Circuit Fundamentals

Current division – equivalent resistance for parallel connection

resistance

Let us take n resistors R1 … Rn connected in parallel with voltage source V. According to Ohm’s Law the same voltage  goes through each resistor.

circuit fundamentals - figure 11 and 12
Figure 11 and 12
v=i1*R1=...=in*Rn  and i1=vR1,   ...    in=vRn.

Kirhhoff’s Law states that:

i=i1+...+in=vR1+...+vRn=v*1R1+...+1Rn=vReq

Equivalent resistance for n parallel resistances is described by the formula:

1Req=1R1+...1Rn

The complex circuit (above) with three branches can be replaced by the equivalent circuit with with one equivalent resistance. In this case it’s easier to use conductance instead of resistance. Equivalent conductance is equal to the sum of single conductances.

If G=1R.  Then   Geq=1Req=G1+...+Gn.

This leads us to the principle of current division. Resistors share the current , with inverse in proportion to their resistances (conductances). By easy calculation you can see that biggest current goes through the smallest resistance. This circuit  is called a current divider and is current division formula is:

in=GnG1+GN*i

These two examples above show how convenient it is to combine a complex series or parallel resistances into simplified networks with reduced quantity of resistances.

Wye-delta conversions / delta-wye conversions

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