A parallel circuit is an electrical circuit configuration in which the components are connected side by side, sharing the same voltage across them. In a parallel circuit, each component has its own separate branch or path for current flow.
The voltage across each component in a parallel circuit remains the same.
The total current in a parallel circuit is equal to the sum of the currents in each branch.
Parallel circuits provide multiple current paths, allowing the flow of current through one component to be independent of the other components.
The total resistance of a parallel circuit is less than the smallest resistance in the circuit.
If one component fails in a parallel circuit, the other components continue to operate unaffected.
Total Voltage
When resistors are connected in parallel, the voltage across each resistor is the same as the total voltage applied across the circuit.
Formula:
Vtotal = V1 = V2 = V3 = ... = Vn
Total Current
When resistors are connected in parallel, the total current flowing into the circuit is equal to the sum of currents flowing through each individual resistor.
Formula:
Itotal = I1 + I2 + I3 + ... + In
Formula Breakdown:
Where I1, I2, I3, ... In are the currents flowing through each branch.
Total Resistance (Rtotal): The combined resistance of the parallel circuit.
R1: Resistance 1 in the circuit.
R2: Resistance 2 in the circuit.
Voltage Divider
In a parallel circuit, voltage division refers to the distribution of the total voltage across individual branches or resistors connected in parallel. Each branch or resistor receives a proportionate voltage based on its resistance value.
Formula:
V1 = (R1 / (R1 + R2)) * Vtotal
Formula Breakdown:
V1: Voltage across resistor R1
R1: Resistance 1
R2: Resistance 2
Vtotal: Total voltage across the circuit
Current Division
In a parallel circuit, current division refers to the distribution of the total current among individual branches or resistors connected in parallel. The current splits across the branches based on the inverse ratio of their resistances.
Formula:
I1 = (R2 / (R1 + R2)) * Itotal
Formula Breakdown:
I1: Current through R1
R1: Resistance 1
R2: Resistance 2
Itotal: Total current flowing in the circuit
Total Current Calculator
In a parallel circuit, the total current is the sum of the currents flowing through each branch or resistor connected in parallel. The total current is equal to the sum of individual currents.
