answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

To find equivalent resistance when you have both parallel and series resistors, start simple and expand...

Find the smallest part of the circuit, such as a pair of resistors in series or a pair of resistors in parallel, and compute the equivalent single resistor value. Repeat that process, effectively covering more and more of the circuit, until you arrive at a single resistance that is equivalent to the circuit.

For resistors in series: RTOTAL = R1 + R2

For resistors in parallel: RTOTAL = R1R2/(R1+R2)

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: How to find Equivalent resistance when you have both parallel and series resistors?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about Engineering

How can you connect resistors to produce an equivalent resistance which is the same as the resistance of each individual resistor?

You can connect 4 resistors in series-parallel, i.e. two in series, both in parallel with another two, and the effective resistance would be the same as one resistor. Similarly, you can connect nine resistors in 3x3 series-parallel, or 16 resistors in 4x4 series-parallel, etc. to get the same resistance of one resistor.


What is a resistance network?

A resistance 'network' consists of a number of resistors connected together in series, or in parallel, or in series-parallel, or as a complex circuit. A 'complex' circuit is one that is not series, parallel, or series-parallel.


How do resistors act in series?

In brief, the overall or net resistance changes and the resistors in series and/or parallel can be represented by a single equivalent resistor. If you consider series resistors the equivalent resistance of the series would be: R = R1+R2+ ... +Rx The equivalent resistance of parallel resistors would be: 1/R = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + ... + 1/Rx One rule to always remember when dealing with series and parallel resistors is the voltage across each resistor in parallel will be the same as defined in Kirchhoff Voltage Law and the current across each resistor in series will be the same by Kirchhoff Current Law. More information can be found at this web site. http://physics.bu.edu/py106/notes/Circuits.html


To connect a pair of resistors so that their equivalent resistance is greater than the resistance of either one should you connect them in series or in parallel?

When many resistances are connected in series, the equivalent resistance is greater than the greatest single resistance. When many resistances are connected in parallel, the equivalent resistance is less than the smallest single resistance.


Characteristics of resistor in series and parallel connection?

Resistors in series add resistance to an electrical circuit. For instance two 1 ohm resistors in series will have 2 ohms of resistance. Resistors in parallel divide the resistance between them. Thus two 2 ohm resistors in parallel will have 1 ohms total resistance. resistors of different sizes work the same way. a 4 ohm and 2 ohm resistor in series have 6 ohms resistance. While in parallel they will have .75 ohm resistance. resistance formulas: series: Req = r1+r2+r3....+rx parallel: Req = 1/r1 + 1/r2 + 1/r3 ..... +1/rx

Related questions

Three 8.0-W resistors are connected in series What is their equivalent resistance?

Three 8.0-W resistors are connected in parallel. What is their equivalent resistance?


Does more current flow through a parallel circuit than a series circuit?

Two resistors in parallel are equivalent to a single component with a lower resistance than either of the pair. Two resistors in series are equivalent to a single component with a resistance equal to the sum of the pair, therefore a higher resistance. For a given potential difference, more current in total will flow through two resistors in parallel than through the same resistors in series.


What is the equivalent resistance of a pair of 8 ohm resistors in series circuit?

Two eight-ohm resistors in series would have a total resistance of 16 ohms. Two eight-ohm resistors in parallel would have a total resistance of four ohms.


How can you connect resistors to produce an equivalent resistance which is the same as the resistance of each individual resistor?

You can connect 4 resistors in series-parallel, i.e. two in series, both in parallel with another two, and the effective resistance would be the same as one resistor. Similarly, you can connect nine resistors in 3x3 series-parallel, or 16 resistors in 4x4 series-parallel, etc. to get the same resistance of one resistor.


Does you add the shorted resistors in finding the total resistance?

When resistors are wired in series, their resistances are added to find the total resistance. If they are run in parallel, or series-parallel, the formula is different


What is a resistance network?

A resistance 'network' consists of a number of resistors connected together in series, or in parallel, or in series-parallel, or as a complex circuit. A 'complex' circuit is one that is not series, parallel, or series-parallel.


How do resistors act in series?

In brief, the overall or net resistance changes and the resistors in series and/or parallel can be represented by a single equivalent resistor. If you consider series resistors the equivalent resistance of the series would be: R = R1+R2+ ... +Rx The equivalent resistance of parallel resistors would be: 1/R = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + ... + 1/Rx One rule to always remember when dealing with series and parallel resistors is the voltage across each resistor in parallel will be the same as defined in Kirchhoff Voltage Law and the current across each resistor in series will be the same by Kirchhoff Current Law. More information can be found at this web site. http://physics.bu.edu/py106/notes/Circuits.html


To connect a pair of resistors so that their equivalent resistance is greater than the resistance of either one should you connect them in series or in parallel?

When many resistances are connected in series, the equivalent resistance is greater than the greatest single resistance. When many resistances are connected in parallel, the equivalent resistance is less than the smallest single resistance.


Characteristics of resistor in series and parallel connection?

Resistors in series add resistance to an electrical circuit. For instance two 1 ohm resistors in series will have 2 ohms of resistance. Resistors in parallel divide the resistance between them. Thus two 2 ohm resistors in parallel will have 1 ohms total resistance. resistors of different sizes work the same way. a 4 ohm and 2 ohm resistor in series have 6 ohms resistance. While in parallel they will have .75 ohm resistance. resistance formulas: series: Req = r1+r2+r3....+rx parallel: Req = 1/r1 + 1/r2 + 1/r3 ..... +1/rx


What is the effect on the total resistance if increase in resistors in series?

That depends ... in a very interesting way ... on whether they are connected in series or in parallel. -- If the resistors are in series, then the total resistance increases when you add another resistor, and it's always greater than the biggest single one. -- If the resistors are in parallel, then the total resistance decreases when you add another resistor, and it's always less than the smallest single one.


What is the relations for the equivalent resistance of a number of resistors connected in series?

Resistance in series is simply the sum of the resistors. RSERIES = SummationI=1,N(RI)


What is the formula for calculating the equivalent resistance of a series circuit?

Equivalent resistance of a series circuit is the sum of the resistance of all appliances. The formula is R=R1+R2+... where R is equivalent resistance, R1, R2 and so on is the resistance of the individual appliances.