Series Circuits

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Last updated: Oct 25, 2021 by Mayurakhi Khan
Table of Contents


What are Series Circuits?

Series circuits are circuits in which all electrical components are only connected using series connections [1]. A series connection occurs when only a single pathway exists for electric current to flow between electrical components [2]. Since series circuits are comprised solely of series connections, each series circuit has only one path for current flow. As a result, each electrical component in a series circuit has the same current flowing through it and this current is equal to the current flowing throughout the entire circuit [3].


Series Circuit Characteristics

  1. Since there is only one path for current to flow, any break in a series circuit will stop all flow.
  2. All components share the same current, as explained by Kirchhoff’s Current Law.
  3. The sum of the voltage drop across each component is equal to the sum of voltage provided by the source, as explained by Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law.
    1. To test this out, travel in a loop around a series circuit, add the voltage increases and subtract the voltage decreases. The total voltage gain/drop will be zero, as seen in Figure 1.
Figure 1: Series circuit example

Resistors in Series

To simplify a circuit containing resistors in series, multiple resistors can be replaced with a single resistor. The value of this resistor is equal to the sum of all the resistors in series:

   

Figure 2: Simplifying resistors in series






Example: Find the equivalent resistance in the following circuit.

Figure 3: Find the equivalent resistance

Inductors in Series

To simplify a circuit containing inductors in series, multiple inductors can be replaced with a single inductor. The value of this inductor is equal to the sum of all the inductors in series:

Figure 4: Simplifying inductors in series 







Example: Find the equivalent inductance of the following circuit.

Figure 5: Find the equivalent inductance

Capacitors in Series

To simplify a circuit containing capacitors in series, multiple capacitors can be replaced with a single capacitor. The value of this capacitor is obtained using the following equation:

Figure 6: Simplifying capacitors in series








Example: Find the equivalent capacitance of this circuit.

Figure 7: Find the equivalent capacitance 


References

[1] “Physics Tutorial: Series Circuits,” The Physics Classroom. [Online]. Available: https://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/circuits/Lesson-4/Series-Circuits. [Accessed: 22-Jan-2021].

[2] “What are ‘Series’ and ‘Parallel’ Circuits?: Series And Parallel Circuits: Electronics Textbook,” All About Circuits. [Online]. Available: https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/textbook/direct-current/chpt-5/what-are-series-and-parallel-circuits/. [Accessed: 22-Jan-2021].

[3] “Series Circuits (part 1) - Circuits Video Lecture,” All About Circuits. [Online]. Available: https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/video-lectures/series-circuits-part-1/. [Accessed: 22-Jan-2021].

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Mayurakhi Khan 1153 days ago
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Faculty advisors: Kim Pope