Working of Parallel Circuit
The parallel circuit looks like any other circuit with the addition of branching as shown below :
Parallel Circuit
Voltage in a Parallel Circuit
In the Parallel circuit the voltage across the each parallel component is the same. This is because there are only two sets of the electrically common points in a parallel circuit and the voltage is measured between these sets of points that are same at any given time.
In the given circuit the Nodes 1,2 and 3 will have same nodes so the voltage across the resistor R1 , R2 and R3 will have same voltage.
Using Ohm’s Law for Parallel Circuits to Determine Current
In a parallel circuit, the current flowing in the circuit is equal to the sum of current in the individual branch. We will apply this in the above circuit.
Hence I=I1+I2+I3
Since the voltage across each branch is the same and using ohm’s law ,we write as I=V/Ri
I=V/R1+V/R2+V/R3
How to Calculate Total Resistance in a Parallel Circuit
Let Req be the equivalent Resistance of the circuit then
in the given current formula, Substituting the value of the resistor
V/Req=V/R1+V/R2+V/R3
dividing V from both the side
1/Req=1/R1+1/R2+1/R3
Hence equivalent resistance of the circuit is
1/Req=1/R1+1/R2+1/R3
The total conductance of the parallel circuit can be given as the sum of the individual branch conductance. As we add more paths for the current to flow the circuit will becomes more conductive.
[Tex]G_{total}=G_1+G_2+G_3[/Tex]
Parallel Circuits
In this article, we will study these types of circuits through their circuit diagram and their working. We will also discuss the characteristics of such circuits. To give some real-life applications of these circuits, we will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of such circuits.
We will also build the base for readers through some solved examples. In the end, we will compare parallel circuits with another kind of circuits i.e. series circuits, and will conclude the article.
Table of Content
- Parallel Circuits
- Key Principles of Parallel Circuit
- Working of Parallel Circuit
- Characteristics of Parallel Circuits
- Advantages of Parallel Circuits
- Disadvantages of Parallel Circuits
- Applications of Parallel Circuits
- Solved Example of Parallel Circuits
- Difference between Series and Parallel Circuit