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:

• Watch Video of Parallel Circuits on my YouTube channel
• Watch Simulation of a Parallel Circuit on my TinkerCAD
• Read about Series Circuits on my Blog
• Follow me on Instagram: ilm.mubasher