Why does parallel circuit have higher current than the series?

Answer 1

Parallel branches each draw a current from the supply. The more branches, the more current is drawn. Adding additional loads to a series circuit increases its resistance, causing its supply current to reduce.

Answer 2

In a series circuit, by Kirchoff's current law, the current at every point in the circuit is the same. By Kirchoff's voltage law, the sum of the voltage drops or rises (properly signed) as you go around the circuit all add up to zero.

In a parallel circuit, by Kirchoff's voltage law, the voltage across parallel elements is the same. By Kirchoff's current law, the sum of the currents entering or leaving a node (properly signed) all add up to zero.

By Ohm's law, the current in each leg of the parallel circuit will be the voltage divided by the impedance. Since the voltage is the same across each leg, you can calculate current in each leg independently. You can then add them up, and that will be the total current entering the set of legs.

Answer 3

A single bulb circuit is a series circuit.

It would be better to ask: Why do bulbs in series have less current than bulbs in parallel?

The resistance of the bulbs in series is cumulative, R(total) = R1 + R2 + R3 etc. being the sum of the individual resistances. This makes the current in the circuit lower and it makes the current get lower and lower each time you add a bulb to the circuit.

Look at the formula, Ohm's Law:

V = IR

If V, voltage stays the same, then as resistance, R gets bigger, I (current) has to get smaller.

In the case of the parallel bulbs, each bulb has very little influence on the other bulbs, so each glows at normal power. The current in each bulb remains the same as you add bulbs. The current in the total circuit is cumulative, being the sum of the currents in each bulb. Compared to the series circuit were the resistance is cumulative. Actually, the more bulbs in parallel the better.

The formula for a parallel circuit is more complex because the resistance does not add to get the total. The reciprocal of the resistances add.

1/R(total) = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + 1/R3 ....

If two bulbs with a resistance of 3 Ohm are added to a series circuit, the total resistance = 6 Ohm.

If two bulbs with a resistance of 2 Ohm are added to a parallel circuit, the resistance is 1.5 Ohm. Adding another bulb of 3 Ohm would change the resistance of the circuit to 1 Ohm. More pathways are added for the electrons meaning less resistance.

Answer 4

depend on the circuit , but mainly parallel current is bigger . Because it do not vary according to length . we are using this parallel concept in house hold. we divide the whole current and use it . so width wise and application wise parallel ckt is big.

but if look on length, series ckt is big. we can see it on road light. this is so long but this will eliminate current capacity as we moving far. so ckt is so big but current will decrease ..

so the bigger ckt is depend upon application or use

Answer

It depends entirely on the load. Whichever circuit has the higher load will have the higher supply current.

Answer 5

a parrell circiut is used for giveing multiple places the same voltage. a series circuit is a straight line one line of voltage

Answer 6

Because the total resistance has been decreased; for two parallel elements, R1 and R2, their net resistance is (R1*R2) / (R1 + R2), which will be less than either element alone.

Answer 7

Only the SUM of all the currents must remain constant in a parallel circuit.

(because there are multiple paths which needs join only at the termination).

Answer 8

In a parallel circuit, the resistances get the full voltage. In a series circuit, the voltage is divided among more than one element.