Parallel Circuits
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Parallel Circuits
When a number of resistors are conducted in such a way that one end of each of them is joined to a common point and the other ends being joined to another common point, as shown in then resistors are said to be connected in parallel and such circuits are known as parallel circuits. In these circuits current is divided into as many paths as the number of resistances.
Let the resistors R1 and R2 be connected in parallel, as shown in and the potential difference of V volts be applied across the circuit.
Since potential difference across each resistor is same and equal to potential difference applied across the circuit.
According to Ohm’s law
Current in resistor R1, I1 = V
R1
Current in resistor R2, I2 = V
R2
Current in resistor R3, I3 = V
R3
Adding expressions (i), (ii) and (iii) we get
I1 + I2 + I3 = V + V + V
R1 R2 R3
I1 + I2 + I3 = V ( 1 + 1 + 1 )
R1 R2 R3
and since I1 + I2 + I3 = I, the total current flowing through the circuit
So I = I1 + I2 + I3 = V ( 1 + 1 + 1 )
R1 R2 R3
or I = 1 + 1 + 1
V R1 R2 R3
and since I = 1 where R is the equivalent resistance of the whole circuit
V R
I = 1 + 1 + 1
R R1 R2 R3
Thus when a number of resistors are connected in parallel, the reciprocal of the equivalent resistance is given by the arithmetic sum of the reciprocals of their individual resistances.
In general if n resistors of resistance R1 , R2, R3.........Rn are connected in parallel, then equivalent resistance R of the circuit is given by
I = 1 + 1 + 1 +................+ 1
R R1 R2 R3 Rn
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