Resistors in Series and Parallel

Resistors in Series and Parallel

But what if we want to connect various resistors together in BOTH parallel and series
combinations within the same circuit to produce more complex resistive networks, how do we
calculate the combined or total circuit resistance, currents and voltages for these resistive
combinations.
Resistor circuits that combine series and parallel resistors networks together are generally known
as Resistor Combination or mixed resistor circuits. The method of calculating the circuits
equivalent resistance is the same as that for any individual series or parallel circuit and hopefully
we now know that resistors in series carry exactly the same current and that resistors in parallel
have exactly the same voltage across them.
For example, in the following circuit calculate the total current ( IT ) taken from the 12v supply.

At first glance this may seem a difficult task, but if we look a little closer we can see that the two
resistors, R2 and R3 are actually both connected together in a SERIES combination so we can
add them together to produce an equivalent resistance the same as we did in the series resistor
tutorial. The resultant resistance for this combination would therefore be:
R2 + R3 = 8 + 4 = 12

So we can replace both resistor R2 and R3 above with a single resistor of resistance value 12

So our circuit now has a single resistor RA in PARALLEL with the resistor R4. Using our
resistors in parallel equation we can reduce this parallel combination to a single equivalent
resistor value of R(combination) using the formula for two parallel connected resistors as follows.

The resultant resistive circuit now looks something like this:

We can see that the two remaining resistances, R1 and R(comb) are connected together in a
SERIES combination and again they can be added together (resistors in series) so that the total
circuit resistance between points A and B is therefore given as:
R( A B ) = Rcomb + R1 = 6 + 6 = 12 .

and a single resistance of just 12 can be used to replace the original four resistors connected
together in the original circuit.
Now by using Ohms Law, the value of the circuit current ( I ) is simply calculated as:

So any complicated resistive circuit consisting of several resistors can be reduced to a simple
single circuit with only one equivalent resistor by replacing all the resistors connected together in
series or in parallel using the steps above.
It is sometimes easier with complex resistor combinations and resistive networks to sketch or
redraw the new circuit after these changes have been made, as this helps as a visual aid to the
maths. Then continue to replace any series or parallel combinations until one equivalent
resistance, REQ is found. Lets try another more complex resistor combination circuit.

Resistors in Series and Parallel Example No2

Again, at first glance this resistor ladder network may seem a complicated task, but as before it is
just a combination of series and parallel resistors connected together. Starting from the right hand
side and using the simplified equation for two parallel resistors, we can find the equivalent
resistance of the R8 to R10 combination and call it RA.

RA is in series with R7 therefore the total resistance will be RA + R7 = 4 + 8 = 12 as shown.

This resistive value of 12 is now in parallel with R6 and can be calculated as RB.

RB is in series with R5 therefore the total resistance will be RB + R5 = 4 + 4 = 8 as shown.

This resistive value of 8 is now in parallel with R4 and can be calculated as RC as shown.

RC is in series with R3 therefore the total resistance will be RC + R3 = 8 as shown.

This resistive value of 8 is now in parallel with R2 from which we can calculated RD as.

RD is in series with R1 therefore the total resistance will be RD + R1 = 4 + 6 = 10 as shown.

Then the complex combinational resistive network above comprising of ten individual resistors
connected together in series and parallel combinations can be replaced with just one single
equivalent resistance ( REQ ) of value 10.
When solving any combinational resistor circuit that is made up of resistors in series and parallel
branches, the first step we need to take is to identify the simple series and parallel resistor
branches and replace them with equivalent resistors. This step will allow us to reduce the
complexity of the circuit and help us transform a complex combinational resistive circuit into a
single equivalent resistance remembering that series circuits are voltage dividers and parallel
circuits are current dividers.

CIRCUIT SIMPLIFICATION USING EQUIVALENT COMPONENTS

We can take what looks like a difficult circuit and simplify it to a single resistor. We will use simple
values for the first simplification of a larger circuit.

Figure6-7

See Figure 67 as the original circuit. Just by looking at it, we may not be able to tell how much current
flows through each component or how much voltage is dropped across each component. By simplifying
to a single resistor and then rebuilding back to the original, we can find all component values. First decide
what parts of the circuit are in parallel with each other and which components are in series with each
other. In this example, we have a parallel circuit: R1 and R2, in series with R3. Now the series circuit,
consisting of the first three resistors, is in series with the next section of the parallel resistors R4, R5, R6,
and R7. The way this is drawn, with all components aligned vertically, it is easier to see the relationships.

Figure6-8

To simplify, combine the R1 and R2 into one equivalent resistor by using parallel circuit resistance rules.
You may use products over sum, reciprocal, equal value resistor, or even assumed voltage if you wish.
The two 50 resistors combine to form one equivalent 25 resistor (Figure 68).

It is often difficult to see the series and parallel relationships between components because they are
physically connected in convoluted patterns. If you can redraw your more complex combination circuits
so that the components are in vertical representations, it is sometimes easier to see the relationships. You
may have to redraw several times to actually make the connecting lines look like the traditional series or
parallel connections we see in schematic views of the diagram.

Point A to point B would act like a 25 ohm resistor. Then combine all four resistors in parallel between
points C and D. Again, use the parallel resistance rules to create one equivalent resistor of 25 ohms
(Figure 68). Now we add all resistors using series resistors rules to yield one equivalent circuit total
resistor (Figure 69).

Figure6-9

The circuit acts like a load of one 100 ohm resistor. With the voltage of 100 VDC applied, the total
current supplied to the circuit is 1 A

Equation9

Now we can track the 1 A through the circuit. As the circuit current flow of 1 A gets to point A, it splits
two ways: part goes through R1 and part flows through R2. How much goes each way? To decide, we go
back to the equivalent 25 resistor. Remember, the circuit acts like one resistor at this point. The voltage
across the equivalent resistor is found by I X R = E, or 1 A X 25 = 25 V. Therefore, 25 V drop across
this part of the circuit A to B. Now that we know the voltage, we can determine how much current would
flow through each branch of the parallel circuit:

Equation10

or

Equation11

through R1 and the same through R2, because it is the same resistance value. At point B, the currents join
to create the 1 A of total circuit again. The 1 A flows through the R3 resistance of 50 to create a voltage
drop of 50 V. We now know that R3 is 50 , it has 1 A flowing through it, and it drops 50 V across it from
point B to point C. For the last section (point C to point D), we go back to the equivalent resistance
(Figure 68). The four 100 resistors create an equivalent resistor of 25 . Therefore, the current through
the equivalent 25 drops 25 V across this section C to D. Again, if we know the voltage across the
individual component (which is 25 V according to the parallel voltage rules) and if we know the
component resistance, we can calculate the component current with

Equation12

For any resistor R4, R5, R6, R7, the component resistance is:

Equation13

The current splits four ways equally in this circuit because the resistors are all equal. If the resistors are
not equal values, the current does not split equally. At point D, the currents all collect to return to the
circuit current of 1 A that flows back to the source. To double-check, we should be able to account for all
of the voltage, as in Kirchhoffs laws. Referring to Figure 68, we can see that the circuit from A to B
drops 25 V, B to C drops 50 V, and C to D drops 25 V, accounting for the total supply voltage.
SOLVING MORE COMPLEX COMBINATION CIRCUITS

Reducing a more complicated circuit to its equivalent series resistor is performed much the same way as
previously described. The process can be structured to maintain a consistent approach. Table 61 outlines
the general steps involved.

The circuit shown in Figure 610 will be reduced to its equivalent series resistor.

Figure6-10

Each section will be reduced individually and the circuit redrawn to show the equivalent circuit until only
one resistor remains. The first task is to determine which series resistors may be combined. In this circuit,
only R4 and R5 may be combined as series connected resistors. Again, the rule for series is that there is
only one path for current to pass through the components. For the current to flow from point C to point F,
it will flow through series components R4 and R5. The equivalent resistance of R4 and R5 is R4,5.

Equation14

Figure6-11Figure6-12Figure6-13

Table6-1

The circuit may then be redrawn (Figure 611), with the equivalent resistance drawn in place of R4 and
R5. The next step is to combine any parallel portions of the circuit. The parallel parts of the circuit are R1
to R2 and R6 to R7 (Figures 612 and 613). Using the product over sum equation:

Equation15

and

Equation16

Now redraw the circuit, combining the two parallel branch circuits into their respective equivalent
resistances (Figure 614).

Figure6-14

Next, because R1,2 and R3 are in series in one branch and R4,5 and R6,7 are in series in another branch,
the rules for series addition of resistors are applied (Figures 615 and 616).

Figure6-15Figure6-16

The result is:

Equation17

and

Equation18

The result is redrawn or simplified (Figure 617).

Figure6-17

Now, in this simplified schematic, it shows that R4,5,6,7 and R9 are in parallel (Figure 618).

Figure6-18

The product over sum equation can be used as follows:

Equation19

The redrawn circuit is shown in Figure 619.

Figure6-19

Figure 620 shows the series combination of resistors R4,5,6,7,9 in series with R8.

Equation20

Figure6-20

The result (Figure 621) is a simple parallel circuit with two resistors.

Figure6-21

The product over sum equation is used one final time to create the final result (Figure 622):

Equation21

Figure6-22

This is the equivalent resistance from Figure 610. The nine resistors from the original circuit appear as
one single resistive source in Figure 622. This simplification process allows us to break very complex
circuits down to manageable levels. At this point, we do not know what the voltages are or what the
current is through each component, but the process allows us to analyze this one step at a time. We will
now reconstruct the original circuit and apply the appropriate series and parallel circuit rules.