A parallel circuit is an electrical circuit configuration in which the components are connected side by side, sharing the same voltage across them. In a parallel circuit, each component has its own separate branch or path for current flow.
The voltage across each component in a parallel circuit remains the same.
The total current in a parallel circuit is equal to the sum of the currents in each branch.
Parallel circuits provide multiple current paths, allowing the flow of current through one component to be independent of the other components.
The total resistance of a parallel circuit is less than the smallest resistance in the circuit.
If one component fails in a parallel circuit, the other components continue to operate unaffected.
Total Voltage
When resistors are connected in parallel, the voltage across each resistor is the same as the total voltage applied across the circuit.
Formula:
Vtotal = V1 = V2 = V3 = ... = Vn
Total Current
When resistors are connected in parallel, the total current flowing into the circuit is equal to the sum of currents flowing through each individual resistor.
Formula:
Itotal = I1 + I2 + I3 + ... + In
Formula Breakdown:
Where I1, I2, I3, ... In are the currents flowing through each branch.
Total Resistance (Rtotal): The combined resistance of the parallel circuit.
R1: Resistance 1 in the circuit.
R2: Resistance 2 in the circuit.
Voltage Divider
In a parallel circuit, voltage division refers to the distribution of the total voltage across individual branches or resistors connected in parallel. Each branch or resistor receives a proportionate voltage based on its resistance value.
Formula:
V1 = (R1 / (R1 + R2)) * Vtotal
Formula Breakdown:
V1: Voltage across resistor R1
R1: Resistance 1
R2: Resistance 2
Vtotal: Total voltage across the circuit
Current Division
In a parallel circuit, current division refers to the distribution of the total current among individual branches or resistors connected in parallel. The current splits across the branches based on the inverse ratio of their resistances.
Formula:
I1 = (R2 / (R1 + R2)) * Itotal
Formula Breakdown:
I1: Current through R1
R1: Resistance 1
R2: Resistance 2
Itotal: Total current flowing in the circuit
Total Current Calculator
In a parallel circuit, the total current is the sum of the currents flowing through each branch or resistor connected in parallel. The total current is equal to the sum of individual currents.
Formula:
Itotal = Vtotal / (R1 + R2)
Formula Breakdown:
Itotal: Total current flowing in the circuit
Vtotal: Total voltage applied across the circuit
R1: Resistance 1
R2: Resistance 2
Series Circuits
A series circuit is an electrical circuit configuration in which the components are connected end to end, forming a single path for current flow. In a series circuit, the same current flows through each component.
The total voltage across a series circuit is equal to the sum of the individual voltages across each component.
The total resistance in a series circuit is equal to the sum of the individual resistances of each component.
In a series circuit, the current is the same at any point in the circuit.
The total resistance in a series circuit is equal to the sum of the individual resistances of each component.
If one component fails in a series circuit, the entire circuit is interrupted and none of the components can operate.
Voltage Across Components
Formula:
Vab = Va - Vb
Formula Breakdown:
In a series connection, the voltage across the components can be calculated using the formula Vab = Va - Vb, where Va represents the voltage at point A and Vb represents the voltage at point B.
Current Flow
Formula:
i1 = i2 = i3 = ... = in
Formula Breakdown:
In a series connection, the current flowing through each component is the same. Therefore, the current at any point in the series circuit is equal to the total current flowing through the circuit.
Total Tension (Voltage) Calculation
Formula:
Total Tension = V1 + V2 + V3 + ... + Vn
Formula Breakdown:
In a series connection, the total tension (voltage) across the circuit is equal to the sum of the individual voltages at each resistance. This means that the total tension is calculated by adding up the voltages across each component in the series connection.
Total Resistance Calculation
Formula:
Total Resistance = R1 + R2 + R3 + ... + Rn
Formula Breakdown:
In a series connection, the total resistance is equal to the sum of the individual resistances. This means that to determine the total resistance, you need to add up the resistance values of each component in the series connection.
Voltage Divider
The voltage divider principle is applicable in a series circuit. It is a common circuit configuration used to obtain a specific voltage output from a given input voltage. By using resistors with different resistance values in series, it is possible to create specific voltage drops across each resistor.
Use the calculator below to calculate the output voltage in a voltage divider circuit.
The voltage divider formula calculates the output voltage (Vout) in a voltage divider circuit:
Formula:
Vout = (R2 / (R1 + R2)) * Vin
Formula Breakdown:
Vout: Output voltage
R1: Resistance 1 (in series with Vin)
R2: Resistance 2 (connected between R1 and ground)
