Series and Parallel Circuits

As we are aware, a circuit is a closed path that permits electricity to flow via different electrical components. Series and parallel circuits are the two categories for electrical circuits based on how they are connected.

 Series Circuits:-

Series circuits are made up of every component connected along the same path. The series circuit, in its most basic form, has just one path for electric current to travel. Batteries, LEDs, and resistors are all connected in the same path. A series circuit, sometimes referred to as a voltage divider circuit. For instance, if you connect two led's in series with a 9-volt battery, each led will receive 4.5 volts to operate.

Voltage is divided and consistent current flows via each component in a series circuit. When connecting many devices to the battery, the voltage is divided, which reduces or completely eliminates the brightness of the led. The primary drawback of series circuits is that they will fail completely if one component fails to function.


Parallel Circuits

Current can move along a number of paths in parallel circuits, and each pathway can be thought of as a branch. The current can flow through the corresponding branch or loop, each of which is capable of supporting independent loads and forming a unique loop. In a series circuit, the voltage is distributed among the components, but in a parallel circuit, the current is distributed among the branches. Because each branch is connected via a single positive and negative wire, the voltage across all of the branches stays constant. The benefit of a parallel circuit is that even if one branch or component fails, the others will continue to function without any issues.


Activity:- 2 – LED Series Circuit  

            Let's create a simple led series circuit in Tinkercad to examine the voltage dividing property and comprehend how each component functions in the series circuit.

Components Required:-

1.      Battery 9V - 1

2.      LED - 3

3.      Resistor 220 Ohm - 1

Connection Procedure:-

  1.  Select and arrange the aforementioned components in your circuit area.
  2. Rotate the battery and other parts as shown in the illustration below.
  3. Flip the positive and negative terminals by mirroring the led.
  4. Wire will be used to connect all of these components; to activate it, keep the cursor on the component's edge.
  5. Connect the positive battery terminal's wire to the first resistor terminal.
  6. Another end of the resistor to the first led’s anode and the cathode of the led to 2nd led’s anode.
  7. Then 2nd led cathode to 3rd led’s anode and cathode of last led to batteries negative terminal.
  8. Now we can see all the components in our circuit is connected in same line and we are calling this as end-to-end connection.
  9. If one led or resistor got damaged whole circuits stops working.
Circuit Diagram        




     Activity: - 2 – LED Parallel Circuit  

            Let's create a simple led parallel circuit in Tinkercad to examine the working property and comprehend how each component functions.

    Components Required: -

1.      Battery 9V - 1

2.      LED - 3

3.      Resistor 470 Ohm - 3

     Connection Procedure:-

1.      Select and arrange the aforementioned components in your circuit area.

2.      Rotate the battery and other parts as shown in the illustration below.

3.      Flip the positive and negative terminals by mirroring the led.

4.      Wire will be used to connect all of these components; to activate it, keep the cursor on the component's edge.

5.      Next the second terminal of the resistor to the first led’s anode and the first led cathode to batteries negative to form a first branch.

6.      In the same way the battery positive should connected to 2nd and 3rd resistor terminal and other end of respective resistor will connected to the 2nd and 3rd led’s anode.

7.      The cathode of 2nd and 3rd led will connect to the battery negative terminal.

8.      By completing all the connections we can see the three branches or 3 pathways of current flow.

9.      Here all the leds are connected in same positive and negative line so the voltage is not divided among the branches.

     Circuit Diagram:-