# Parallel DC Circuits

The end to end connection of resistors, where their end connections are common in a network configuration of resistors in electrical circuit called Parallel circuit configuration.
Two network configurations, series and parallel, form the framework for some of the most complex network structures. A clear understanding of each will pay enormous dividends as more complex methods and networks are examined. The series connection was discussed in detail in the last chapter. We will now examine the parallel circuit and all the methods and laws associated with this important configuration.
The term parallel is used so often to describe a physical arrangement between two elements that most individuals are aware of its general characteristics. In general,
Meaning of parallel: Two elements, branches, or circuits are in parallel if they have two points in common.
Fig.no.1:
Parallel resisters: three different configurations.
 Fig.no.1(a): the two resistors are in parallel because they are connected at points a and b. Fig.no.1(b): Resistors R1 and R2 are in parallel because they again have points a and b in common. R1 is not in parallel with R3 because they are connected at only one point (b). Further, R1 and R3 are not in series because a third connection appears at point b. The same can be said for resistors R2 and R3. Fig.no.1(c): Resistors R1 and R2 are in series because they have only one point in common that is not connected elsewhere in the network. while (R1 + R2) are in parallel with R3, because their combined effect goes parallel with R3. Resistors R1and R3 are not in parallel because they have only point a in common. In addition, they are not in series because of the third connection to point a.
Furthermore, even though the discussion above was only for resistors, it can be applied to any two-terminal elements such as voltage sources and meters.

#### Parallel Resistors in a circuit

For resistors in parallel as shown in Fig.no.2, the total resistance is determined from the following equation: $$\bbox[5px,border:1px solid red] {\color{blue}{{1 \over R_T} = {1 \over R_1} + {1 \over R_2} +{1 \over R_3}}} \tag{1}$$
(a)
(b)
Fig.no.2: Parallel combination of resistors.
Lets go for a deep calculation of the total resistance obtained from the parallel combination of resistors as given in eq.(1): Looking to Fig.no.2(a), applied voltage source E is connected directly to all of the resisters in parallel. So voltage drops across R1, R2, and R2 are same. But the currents in the parallel resistors are different due to different values of resistance. I1 is the current passing through R1, I2 through R2, and I3 through R3. Current I is the overall current extracted from the battery, which divides further into three currents I1, I2, and I3. In equation form, we can get: $$I = I_1 + I_2 + I_3$$ where $I_1 = E/R_1$, $I_2 = E/R_2$, and $I_3 = E/R_3$. By inserting these values in the above equation, we can get: $$I = {E \over R_1} + {E \over R_2} + {E \over R_3}$$ $$I = E({1 \over R_1} + {1 \over R_2} + {1 \over R_3})$$ But Fig.no.2(b), which is the resulted form of parallel resistors, can gives us the value of current $I = E/R_T$. Now we get; $${E \over R_T}= E({1 \over R_1} + {1 \over R_2} + {1 \over R_3})$$ $$\bbox[5px,border:1px solid red] {\color{blue}{ {1 \over R_T}= ({1 \over R_1} + {1 \over R_2} + {1 \over R_3})}}$$ Since conductance G = 1/R, the equation can also be written in terms of conductance levels as follows: $$\bbox[5px,border:1px solid red] {\color{blue}{ G_T= G_1 + G_2+G_3}}$$
Example 1: a: Find the total conductance of the parallel network in Fig.no.3.
b. Find the total resistance of the same network using the results of part (a).
Fig.no.3: Parallel resistors for example 1.
Solution:
a: $G_1 = 1/R_1 = 1/3Ω = 0.333 S$
$G_2 = 1/R_2 = 1/6Ω = 0.167 S.$
$G_T = G_1 + G_2 = 0.333 S + 0.167 S = 0.5 S$
b: $R_T = 1/G_T = 1/0.5S = 2Ω$
If you review the examples above, you will find that the total resistance is less than the smallest parallel resistor. That is, in Example 1, 2 Ω is less than 3 Ω or 6 Ω. In general, therefore,
the total resistance of parallel resistors is always less than the value of the smallest resistor.
This is particularly important when you want a quick estimate of the total resistance of a parallel combination. Simply find the smallest value, and you know that the total resistance will be less than that value. It is also a great check on your calculations. In addition, you will find that
if the smallest resistance of a parallel combination is much smaller than that of the other parallel resistors, the total resistance will be very close to the smallest resistance value.

#### Special Case: Equal Parallel Resistors

For equal resistors in parallel, the equation for the total resistance becomes significantly easier to apply. For N equal resistors in parallel, $${1 \over R_T}= {1 \over R} + {1 \over R} + {1 \over R} + . . .+ {1 \over R_N}$$ $$R_T = { 1 \over {{1 \over R} + {1 \over R} + {1 \over R} + . . .+ {1 \over R_N}}}$$ $$R_T = { 1 \over {{N \over R}}}$$ $$\bbox[5px,border:1px solid red] {\color{blue}{R_T = { R \over N }}} \tag{2}$$