EXPERIMENT 2

SERIES AND PARALLEL EQUIVALENT RESISTANCES

(COMPUTATIONAL EXPERIMENT)

I. OBJECTIVES

1. To calculate the single resistance which is equivalent to a group

of resistors connected in series.

2. To calculate the single resistance which is equivalent to a group

of resistors connected in parallel.

II. THEORY

All materials possess electrical resistance (opposition to the flow of

electric current) to a greater or lesser degree. Materials such as silver,
copper and aluminum, which have relatively low resistances, are called
CONDUCTORS while materials such as plastics, glass, air, wood and rubber which
have high resistance, are called INSULATORS. Between those two major
categories are a great variety of materials and alloys which have neither very
high nor very low resistance (or resistivity). There is no clear cut dividing
line between conductors and insulators. Conductors gradually merge into
insulators. All materials, including conductors, have electrical resistance.
The unit of electrical resistance is called the OHM.

Resistors in Series

When a group of resistors is connected in series, the total resistance is

equal to the sum of the values of the resistors. Thus, if a resistor, having
a resistance of 5 ohms is connected in series with one having a resistance of
20 ohms (See Figure 2.1), the total resistance between terminals A and B is 25
ohms.

Figure 2.1 Figure 2.2

The two resistors (R1 and R2) between terminals A and B could be replaced by a
single resistor (R3) having a resistance of 25 ohms. This single resistor
(R3) which can replace the original two, is called the “EQUIVALENT
RESISTANCE”. See Figure 2.2.

The equivalent resistance of a number of resistors in series is found from the

equation:

R equivalent = R1 + R2 + R3 + Rn Equation 1

Resistors in Parallel

When two or more resistors are connected in parallel between two terminals A
and B, the resultant resistance is always less than that of the lowest
resistor. The logic of this statement can be shown by referring to Figure
2.3.

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 Figure 2.3 Figure 2.4

In this circuit, a resistor of 5 ohms (R1) is initially connected between

terminals A and B. If another resistor of 20 ohms (R2) is connected in
parallel with the 5 ohms resistor (R1), it is clear that the opposition to
current flow between A and B will be less than before. This is so because the
current has an additional path to flow through, which was not available when
the 5 ohms resistor (R1) was alone in the circuit.

The equivalent resistance of a number of resistors in parallel is found from

the equation:

1/Requivalent = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + 1/R3 + 1/Rn Equation 2

For particular case where only two resistors are in parallel, the single
equivalent resistance can be found from the equation:

Requivalent = (R1 x R2)/(R1 + R2) Equation 3

The equivalent resistance of 20 ohms in parallel with 5 ohms is therefore:

(5 x 20) /(5 + 20) = 4 ohms

Consequently, a single resistor of 4 ohms (R3) can be used to replace the

original two. See Figure 2.4.

III. INSTRUMENTS AND APPARATUS

 None

IV. PROCEDURE

1. Using the equations given in the theory section, calculate the

value of the single equivalent resistance between terminals A and B for
each of the following series and parallel circuits. Show your calculations
in the spaces provided.

(a) Requivalent = __________ ohms

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 (b) Requivalent = __________ ohms

(c) Requivalent = __________ ohms

(d) Requivalent = __________ ohms

(e) Requivalent = __________ ohms

(f) Requivalent = __________ ohms

(g) Requivalent = __________ ohms

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 (h) Requivalent = __________ ohms

(i) Requivalent = __________ ohms

(j) Requivalent = __________ ohms

(k) Requivalent = __________ ohms

(l) Requivalent = __________ ohms

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 (m) Requivalent = __________ ohms

(n) Requivalent = __________ ohms

V. COMPUTATIONS

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VI. CONCLUSIONS

None

VII. QUESTIONS

1. The terms “Open circuit”, “Short circuit” and “Dead short” are
often used in speaking of electricity. Answer the following questions
about these three terms.
a) What is the value of the resistance of an open circuit?
b) What is the value of the resistance of a short circuit?

2. When a switch is open, is the resistance between its terminals

high or low?

3. What is the resistance of a closed switch (ideally)?

4. Using each of the methods shown in (a) and (b) below, calculate
the values of the equivalent resistance of a combination of the following
connected in parallel:
a) R1 = 10 ohms
b) R2 = 5 ohms
c) R3 = 12 ohms
d) R4 = 20 ohms
e) R5 = 4 ohms

a) Using the equation:

1/Requivalent = 1/R + 1/R2 + 1/R3

b) Applying successively the equation:

Requivalent = (R1 x R2)/(R1 + R2)

Which of the two methods do you find easier to use?

Method __________

5) Connect all resistors, shown in Figure 2.5, in parallel.

Figure 2.5 Figure 2.6

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6) The circuit of Figure 2.6 has 5 resistors and 3 switches. For
each of the various switch conditions (open or closed) given in Table 2.1.
Calculate the resistance value between terminals A and B. Draw the
equivalent circuit and show your calculations for each condition.

Table 2.1
Switches Equivalent Circuit and
Open Closed Calculation of Equivalent Resistance
SW1
SW2 Requivalent = __________ ohms
SW3
SW1 SW3
SW2 Requivalent = __________ ohms

SW3 SW1
SW2 Requivalent = __________ ohms

SW1 SW2
SW3 Requivalent = __________ ohms

Reference: Electricity-Electronics Fundamentals

By Paul B. Zbar – pp. 30 - 46

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