Definition /
- a circuit made of a single loop with loads connected one after another.
- A circuit where the loads are connected side by side
# of paths /
- One
- More than one
Current through each bulb /
- Same current through all bulbs.
- Each branch gets different amounts of current, based on resistance.
- The branches with least resistance get the most current.
Power of bulbs compared to other type of circuit /
- Bulbs are generally less bright than a parallel circuit
- Bulbs are generally more bright than a series circuit
Power as you add more bulbs /
- The more bulbs you add, the more resistance, so the less current so the less power (bulbs get dimmer)
- The more bulbs you add, the less resistance, so the more total current, but it splits sobulbs stay the same.
Common Uses/Examples of /
- Burglar alarms, if any one part breaks the circuit breaks and trips the alarm.
- Inexpensive Christmas lights.
- Fuses and Circuit Breakers are wired in series to the rest of the circuit.
- Any item that if one goes out they all go out.
- Wiring of outlets in house, so if one goes out, others stay on.
- Any load that needs to be on/off independent of other loads in the circuit.
Pros (advantages) /
- Uses less wire
- Less expensive
- Easier to build.
- Can use fewer switches
- Use less energy
- Can be used to prevent current from getting too high.
- If one goes out the others stay on.
- You get brighter bulbs.
Cons (disadvantages) /
- If one goes out, they ALL go out.
- Less power output.
- The more loads the less current.
- Harder to build
- Use more wire
- more expensive
- Battery dies faster
- Uses more current
- safety hazard – fire
- Needs a fuse or circuit breaker.
Diagram
Total resistance as you add more bulbs/branches /
- The more bulbs you add the larger the resistance
- RT =R1+R2+ . . .
- The more bulbs/branches the smaller the resistance.
- 1/RT = 1/R1 + 1/R2 +...