Series Circuits, Parallel Circuits and Combinations of Series and Parallell Circuits- conceptual help needed?

Question

Hi everyone,

In class, we are learning about circuits. My notes are not making sense to me and now I am really confused.

Can anybody give me an overview of series, parallel and a combination of series and parallel circuits and the calculations involved in each?

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Thanks

Answer 1

BAsically a series circuit is an arrangement of components such that there is only one path for current to travel.  A parallel circuit has a point where current can split and travel along two or more distinct paths simultaneously. A series parallel combination would be a circuit where in portions there is only one path for current flow and a portion or portions of the circuit where there are two or more paths for current flow. Think of it like a road. a single lane would be a series circuit as there is only one path for travel. A multi lane road would be like a parallel circuit as there are multiple paths for travel and a series parallel would be a road with sections of one lane and sections of multi lane.

Answer 2

Resistors in series are the easiest.  These carry the same current.  To find the equivalent resistance of a circuit with resistors in series, you simply add them together.

For resistors in parallel it's a little different.  These have the same voltage across their terminals. For a circuit with these, so find the equivalent resistance you can use the following equation.

1/R_eq  = 1/R1  + 1/R2  + 1/R3 .....1/Rk

Answer 3

try this

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Series_circ...

it has better drawings than I can do...

this may help, but a little advanced

http://www.ngsir.netfirms.com/englishhtm...

Answer 4

It's hard to explain without graphics and graphics is a challenge here so look at the website below.  It has a pretty good discussion.  Good luck

Answer 5

This is so sad. Can't take notes, or read a book.

Just stop studying electronics.

Answer 6

there are 100's of books on electric circuit analysis and they all contain the same content. if you have problem with the current textbook your course uses or the professor then simply get another circuit analysis book.  

you can browse for 100's of such books on amazon.com. Schaum's book is very good one as reference. it is brief and covers all major concepts.

In fact, if you understand the book well you don't even need the professor for anything.  When i took EE courses, often i bought alternative textbooks when i get stuck with the ones the course used. And it worked well for me.

Answer 7

Electrical engineers often draw a series of circuit diagrams where they combine resistors (in series or in parallel) to obtain equivalent resistors then repeat the process until all equivalent resistors are found.  This often allows current to be calculated through one or more resistors leading to calculations of voltage drops.  Electrons flow through wires and resistors like water flows through pipes and valves.  If resistors are in series the resistances add up to a higher value.  If resistors are in parallel, there are two or more possible paths for flow and the equivalent resistance will be lower than that in and one branch.