Experiment 3

SERIES RESISTIVE AND PARALLEL

RESISTIVE CIRCUITS

ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE

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 CHE 3151 L

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES

1. Connect and evaluate various AC
and DC electrical circuits

2. Operate electrical equipment,

apparatus and instruments for
testing and measuring

3. Troubleshoot various DC circuits

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING using basic techniques as well as
AND ARCHITECTURE analytical troubleshooting
procedures.

4. Apply direct current concepts in

the analysis of advanced electrical
engineering topics through
experiments.
BASIC ELECTRICAL AND
5. Describe the significance of a
ELECTRONICS direct current circuit and its
ENGINEERING (LAB) electrical parameters or elements.

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 Experiment 3
SERIES RESISTIVE AND PARALLEL RESISTIVE CIRCUITS

At the end of this experiment, the student should be able to:

TLO 1: Identify series circuits.

TLO 2: Calculate and measure the resistance of a series circuit.
TLO 3: Measure the current flow in a series circuit using an ammeter.
TLO 4: Measure the voltage drops in a series circuit using a voltmeter.
TLO 5: Identify parallel circuits.
TLO 6: Calculate and measure the resistance of a parallel circuit.
TLO 7: Measure the current flow in a parallel circuit, and measure the voltage
across parallel resistors.
TLO 8: Determine that a parallel circuit has more than one path for current flow,
using an ammeter and miniature lamps.

INTRODUCTION:

Resistance in a circuit may or may not be desirable. For example, the wire used to
connect components in a circuit has a small amount of resistance. Power is dissipated in
the wire resistance and is thus lost because it performs no useful work. Copper wire is a
relatively good conductor and is used in most circuits to lower power losses. On the other
hand, it may be necessary to put a certain amount of resistance into a circuit to limit the
current or to produce a certain drop in voltage. The power dissipated by the resistor
would be lost, but would be a “necessary evil” in this case because the circuit required
it. A desirable power loss occurs in a resistance when useful work is done, such as heating
the filament of lamp.
A series circuit is the simplest form of all circuit. All the components of the circuit
are connected “end to-end” to form a single path. Refer to Fig. 3 – 1.
R1

I I
+
BT
R2
-

I I

R3
Fig. 3 – 1

Circuit current (I) supplied by the voltage source BT has only one path to take in
flowing from the positive terminal to the negative terminal, and that is through each

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 successive component of the series circuit. Thus, in a series resistive circuit, the sum of the
resistances determine the total amount of circuit current.

A parallel circuit may be thought of as being formed by connecting two or more

components “side – by – side”, or input – to – input and output – to – output. For example,
when you measure the voltage drop across a resistor the internal resistance of the
voltmeter is in parallel with the resistor. Resistors or other components may be connected
to form as many parallel “branches” as desired. There are two basic differences between
parallel and series circuits. Refer to Fig. 3 – 2. First, the same source voltage is applied
across all branches of the circuit simultaneously. Second, each branch of the circuit acts
as a separate circuit, and thus there is more than one path for the current to follow.
Therefore the total circuit current is equal to the sum of the branch currents.

BRANCH 1 BRANCH 2 BRANCH 3

IT
EBT EBT R3

+
I1 I3
BT R1 I2 R2 EBT
-

R4
IT

Fig. 3 – 2

The concept of resistances in parallel is easily understood if you think of the resistors
as conductors of current. If one resistor is connected to a power source, there is one path
for current flow. If another resistor is connected in parallel with the first, two current paths
are created and more current can flow. Each additional parallel resistor creates another
path and, as more parallel resistors are added, more current flows. If more current flows,
it is evident that less total resistance is offered to the power source to limit the flow of
current. From this you can conclude that the total resistance of resistors in parallel must
be less than any one of the resistors considered separately. In fact, the total resistance is
less than the lowest value resistor in the circuit.

The ability of a resistor to conduct current is referred to as conductance (G) and

is measured Siemens (S) or mhos. Conductance is the inverse, or reciprocal, of resistance.
This is expressed mathematically as

𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 = 1/𝑅

The more resistors you add in parallel the more conduction paths you create. The
conductance effects can be added directly. This is expressed as follows:

𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 = 𝐺𝑇 = 𝐺1 + 𝐺2 + 𝐺3+ . ..

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 or
1 1 1 1
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 = = + + + . ..
𝑅𝑇 𝑅1 𝑅2 𝑅3
Since total resistance is the reciprocal of total conductance, the equation for
resistors in parallel is:
1
𝑅𝑇 = 1 1 1
+ 𝑅2 + 𝑅3+...
𝑅1

If more than three resistors are in parallel, each is represented by an additional 1/𝑅
term in the denominator. It can be shown that for two, and only two, resistors connected
in parallel, the total resistance is equal to the product of the two resistor values divided
by the sum of the two values.

This can be expressed as

𝑅1 𝑥 𝑅2
𝑅𝑇 =
𝑅1+𝑅2

For two or more resistors of equal value connected in parallel, the total resistance
is equal to the value of one resistor divided by the total number of resistors. Keep in mind
that two resistors of equal value in parallel will result in half the individual resistance and
allow twice the current to flow from the source. Remember Ohm’s Law.

ENGAGE

1. In what applications are series and parallel connected resistors or circuits used?
2. Do you think Ohm’s Law will be applicable is such a setting? Explain.

EXPLORE

1. Refer to this module and read in advance to have a better understanding of the
activities to be performed.
2. Read about Series and Parallel Circuits using the references stated at the end of
this module or references taken online.

EXPLAIN & ELABORATE

EQUIPMENT/ MATERIALS NEEDED:

Power Source - 0 – 30Vdc, 600 mA

Ammeter - 0 – 0.1 / 1 Adc
Electronic VOM
Practical Electronics Trainer
DS1 – DS4 - Miniature Lamp, 1.5 W
R1, R2 - 1 kΩ, 1W
R3, R4 - 1.5 kΩ, 1W

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 R5 - 3.3 kΩ, 1 W
S1 - SPST, Component Board M
Universal Experiment Board K
PROCEDURES:

Note: In the absence of an actual laboratory set-up, you may answer the module based
on the concepts learned from the lecture subjects. As a verification, perform a simulation
with your simulator of choice. For every circuit, attach a screenshot of the set-up in your
report.

Examples of simulators: LTspice (Free), Electronic Workbench, Circuit Construction Kit: DC

at phet.colorado.edu

TLO 1: Identify series circuits.

1. Examine the four circuits shown in Fig. 3 – 3. Circle the identifying numbers of the
series circuits.

(1) (2)

(3) (4)

Fig. 3 – 3

TLO 2: Calculate and measure the resistance of a series circuit.

1. Record in the Table 3 – 1, the color code, indicated value and tolerance of resistors
R1 through R4.

2. Use the Electronic VOM (ohmmeter function) to measure the value of each
resistor. Enter the measured values in Table 3 – 1.

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 COLOR CODE INDICATED MEASURED
RESISTOR TOLERANCE
(COLORS) VALUE VALUE

R1 5% 998

R2 10 % 995

R3 20 % 1465

R4 5% 1480

Table 3 – 1

3. Adding the indicated values together, calculate total resistance, R T(indicated).

RT(indicated) = ___________________________ = __________ Ω

4. Adding the measured values together, calculate total resistance, RT(measured).

RT(measured) =___________________________ = __________ Ω

Is the total indicated resistance value RT (indicated) the same as the total
measured value RT (measured) ? __________

5. Connect resistors R1 through R4 in a series in Fig. 3 – 4.

6. Measure the total circuit resistance RT with the ohmmeter.

RT(circuit) = 4,878 Ω

Does the total circuit resistance value, RT (circuit) agree with the results in TLO
2: 3 and 4)? __________

Allowing error factors mentioned in TLO 2 - 5 the results should be in

agreement. Thus verifying that the formula for the total resistance in a series circuit
is
𝑅𝑇 = 𝑅1 + 𝑅2 + 𝑅3 + …

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 R1
1K

R2
1K
ELECTRONIC
VOM
OHM
R3
1.5K

R4
1.5K
Fig. 3 – 4

TLO 3: Measure the current flow in a series circuit using an ammeter.

1. Connect the circuit shown in Fig. 3 – 5. Note that the ammeter, set to the 0 –
10mAdc range, is connected in series with resistor R1 and the power source.

2. Adjust the power source to 25Vdc.

How much circuit current is indicated by the milliammeter?

I(circuit) = 4.82 mAdc

3. Return the voltage to zero.

0 – 10mAdc R1
1K
+ -
mA

+ R2
1K

0 – 25Vdc
R3
1.5K
-

R4
1.5K
Fig. 3 – 5

4. You can also find total circuit resistance RT by using Ohm’s Law. Substitute the
applied voltage and the circuit current measured in TLO 3 – 2 into the Ohm’s Law
formula 𝑅 = 𝐸/𝐼 to calculate the total circuit resistance, RT(calculated).

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 RT(calculated) = ___________________________ = __________ Ω

Does the total calculated circuit resistance value RT(calculated) agree with the
result of TLO 2 – 6 __________

List the possible factors that could account for the results not being in
perfect agreement.
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________

5. Now measure the current at different locations throughout the series circuit.
Connect the milliammeter between R1 and R2 as shown in Fig. 4 – 6.

R1 0 – 10mAdc
1K
+ mA -

+ R2
1K

0 – 25Vdc
R3
1.5K
-

R4
1.5K

Fig. 3 – 6

6. Adjust the power source to 25Vdc.

7. Measure and record the current flowing between R1 and R2.

IR1 – R2 = 4.95 mAdc

8. Return the voltage to zero.

9. Repeat TLO 3 – 8 with the milliammeter connected, in turn, to the following circuit
positions:

IR2 – R3 = 4.90 mAdc

IR3 – R4 = 4.85 mAdc
IR4 – R5 = 5.01 mAdc

Compare the current values at the different locations. Are they the same?
_________

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 What important rule of the series circuit have you verified?
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________

TLO 4: Measure the voltage drops in a series circuit using a voltmeter.

1. Connect lamp DS1, in a series with the ammeter and switch S1, across the dc
power source as shown in Fig. 3 – 7. Do not connect VOM at this time.

S1
+ -
A

0 – 1Adc
+ ELECTRONIC
VOM
5Vdc V

- DS1

Fig. 3 – 7

2. Set the ammeter to the 1 Adc range.

3. Close switch S1.

4. Adjust the power source to 5Vdc and observe the brilliance of lamp DS1.

5. Measure the current through lamp DS1.

IDS1 = 0.29 Adc

6. Use the electronic VOM (5Vdc range) to measure the voltage drop across lamp
DS1 as shown in Fig. 3 – 7. (The voltage measured across lamp DS1 is also called
the voltage drop across lamp DS1).

EDS1 = 4.82 Vdc

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 7. Enter the circuit current, I, and the voltage across lamp DS1 in Table 3 – 2.

LAMP VOLTS
LAMPS I
IN SERIES Adc
DS1 DS2 DS3 DS4

Table 3 – 2

8. Return the voltage to zero.

9. Connect lamp DS2 into the circuit in series with lamp DS1 as shown in Fig. 3 – 8.
S1
+ -
A

0 – 1Adc DS2
+
ELECTRONIC
5Vdc V VOM

- DS1

Fig. 3 – 8

10. Adjust the power source to 5Vdc and note that brightness of lamps DS1 and DS2.

11. Measure the current flowing through the circuit.

I = 0.54 Adc

12. Now measure the voltages across each of the lamps.

EDS1 = 2.5 Vdc

EDS2 = 2.62 Vdc

Is the sum of the lamp voltage drops equal to the source voltage?_____

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 13. Enter the current, I, and voltages E DS1 and EDS2 in Table 3 – 2.

14. Open switch S1.

15. Connect lamp DS3 into the circuit in series with DS1 and DS2.

16. Close switch S1 and note the brightness of the lamps.

17. Measure the current flowing through the circuit.

I = 0.88 Adc

18. Measure the voltage across each of the lamps.

EDS1 = 1.62 Vdc

EDS2 = 1.72 Vdc
EDS3 = 1.65 Vdc

19. Enter the circuit, I, and voltages E DS1, EDS2, EDS3, in Table 3 – 2.

20. Open switch S1.

21. Connect lamp DS4 into the circuit in series with DS1, DS2 and DS3.

22. Close switch S1 and note the brightness of the lamps.

23. Measure the current flowing through the circuit.

I = 1.16 Adc

24. Measure the voltage across each of the lamps.

EDS1 = 1.28 Vdc

EDS2 = 1.31 Vdc
EDS3 = 1.25 Vdc
EDS4 = 1.36 Vdc

25. Enter the circuit current, I, and voltages E DS1, EDS2, EDS3 and EDS4 in Table 3 – 2.

26. Open switch S1. Refer to Table 3 – 2.

Did the circuit current decrease as lamps were added to the series circuit?
__________

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 Did the voltage drops across individual lamps decrease each time a lamp
was added in series? __________

Do the sum of the voltage drops equal the source voltage? ________

TLO 5: Identify parallel circuits.

1. Examine the four circuits shown in Fig. 3 – 9. Circle the identifying numbers of the
parallel circuits.

(1) (2)

(3) (4)

Fig. 3 – 9

TLO 6: Calculate and measure the resistance of a parallel circuit.

1. Calculate the total resistance of resistors R3 and R4 in parallel.

RT = _________________________________ = __________ Ω

2. Connect resistors R3 and R4 in parallel as shown in Fig. 3 – 10. Do not connect

resistor R5 at this time!

3. Set the Electronic VOM to the ohmmeter function and measure the parallel
resistors R3 and R4.

RT = 742 Ω

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 ELECTRONIC
VOM
R3 R4 R5
OHM
1.5K 1.5K 3.3K

Fig. 3 – 10

4. Calculate the total resistance of resistors R3, R4, and R5 in parallel.

RT = _________________________________ = __________ Ω

5. Connect resistor R5 in parallel with resistors R3 and R4 as shown in Fig. 3 – 10.

6. Measure the parallel resistance of resistors R3, R4 and R5.

RT = 592 Ω

Did the calculated resistances agree with the measured resistances in

Exercise Procedures 1 and 4? __________

What would be the principal cause of any variation between the

calculated and measured resistances?
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________

TLO 7: Measure the current flow in a parallel circuit and measure the voltage across
parallel resistors.

1. Connect circuit shown in Fig. 3 – 11. Do not connect resistor R5 at this time!
2. Adjust the power source to 30 Vdc.

3. Measure the total current flow IT in the circuit.

IT = 38.5 mAdc

4. Return the voltage to zero.

5. Calculate the total resistance RT in the circuit using Ohm’s Law for resistance.

RT = _________________________________ = __________ Ω

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 + -
mA
0 – 100mAdc

R3 R4 R5
0 – 30Vdc 1.5K 3.3K
1.5K

Fig. 3 – 11

6. List the total parallel resistance RT of resistor R3 and R4 as calculated in TLO 6-1,
measured with the ohmmeter in TLO 6-3, and calculated by Ohm’s Law in TLO 7-
5.
RT(calculated) = _______________ Ω
RT(ohmmeter) = _______________ Ω
RT(Ohm’s Law) = _______________ Ω

Are the three total resistance values approximately the same?______

What factors, besides resistor tolerance, would contribute to variation

among the three values of RT?
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________

7. Connect resistor R5 into the circuit in parallel with resistors R3 and R4 as shown in
Fig. 3 – 11.

8. Adjust the power source to 30Vdc.

9. Measure the total current flow IT in the circuit.

IT = 48.3 mAdc

10. Measure the voltage drop across each individual resistor using the Electronic
VOM.
ER3 = 28.93 Vdc
ER4 = 29.25 Vdc
ER3 = 28.65 Vdc

11. Return the voltage to zero.

12. Calculate the total resistance RT in the circuit using Ohm’s Law for resistance.

RT = _________________________________= __________ Ω

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 13. List the total parallel resistance RT of the resistors R3, R4 and R5 as calculated in TLO
6-4, measured with the ohmmeter in TLO 6-6, and calculated by Ohm’s Law in TLO
7-12.
RT(calculated) = _______________ Ω
RT(ohmmeter) = _______________ Ω
RT(Ohm’s Law) = _______________ Ω

Are the three total resistance values approximately the same? ______

TLO 8: Determine that a parallel circuit has more than one path for current flow, using an
ammeter and miniature lamps.

1. Connect lamp DS1, in series with the ammeter and switch S1, across the dc power
source as shown in Fig. 3 – 12.

2. Close switch S1.

3. Adjust the power source of 6.3Vdc and note the brightness of lamp DS1.

4. Measure the total circuit current.

IT = 0.24 Adc

5. Open switch S1 and connect lamp DS2 in parallel with lamp DS1 as shown in Fig.
3 – 12.

S1
+ -
A
0 – 1Adc

6.3Vdc

DS1 DS2 DS3 DS4

Fig. 3 – 12

6. Close switch S1 and note the brightness of lamps DS1 and DS2.

Is there any change in brightness from TLO 8:3?__________

7. Measure the total circuit current.

IT = 0.48 Adc

8. Open S1 and connect lamp DS3 in parallel with DS1 and DS2 shown in Fig. 3 – 12.

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 9. Close switch S1 and note the brightness of the lamps.

Is there any change in brightness from TLO 8:6? __________

10. Measure the total circuit current.

IT = 0.73 Adc

11. Open switch S1 and connect lamp DS4 in parallel with DS1, DS2 and DS3 as shown
in Fig. 3 – 12.

12. Close switch S1 note the brightness of the lamps.

Is there any change in brightness from TLO 8:9? __________

13. Measure the total circuit current.

IT = 0.96 Adc

14. Remove lamp DS2 from its socket. Do the other lamps remain lighted? ____

Is there any change in their brightness? __________

Is the total current the same as in TLO 8:13? __________

15. Replace lamp DS2 in its socket.

16. Return the voltage to zero.

EVALUATE:

1. Resistances of 75 ohms, 1.2 megohms, 330 000 ohms, 0.5 megohm, 1.5 kilohms, and
0.8 kilohms are connected in series. Calculate the total resistance.
a. 2.032 375 M Ω
b. 2 032 375 Ω
c. 2 032.375 k Ω
d. All of the above.

2. Which of the following statements is true of a series circuit?

a. The voltage drop is the same across each resistance.
b. The total current is the same through each resistance.
c. The current varies through each resistance.
d. All resistances must be equal.

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 3. Refer to the circuit 3 – 5.
a. The voltage drops across R1, R2, R3, and R4 are equal.
b. The sum of the voltage drops across R1 and R2 is greater than the sum of
the drops across R3 and R4.
c. The current through R3 and R4 is greater than the current through R1 and
R2.
d. The sum of the voltage drops across R1, R2, R3, and R4 is equal to 25Vdc.

4. Which of the following statements is true of a shorted component?

a. The resistance of the component will be higher than normal.
b. The voltage drop across the component will be higher than normal.
c. The current through the component will be lower than normal.
d. The voltage drop across the component will be lower than normal.

5. Which of the following statements is true of an open component in a series circuit?

a. The circuit current will be higher than normal.
b. The voltage drop across the component will be lower than normal.
c. The voltage drop across the component will be higher than normal.
d. The resistance of the component will be lower than normal.

6. An automobile radio draws 800mAdc when operated from a 12V battery. What
is the total resistance presented by the radio to the car battery?
a. 15 Ω
b. 66.6 Ω
c. 9.6 Ω
d. 9.6 k Ω

7. What happens to total circuit current when parallel resistance is added?

a. Total circuit current has no relationship to increased parallel resistance.
b. It decreases because more resistance is added.
c. It increases.
d. It remains the same.

8. What is the relationship between the total resistance of a parallel circuit and the
smallest value parallel resistor?
a. The equivalent resistance is greater than the smallest resistor.
b. There is no relationship.
c. The equivalent resistance is the same as the smallest resistor.
d. The equivalent resistance is less than the smallest resistor.

NOTE: Questions 9 through 11 are related to each other and refer to Fig. 3 -2.
9. If battery voltage is 30Vdc and total circuit current is 1.3Adc, what is the total
resistance of the parallel circuit?
a. 39 Ω
b. 23.1 Ω
c. 50 Ω
d. There is not enough information given to calculate the answer.

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 10. If BT = 30Vdc, ITOTAL = 1.3Adc, R1 = 100 ohms and R2 = 50 ohms, how much current
flows through branch three, comprising resistors R3 and R4?
a. 0.4 Adc
b. 0.6 Adc
c. 0.3 Adc
d. 0.5 Adc

11. In Question 4, if resistor R3 is 25 ohms what is the value of resistor R4?

a. 50 Ω
b. 100 Ω
c. 75 Ω
d. 25 Ω

12. As lamps are added in parallel:

a. Circuit voltage decreases.
b. Circuit current decreases.
c. Circuit current increases.
d. Circuit resistance increases

REFERENCES:

1. Labvolt Manual
2. Hayt, Jr., W. H., Kemmerly, J. E., & Durbin, S. M. (2010). Engineering Circuit Analysis.
New York: McGraw-Hill.
3. Siskind, C. S. (1956). Electrical Circuits. McGraw-Hill.

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