DC Fundamentals Unit 8 – Parallel Resistive Circuits
Exercise 1 – Resistance in a Parallel Circuit.............................................................................
EXERCISE OBJECTIVE
When you have completed this exercise, you will be able to determine the equivalent resistance
in a parallel resistive circuit by using a formula. You will verify your results with a multimeter.
EXERCISE DISCUSSION
- In a parallel circuit, the equivalent resistance is less than the resistance of the lowest branch.
- In a parallel circuit, the total current is larger than the current flowing through any single
branch. - Use the product-over-sum method to find the equivalent resistance (RE) of a two-resistor
parallel circuit:
RE = (R1 x R2)/(R1 + R2) - Total resistance of a circuit consisting of more than two parallel resistors can be found by
taking the inverse of the sum of the reciprocals.
RE = 1/(1/R1 + 1/R2 + ... 1/RN) - The reciprocal of resistance is conductance.