SERIES CIRCUIT

• is a circuit where there is only one path from the source through all of the loads and back to the source. 

• series circuits are most often used for lighting. 

• The most familiar example is a string of classic Christmas tree lights, in which the loss of one bulb shuts off the flow of electricity to each bulb further down the line.

• A series circuit is one in which every component is arranged in a series connection. 

• The first disadvantage is that, if one component in a series circuit fails, then all the components in the circuit fail because the circuit has been broken. 

• The second disadvantage is that the more components there are in a series circuit, the greater the circuit's resistance.

Characteristics of Series Circuit 

• the current flowing through every series components are equal.
• the total voltage across the circuit is the sum of the voltages across each load. 
• the total resistance is equal to the sum of all the resistance.

Series Circuit Formulas

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• VTotal  =  V1 + V2 + V3.......
• ITotal    =  I1   = I2   = I3.......
• RTotal =  R1 + R2 + R3.......
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How to solve a Series Circuit

A series circuit is built quite simply. There will be a voltage source, the current will leave the positive terminal, move through the resistors and then return to the negative terminal. This article will overview the current, voltage, resistance, and power of an individual resistor.

1. When first examining a series circuit, begin by the power source which is in Volts (V) but may be displayed as (E).

2.From that point you must look at what values are given for the other parts of the circuit.

• To find the total resistance of the circuit we can simply add the individual resistances together                          
• RT = R₁ + R₂ + R_3...
• _{To find the total current flowing through circuit we can use the Ohm's law IT= VTotal / RTotal. (V = voltage of source, I = total current, R = total resistance) Since it is a series circuit, the current passing through each resistor is same as the total current passing through the circuit.} 
• _{The voltage across each resistor can be calculated by Ohm's law VTotal = ITotal x RTotal (V = voltage across the resistor, I = current passing through the resistor or the circuit (they are the same), R = the resistance of the resistor.}
• _{To find the power dissipated across a resistor the formula is  P = I²R (P  = power dissipated across a resistor, I = current passing through the resistor or the circuit (they are the same), R = the resistance of the resistor.}
• _{To find Energy consumed by each resistor, E = P x t (P = power dissipated across the resistor, t = time given in seconds).}

Example: A series circuit has a battery of 12 volts, three resistors of R1 = 10 ohms, R2 = 20 ohms and R3 = 30 ohms.

• Total resistance (RT) = 10 + 20 + 30 = 60 ohms
• Total current (I) = V/R = 12/60 = 0.2 Amperes.

Voltage across various resistors

1. Voltage across R₁           V₁ = I x R₁ = 0.2 x 10 = 2 Volts
2. Voltage across R₂         V₂ = I x R₂ = 0.2 x 20 = 4 Volts
3. Voltage across R₃         V₃ = I x R₃ = 0.2 x 30 = 6 Volts

Power dissipated across various resistors

1. Power dissipated across R₁           P₁ = I² x R₁ = 0.2² x 10 = 0.4 Watts
2. Power dissipated across R₂           P₂ = I² x R₂ = 0.2² x 20 = 0.8 Watts
3. Power dissipated across R₃           P₃ = I² x R₃ = 0.2² x 30 = 1.2Watts

Energy consumed by various resistors at time = 10 seconds

1. Energy consumed by R₁         E₁ = P₁ x t = 0.4 x 10 = 4 Joules
2. Energy consumed by R₂         E₂ = P₂ x t = 0.8 x 10 = 8 Joules
3. Energy consumed by R₃          E₃ = P₃ x t = 1.2 x 10 = 12 Joules

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