Calculating Resistors in Parallel
A resistor is a device designed to introduce resistance into an electric circuit. In layman's terms, a resistor can be described as the component that keeps the balance of electric circuits. Without it, circuits will not know their limits, and there will be an unbalanced, faulty, and chaotic electrical system. Besides having resistors, knowing how to calculate the voltage across every resistor that is in parallel is also important.
Logically, parallel branches should have equal voltage running across them. So, there is no need to compute the resistors in parallel since the voltage is equal. However, this is not always the case.
In series resistors, the total resistance is computed by adding the resistances together. Parallel resistors, on the other hand, are more complicated.
Two Resistors
Calculating more than two resistors in parallel uses a different formula. A simplified form of that formula can be used to compute two resistors in parallel.
Req = (R1R2) / (R1 + R2)
For example, if R1 = 5 Ω and R2 = 6 Ω, this problem is computed through the following solution:
Req = (R1R2) / (R1 + R2)
= (5 Ω)(6 Ω) / (5 Ω + 6 Ω)
= 30 / 11
= 2.73 Ω
Therefore, the equivalent resistance of resistors in parallel is 2.73 Ω.
More Resistors
What if there are more than two resistors in parallel? In that case, the formula below should be used:
Req = 1 / (1/R1 + 1/R2 + 1/R3 + ... + 1/Rn)
Try this formula using the given values: R1 = 4 Ω; R2 = 6 Ω; R3 = 8 Ω; R4 = 10 Ω; and R5 = 12 Ω.
Req = 1 / (1/R1 + 1/R2 + 1/R3 + ... + 1/Rn)
= 1 / (1/4 Ω + 1/6 Ω + 1/8 Ω + 1/10 Ω + 1/12 Ω)
= 1 / (0.25 Ω + 0.17 Ω + 0.125 Ω + 0.1 Ω + 0.08 Ω)
= 1 / 0.795
= 1.26 Ω
Therefore, the equivalent resistance of the resistors in parallel is 1.26 Ω.
More Formulas
The formulas for calculating resistors in parallel mentioned above can only be the start of solving a new equation. Even the data given above can be used to solve a different equation. Solving the voltage divider or the current divider principle is possible with those data.
To get the voltage divider, find the product of the first resistor in ohms and the voltage. Divide the answer by the sum of the first resistor and the second resistor.
To get the current divider principle, multiply the current by the quotient of the equivalent resistance of the resistors in parallel and its first resistor.
Enough practice should help you familiarize yourself with the formula better. Take note also that the examples and formulas mentioned here are the basic and simplest ones. In real-life scenarios and more complicated problems, a more complicated formula is also needed.
A little imagination and creativity will help you solve the problem easily. After all, even the most complicated math problem can only be solved after you have learned the basics. So, never underestimate the power of this simple formula. It could get you far into solving more challenging problems.
Calculating Resistors in Parallel
Calculating Resistors in Parallel : Multi-thousand tips to make your life easier.
A resistor is a device designed to introduce resistance into an electric circuit. In layman's terms, a resistor can be described as the component that keeps the balance of electric circuits. Without it, circuits will not know their limits, and there will be an unbalanced, faulty, and chaotic electrical system. Besides having resistors, knowing how to calculate the voltage across every resistor that is in parallel is also important.
Logically, parallel branches should have equal voltage running across them. So, there is no need to compute the resistors in parallel since the voltage is equal. However, this is not always the case.
In series resistors, the total resistance is computed by adding the resistances together. Parallel resistors, on the other hand, are more complicated.
Two Resistors
Calculating more than two resistors in parallel uses a different formula. A simplified form of that formula can be used to compute two resistors in parallel.
Req = (R1R2) / (R1 + R2)
For example, if R1 = 5 Ω and R2 = 6 Ω, this problem is computed through the following solution:
Req = (R1R2) / (R1 + R2)
= (5 Ω)(6 Ω) / (5 Ω + 6 Ω)
= 30 / 11
= 2.73 Ω
Therefore, the equivalent resistance of resistors in parallel is 2.73 Ω.
More Resistors
What if there are more than two resistors in parallel? In that case, the formula below should be used:
Req = 1 / (1/R1 + 1/R2 + 1/R3 + ... + 1/Rn)
Try this formula using the given values: R1 = 4 Ω; R2 = 6 Ω; R3 = 8 Ω; R4 = 10 Ω; and R5 = 12 Ω.
Req = 1 / (1/R1 + 1/R2 + 1/R3 + ... + 1/Rn)
= 1 / (1/4 Ω + 1/6 Ω + 1/8 Ω + 1/10 Ω + 1/12 Ω)
= 1 / (0.25 Ω + 0.17 Ω + 0.125 Ω + 0.1 Ω + 0.08 Ω)
= 1 / 0.795
= 1.26 Ω
Therefore, the equivalent resistance of the resistors in parallel is 1.26 Ω.
More Formulas
The formulas for calculating resistors in parallel mentioned above can only be the start of solving a new equation. Even the data given above can be used to solve a different equation. Solving the voltage divider or the current divider principle is possible with those data.
To get the voltage divider, find the product of the first resistor in ohms and the voltage. Divide the answer by the sum of the first resistor and the second resistor.
To get the current divider principle, multiply the current by the quotient of the equivalent resistance of the resistors in parallel and its first resistor.
Enough practice should help you familiarize yourself with the formula better. Take note also that the examples and formulas mentioned here are the basic and simplest ones. In real-life scenarios and more complicated problems, a more complicated formula is also needed.
A little imagination and creativity will help you solve the problem easily. After all, even the most complicated math problem can only be solved after you have learned the basics. So, never underestimate the power of this simple formula. It could get you far into solving more challenging problems.
Calculating Resistors in Parallel
By Howtodotips
Calculating Resistors in Parallel : Multi-thousand tips to make your life easier.