Three Rules of Series Circuit
The Three rules of the series circuit are as follows:
Current in Series Circuits
The current (I) in a series circuit is the same at every point. Ohm’s law can be applied to determine the current through a resistor when the voltage and resistance are known:
I = V / R
For example, if a resistor has a voltage of 9V across it and a resistance of 3kΩ, the current through the resistor can be calculated as follows:
I = 9V / 3kΩ = 0.003A or 3mA
Voltage in Series Circuits
The voltage drop across each resistor in a series circuit is directly proportional to the size of the resistor. The voltage drop (VR) across a resistor in a series circuit can be calculated using Ohm’s law:
VR = I × R
For example, if the current through a resistor is 3mA and the resistance is 3kΩ, the voltage drop across the resistor can be calculated as follows:
VR = 0.003A × 3kΩ = 9V
Resistance in Series Circuits
The total resistance in a series circuit equals the sum of the individual resistors. This is because the current flowing through each resistor is the same. The formula for calculating the total resistance in a series circuit is:
Rs = R1 + R2 + R3 + … + Rn
For example, if a circuit has three resistors in series with resistances of 4 ohms, 8 ohms, and 2 ohms, the total resistance can be calculated as follows:
Rs = R1 + R2 + R3
Rs = 4 ohms + 8 ohms + 2 ohms
Rs = 14 ohms
Series Circuit Formula
A series circuit is one of the most important concepts of electrical and electronics courses. In a series circuit, all the components are sequentially arranged and connected with each other to form a single current path. The installed total resistance is the sum of all individual resistors’ resistances. Hence, the total voltage drop is also the sum of the individual voltage drops across the respective resistors. This article will cover the equations, simplifications, and uses of series circuit systems.