Parallel Circuits

• Parallel circuits


  Circuits where each component is separately connected to the +ve and -ve of the supply (except ammeters, which are always connected in series)
• Parallel circuits


  • Independence and isolation - if you remove or disconnect one component, it will hardly affect the others at all
  • Potential difference is the same across all components - identical bulbs connected in parallel will all be at the same brightness
  • Current is shared between branches - the total current flowing around the circuit is equal to the total of all the currents through the separate components
• Parallel circuits


  1. Components are separately connected to the +ve and -ve of the supply

  2. Junctions where the current either splits or rejoins - the total current going into a junction has to equal the total current leaving it

  3. If two identical components are connected in parallel, the same current will flow through each component
• Adding a resistor in parallel

  Reduces the total resistance - the total resistance is less than the resistance of the smallest of the two resistors
• Parallel circuits are much more useful than series circuits, and most electronics use a combination of series and parallel circuitry
• Everyday circuits often include a mixture of series and parallel parts