Trystan Casey
When wiring electrical components, there are two basic ways to connect them: in series or in parallel. In a series circuit, all components are connected end-to-end, forming a single path for the current to flow. In contrast, a parallel circuit is constructed by connecting the terminals of all the individual load devices so that the same value of voltage appears across each component. This means that the electric current has multiple paths to flow through. In this setup, the components are connected across each other, forming exactly two sets of electrically common points.
Characteristics and Values of Parallel Circuits
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Components | Connected across each other with two electrically common nodes |
| Voltage | Same across all components |
| Current | Total is the sum of the individual branch currents |
| Resistance | Lower than any of the individual branch resistances |
| Applications | Used in homes and offices, batteries, solar electric systems, and computers |
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What You'll Learn
Parallel circuits and Ohm's Law
In electrical wiring, the term "parallel" refers to a type of circuit in which all components are connected across each other, forming exactly two sets of electrically common points. This is in contrast to a series circuit, where components are connected end-to-end, creating a single path for current flow.
Now, let's delve into the topic of "Parallel Circuits and Ohm's Law" in detail:
Parallel Circuits:
In a parallel circuit, the components are connected across each other's leads, creating multiple paths for electric current flow. This means that the circuit can continue to function even if one component is disconnected or fails. This is a key advantage of parallel circuits, ensuring that if one appliance or device stops working, the others remain operational.
Ohm's Law:
Ohm's Law is a fundamental principle in electrical engineering that describes the relationship between voltage (V), current (I), and resistance (R) in an electrical circuit. It is represented by the equation: V = IR, where V is voltage, I is current, and R is resistance.
In a parallel circuit, the application of Ohm's Law involves understanding three key principles: voltage, current, and resistance.
- Voltage: In a parallel circuit, the voltage is equal across all components. This is because there are two electrically common nodes, and the voltage between these common points is always the same.
- Current: The total current in the circuit is the sum of all the individual branch currents. When a current flows through multiple paths in a parallel circuit, it divides into separate branches, and the total current is the sum of the currents in each branch.
- Resistance: The total resistance of a parallel circuit is less than any of the individual branch resistances. Adding a resistor in parallel reduces the total equivalent resistance. This is the opposite of a series circuit, where the total resistance is the sum of individual resistances.
By applying Ohm's Law (V = IR) to a parallel circuit, you can calculate the current, voltage, or resistance at any point in the circuit. For example, if you know the voltage across a resistor and its resistance, you can use Ohm's Law to find the current through that resistor.
It is important to note that when working with complex circuits, it is easy to misapply Ohm's Law equations. Always ensure that the variables used in the equations are common to the same two points in the circuit. This is especially crucial in parallel circuits, where nearby components may have different values for voltage and current.
Practical Applications:
Parallel circuits are commonly used in homes and office buildings to ensure that appliances receive the correct voltage. Computers also contain numerous tiny series and parallel circuits working together. Fuses and circuit breakers are examples of series circuits controlling parallel circuits.
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Parallel vs. series circuits
When there are two or more electrical devices in a circuit with an energy source, there are two basic ways to connect them: in series or in parallel combinations.
Series Circuits
In a series circuit, all components are connected end-to-end, forming a single path for the current flow. Each component in a series circuit shares one electrical node with its nearest neighbour. The defining characteristic of a series circuit is that all components have the same current flowing through them.
A series circuit is said to be 'current-coupled', meaning that the current in the series circuit goes through every component. Therefore, all the components in a series connection carry the same current.
If one bulb in a series circuit burns out, the entire circuit is broken. For example, if one bulb in a string of decorative lights fuses, all the bulbs in the series will not light up.
Parallel Circuits
In a parallel circuit, all components are connected across each other, forming exactly two sets of electrically common points. This means that the same voltage is dropped across all components in a parallel circuit.
A parallel circuit is said to be 'current-divided'. The current flowing from the source will be divided into the current flowing through each component.
If light bulbs are connected in parallel, the currents through the light bulbs combine to form the current in the battery. If one bulb burns out, the rest will still function.
Applications of Series and Parallel Circuits
Both types of circuits are needed to power and control appliances. For example, offices use parallel circuits to power appliances, but series circuits control the power. Fuses and circuit breakers are an example of series circuits controlling operating parallel circuits. Computers contain millions of tiny series and parallel circuits working together.
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How to wire a circuit in parallel
A parallel circuit is defined by its components being connected across each other, forming exactly two sets of electrically common points. This means that the same voltage is dropped across all components in a parallel circuit.
In a series circuit, all components are connected end-to-end, forming a single path for current flow. In contrast, a parallel circuit allows the current to flow through multiple paths. The current flowing from the source will be divided into the current flowing through each of these components.
Parallel circuits are used in homes and office buildings to ensure that every appliance matches the correct voltage at every outlet.
To wire a circuit in parallel, you will need to connect the components across each other's leads, creating branches that split from the supply wires or rails. Each branch will receive the full supply voltage, and the currents going through each branch will sum up to the supply's current.
For example, if you have three branches, with two of them containing three LEDs each and the third containing two LEDs, you will need to calculate the current-limiting resistors for each branch to prevent too high a current from flowing through the diodes.
It is important to note that when connecting more than two circuit components, you can combine series and parallel connections to create more complex series-parallel circuits.
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Applications of parallel circuits
In a parallel circuit, all components are connected across each other, forming exactly two sets of electrically common points. Each component has the same voltage across it, equal to the voltage across the network. The total current is the sum of the currents flowing through each component.
Household and Office Buildings
Parallel circuits are commonly used in homes and offices to ensure that every appliance matches the correct voltage at every outlet. For instance, if you have four light bulbs connected in parallel to a 12-volt battery, each bulb will be wired to the battery in a separate loop, receiving the same voltage of 3 volts.
Powering Appliances
Offices use parallel circuits to power appliances, while series circuits control the power. For example, fuses and circuit breakers are series circuits that control operating parallel circuits.
Portable Radios
Parallel-connected batteries were once widely used to power valve filaments in portable radios.
Rechargeable Batteries
Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries, such as laptop batteries, are often connected in parallel to increase the ampere-hour rating.
Solar Electric Systems
Some solar electric systems use batteries in parallel to increase storage capacity.
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Voltage, current, and resistance in parallel circuits
In electrical wiring, a parallel connection is when the components are connected across each other's leads, forming exactly two electrically common nodes with the same voltage across each component. In a parallel circuit, the electric current has multiple paths to flow through.
Now, let's delve into the specifics of voltage, current, and resistance in parallel circuits:
Voltage:
In a parallel circuit, all the components share the same electrical nodes. Consequently, the voltage across all the components remains the same. This means that the voltage drop across each component is identical. For instance, if you have three resistors (R1, R2, and R3) in a parallel configuration, the voltage across R1, R2, and R3 will be equal.
Current:
The total current in a parallel circuit is calculated by summing the individual branch currents. As the total current exits the positive terminal of the battery, it splits into multiple paths, flowing through each component. The combined flow rates of these individual branch currents equal the total current flowing in the circuit.
Resistance:
The total resistance of a parallel circuit is always less than any of the individual branch resistances. Each resistor added in parallel reduces the total equivalent resistance of the circuit. This is in contrast to a series circuit, where the total resistance is the sum of the individual resistances.
In summary, parallel circuits exhibit constant voltage across all components, with the total current being the sum of the individual branch currents. Additionally, the total resistance in a parallel circuit is lower than that of any single branch. These principles are essential for understanding and applying Ohm's law in parallel circuits.
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Frequently asked questions
Parallel circuits are a type of electrical wiring where all components are connected across each other, forming two electrically common nodes.
In a series circuit, all components are connected end-to-end, forming a single path for current flow. In contrast, a parallel circuit has multiple paths for the current to flow through.
A simple example of a parallel circuit is four light bulbs connected to a 12-volt battery. If each bulb is wired to the battery in a separate loop, they are said to be in parallel.
Parallel circuits are commonly used in homes and offices. They ensure that every appliance matches the correct voltage at every outlet. They are also used in computers, where millions of tiny series and parallel circuits work together.
