DKN 10032

ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY
1.0 INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRIC CIRCUIT
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Classify the characteristics of series

and parallel circuits

Explain Kirchhoff’s Law in complex

electric circuits
 When connected in series,
resistors form a “string” in which
SERIES there is only one path for current.
CIRCUIT
(RESISTORS Series circuit provides only one
IN SERIES) path for current between two
points so that the current is the
same through each series resistor.
 SERIES CIRCUIT (RESISTORS IN SERIES)

To calculate total resistance in series:

SERIES CIRCUIT (RESISTORS IN SERIES)
Current through every resistor is equal to the total
current, I T
SERIES CIRCUIT (RESISTORS IN SERIES)
Total voltage, VT is the sum of all voltage drops on every resistor
SERIES CIRCUIT (RESISTORS IN SERIES)

• Voltage drop is the reduction of the

voltage supply in every resistor.
• It can be calculate using Ohm’s law and
Voltage divider law.
• Voltage drop calculation using Ohm’s
law:
 SERIES CIRCUIT (RESISTORS IN SERIES)

Voltage Divider Rule

• to calculate voltage value across every
resistance in series circuit
Example (i)
Referring to the circuit below,
approximate:
a) Total resistance, RT
b) Current in the circuit, I T
c) The voltage drop across each resistor.
Exercise (i)
Calculate the
current, I in the
circuit.
Exercise (ii)
The current in the circuit is
1 mA. For this amount of
current, visualize the
source voltage VS be.
 Exercise (iii)

Identify V1 (the voltage

across R1 ) and V2 (the
voltage across R2) in the
voltage divider.
 PARALLEL CIRCUIT
(RESISTORS IN PARALLEL)

• When two or more resistors are individually connected

between two separate points (nodes) in a circuit, they are in
parallel with each other.
• A parallel circuit provides more than one path for current.
• Each current path is called a branch, and a parallel circuit is one
that has more than one branch.
PARALLEL CIRCUIT
(RESISTORS IN PARALLEL)
The current out of the source (IT) divides when it gets to point A
 PARALLEL CIRCUIT
(RESISTORS IN PARALLEL)
The total parallel
resistance can be
calculate by using
equation:
PARALLEL CIRCUIT
(RESISTORS IN PARALLEL)
• The voltage across each parallel resistor is equal to the source voltage, V T

• Total current, I T for parallel circuit is equal to the summation of all current from
each branch.
PARALLEL CIRCUIT (RESISTORS IN PARALLEL)
Current Divider’s Law
• The current (I ) through any
x
branch equals the total
parallel resistance (RT) divided
by the resistance (Rx) of that
branch, and then multiplied by
the total current (IT) into the
junction of parallel branches.
 Example (i)
Referring to the circuit, approximate:
• a) Total resistance, R
T I1 I2
• b) Total current, I
T

• c) Current I1 and I2
Example (i):

IT
 Exercise (i)
Approximate the current
through each resistor in the
circuit.

Solution:
Using Current Divider
SERIES-PARALLEL CIRCUIT
SERIES- Identify the series-parallel
relationships
PARALLEL
CIRCUIT
Example (i)
Approximate the current through R2 and the current through R3
KIRCHHOFF’S LAW

Kirchhoff’s Kirchhoff’s
Voltage Law Current Law
 Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law
• The sum of all the
voltage drops around a
single closed path in a
circuit is equal to the
total source voltage in
that loop.
Experimental verification of
Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law
 Example (i)

Approximate the source voltage in Figure where the two voltage drops are
given. There is no voltage drop across the fuse.

Solution:
By Kirchhoff’s voltage law, the source voltage (applied voltage) must equal
the sum of the voltage drops.
 Exercise (i)

Find the value of R4

Solution:
1. Use Ohm’s law to find the voltage
drop across each of the known
resistors.
2. Use Kirchhoff’s voltage law to find V4
3. Use Ohm’s law to calculate R4
KIRCHHOFF’S CURRENT LAW

• The sum of the currents into a node (total

current in) is equal to the sum of the currents
out of that node (total current out).
• A node is any point or junction in a circuit
where two or more components are
connected.
KIRCHHOFF’S CURRENT LAW
• An illustration of Kirchhoff’s current law.
 Example (i)

The branch currents are shown

in the circuit. Express the total
current entering node A and
the total current leaving node
B.
 Summary: KVL & KCL
• Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law deals with voltages in a single closed path

• Kirchhoff’s Current Law applies to currents in multiple paths.