Академический Документы
Профессиональный Документы
Культура Документы
Fundamentals of
Electricity
Course Code: FY7W 04
Lesson 7
Contents
Performance Objectives
Upon completion of this Course, students
will be able to:
Follow the current path in a series circuit
Perform simple calculations on a series
circuit
State, prove & apply Kirchhoff's Voltage
Law
Series Circuits 1
A series circuit has two or more loads, which are
connected end to end.
LOAD 2
LOAD 1
Conducting
Path
SUPPLY
Series Circuits 2
In a series circuit the loads are connected so there is
only one path for the current to flow through.
R1
R2
R3
Supply
Series Circuits 2
In a series circuit the current flows in a single path through all the
components (loads) of the circuit. The diagram below shows two
different forms of series circuits. In these circuits, the current path
does not form a regular shape (rectangle). The current path is more
difficult to follow.
+V
E
Supply
R1
VE
VE
R3
R2
R1
VE
R2
Exercise
R3
R2
+VE
Suppl
y
VE
R4
R1
Exercise (Answer)
R3
R2
+VE
Supply
VE
R4
R1
Supply
The total resistance (RT) of a series circuit equals the sum of the
individual resistors. This can be written as a formula using symbols:
RT = R1 + R2 + R3
where: RT = Total resistance of series circuit.
And
Note ~ This formula is for three resistors A series circuit may have two
resistors or several resistors in the circuit. Generally, therefore, the total
resistance of any series circuit is: RT = R1 + R2 + R3 + etc
Calculations (Example 1)
The diagram shows a series circuit with three resistors
connected to a supply
12
R1
R2
R3
Supply
Calculations (Example 2)
This circuit can be represented by an equivalent circuit, as shown.
Equivalent means something which is equal but is shown or stated in a
R1
different way.
12
Suppl
y
R2
Supply
24
6
R3
The total resistance of these two circuits, (a) and (b), is the same (equal).
Note: Strictly, the two circuits, (a) and (b), are not the same. However,
the circuit shown in (b) has an equivalent resistance to the series circuit in
(a).
Equivalent circuit diagrams are very useful when doing calculations for
series-parallel circuits.
Calculations (Example 3)
The diagram shows a series circuit and the equivalent circuit.
R1
10
+V
E
100 V
V
E
+VE
R2
100 V
VE
25
R3
(a) Series Circuit
Determine:
(a) The total resistance RT of the circuit (a).
(b) The current taken by the circuit.
RT
Answer (Example 3)
Step 1: Find the total resistance RT by using the formula:
RT = R 1 + R 2 + R 3
RT = 10 + 5 + 25
RT = 40
Step 2: To determine the current taken by the circuit we need to
use Ohm's Law: = V
R
But what values of ,V & R apply to Series Circuits?
There is only one current in a series circuit, = Total Current, T
The total voltage (VT) is the supply voltage written as (VS)
When IT and VS are used, RT must be used.
Therefore, Ohms Law for a Series Circuit is:
T = Vs
RT
Example 4
This example shows how to find the resistance of an unknown resistor
in a series circuit if the total resistance is known.
R1
25
10
Suppl
y
R2
Suppl
y
50
?
R3
Step 2
R3 = 50 (25 + 10)
R3 = 50 35
R3 = 15
RT
Single Load
In a simple circuit with only one load, the voltage drop
across the load equals the supply voltage. This is
shown in diagram (a) below.
SUPPLY
LAMP
(100 W)
SUPPLY
VOLTAGE
Single Load
Diagram (b) shows two similar loads (lamps) connected in series.
The voltage drop across each load (lamp) is about half the supply
voltage.
LAMP 1
(100 W)
1/2 SUPPLY
VOLTAGE
SUPPLY
LAMP 2
(100 W)
1/2 SUPPLY
VOLTAGE
Vd3 =
Applied Voltage
(Supply)
When the volt drops in this circuit are added together, they
will equal the applied voltage (supply).
VS = Vd1 + Vd2 + Vd3
(KIRCHHOFF'S VOLTAGE LAW)
Slide One
The diagram shows three resistors connected in series with a
100V supply. Determine the voltage drop across each
resistor.
20
30
50
R1
R2
R3
+VE
100V
Supply
(VS)
VE
RT = 100
Slide Two
Step 2: Determine the total current (T) taken by the circuit
T = VS = 100V
RT 100
Step 3: Find the volt drop across each resistor:
Vd = X R
Vd1 across R1 = x R1
Vd1 = x R1; Vd1 = 1A x 20 = 20V
Vd2 across R2 = x R2
Vd2 = x R2; Vd2 = 1A x 30 = 30V
Vd3 across R3 = x R3
Vd3 = x R3; Vd3 = 1A x 50 = 50V
Step 4: Check these voltage drops by using Kirchhoff's
Voltage Law : VS = Vd1 + Vd2 + Vd3
Vd2 =30V
Vd3 ?
50
20
R1
R2
R3
Supply
200 V
The Calculation 1
Step 1: Find the current flowing through the circuit by using Ohm's law :
= V
R
Remember, in a series circuit the current is the same in every load in the
circuit.
Use the value for R2 = Vd2 = 30V = 1.5A (The current in the circuit)
R2
20
Step 2: It is now possible to find (b), volt drop across R1
Vd1 = x R1 Vd1 = 1.5A x 50 Vd1 = 75V
Step 3: Resistance R3 can now be found by using one of two methods
SEE THE NEXT SLIDE
The Calculation 2
Step 3: Resistance R3 can now be found by using one of two methods
Method 1:
By using the resistance formula, total Resistance (R T) = VS
T
If RT = R1 + R2 + R3 , then by transposing the formula :
R3 = RT (R1 + R2)
R3 = 133.3 (50 + 20) = 133 70 = 63
Method 2: By using Kirchhoff's Law, VS = Vd1 + Vd2 + Vd3
Transpose for Vd3
Vd3 = VS (Vd1 + Vd2) = 200V (75V + 30V)
Vd3 = 200V 105V = 95V
Using Ohm's Law :
= V = 95 V = 63
1.5A
Review
In a series circuit the current flows in a single path through all the loads
The total resistance (RT) in a series circuit equals the sum of all the
resistors in that circuit
There is a voltage drop across every load. You can find the voltage
drop across a load by using Ohm's Law:
Vd = x R
Kirchhoff's Voltage Law states that the sum of the voltage drops in a
series circuit is equal to the supply voltage of the circuit