Chapter 5 Series dc Circuits

Introductory Circuit Analysis

Robert L. Boylestad

5.1 - Introduction

Two types of current are readily available, direct current

(dc) and sinusoidal alternating current (ac)
We will first consider direct current (dc)
Insert Fig 5.1

Introduction

If a wire is an ideal conductor, the potential

difference (V) across the resistor will equal the
applied voltage of the battery.

V (volts) = E (volts)

Current is limited only by the resistor (R). The

higher the resistance, the less the current.

5.2 - Series Resistors

The total resistance of a series

configuration is the sum of the resistance
levels.

RT R1 R2 R3 R4 ... RN

The more resistors we add in series, the

greater the resistance (no matter what
their value).

Series Resistors

When series resistors have the same value,

RT NR

Where N = the number of resistors in the string.

The total series resistance is not affected by the order in
which the components are connected.

5.3 Series Circuits

Total resistance (RT) is all the source

sees.
Once RT is known, the current drawn
from the source can be determined using
Ohms law:

E
Is
RT

Since E is fixed, the magnitude of the

source current will be totally dependent
on the magnitude of RT .

Series Circuits

The polarity of the voltage across a resistor is

determined by the direction of the current.

V1 IR1

V2 IR2

V3 IR3

When measuring voltage, start with a scale that will

ensure that the reading is lower than the maximum
value of the scale. Then work your way down until a
reading with the highest level of precision is made.

5.4 Power Distribution in a Series

Circuit

The power applied by the dc supply must equal that

dissipated by the resistive elements.

PE PR1 PR2 ... PRN

5.5 - Voltage Sources in Series

Voltage sources can be connected in series to
increase or decrease the total voltage applied to
the system.
Net voltage is determined by summing the
sources having the same polarity and subtracting
the total of the sources having the opposite
polarity.

5.6 - Kirchhoffs Voltage Law

Kirchhoffs voltage law (KVL) states that the
algebraic sum of the potential rises and drops
around a closed loop (or path) is zero.

Kirchhoffs Voltage Law

The applied voltage of a series circuit equals the sum of the voltage
drops across the series elements:

rises

Vdrops

The sum of the rises around a closed loop must equal the sum of the drops.

The application of Kirchhoffs voltage law need not follow a path

that includes current-carrying elements.

When applying Kirchhoffs voltage law, be sure to concentrate on the

polarities of the voltage rise or drop rather than on the type of element.
Do not treat a voltage drop across a resistive element differently from a
voltage drop across a source.

5.7 Voltage Division in a Series Circuit

The voltage across the resistive elements will divide as

the magnitude of the resistance levels.

The greater the value of a resistor in a series circuit, the

more of the applied voltage it will capture.

Voltage Divider Rule (VDR)

The VDR permits determining the voltage levels of a circuit

without first finding the current.

E
VX R X
RT

Voltage Division in a Series Circuit

The voltage across a resistor in a series circuit is
equal to the value of the resistor times the total
impressed voltage across the series elements divided
by the total resistance of the series elements.
The rule can be extended to voltage across two or
more series elements if the resistance includes total
resistance of the series elements that the voltage is
to be found across.

5.8 - Interchanging Series

Elements

Elements of a series circuit can be interchanged without

affecting the total resistance, current, or power to each
element
In the Figures below, resistors 2 and 3 are interchanged
without affecting the total resistance
Insert Fig 5.19

Insert Fig 5.20

5.9 - Notation
Voltage sources and grounds

Ground symbol
Voltage source symbol

Notation

Double-subscript notation

Because voltage is an across variable and exists between

two points, the double-subscript notation defines differences in
potential.
The double-subscript notation Vab specifies point a as the
higher potential. If this is not the case, a negative sign must be
associated with the magnitude of Vab .
The voltage Vab is the voltage at point (a) with respect to point
(b).

Notation

Single-subscript notation

The single-subscript notation Va specifies the voltage

at point a with respect to ground (zero volts). If the
voltage is less than zero volts, a negative sign must
be associated with the magnitude of Va .

Notation

General Relationship

If the voltage at points a and b are known with

respect to ground, then the voltage Vab can be
determined using the following equation:

Vab = Va V b

5.10 Voltage Regulation and the Internal

Resistance of Voltage Sources
The ideal voltage source has no internal resistance and
an output voltage of E volts with no load or full load.
Every practical voltage source (generator, battery, or
laboratory supply) has some internal resistance.

Voltage across the internal resistance lowers the source

output voltage when a load is connected.
For any chosen interval of voltage or current, the magnitude
of the internal resistance is given by

Rint = VL / IL

Voltage Regulation and the Internal Resistance of

Voltage Sources

For any supply, ideal conditions dictate that for a

range of load demand (IL), the terminal voltage
remains fixed in magnitude.
If a supply is set at 12 V, it is desirable that it maintain this
terminal voltage, even though the current demand on the
supply may vary.
Voltage regulation (VR) characteristics are measures of
how closely a supply will come to maintaining a supply
voltage between the limits of full-load and no-load
conditions.

Voltage Regulation and the Internal

Resistance of Voltage Sources

Ideal conditions: VFL = VNL and VR = 0%

The lower the voltage regulation, the less the

variation in terminal voltage with changes in
load

VNL VFL
VR
100%
VFL

5.11 Loading Effects of Instruments

For an up-scale (analog meter) or positive (digital meter)

reading an ammeter must be connected with current entering
the positive terminal and leaving the negative terminal
Ammeters are placed in series with the branch in which the
current is to be measured

Loading Effects of Instruments

Voltmeters are always hooked up across the element for which the
voltage is to be determined
For a double-script notation: Always hook up the red lead to the
first subscript and the black lead to the second.
For a single-subscript notation: Hook up the red lead to the point
of interest and the black lead to the ground

5.13 Applications

Holiday lights
Holiday lights are connected in series if one wire
enters and leaves the casing.
If one of the filaments burns out or is broken, all of
the lights go out unless a fuse link is used.

A fuse link is a soft conducting metal with a coating on it

that breaks down if the bulb burn out, causing the bulb to
be by-passed, thus only one bulb goes out.

Applications

Microwave oven
A series circuit can be very useful in the design of
safety equipment.
In a microwave, it is very dangerous if the oven door
is not closed or sealed properly. Microwaves use a
series circuit with magnetic switches on the door to
ensure that the door is properly closed.
Magnetic switches are switches where the magnet
draws a magnetic conducting bar between two
conductors to complete the circuit.

Applications
A Series Alarm Circuit