Sunday, November 6, 2022

Series Circuit Calculations

What is a Series Circuit?


A Series Circuit is a circuit in which the current has a single path to flow.

Calculating a Series Circuit:


We can calculate voltage, resistance and current across a Series Circuit using Ohm's law & then check the calculations using a multimeter. Here are the steps:
  • Draw the Series Circuit showing voltage and resistors.

  • Draw a table with columns for all the resistors, voltage, impedance (current) and their total.
  • First, calculate the total resistance using the following formula:
            Rt = R1 + R2
  • Next we will calculate the total current using Ohm's law.
            It = Vt/Rt
            The answer will be in Amperes. We can multiply the answer by 1000 to make it milliamperes.
  • Calculate the voltage across each resistor using Ohm's Law:
            V1 = I1 x R1 
  • Calculate current across each resistor using Ohm's Law:
            I1 = V1/R1

Conclusion:

In a Series Circuit, the Voltage is divided but the Current remains the same.

Verification:

You can test your calculations by using a multimeter on a real circuit or it's simulation in Tinkercad.

More Information:


Parallel Circuit Calculations

 

What is a Parallel Circuit?


A Parallel Circuit is a circuit in which the current has multiple paths to flow.

Calculating a Parallel Circuit:


We can calculate voltage, resistance and current across a Parallel Circuit using Ohm's law & then check the calculations using a multimeter. Here are the steps:
  • Draw the Parallel Circuit showing voltage and resistors.

  • Draw a table with columns for al the resistors, voltage, impedance (current) and their total.
  • First, calculate the total resistance using the following formula:
            1/Rt = 1/R1 + 1/R2
  • Next we will calculate the total current using Ohm's law.
            It = Vt/Rt
         The answer will be in Amperes. We can multiply the answer by 1000 to make it milliamperes.
  • Calculate current across each resistor using Ohm's Law:
            I1 = V1/R1
  • Calculate the voltage across each resistor using Ohm's Law:
            V1 = I1 x R1

Conclusion:

In a Parallel Circuit, the Current is divided but the Voltage remains the same.

Verification:

You can test your calculations by using a multimeter on a real circuit or it's simulation in Tinkercad.

More Information:


Series Circuit Calculations

What is a Series Circuit? A Series Circuit is a circuit in which the current has a single path to flow. Calculating a Series Circuit: We can...