Dr.
Mohammed El-Said
Professor of Electric power system
Faculty of Engineering, Mansoura University
Series Resistors and Voltage Division
The two resistors are in series,
since the same current i flows
in both of them.
Applying Ohm’s law to each
of the resistors, we obtain
Apply KVL:
, v = i.Req
The two resistors can be replaced by an equivalent
resistor Req ; that is,
Req= R1 + R2
The equivalent resistance of any number of resistors
connected in series is the sum of the individual resistances.
For N resistors in series,
Voltage Divider:
To determine the voltage across each resistor
v1= i.R1, v2=i.R2
Parallel Resistors and Current Division
Two resistors are connected in
parallel if they have the same voltage
across them.
Applying KCL at node a gives the total current i as
5
The general case of a circuit with N resistors in parallel
In terms of conductance
Current Divider:
If R2 = 0; that is a short circuit;
1. The equivalent resistance Req = 0.
2. The entire current flows through
the short circuit.
Suppose R2 = ∞; that is an open circuit
The current still flows through the path
of least resistance. Req = R1
Series vs Parallel Circuits
Series Circuit Parallel Circuit
Current only has one There are multiple paths for
path to flow through. the current to flow through.
Which is better? Series or Parallel?
Series Connection:
The more devices (resistors) in a series circuit, the less
current passes through (dimmer bulbs).
If one resistor breaks (a bulb goes out) the entire
series is turned off.
Parallel Connection
Most electrical loads are wired in parallel.
The total circuit resistance is reduced, and total
current increases.
This also increases the risk of fire.
This is why homes have fuses or circuit breakers.
Example 1 :
Find Req for the circuit shown in figure.
Example 2:
For the circuit shown in figure, calculate:
• Equivalent (total) circuit resistance.
• Current in each resistance.
• Power supplied by the source.
• Power consumed in the circuit.
• Now, if a short circuit occurs at terminal (c&b), calculate
circuit current.
• If an open circuit occurs at the terminals of 3Ω
resistance, find circuit current and the open circuit voltage.
Solution:
Step 1: Combine the two resistors
that are in parallel
Re1=6x3/(9) = 2 Ω
Yielding,
Step 2: Combine the two resistors that are in series
RT = 2+4= 6 Ω
Current through 6 Ω resistor =18/6= 3A
= current in 4 Ω and 2 Ω (connected in series).
Vcb=3x2=6 V
Vac=I.R=3x4=12 V
Vac + Vcb=18 V
To find the current through
the resistors of the parallel
section of the initial circuit,
we use the fact that both
resistors have the same
voltage drop (6 Volts)
I6Ω =6/6= 1A
I3 Ω =6/3= 2A
Or, using current divider:
I6Ω = 3x3/9=1A
I3Ω =3x6/9= 2A
The power supplied by the source:
P= I.E=3x18 = 54 W
The power consumed in the circuit
=Power consumed in each resistor
= Power consumed in total circuit resistance
Consumed power=I2.RT = 32x6 = 54 W
Supplied power = Consumed Power
• For a short circuit occurs between (b&c):
R= 4Ω, I=18/4=4.5 A (high current)
• For an open circuit occurs:
R= 10 Ω ,
I=18/10= 1.8 A
Vcb = I.6 = 1.8x6=10.8 V,
= (6/10)x18=10.8 V (voltage divider)
Wye – Delta Transformation (Y-Δ)
Situations often arise in circuit
analysis when the resistors are
neither in parallel nor in series.
Delta to Wye Conversion (Δ-Y)
Wye to Delta Conversion (Y- Δ)
Ra= R2 + R3 + R2.R3/R1
Rb= R1 + R3 + R1.R3/R2
Rc= R1 + R2 + R1.R2/R3
Example 3 :
Find the current i for the circuit shown in Figure.
Solution :
Converting the Y network comprising from 5 Ω, 10 Ω and 20 Ω
to Δ connection, considering, R1=10Ω , R2=20Ω , R3=5Ω.
The Δ connection resistors are
Ra= R2 + R3 + R2.R3/R1 = 35Ω
Rb= R1 + R3 + R1.R3/R2 = 17.5 Ω
Rc= R1 + R2 + R1.R2/R3 = 70 Ω
22
Combining the three pairs of resistors in parallel, we obtain
● 70 in parallel with 30= 21Ω
● 12.5 in parallel with 17.5= 7.29Ω
● 15 in parallel with 35=10.5 Ω
The equivalent resistance as shown in Fig. b is
Rab= (7.29 + 10.5) Ω in parallel with 21 Ω
= 9.63 Ω
i= Vs/ Rab=120/9.63= 12.45A
Assignment:
For the previous example,
a-If the two nodes b, n are open circuit, find
- total circuit resistance and current in each branch.
-open circuit voltage.
b- If the two nodes b, n are short circuit, find:
- total circuit resistance.
- current in each branch.
