Series-Parallel Circuits
Analyzing Series-Parallel Circuit.
We analyze series-parallel circuits in stages using the same techniques We
learned in our Series and Parallel circuit lectures. If the network
contains a string of resistors in series simply add the resistors up and call
the sum Rstring.
If the series-parallel circuit contains a bank of resistors in parallel.
Calculate the parallel resistance and call sum Rbank.
Redraw the the circuit. Now you have a much simpler circuit to
analyze. Naturally if you more than one string or bank you will have to
make a few more calculations before you can calculate the total resistance of
the circuit. This process is covered in must basic electronics books that
have been written over the past hundred years. Therefore, I will confine
the remainder of this lecture to troubleshooting these networks.
Troubleshooting Series-Parallel
Circuits.
Measure the voltage drop across all resistors located in a series string.
Calculate the current through each resistor. Use the technique discussed
in Series Circuit to test or
troubleshoot each series circuit string. If you find a bad resistor
you are done. If the bad resistor was not in a resistor string, redraw the
schematic substituting Rstring1, Rstring2 etc. for the string resistors. You now
have a simplified the circuit for troubleshooting, and you have localized the
failure to one of the resistors not in a series string.
Read Chapter 5 of Electronic Concepts
Test yourself with my troubleshooting animations.
See Links to Animations below.
Links To My Animations
Serial/Parallel
Circuit Simulation with Fault.
Click on Test Point Symbols, Voltage Should will be displayed
on Top of Page.
Links
Tutorial
(Read "Resistors in Combination" and "Complicated Circuits"
Also
see Series/Parallel Circuit Animations in Gif Circuits.
