DC Fundamentals Unit 10 – Power in DC Circuits
Exercise 3 – Power in a Series/Parallel Circuit.........................................................................
EXERCISE OBJECTIVE
When you have completed this exercise, you will be able to determine the power dissipated in a
series/parallel resistive circuit by using a power formula. You will verify your results with a
multimeter.
EXERCISE DISCUSSION
- Power in a series/parallel circuit is determined by the same formulas for series and parallel
circuits. - Total power delivered by the source is equal to the sum of the dissipated power.
- In an electric circuit, power is delivered by the source to the load.
- The source resistance, in series with the source and the load, affects the power delivered to
the load. - The combined effect of the load and source resistance is that maximum power is delivered to
the load when the two resistances are equal.