University of the East Caloocan

College of Engineering

Series and Parallel Circuits

Experiment No. 2

Submitted by:
Ambor, Jabber R.

Submitted to:
Engr. Destreza

9 February 2016
Introduction

Series circuit has more than one resistor connected in a manner

such that there is only one pathway by which charge can transverse the
external circuit. If a circuit is broken there will be no charge will move
through because there is only one path.

Parallel circuit has more than one resistor, parallel circuits have
multiple pathways. A resistor on a parallel connection has separate
branch. If one of the branch is broken then there will be no charge
flowing through that branch but the rest of the branch will continue to
flow.
Exercises 1: For all trials of Run 1, compute for the total power and the
power in every resistor in the circuit using the measured values of
voltage and current.
Trial 1: Total Power
Pt =V t A t

Pt =( 3 ) (1.9 )=5.7

Trial 2: Total Power

Pt =V t A t

Pt =( 6 ) ( 3.5 )=21

Trial 3: Total Power

Pt =V t A t

Pt =( 10 ) (5.7 )=57

Trial 1: Total Power in each resistor

Pn=V n At

P1=( 0.5 ) ( 1.9 )=0.95

P2=( 1.4 )( 1.9 ) =2.66

P3=( 3.0 ) ( 1.9 )=5.7

Trial 2: Total Power in each resistor

Pn=V n At

P1=( 1.1 ) ( 3.5 )=3.85

P2=( 2.8 ) ( 3.5 )=9.8

P3=( 6.0 )( 3.5 ) =21

Trial 3: Total Power in each resistor

Pn=V n At
 P1=( 1.8 ) ( 5.7 )=10.26

P2=( 4.7 ) (5.7 )=26.79

P3=( 10.0 ) ( 5.7 ) =57

Exercises 2: For all trials of Run 2, when ammeter readings do not

show the current flowing in the resistor compute for this current by
using the ammeter reading in the other resistors. In Trial 1, Aa=I4; R5
&R6 are not yet part of the circuit. In Trial 2, Aa=l5; l4= Ab- Aa. In Trial
3, Ab-Aa=l4+l5. Using the value of l4 in Trial 1 determine l5. Using the
value of l5 in Trial 2 determine l4.

Answers to Questions & Problems

1. Why is the equivalent resistance of a series circuit larger than any of
the individual resistance in the connection?
Series.
Rtot = R1 + R2 + R3 + . . . . . . . Rn.

It is larger than any of the individual resistance in the connection

is because it is greater than any one particular resistance in the circuit.
2. Why is the equivalent resistance of a parallel circuit smaller than
any of the individual resistance in the connection?

Parallel:
1 / Rtot = 1 / R1 + 1 / R2 + 1 / R3 + . . . . . . . . 1 / Rn.
In parallel circuit, the equivalent resistance of a circuit is less than
any of the particular resistance.
3. Why is there a common current in a series circuit?
Since all the current flowing through the first resistor has no other
way to go it must also pass through the second resistor and the third
and so on. Then, resistors in series have a Common Current flowing
through them as the current that flows through one resistor must also
flow through the others as it can only take one path.
4. How will the voltage divide in a series circuit when the resistance
units have (a) equal resistances (b) unequal resistances?

(a) Equal resistances: the voltage is always half of the total voltage.
(b) Unequal resistances: the percentage of the voltage is not exact
when divided in every terminal.

5. How will the current divide in a parallel circuit when the resistance
units have (a) equal resistances (b) unequal resistances?
(a) Equal resistances: The total current will be divided to the number of
branches.
(b) Unequal resistances: Small resistance will get higher current while
large resistance will get smaller current.

6. What will happen if a break occurs in a series circuit? How about in

a parallel circuit?
In series circuit, if a break occurs it will become open and the
whole circuit will shut down.
In parallel circuit, load in the in broken branch will not
function/operate.
7. Three loads X, Y and Z are all connected in parallel to a 125 volt DC
source. Load X has a resistance of 5 ohms while load Y takes 5 kW of
power and load Z draws 60 A (current). Calculate the following
a) Resistance of load Y and Load Z,
P 5
2
=R y = 2
=3.2 x 104
E (125)
P 5
2
=R z= 2
=1.39 x 103
I (60)

b) power taken by load X and load Z,

2
E2 (125)
=P x = =3125 watts
R 5
 IE=Pz =(60)(125)=7500 watts

c) Current drawn by load X and load Y,

P 5
=I = =0.04 A
E 125

d) Total Current, total power and total resistance,

E 125
It = = =25 A
R 5

Pt =ExI =( 125 )( 60 )=7500 watts

E 125
Rt = = =2.083 ohms
I 60

Discussion
In this experiment, the two major circuits involved are series and
parallel circuits. Wherein, our group where given a task to measure the
voltage, the current and the power whether it is in series or in parallel
connection.
In our first experiment, run 1, we setup exactly what is in the
diagram on page 2-8. Following the instructions on step 4; the
2 R3 .
voltmeter will measure the three resistors R1, R Opening the
Ammeter B and by putting the necessary meter settings; we were able
to get the total current. See on page 2-10, table 2.1.
On getting the voltage drop on table 2.1, We need to switch the
voltmeter from R1 R 2 from R2 R 3 to get V 2 ,3 . Increase the voltage
to 6 volts to for trial 2 and 10 volts for trial 3 to get V 1 ,2 ,3 . The Power
will be measured using the L@Bsoft.

In run 2, Parallel Circuit Connection, We follow the diagram on

page 2-9, diagram 2.4. Opening the Dc source instrument then we
select Voltage sources and then DC source setting the range of the
voltage to 10volts. Setting the necessary given, Starting from the 4 th
resistor, We were able to get the total current in the circuit in Ammeter
B while Ammeter A reads the current flowing in the 4th resistor.
We turn on the DC Source and adjust the emf to 10 volts.
Recording the readings of Ammeter A and B. following the instructions
on step 5 by moving the connection of Ammter A to terminals T14 and
T15 while placing a short circuit between terminals T12 and T13. This
would connect 5th resistor in parallel with the 4th resistor.

We turn on the DC power source from the computer and applying

10 volts to the circuit. Ammeter B reads the total current flowing
through the two resistors while Ammeter A reads the current through
5th resistor. The current through 4th resistor will be the difference
between the readings of Ammeter B and Ammeter A. We record the
measurement in the table and then turned off the DC power source.
Moving the connection of Ammeter A to terminals T16 and T17 while
placing a short circuit between terminals T14 and T15. This would
connect 6th resistor in parallel with 4th and 5th resistor.
 Turning the DC power source and apply 10 volts to the circuit. And
again ammeter B reads the total current flowing through the three
resistors while ammeter A reads the current through 6th resistor.

Conclusion
In conclusion, the experiment was basically about the parallel and
series connection. We were able to connect a series connection by
setting up the diagram 2.3 and gathered some data that benefitted us
to solve for the total power and power in every resistor in the circuit on
Exercise 1; also in parallel connection.
Series connection has only one path for the charge to flow in; if a
circuit is broken in a series connection the whole circuit is
compromised. While, the parallel circuit has its own different branches
for its resistors. If one of the particular branch was broken the whole
circuit isnt compromised by that branch but still the other branch will
receive a charge.

References:
https://in.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110524164425AAlyIkO

http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/textbook/direct-current/chpt-6/current-divider-circuits/

http://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/resistor/res_3.html