The document analyzes electrical values for series, parallel, and series-parallel circuits, emphasizing the need to apply distinct rules for each configuration. It covers calculations for voltages, currents, and resistance, and discusses Kirchhoff's current and voltage laws as fundamental principles for circuit analysis. The reflections illustrate practical applications and common observations regarding series and parallel circuits.

1. ARTIFACT 2
ELC-112-2B1
10/15/2014
ANALYZE ELECTRICAL VALUES FOR
SERIES, PARALLEL, AND SERIES-PARALLEL
CIRCUITS.

2. Table of Contents
Purpose…………………………………………………….….Slide 3
Subjects to Research…….….……………………...…..Slide 4
Results………………………….…….………………….…....Slide 6
Reflection Statement……………………………..……..Slide 11
Communication Center Proof……………………….Slide 13
References…………………………………………….…......Slide 15
Rubric………………………………………………………..….Slide 16
2

3. Purpose
If circuit components are series-
connected in some parts and parallel in
others, it’s not possible to apply a single
set of rules to every part of that circuit.
Instead, identify which parts of that
circuit are series and which parts are
parallel, then selectively apply series and
parallel rules as necessary to determine
what is happening (Bird Pg. 64 2012) .
3

4. Subjects to Research
o Calculate voltages, current and
resistance in a series, parallel, and
series-parallel circuits.
o Understand current division in a
parallel network.
o What KVL and KCL stands for.
Explain how they work. 4

5. Results
Series Circuits:
Voltage drops add to equal total voltage.
All components share the same or equal current.
Resistances add to equal total resistance.
Parallel Circuits:
All components share the same or equal
voltage. Branch currents add to equal total
current. Resistances diminish to equal total
resistance (allaboutcircuits.com 2014).
5

6. Robert J. Paynter and B.J. Toby Boydell
Electronics Technology Fundamentals,
Conventional Flow Version, 2e
Fig 1: Image of a series circuit.
6

7. Robert J. Paynter and B.J. Toby Boydell
Electronics Technology Fundamentals,
Conventional Flow Version, 2e
Fig 2: Image of a series-parallel circuit.
7

8. Reflections
“Components in an electrical circuit are in
series when they are connected one after the other,
so that the same current flows through both of
them. Components are in parallel when they are in
alternate branches of a circuit. Series and parallel
circuits function differently” (Bird Pg. 103 2012).
Most people have noticed the differences in
electrical circuits . When using some decorative
holiday light circuits, if one lamp burns out, the
whole string of lamps goes out. Therefore, these
lamps are in series. When a light bulb burns out in
your house, the other lights stay on. Household
wiring is normally in parallel.
9

9. Reflections
In a series circuit, the current stays constant, while
the voltage across the circuit is the sum of the voltage drop
across each component in the circuit. One can calculate the
voltage using Ohm’s law, if the current and resistance of each
component is known. Also, the sum of all voltage sources is
equal to the sum of all voltage drops, much like the total
resistance in the circuit is the sum of the resistances of the
individual components (Gussow, Pg. 75 2007).
Electrical resistance is the measurement used to
determine the flow of electrical current and how much that
flow is impeded. This is a common test used in the
troubleshooting of various electronic glitches. The most
important thing to remember when testing for resistance is
that the power to the item to be tested should always be off.
10

10. Reflections
There are two fundamental laws in electrical engineering. They are
Kirchhoff’s Current Law (KCL) and Kirchhoff’s Voltage law (KVL).They are the
starting point for analysis of any circuit. KCL says that the current going into a
node is equal to the current going out of a node, and KVL states that the sum
of the voltage around any loop is equal to zero. Using one or the other form
lets you write simultaneous equations for the currents and voltages in a circuit,
in order to solve for unknown currents and voltages.
A practical electrical circuit has at least four parts: a source of
electromotive force, conductors of a load, and a means of control (a switch). A
fixed resistor is one which has a constant resistance value. In a series circuit
the current is the same everywhere in the circuit. This means that wherever I
try to measure the current, I will obtain the same reading. Each component
has an individual Ohm's law Voltage Drop. This means one can calculate the
voltage using Ohm's Law if I know the current through the component and the
resistance. Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law Applies. This means that the sum of all the
voltage sources is equal to the sum of all the voltage drops. The total
resistance in the circuit is equal to the sum of the individual resistances. The
sum of the power supplied by the source is equal to the sum of the power
dissipated in the components (www.allaboutcircuits 2014).
11

11. References
Bird, J. (2003). Electrical circuit theory and technology (Rev. 2nd ed.). Oxford: Newnes.
Gussow, M., & Gussow, M. (2007). Schaum's Outline Of Basic Electricity (2nd ed.). New
York: McGraw-Hill.
Types of Electrical Circuits. (2012, February 13). Retrieved September 12, 2014.
www.youtube.com
Voltage and current. (n.d.). Retrieved October 9, 2014. www.allaboutcircuits.com
14

12. cwit3215@students.spcc.edu
Mechanical Engineering Student
Have a nice day!
Comments?
15