DC-Circuits > Parallel circuit
A Parallel Circuit is a circuit in which that the Input Terminals and the Output Terminals of the Resistors (or other Electronic Components) are connected together respectively, Figure 1. In a Parallel Circuit, the Voltage V across each component is the same, the Current flowing through each component, Ix, is independent of the others, it depends on the Resistance of that component, Rx, Ix = V / Rx.
The Total Conductance (1 / R) of a Parallel Circuit is the sum of the all Component Conductances, 1 / R = 1 / R1 + 1 / R2 + … + 1 / Rn, Figure 1.
In Figure 2, two Light Bulbs, B1 and B2, and a Power Supply V are connected in Parallel. The same Voltage V, V = V1 = V2, is applied to the two Light Bulbs. If their Resistances, R1 and R2, are the same, R1 = R2, the Currents that flow through B1 and B2 are also the same, I1 = V / R1 = V / R2 = I2, and they are On with the same brightness.
If the circuit path of B2 is an Open Circuit, Figure 3, there is no Current flowing through B2, I2 = 0. Thus, B2 is Off. As the Voltage V applied to B1 is unchanged, the Current flowing through B1 will still be I1 = I = V / R1. The brightness of B1 is unchanged.
Lights, TV, air conditioner and other Electrical Appliances in your house are connected in parallel.
DC-Circuits > Parallel circuit