Tonight

1stfix2ndfix · Sep 22, 2014

I'm goin to be looking at series parallel and series parallel circuits. I had a little look last night over my college notes and books and it's not all flossing back to me.

I guess my first question is what do u normally find in a domestic house ?

1stfix2ndfix · Sep 22, 2014

Flooding not flossing

telectrix · Sep 22, 2014

very rare you find series arrangements in domestics. an example of series arrangement is the stop buttons on motor control circuits ( industrial).

Pete999 · Sep 22, 2014

Some Christmas Tree Lights are wired in series, but why the question?:confused5:.com

Richard Burns · Sep 22, 2014

With a parallel circuit each piece of equipment sees the same voltage (the supply voltage) and so this is the most likely arrangement for all electrical equipment that is designed to work on a 230V (nominal) supply.

For a series circuit the voltage drops across each item in the circuit and so they see a smaller voltage, however the current through each item is the same.

One example of a series / parallel circuit is in flexible LED strip lights, where if you look closely you will tend to see block of three LEDs in series each block being connected in parallel to the next block.
For a 12V supply this means a block of three has the same current running through each LED and each LED in the block sees (12/3) = 4V.

Knobhead · Sep 22, 2014

Good analogy Mr. Burns.

1stfix2ndfix · Sep 22, 2014

Just had a quick look but will be on later to properly understand this read everything and take it all in. If I'm lucky I'll be able to pick all your brains with my future questions and come out more educated then a lot of the apprentices myself included. Thanks a lot gentlemen

telectrix · Sep 22, 2014

easy way to remember the difference is that series is like a trade union... 1 out, all out.

1stfix2ndfix · Sep 22, 2014

Lol theres not much point trying to learn anymore about what each one is, cheers

Quick couple of questions though

I keep seeing a box with a number in it and the ohms sign. Its obvioulsy a readying. Is it basically the same reading im getting when i do the earth loop impedance test at sockets and light for example. Or is it more another type of test performed on a kettle, hairdryer for example. I guess wha im trying to workout is what is this number in a box is it an actual object.

And also does the voltage vary on a parell circuit im guessing yes as

i = vxr

so box 1 might be 5.6 ohms and box 2, 3.4 ohms

so each would give a different answer

Richard Burns · Sep 22, 2014

1stfix2ndfix said:
Lol theres not much point trying to learn anymore about what each one is, cheers

Quick couple of questions though

I keep seeing a box with a number in it and the ohms sign. Its obvioulsy a readying. Is it basically the same reading im getting when i do the earth loop impedance test at sockets and light for example. Or is it more another type of test performed on a kettle, hairdryer for example. I guess wha im trying to workout is what is this number in a box is it an actual object.

And also does the voltage vary on a parell circuit im guessing yes as

i = vxr

so box 1 might be 5.6 ohms and box 2, 3.4 ohms

so each would give a different answer

You will have to clarify what you are asking here and give some background.
Having visions of boxes with number and omega is not a good mental sign, however if you were reading a particular book and this had resistance values in it then it would be useful to know which book and what the book was covering.

2.34 Ω for instance is a resistance reading, however what that reading relates to could be anyone's guess without further explanation.
Resistance is measured when doing earth fault loop impedance, R1+R2, continuity of conductors, Insulation resistance (in MΩ), it is also measured in PAT testing both as a continuity reading for the earth bond test and in the insulation resistance measurement (MΩ).
In an electronic circuit the resistance of the components and the connecting wires may be relevant.

The voltage on a parallel circuit, if you ignore the resistance of the conductors, will be at the supply voltage when it enters the equipment and the voltage dropped across the equipment will equal the supply voltage so the voltage on the other side of the equipment will be zero.

HappyHippyDad · Sep 23, 2014

I've just been looking at series and parellel 1stfix, although on a 12V scale. I haven't come across a situation yet in the domestic setting though.

My way of understanding it on a basic level which is all I can take at the moment is :

They are all 1.5V batteries but depending if they are linked in parallel or series the voltage either increases or stays the same.

I may be wrong as I'm only just starting to look into this but :

1. In the above picture where the batteries are linked in parallel the total voltage is still 1.5V BUT the amount of Ah (amp hours) is increased. So if one battery has 3Ah (ie it can supply 3A for 1 hour), then if it is linked with the other batteries (4 in total - in parallel) the Ah is increased to 3Ah x 4 = 12Ah

2. If the batteries are linked in series you add the voltages together (so you get 6V) but the Ah stay the same at 3Ah in total.

If this is wrong I'm sure someone will say and I hope they do if it is as I would not want you getting misinformation.

telectrix · Sep 23, 2014

spot on there HHD. can't fault it. you can see from the pic. that with series, any break in the interconnections and you lose all output, but with parallel, you just reduce the AH

1stfix2ndfix · Sep 23, 2014

Cheers u two haven't got time to read them ATM as at work but will do on my break/or this evening.

Knobhead · Sep 23, 2014

You do come across series circuits in domestic wiring. Think about doing your dead tests.

I’ll put up a drawing later with series parallel for you to work out the current flow. (It’s filed somewhere in the black hole that pretends to be my hard drive.)

davesparks · Sep 23, 2014

The only time you are likely to install a series circuit in domestic is if you are installing LED lights on a constant current supply.

We use series circuits in theatre and fireworks, I'll try and get online later and write a bit up about it.

Tonight

1stfix2ndfix

1stfix2ndfix

telectrix

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Pete999

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Richard Burns

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Knobhead

1stfix2ndfix

telectrix

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1stfix2ndfix

Richard Burns

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HappyHippyDad

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telectrix

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1stfix2ndfix

Knobhead

davesparks

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