DC Fundamentals Unit 4 – DC Power Sources
Exercise 1 – Series and Parallel Battery Circuits......................................................................
EXERCISE OBJECTIVE
When you have completed this exercise, you will be able to determine voltage by using batteries
connected in series and in parallel. You will verify your results with a voltmeter.
DISCUSSION
- When the positive terminal of one cell is connected to the negative terminal of another cell,
the cells are connected in series and form a battery. - The voltage appearing at the two ends of the series of cells is the sum of the individual cell
voltages. - The current flowing through cells in series is the same.
- When the positive terminal of one cell is connected to the positive terminal of another cell
and the negative terminals are connected together, the cells are connected in parallel. - When cells are connected in parallel, the voltage remains the same for each cell, but the
current capability of each cell is added to find the total current capability. - Batteries can be connected in series/parallel combinations. Each portion of the circuit (series
and parallel) is simplified prior to determining the total circuit voltage and current.