UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS MARINE CORPS COMMUNICATION-ELECTRONICS SCHOOL TRAINING COMMAND BOX 788251 TWENTYNINE PALMS, CALIFORNIA

92278

STUDENT HANDOUT
SERIES RESISTIVE CIRCUITS BE.01.08 BASIC ELECTRONICS COURSE M092721 REVISED 08/14/2008

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TERMINAL LEARNING OBJECTIVES: 1. Provided cables, connectors, Test Measurement and Diagnostic Equipment, tools and a unit under test; test ground electronics equipment, per the references. (2800ACT-1303) Given a faulty electronic device, Test Measurement and Diagnostic Equipment and tools, diagnose basic electronic circuits, per the references. (2800-ACT-1305)

2.

ENABLING LEARNING OBJECTIVES: 1. Without the aid of references, select the statement that identifies a characteristic of DC power in a series resistive circuit configuration, per the references. (2800-ACT-1305f) Without the aid of references, select the statement that identifies the characteristics of a series resistive circuit, per the references. (2800-ACT-1303f) Without the aid of references, given a series resistive circuit schematic and specified parameters, select the statement that identifies the unknown circuit parameter, per the references. (2800-ACT-1303e) Without the aid of references, given a series resistive circuit, LabVolt workstation, Test Measurement and Diagnostic Equipment (TMDE), and references, record specified circuit parameters, per the references. (2800-ACT-1305i) STUDENT INFORMATION: Practically every electronic circuit can be electronically turned into a series resistive circuit for analysis purposes. In this lesson you are going to learn about Series Resistive Circuits. This will be accomplished by learning the characteristics of voltage, current, resistance, and power in series resistive circuits. This lesson relates to Series/Parallel Circuits, Voltage Dividers, Current Dividers, Potentiometers, and Rheostats. These principles also relate to most of the other annexes in BEC. STUDENT HANDOUT PRESENTATION:

2.

3.

4.

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I.

DEFINITION OF A SERIES CIRCUIT: A series circuit is any circuit in which there is only one path for current flow. A. Current: Since there is only a single path for current flow in a series circuit, the same current flows through every component in the circuit. Current is said to be common in series for this reason. 1. To calculate total current in series, Ohm's Law is used. Applied voltage divided by total resistance is equal to the total current.
IT = EA RT

2. To measure total current in series, the meter must be placed in series with the rest of the circuit. Making a break in the circuit and filling that break with the meter will accomplish this. Refer to Figure 08-01 for an example.

Figure 08-01 3. The first rule of series resistive circuits is that Current is Common. This simply means that the same amount of current is felt at all points throughout the circuit. B. Voltage: Kirchhoff's Voltage Law states that the algebraic sum of the voltages around a closed loop

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[circuit] is zero. It can be re-worded to say that the sum of the voltage rises is equal to the sum of the voltage drops (refer to Figure 08-02).
4V 3V

-1V 4V +4V 0V 0V 3V -3V

Figure 08-02 1. A voltage rise (+) is any addition of voltage to a circuit. This is usually supplied by the power source. For example, a AA cell is a 1.5V rise in a circuit and the wall socket provides a 120V rise. (Vin or VA). 2. A voltage drop (-) is any voltage measured across a power-dissipating component. Energy is expended in causing the current to flow through a resistance. 3. In reference to Figure 08-02, the sum of all the resistor voltages (drops) in the circuit is equal to the voltage applied (rise). All of the individual components must use all of the supplied voltage between them. 4. The concept of Kirchhoffs Voltage law proves the next rule for series resistive circuits: Voltage is additive in series.

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V1 +V2 = V A

C. Polarity: Kirchhoffs voltage law points out that the voltage drops and voltage rises have polarities. As a result, measuring this value with a multimeter will always produce not only amplitude but a polarity as well. 1. When taking voltage readings with the multimeter, it will always be referenced to a certain point. In Figure 08-03 a measurement of VAB means that you are looking for the voltage felt at point A with respect to point B. You need to be aware that the red multimeter lead should be placed at the point that corresponds to the first subscript character. This consequently means that the black multimeter lead (reference) is placed at the point corresponding to the second subscript character or ground (the point nearest the negative terminal of the power supply) if there isnt a second character.

2.

Figure 08-03 a.This reading tells you that the difference between point A and point B is 1 volt.

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It also tells you that point A is more positive that point B. b. The second subscript character is always the reference point. VAB tells you that point A is more positive than point B by 1 volt.

c.A measurement of VBA results in a value of -1V. This is the case because we are looking for the value at point B with respect to point A. 3. If there is no second subscript present, then it is understood that the reference will be at ground (which is normally found at the bottom of the circuit). a.If you were to measure VA we would end up with a value of +4V. This is the case because the only thing between point A and ground is the power supply. b. Even if you were to move in the opposite direction through the circuit you would still end up with the same value because the reference point (ground) is still the most negative part of the circuit.

D. Resistance: Total resistance in series can be calculated and/or measured. 1. Kirchhoff's Voltage law states that the sum of the voltage rises is essentially equal to the sum of the voltage drops.
V1 +V2 + ... = V A

Ohm's Law states that voltage is the product of current and resistance.

E = I R
2. Substituting IR for all of the Es in the first equation results in:

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IT RT = ( I R1 R1 ) + ( I R 2 R 2 )

Since the same current flows through every part of the series circuit, all current values are the same and may be algebraically replaced with 1. Anything multiplied by 1 is itself, which leaves the equation:
RT = R1 + R2

3.

The third rule for series resistive circuits: Total resistance in series is the sum of all individual circuit resistances. Resistance is additive in series.
RT = R1 + R2 + R3 + ... + etc ...

E. Power: Power (P) is the measure of work done over a period of time. 1. In a resistor, power is dissipated in the form of heat. The unit of measure for power is Watts (W). 2. Power can be measured with a wattmeter (this will not be done while here in BEC). It can also be calculated, based on other measurements, using variations of the formula:

P = I E
I = P E

E=

P I

3.

Ohm's Law equivalents can be substituted into the basic equation to find power when certain variables are unknown. a. If voltage is not known:
P = I (E )

Since E = I R , substituting for E you find:

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P = I ( I R )

Therefore ... P = I 2 R b. If current is not known:

P = (I ) E

Since E = I R , substituting for I results in:

P =( E ) E R
2

Therefore ... P = E

4.

Power is dissipated by individual resistors in the form of heat. Therefore, more resistors in a circuit will cause a higher usage of power. Since it is a measure of work done over time, total power is additive in all applications. The last rule for series circuits is that Power is always additive.

R1

VA

R2

R3

Figure 08.03 Property Current (I) Unit Ampere (A) Description Current is common in series

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Voltage

(E)

Volt Ohm Watt

(V) () (W)

Resistance(R) Power (P)

Voltage is additive in series (Kirchhoff's Voltage Law) Resistance is additive in series Power is always additive.

Example A
GIVEN VA = 13.5V R1 = 1k R2 = 25k R3 = 250

Figure 08-04 Series Resistive Circuit Properties Solve For: RT = _________ VR1 = _________ VR2 = _________ VR3 = _________ PR1 = _________ PR3 = _________ IT = _________ IR1 = _________ IR2 = _________ IR3 = _________ PR2 = _________ PT = _________

Example B
GIVEN IT = 15mA R1 = 1k R2 = 430 R3 = 640 Solve For: RT = _________ VR1 = _________ VR2 = _________ VR3 = _________ PR1 = _________ VA = __________ IR1 = __________ IR2 = __________ IR3 = __________ PR2 = __________

PR3 = _________ PT = __________

PRACTICE PROBLEMS
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Problem 1: GIVEN VA = 15V R1 = 12k R2 = 2k R3 = 1k Problem 2: GIVEN IT = 5mA R1 = 1k R2 = 1.25k R3 = 750 Solve For: RT = ________ VR1 = ________ VR2 = ________ VR3 = ________ VA = ________ IR1 = ________ IR2 = ________ IR3 = ________ PT = ________ PR1 = ________ PR2 = ________ PR3 = ________ Solve For: RT = ________ VR1 = ________ VR2 = ________ VR3 = ________ IT = ________ IR1 = ________ IR2 = ________ IR3 = ________ PT = ________ PR1 = ________ PR2 = ________ PR3 = ________

Problem 3: GIVEN VA = 13V R1 = 900 R2 = 146 R3 = 230 Solve For: RT = ________ VR1 = ________ VR2 = ________ VR3 = ________ IT = ________ IR1 = ________ IR2 = ________ IR3 = ________ PT = ________ PR1 = ________ PR2 = ________ PR3 = ________

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Problem 4: GIVEN IT = 1.9mA R1 = 1.2k R2 = 2.4k R3 = 4.8k Solve For: RT = ________ VR1 = ________ VR2 = ________ VR3 = ________ VA = ________ IR1 = ________ IR2 = ________ IR3 = ________ PT = ________ PR1 = ________ PR2 = ________ PR3 = ________

REFERENCES: 1. 2. 3. 4. Operator Manual: Fluke 77/BN Basic Electronics (9th Edition), Grob Introductory Electric Circuits, Robert T. Paynter WinFACET, Lab-Volt Systems Inc.

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PREPARED BY: ____________________________________________ TITLE: __________________________________________________ SIGNATURE: ________________________ DATE: ______________ MODIFIED BY: _A.L.JOHNSON__________ DATE: _10/21/2008___ APPROVED BY: ____________________________________________ TITLE: __________________________________________________ SIGNATURE: ________________________ DATE: ______________ NOTES:

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