Everything about Parallel Circuit totally explained
If two or more circuit components are connected end to end like a daisy chain, it's said they're connected in
series. A series circuit is a single path for
electric current through all of its components.
If two or more circuit components are connected like the rungs of a ladder it's said they're connected in
parallel. A parallel circuit is a different path for current through each of its components. A parallel circuit provides the same
voltage across all its components.
As an example, consider a very simple circuit consisting of four light bulbs and one 6 V
battery. If a wire joins the battery to one bulb, to the next bulb, to the next bulb, to the next bulb, then back to the battery, in one continuous loop, the bulbs are said to be in series. If each bulb is wired to the battery in a separate loop, the bulbs are said to be in parallel. If the four light bulbs are connected in series the same current flows in all of them; each light bulb experiences about 1.5 V. If two light bulbs are connected in parallel, the currents flowing through the two light bulbs combine to form the current flowing in the battery; each light bulb experiences 6 V.
Series circuits
Series circuits are sometimes called
current-coupled or
daisy chain-coupled. The
current that flows in a series circuit has to flow through every component in the circuit. Therefore, all of the components in a series connection carry the same current.
Resistors
To find the total
resistance of all the components, add the individual resistances of each component:
»
Switches
Two or more
switches in parallel form a
logical OR; the circuit carries current if at least one switch is 'on'. See
OR gate.
Applications
Series circuits were formerly used for lighting in
electric multiple unit trains. For example, if the supply voltage was 600 volts there might be eight 70 volt bulbs in series (total 560 volts) plus a
resistor to drop the remaining 40 volts. Series circuits for train lighting were superseded, first by
motor-generators, then by
solid state devices.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Parallel Circuit'.
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