Series circuit Definition and 129 Threads

Two-terminal components and electrical networks can be connected in series or parallel. The resulting electrical network will have two terminals, and itself can participate in a series or parallel topology. Whether a two-terminal "object" is an electrical component (e.g. a resistor) or an electrical network (e.g. resistors in series) is a matter of perspective. This article will use "component" to refer to a two-terminal "object" that participate in the series/parallel networks.
Components connected in series are connected along a single "electrical path", and each component has the same current through it, equal to the current through the network. The voltage across the network is equal to the sum of the voltages across each component. Components connected in parallel are connected along multiple paths, and each component has the same voltage across it, equal to the voltage across the network. The current through the network is equal to the sum of the currents through each component.
The two preceding statements are equivalent, except for exchanging the role of voltage and current.
A circuit composed solely of components connected in series is known as a series circuit; likewise, one connected completely in parallel is known as a parallel circuit. Many circuits can be analyzed as combination of series and parallel circuits, along with other configurations.
In a series circuit, the current that flows through each of the components is the same, and the voltage across the circuit is the sum of the individual voltage drops across each component. In a parallel circuit, the voltage across each of the components is the same, and the total current is the sum of the currents flowing through each component.Consider a very simple circuit consisting of four light bulbs and a 12-volt automotive battery. If a wire joins the battery to one bulb, to the next bulb, to the next bulb, to the next bulb, then back to the battery in one continuous loop, the bulbs are said to be in series. If each bulb is wired to the battery in a separate loop, the bulbs are said to be in parallel. If the four light bulbs are connected in series, the same current flows through all of them and the voltage drop is 3-volts across each bulb, which may not be sufficient to make them glow. If the light bulbs are connected in parallel, the currents through the light bulbs combine to form the current in the battery, while the voltage drop is 12-volts across each bulb and they all glow.
In a series circuit, every device must function for the circuit to be complete. If one bulb burns out in a series circuit, the entire circuit is broken. In parallel circuits, each light bulb has its own circuit, so all but one light could be burned out, and the last one will still function.

View More On Wikipedia.org
  1. rcgldr

    Propagation sequencing in series circuit?

    This came up at mythbusters, a question about the propragation of currrent from a switch that is a long distance from a DC power source. Assume the wires are sufficiently large (capcitance wise): 1 mile long wire connected to positive terminal of DC power source at one end, open switch at...
  2. T

    Calculating current in series circuit

    Homework Statement can anyone please guide me on how to do question 3b? I don't seem to get the right answer. how do i calculate the voltage when the switch is closed if i don't know what the current is? btw the right answer is 5.77 volts Homework Equations v=IR?
  3. B

    Series circuit problem - am I correct?

    Homework Statement A simple series circuit consists of a 150 ohm resistor, a 25 V battery, a switch and 2.5 pF parallel plate capacitor(uncharged initially) w/ plates 5mm apart. The switch is closed at t=0. What is the maximum electric flux and maximum displacement current through the...
  4. E

    Series Circuit: 10 Ohm Resistor, Bulb, 12V Source

    A 10 ohm resistor in a series with a bulb and a 12v source. a) If the 8.0V is across the bulb, what is the voltage across the resistor? I wrote 4v, is this correct? b) What is the current in the circuit? I wrote 1.5A, is this correct? c) What is the resistence of the bulb? Could...
  5. J

    Engineering Calculate Frequency of RLC Series Circuit with R=1kOhms, L=100mH, C=1uF

    Given that R = 1 kOhms, L=100mH and C = 1uF, calculate the frequency at which the current in the circuit lags the supply voltage by 45deg. Show how the impedance of the circuit is given by Z = sqr root R2 + (wL - 1/wC)2 arctan [(wL - 1/wC) / R] I have not been given any information...
  6. P

    Solving a Series Circuit with Resistor, Capacitor and Inductor

    Homework Statement Consider a circuit consisting of a voltage source with V = V_0 \sin{\omega t}, a resistor, a capacitor, and an inductor, all connected in series. The problem is to find the steady state current as a function of omega. Homework Equations V = IZ Z = Z_R + Z_C + Z_L...
  7. J

    Why does current remain constant in a series circuit?

    why is current SAME in a series circuit ? i know it's one path, so what if there's one path? can you please answer with a visual and helpful explanation ? i don't understand this concept. i want to know why does it stay the same in the whole circuit ?
  8. R

    Why Does My Series Circuit Show a Voltage Discrepancy?

    I setup a series circuit with 3 bulbs and I measured the voltages across each one The potential differences were A: 1.75V B:1.6V C: 1.75V The sum of these voltages was 5.1V The voltage measured across all three bulbs was 6V. What are some possible causes for this discrepancy of .9V? Also can...
  9. A

    Capacitor charge - LRC series circuit

    In differential equations I was assigned a few circuit exercises. I'm having trouble understanding them, but I'm pretty sure that if can understand the first one then I can get the rest of them. The first exercise asks for time of capacitor charge and the others ask for things like capacitor...
  10. M

    Series circuit lab problem: voltage drop?

    Hi, I am having a problem with my lab report and am hoping somebody can help me understand it better. Here is my problem: I set up a series circuit with 5 resistors of 427 ohms each. The voltage of the battery was 8.70V to start. Once the battery was removed from the circuit its...
  11. E

    Tricky(?) resistance question in a series circuit

    Homework Statement Two resistances, R1 and R2, are connected in series with a 12V battery. When R2 is removed (leaving R1 only), the current increases by 0.450 A. When R1 is removed (leaving R2 only), the current increases by 0.225 A. What are the two resistances? Homework Equations V = IR...
  12. E

    Why Is Current the Same in a Series Circuit?

    Why is current the same everywhere in a series circuit? If we have a series circuit with a 10 ohm resistor and a 15 ohm resistor, how is the current flowing through each resistor the same if they are resisting the flow of electrons to different degrees? How is the current in the wire which has...
  13. D

    Solve Series Circuit for RT, IT, I3, V1, V3, V5

    Homework Statement 2. For the following circuit, find RT, IT, I3, V1, V3, V5. http://img520.imageshack.us/my.php?image=m17aje5.gif Homework Equations V = IR, ohms law, Kirchoff's laws The Attempt at a Solution RT = R1 + R2 + R3 + R4 + R5 + R5 RT = 20 + 22 + 30 + 27 + 40 +...
  14. L

    Analyzing RLC Series Circuits Using Laplace Transforms and Complex Variables

    Homework Statement I need to solve the following equation to get I = V/((R^2+(Xl-Xc)^2)^1/2). Homework Equations -I[(1/c - w^2L)sin(Φ)-Rwcos(Φ)]-wV=0 we know that tan(Φ) = (Xl-Xc)/R Xc = 1/wc Xl = wL The Attempt at a Solution I[(1/c - w^2 L)sin(Φ)-Rwcos(Φ)]=wV I[sin(Φ)/c -...
  15. S

    Need L and C to be in series in order to have a RLC series circuit?

    Do you only need L and C to be in series in order to have a RLC series circuit? (So where you put R doesn't matter right?).
  16. D

    Voltage in a 2 battery series circuit

    Homework Statement What is the magnitude and direction of the current in the following circuit? http://img234.imageshack.us/img234/7587/circuituk2.gif resistance for series: Req=R1+R2+R3+R4...etc Kirchhoff's rules --> Loop Rule: sum of potential drops must equal sum of potential rises V=IR...
  17. P

    Current & Voltage Relationship in LCR Series Circuit

    the question is : suppose the resonance frequency of the LCR series circuit is fr. Will the current in the circuit lag behind the voltage or lead the voltage in the following cases : (i) when the applied AC frequency f > fr (ii) when f < fr we can say that the current lags behind the voltage...
  18. J

    Find Resonant Frequency of L-R-C Series Circuit

    A L-R-C series circuit contains a 1x10^-6 F capacitor, a 7.00 mH coil and a 90 ohm resistor. What is its resonant frequency? For this one I used the formula for capacitive reactance. Xc=1/2pi*fC After doing some algebra i isolated the frequency giving me : f=(1/Xc)/2pi*C. So i...
  19. A

    Engineering Voltage Across Resistor in Series Circuit: Impossible?

    for the question: the toal voltage across a string of seires resistors is 24V. If one of the resitors is open, how much voltage is there across it? How much is there across each of the good resitors? my problem: isn't it impossible to find which part is open in a series circuit without...
  20. M

    Closing of switch in series circuit

    If an ammeter is connected to the negative terminal of a battery,so it is on the opposite end of the line from where the current leaves the battery and enters the circuit,right?So Why, in a series circuit, the meter needle jumps to it's full value instantaneously with the closing of the switch ...
  21. M

    Series Circuit Disconnected at Ammeter: Charge Flow?

    Hey i have a little question to ask... when a series circuit is broken (disconnected) at the negative terminal of the ammeter , does the charge flow around the circuit until it gets to the end of the line at the ammeter and then stop ? or does it stop at the moment when it's broken?
  22. C

    Solving a Complex Series Circuit Problem: Help Needed!

    Hi there! I have some problems in this topic...real difficult to me. ^-^ A 1(miu)F capacitor is connected in series with a coil of R=50(ohm) and L=49mH and an a.c. ammeter. A current of r.m.s. value 0.03A and f=500Hz is passes through the combination. What is the peak p.d. across the...
  23. S

    Calculating Current, Voltage in Series Circuit with 25V Battery and 2 Resistors

    I have a series Circuit with a battery of 25 Volts and 2 Resistors, 1 is 250 Ohms and the other is 500 Ohms. What is wanted is a. I = _______mA b. V1 = _______ c. V2 = _______ To get I I took I = V 25 25 ______...
  24. M

    Calculate Resistance Needed to Reduce Current to 0.198 Amps in Series Circuit

    A bulb rated at 50 watts is connected to a 114-volt source. A lamp dimmer switch puts a resistance in series with the bulb. What additional resistance must be added to reduce the current to 0.198 amps? answer in Ohms with three significant figures Here Is what I have so far: Power=50 watts...
  25. S

    Quick Question about series circuit

    In a series circuit, I1 is exactly the same amount as I2 right? (Amperes.)
  26. L

    Probability of lights burning out in Series Circuit

    Hi, i have this question wrong in my intro statistics class and I'm wonder if someone could help me understand why. Thanks in advance. Heres the question: "A string of christmas lights contains 4 bulbs. The lights are wired in a series, so that if one fails, the whole sting would go dark...
  27. U

    Series circuit and total resistance

    In a series circuit, do large or small resistances have large or small voltage drops? If resistance is added to a seriese circuit, total resistance in the circiut increases right? If resistance is added to it, total current in the circiut decreses right?
  28. B

    Terminal Voltage in Series Circuits: Understanding Ohm's Law

    In my physics lab we were asked a question for advanced studying. I read the chapter that it was supposed to be in, but I couldn't figure it out. Q: For a series circuit, what is the terminal voltage of a batter or power supply equal to in terms of the potential differences or voltage drops...
  29. D

    Solve RLC Series Circuit: Find Vrms, Power Factor & Draw Phasor

    I just finished an exam and this problem gave me fits. It seemed simple enough when I first looked at it, but it took me a while to come to the following conclusions which I'm not sure are correct. The problem had an RLC series circuit with source of 141.4 Volts peak and a frequence of 1...
Back
Top