Series Circuits
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
- Since there is only one path for current to flow, any break in a series circuit will stop all flow.
- All components share the same current, as explained by Kirchhoff’s Current Law.
- 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.
- 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 |
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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 |
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Example: Find the equivalent resistance in the following circuit.
| Figure 3: Find the equivalent resistance |
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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 |
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Example: Find the equivalent inductance of the following circuit.
| Figure 5: Find the equivalent inductance |
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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 |
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Example: Find the equivalent capacitance of this circuit.
| Figure 7: Find the equivalent capacitance |
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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].
Contributors:
| User | Last Update |
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| Mayurakhi Khan | 936 days ago |
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Faculty advisors: Kim Pope