1. Unit 7 Parallel Circuits

2. Unit 7 Parallel Circuits
Objectives:
Discuss the characteristics of parallel circuits.
State the three rules for solving electrical values of resistance for parallel circuits.
Solve the missing values in a parallel circuit using the three rules and Ohm’s law.
Calculate current values using the current divider formula.

3. Unit 7 Parallel Circuits
Three Parallel Circuit Rules
The voltage drop across any branch is equal to the source voltage.
The total current is equal to the sum of the branch currents.
The total resistance is the reciprocal of the sum of the reciprocals of each individual branch.

4. Unit 7 Parallel Circuits
Parallel circuits are circuits that have more than one path for current to flow.
I (total current) = 3A + 2A + 1A = 6A
Figure 7-1

5. Unit 7 Parallel Circuits
Lights and receptacles are connected in parallel. Each light or receptacle needs 120 volts.
Panel
7-3

6. Unit 7 Parallel Circuits
The voltage drop across any branch of a parallel circuit is the same as the applied (source) voltage.
Panel
7-3

7. Unit 7 Parallel Circuits
The voltage drop across any branch of a parallel circuit is the same as the source voltage.
E = 120 V
Figure 7-4 with the values removed
E3 = 120 V
E1 = 120 V
E2 = 120 V

8. Unit 7 Parallel Circuits
Parallel Resistance Formulas
The Reciprocal Formula:
1/R(total) = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + 1/R3 …1/R(number)
The Resistors of Equal Value Formula:
R (total) = R (any resistor)/N (number of resistors)
The Product-Over-Sum Formula:
R (total) = (R1 x R2) / (R1 + R2)

9. Unit 7 Parallel Circuits
The Reciprocal Formula
The total resistance of a parallel circuit is the reciprocal of the sum of the reciprocals of the individual branches.
1/R(total) = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + 1/R3 …1/R(number)
Figure 7-4 with existing text removed and new text inserted
R (total) R1 R2 R3

10. Unit 7 Parallel Circuits
Reciprocal Formula Example
1/R(total) = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + 1/R3 …1/R(number)
1/R(total) = 1/50 = 1/ / /100
R (total) = 50 ohms
Figure 7-4 with existing text removed and new text inserted
Or Figure 7-10
R(total)50 Ω R1
150 Ω R2
300 Ω R3
100 Ω

11. Unit 7 Parallel Circuits
Resistors of Equal Value Formula
The total resistance of a parallel circuit is equal to the value of one resistor, divided by the number of resistors.
R (total) = R (any resistor) / N (number of resistors)
Figure 7-4 with existing text removed and new text inserted
R (total) R1 R2 R3

12. Unit 7 Parallel Circuits
Resistors of Equal Value Example
R (total) = R (any resistor)/ N (number of resistors)
R (total) = 24 (any resistor)/ 3 (number of resistors)
R (total) = 24/3 = 8 ohms
Figure 7-4 with existing text removed and new text inserted
Or figure 7-6
R (total)
8 Ω R1
24 Ω R2
24 Ω R3
24 Ω

13. Unit 7 Parallel Circuits
The Product-Over-Sum Formula
The total resistance of two resistors or branches is equal to the value of the product of the resistors divided by the sum of resistors.
R (total) = (R1 x R2) / (R1 + R2)
Figure 7-4 with existing text removed and new text inserted
R (total) R1 R2 R3

14. Unit 7 Parallel Circuits
Product Over Sum Formula Example
Step One:
R(2 & 3) = (R2 x R3) / (R2 + R3)
R(2 & 3) = (30 x 60) / ( ) = 1800 / 90
R(2 & 3) = 20 ohms
Figure 7-4 with existing text removed and new text inserted
Or Figure 7-7
R (total)
10 Ω R1
20 Ω R2
30 Ω R3
60 Ω

15. Unit 7 Parallel Circuits
Product-Over-Sum Formula Example
Step Two:
R(1 & 2 & 3) = R1 x R(2 & 3) / R1 + R(2 & 3)
R(1 & 2 & 3) = (20 x 20) / ( ) = 400 / 40 = 10
R(1 & 2 & 3) = 10 ohms = R (total)
Figure 7-4 with existing text removed and new text inserted
Or Figure 7-7
R (total)
10 Ω R1
20 Ω R2
30 Ω R3
60 Ω

16. Unit 7 Parallel Circuits
Product-Over-Sum Formula Review
The ohm value of two branches is combined.
This process is repeated using the combined ohm value with the next branch.
When all the branches are combined, this equals the total resistance.

17. Unit 7 Parallel Circuits
Current Divider Formula
I (unknown) = I (total) x R (total)/ R (unknown)
E = 120 V
I = 24 A
R = 5 Ω
P = 2880 W
E3 = 120 V
I3 = 4 A
R3 = 30 Ω
P3 = 360 W
Figure 7-4 with existing text removed and new text inserted
E1 = 120 V
I1 = 8 A
R1 = 15 Ω
P1 = 960 W
E2 = 120 V
I2 = 12 A
R2 = 10 Ω
P2 = 120 W

18. Unit 7 Parallel Circuits
Current Divider Formula Example
I (unknown) = I (total) x R (total)/ R (unknown)
Find I1, I2, and I3.
E = 160 V
I = 2 A
R = 80 Ω
P = 320 W
E3 = 160 V
I3 = ? A
R3 = 120 Ω
P3 = 360 W
Figure 7-4 with existing text removed and new text inserted
E1 = 160 V
I1 = ? A
R1 = 1200 Ω
P1 = 960 W
E2 = 160 V
I2 = ? A
R2 = 300 Ω
P2 = 120 W

19. Unit 7 Parallel Circuits
Current Divider Formula Example
I (unknown) = I (total) x R (total)/R (unknown)
I1 = 2 x (80/1200) = .133 amps
E = 160 V
I = 2 A
R = 80 Ω
P = 320 W
E3 = 160 V
I3 = ? A
R3 = 120 Ω
P3 = 360 W
Figure 7-4 with existing text removed and new text inserted
E1 = 160 V
I1 = .133 A
R1 = 1200 Ω
P1 = 960 W
E2 = 160 V
I2 = ? A
R2 = 300 Ω
P2 = 120 W

20. Unit 7 Parallel Circuits
Current Divider Formula Example
I (unknown) = I (total) x R (total)/R (unknown)
I2 = 2 x (80/300) = .533 amps
E = 160 V
I = 2 A
R = 80 Ω
P = 320 W
E3 = 160 V
I3 = ? A
R3 = 120 Ω
P3 = 360 W
Figure 7-4 with existing text removed and new text inserted
E1 = 160 V
I1 = .133 A
R1 = 1200 Ω
P1 = 960 W
E2 = 160 V
I2 = .533 A
R2 = 300 Ω
P2 = 120 W

21. Unit 7 Parallel Circuits
Current Divider Formula Example
I (unknown) = I (total) x R (total)/R (unknown)
I3 = 2 x (80/120) = 1.33 amps
E = 160 V
I = 2 A
R = 80 Ω
P = 320 W
E3 = 160 V
I3 = 1.33 A
R3 = 120 Ω
P3 = 360 W
Figure 7-4 with existing text removed and new text inserted
E1 = 160 V
I1 = .133 A
R1 = 1200 Ω
P1 = 960 W
E2 = 160 V
I2 = .5 A
R2 = 300 Ω
P2 = 120 W

22. Unit 7 Parallel Circuits
Review:
Parallel circuits have more than one circuit path or branch.
The total current is equal to the sum of the branch currents.
The voltage drop across any branch is equal to the source voltage.
The total resistance is less than any branch resistance.

23. Unit 7 Parallel Circuits
Review:
The total resistance can be found using the reciprocal formula.
The product-over-sum formula and the resistors of equal value formula are special formulas.
Circuits in homes are connected in parallel.

24. Unit 7 Parallel Circuits
Review:
The total power is equal to the sum of the resistors’ power.
Parallel circuits are current dividers.
The amount of current flow through each branch of a parallel circuit is inversely proportional to its resistance.