Series Vs Parallel
Series, Parallel and How it affects the output
Resistors In Series
Resistors are said to be connected in “Series”, when they are chained together in a single line. Since the current flowing through the first resistor has no other way to go it must also pass through the second resistor. Resistors in series have a Common Current flowing through them as the current that flows through one resistor must also flow through the others.
“By putting resistors in series, you always get a larger resistor.”
The resistance of two resistors in series can be calculated using the equation below.
“When using this equation it is important to work in like units
I.e. R = 2k Ohm + 1k Ohm and not R= 1k Ohm + 1 Ohm.”
R=Ohm = 1 Ohm
k =Kilo-Ohms = 1000 Ohms
M=Mega-Ohms= 1,000,000 Ohm
Resistors In Parallel
Resistors are said to be connected together in parallel when both of their terminals are connected to each terminal of the other resistor. With capacitors in series, the charging current ( iC ) flowing through the capacitors is THE SAME for all capacitors as it only has one path to follow Since there are multiple paths for the supply current to flow through, the current may not be the same through all the branches in the parallel network.
“By putting resistors in parallel, you always get a smaller resistor.”
The resistance of two resistors in Parallel can be calculated using the equation below.
“When using this equation it is important to work in like units
I.e. R = 2k Ohm + 1k Ohm and not R= 1k Ohm + 1 Ohm.”
R=Ohm = 1 Ohm
k =Kilo-Ohms = 1000 Ohms
M=Mega-Ohms= 1,000,000 Ohm
Capacitors In Series
Capacitors are connected together in series when they are daisy chained together in a single line. Capacitors in series the charging current flowing through the capacitors is the same for all capacitors as it only has one path to follow. Therefore each capacitor will store the same amount of electrical charge on its plates regardless of its capacitance. This is because the charge stored by a plate of any one capacitor must have come from the plate of its adjacent capacitor. Therefore, capacitors connected together in series must have the same charge.
“By putting capacitors in series, you always get a smaller capacitance.”
The capacitance of two capacitors in series can be calculated using the equation below.
Capacitors In Parallel
Capacitors are connected together in parallel when both of its terminals are connected to each terminal of another capacitor. The voltage connected across all the capacitors that are connected in parallel is the same. Capacitors in parallel have a common voltage supply across them. When capacitors are connected together in parallel the total capacitance in the circuit is equal to the sum of all the individual capacitors added together. Then the total capacitance value of the capacitors connected together in parallel is actually calculated by sum of all the individual capacitance’s.
“By putting capacitors in series, you always get a larger capacitance.”
The capacitance of two capacitors in parallel can be calculated using the equation below.
