main difference is that the current divider rule uses circuit
conductance rather than resistance.
While this equation is useful, it is generally easier to use
resistance to calculate current.

VDR CDR
Current Divider Rule
Current in Two Parallel Resistance
Current Divider Rule
Several other important characteristics of parallel networks
become evident.
• If current enters a parallel network consisting of any number of
equal resistors, then the current entering the network will split
equally between all of the resistors.
• If current enters a parallel network consisting of several values
of resistance, then the smallest value of resistor in the network
will have the largest amount of current. Inversely, the largest
value of resistance will have the smallest amount of current.
• This characteristic may be simplified by saying that most of the
current will follow the path of least resistance.
Current Divider Rule
Current Divider Rule
Current Divider Rule
Current Divider Rule

If current enters a parallel network

consisting of any number of equal
resistors, then the current entering
the network will split equally
between all of the resistors.
Current Divider Rule
Current Divider Rule
Current Divider Rule
Current Divider Rule
Current Divider Rule
Analysis of Parallel Circuits
Analysis of Parallel Circuits
Analysis of Parallel Circuits
It is generally best to use given information rather than
calculated values to perform further calculations since it is then
less likely that an error is carried through.
Analysis of Parallel Circuits
Analysis of Parallel Circuits
Analysis of Parallel Circuits
 Analysis of Parallel Circuits
Refer to the circuit of Figure 6–83:
Switches
The most basic switch is a single-pole,
single-throw (SPST) switch as shown in
Figure 2–27.
With the switch open, the current path
is broken and the lamp is off; with it
closed, the lamp is on. This type of
switch is used, for example, for light
switches in homes.
Switches
Figure 2–28(a) shows a single-pole, double-throw (SPDT) switch.
Two of these switches may be used as in (b) for two-way control
of a light.
This type of arrangement is sometimes used for stairway lights;
you can turn the light on or off from either the bottom or the
top of the stairs.
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
Fuses and circuit breakers are used to protect
equipment or wiring against excessive current.
For example, in your home, if you connect too
many appliances to an outlet, the fuse or circuit
breaker in your electrical panel “blows.” This
opens the circuit to protect against overloading
and possible fire.
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
Fuses use a metallic element that melts when
current exceeds a preset value. Thus, if a fuse is
rated at 3 A, it will “blow” if more than 3 amps
passes through it.
Fuses are made as fast-blow and slow-blow types.
Fast-blow fuses are very fast; typically, they blow
in a fraction of a second. Slow-blow fuses, on the
other hand, react more slowly so that they do not
blow on small, momentary overloads.
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
Circuit breakers work on a different principle.
When the current exceeds the rated value of a
breaker, the magnetic field produced by the
excessive current operates a mechanism that trips
open a switch. After the fault or overload
condition has been cleared, the breaker can be
reset and used again.
Since they are mechanical devices, their operation
is slower than that of a fuse; thus, they do not
“pop” on momentary overloads as, for example,
when a motor is started.
Fuses and Circuit Breakers