What will happen if two current sources of different ratings are connected in series with a resistor?

Question

What will happen if two current sources of different ratings are connected in series with a resistor?

Answer 1

the total current through the load resistor will approach the average value of the two sources.

in reality however, since the sources are in series and series elements must carry the same current an extremely large amount of current must flow through the internal source resistors which are already very large since they are current sources. This means they will drop a lot of voltage and dissipate a lot of heat.

In general, because of KCL, current sources are never placed in series they are placed.

and because of KVL, voltage sources are never placed in parallel they are placed in series.

Answer 2

That depends on the internal impedance of the sources.  Model each source as an ideal current source in parallel with its internal impedance.  Then solve the system as a normal network.  If the sources are ideal (infinite internal impedance) the result is undetermined, since the current from one source cannot flow through the other.

Answer 3

You cannot connect current sources in series. A current source supplies a regulated constant current and presents a very high impedance. Two in series will wind up with each one trying to push the set current through the other one, and neither will be operating correctly.

But perhaps you are confused and mean "voltage source". Those can be put in series, and the voltages just add (or subtract if the polarities are different). So the sum of the two voltages are applied across the resistor and a current flows determined by ohms law.

Or perhaps you mean the two current sources are in parallel and connected to a resistor. In that case, the two currents add, and flow through the resistor, and there is a voltage drop determined by ohms law.

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Answer 4

total current flowing in the resistor is the algebric sum of currents provided by each source. while calculating take care of direction of current flowing to avoid any mistake.

Answer 5

Dear pa,

Thank you, am also fine like you then dear based on your said resistor value & its wattage the current can vary & please do not connect like one current source in R phase & another one in Y or B phase.