Resistors in Series and Parallel
Kella A. Ortega
BS-Psychology Undergraduate, College of Liberal Arts, De La Salle University-Manila
Taft Ave., Malate Manila, NCR, 1004
k_ort1@hotmail.com
Abstract This paper will give a report about the
experiment Resistors in Series and Parallel, wherein the
main objectives were to differentiate between series and
parallel connected resistors, to identify the direction of
the currents and the polarity of passive devices, and to
determine the relationship between currents and
voltages through resistors. The experimenters were able
to accomplish all the stated objectives through the
experiment conducted.
Keywords Resistors, Series, Parallel, Voltage, Current
I. INTRODUCTION
A resistor determines how a current flows in an
electric circuit. It can regulate and resist current. The
degree in which resistors can perform these tasks is
measured in Ohms [1]. The resistor used in this
experiment was the Decade Resistance Box.
There are two main ways in which resistors can
be arranged or connected, namely in series and in
parallel. Resistors in series involve arranging each
resistor one after the other to create what would seem
to be a line. The ends of this 'line' will be what are
connected to the power supply [2]. An example of this
would be a hallway filled with lights, and if one light
were to run-out, the rest would follow [3].
Whereas, resistors arranged in parallel would
mean that the two ends of each resistor would have to
be connected to the power supply [2]. If the lights in
the hallway mentioned earlier were connected in this
manner then, even if one light were to stop working,
the rest would not follow [3]. Other than series and
parallel, there is also a type of arrangement that
involves a combination of both series and parallel.
This experiment was performed with 5 main
objectives in mind. The first is to be able to
differentiate between two kinds of connections of
resistors, parallel and series. Second is to be able to
know what direction of the currents and the polarity of
the passive devices used in simple DC circuits. Next is
to be able to determine and experimentally ascertain
the relationship between currents and voltages through
each kind of resistor. Last is to be able to calculate,
through theoretical and experimental means, the
resistance of all kinds of resistors [4].
II. THEORETICAL BACKGROUND
A. Resistors in Series
The main theory concept resistors in series is that,
since the resistors are connected in a series, the current
that flows through each resistor should be equal, and
the total voltage used in the set-up should be equal to
the sum of all of the voltages of the set-up.
This theory is seen put into equation through:
(1) I T =I 1+ I 2 + I 3 and (2)
V T =V 1+V 2+V 3 .
The equivalent resistance of this set-up is supposedly
VT
computed through (3) RT = , as derived from
IT
the equations (1) and (2).
In order to compute for the individual resistance
of the resistors from the set-up, the formula
I T R T =I 1 R 1+ I 2 R 2+ I 3 R 3 is used. Following
this, since the total current is equal to the individual
currents that pass through each resistor, the formula
(4) RT =R1 + R2 + R3 is derived, indicating that
the total resistance of the set-up is the sum of all the
individual resistors connected in the series [4].
B. Resistors in Parallel
In resistors in parallel, the resistors are connected
parallel to the battery unlike resistors in series. As
such, unlike resistors in series the total current is not
equally flowing throughout the whole set-up, while
the voltage on the other hand is equal. This can be
seen through the equations (6) I T =I 1+ I 2 + I 3
and (5) V T =V 1+V 2+V 3 . Also the, the total
VT
current may be expressed as (7) I T = .
RT
From equations (6) and (7), this equation (8)
V T =V 1 +V 2 +V 3
is derived, wherein the
RT =R1 + R2 + R3
I T in equation (6) is substituted by its equivalent
in equation (7), and so forth. Then, from the derived
equation (8), the derivation of (8)
 1 using the
1=1+ 1+1
or 1 1 1 can be
R T =R 1+ R2 + R3 + +
R1 R2 R3
made. This was devised through the concept which
states that voltage for resistors in parallel are equal to
one another. From this, it is then supposedly theorized
that the total resistance of resistors in parallel is the
sum of the reciprocals of each resistor's resistance [4].
C. Resistors in Series and Parallel Combinations
In circuits that are combinations of resistors in
series and parallel, both concepts discussed earlier
(resistors in series and resistors in parallel) were
applied in order to understand and compute for the
required values as in accordance to the structure of the
circuit given [4].
D. Measuring Voltages and Current
To properly measure the voltage and current, a
few concepts were noted. For voltages, the voltmeter
should be in parallel with what is being measured,
whereas, for measuring the current, the ammeter
should be inserted in the series [4].
III. METHODOLOGY
The materials used for the experiment were
three decade resistance boxes, a 3V-Battery Module, a
3V-Voltmeter, a 500mA-Ammeter, Volt-Ohm-
Milliameter (VOM), and a set of wire connectors.
Before starting with the procedures, the wires
were checked through the VOM. After seeing that all
of them were properly functioning, the first part of the
experiment, resistors in series, followed. As the
experiment was divided into three parts, how it was
accomplished will also be discussed as such.
First, for resistors in series, the decade resistance
boxes were set-up accordingly with decade resistance
box 1 (R1) set to 10 W, decade resistance box 2 (R2)
set to 20 W, and decade resistance box 3 (R3) set to 30
W. After setting up the resistance box, the circuit was
set-up as indicated (Fig. 1). The positive terminal of
the power supply, however, remained disconnected
until the set-up was approved by the professor.
Fig. 1 Set-up for resistor in series
After receiving the approval and connecting the
positive terminal, the voltages required (V1 or Vab,
V2 or Vbc, V3 or Vcd, VT or Vad) were measured
voltmeter, and properly recorded. Measuring the
voltages was done with reference to a diagram which
indicated the nodes (Fig. 2). Next, the ammeter was
inserted in the corresponding nodes for the required
currents (I1, I2, I3, and IT) that were measured. The
rest of the data required were calculated with the use
of the acquired data.
Fig. 2 Setup for resistors in series indicating nodes
After accomplishing the procedures for Resistors
in Series, the set-up of the decade resistance boxes
were altered to what was specified in the procedures
of resistors in parallel. The decade resistance box 1
(R1) was set to 15 W. The decade resistance box 2
(R2) was set to 30 W, and the decade resistance box 3
(R3) was set to 40 W. After which, the set-up of the
circuit was changed to what was indicated (Fig. 3).
Like what the previous part of the experiment, the
positive terminal of the power supply was not inserted
until the set-up attained the approval of the professor.
Fig. 3 Set-up for resistor in parallel
The voltages (V1 or Vab, V2 or Vcd, V3 or Vef,
VT or Vgh) were then measured as per the nodes
indicated, and the data acquired was recorded. Then,
the currents (I1, I2, I3, and IT) were also measured. To
measure I1, the ammeter was inserted at node a. For
I2, I3, and IT, it was at nodes i, e, and g respectively.
After properly recording the data acquired, the
required values that had not been acquired through the
procedure were calculated.
Once finished with the procedures for Resistors in
Parallel, the set-up for the decade resistance boxes
were changed once again in accordance to resistors
in series and parallel combination. These were 10W
for decade resistance box 1 (R1), 20W for decade
resistance box 2 (R2), and 30W for decade
resistance box 3 (R3).
The circuit was then re-setup in accordance to
what was indicated (Fig. 4). The positive terminal of
the power supply was again unconnected until the
approval of the professor for the set-up was given.
Fig. 4 Set-up for resistor in series and parallel combination
 V T =1.5 volts I T =0.023 A

TABLE 2
Table of Calculations for Resistance in Resistors in Series

VT RT =R1 + R2 + R3 % Difference
RT =
IT
62.5 60 =10 +20 +304.08

The total voltage measured (1.5 volts) and the

After receiving approval, the voltages (V1 or Vab, total voltage computed through the formula
V2 or Vcd, V3 or Vef, VT or Vgh) were measured. V T =V 1+V 2+V 3 resulted to a similar result of
The provided diagram (Fig. 4) was used as a reference 1.5 volts. As such, the % difference computed was 0
in order to know which nodes the voltmeter should be %. This indicates that the proposed formula
inserted in to measure what was specified. Next, the
(V 1 +V 2+ V 3) does result to V T (Table 3).
currents (I1, I2, I3, and IT) were measured by
inserting the ammeter in the proper nodes (a, c, e, g)
indicated respectively. The data was recorded, and the
rest of the required values were calculated
respectively [4].

IV. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

A. Resistors in Series

From the data acquired (Table 1), the two formulas

VT TABLE 3
for RT , RT = and RT =R1 + R2 + R3 ,
IT Table of Calculations for Voltage in Resistors in Series
were used to compute for RT . After which, the %
difference from both computations were computed. Measured V T =V 1+V 2+V 3 % Difference
The acquired % difference (4.08 %) showed that using VT
R1 + R2 + R3 to compute for RT would
acquire similar results as with the formula 1.5 volts 1.5 volts=0.3 volts +0.5
0 volts +0.7 volts
VT
RT = (Table 2). The percent difference may
IT
be caused by human error in reading the values. The measured value of total current ( I T ) is
similar to the values of the other measured individual
TABLE I currents ( I 1 , I 2 , I 3 . The only individual current
Table of Measurements Acquired for Resistors in Series that did not have the same result as the measured
I T acquired a percent difference of 4.08 .
Decade Measured Voltage Measured This may also be due to human error in reading the
Box's Current values (Table 4). From this, it can be seen that the
Resistance formula I T =I 1=I 2=I 3 can be held true.

R1=10 V 1=0.3 volts I 1 =0.025 A TABLE 4

R2=20 V 2=0.5 volts I 2 =0.024 A Table of Calculations for Current in Resistors in Series

R3=30 V 3=0.7 volts I 3 =0.024 A Measured Total Measured Individual % Difference

Current Currents
Measured Measured
Measured I 1 =0.025 A 4.08
 I T =0.024 A IT

I 2 =0.024 A 0 0.16 A 0.16 A=0.07 A +0.05

0 A +0.04 A

I 3 =0.024 A 0

The measured total voltage of 1.6 volts was

B. Resistors in Parallel similar to the measured individual voltages (
V 1=1.6 volts ,V 2=1.6 volts , V 3=1.6 volts
From the data acquired (Table 5) from the
. From this, the % difference of 0 was computed
resistors in parallel set-up, the value of RT was
(Table 8). This validates the formula,
computed with the use of the two formulas provided, V T =V 1=V 2=V 3 .
1
VT RT =
RT = and 1 1 1 . From the TABLE 8
IT + +
R1 R2 R3
Table of Calculations for Voltage in Resistors in Parallel
results of this, a percent difference of 21.5 was
acquired (Table 6). This may also be due to human
error. Measured Total Measured % Difference
Voltage Individual
TABLE 5 Voltages

Table of Measurements Acquired for Resistors in Parallel Measured V 1=1.6 volts 0

V T =1.6 volts
Decade Box ' s Measured Measured
V 2=1.6 volts 0
Resistance Voltage Current
V 3=1.6 volts 0
R1=15 V 1=1.6 volts I 1 =0.07 A

R2=30 V 2=1.6 volts I 2 =0.05C.A Resistors in Series and Parallel Combinations

R3=40 V 3=1.6 volts I 3 =0.04 A From the data acquired in the series and parallel
combination circuit (Table 9), the value of RT
Measured V T =1.6 Measured
voltswasI Tcomputed.
=0.16 A To compute for the RT , two
V
formulas were used, RT = T and
TABLE 6
IT
R R
Table of Calculations for Resistance in Resistors in Parallel RT =R1 + 2 3 . From the formula,
R2 + R3
1 % Difference V
R = RT = T , the computed resistance was
V T
1 1 1 IT
RT = T + + R R
IT R1 R2 R3 24 . From RT =R1 + 2 3 , it was
R 2 + R3
10 8.06 21.5 22 . The percent difference of 8.7 was
computed (Table 10). The difference may be due to
The proposed formula of I 1 + I 2+ I 3 was human error in reading the indicated values from the
voltmeter and the ammeter.
used to calculate for IT shows similar results as
the measured I T . As such, the % difference TABLE 9
acquired was 0% (Table 7).
Table of Measurements Acquired for Resistors in Series and Parallel
Combinations
TABLE 7
Decade Box's Measured Voltage Measured
Table of Calculations for Current in Resistors in Parallel Resistance Current
Measured I T =I 1+ I 2 + I 3 % Difference
 R1=10 V 1=0.05 volts I 1 =0.05 A

R2=20 V 2=0.06 volts I 2 =0.03 A

TABLE 12
R3=30 V 3=0.06 volts I 3 =0.02 A
Table of Calculations for Current in Resistors in Series and Parallel
Combinations
Measured Measured
V T =1.2 volts I T =0.05 A
Measured Total Measured % Difference
Current Individual
Currents
TABLE 10
I
Table of Calculations for Resistance in Resistors in Series and ( 2+ I 3)
Parallel Combinations
I 1
VT R2 R 3 % Difference Measured I 1 =0.05 A 0
RT = RT =R1 + I T =0.05 A
IT R2 + R3
24 22 8.7 I2 + I 3 0
0.05 A
The formulas V T =V 1+V 2 and
V T =V 1+V 3 resulted to similar results (1.1
V. CONCLUSION
volts). These values had a percent difference of 8.7 %
from the measured V T (1.2 volts) (Table 11). This From the data retrieved from the experiment, it
may also be reasoned to error in reading the was seen that when resistors are in series the current is
measurements indicated by the voltmeter. seen to be flowing through the circuit equally, and the
total voltage may be computed by summing the
TABLE 11 individual voltages acquired. On the other hand, when
resistors are in parallel, the total current is the sum of
Table of Calculations for Voltage in Resistors in Series and Parallel all the individual currents in the circuit, and the total
Combinations
voltage is equal to each individual voltage of the
circuit. Following the results stated, it is seen that the
Measured V % Difference
objectives of the experiment were met, and the theory
VT V stated was also verified.
( 1+V 3 )
( 1+V 2) ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
V T = The reporter of the experiment would like to give
acknowledgement to the assistance given by her
V T =1.2 volts V 8.7 Physics Laboratory Professor, Ms. Katrina Vargas.
1+V Also, she would also like to give credit to her group
( 2)=1.1 volts
mates for helping her accomplish and properly record

the experiment.
V 8.7
REFERENCES
( 1+V 3)=1.1 volts
[1] V. Ryan. (2002) Resistors on Technology Student [Online].
Available: http://www.technologystudent.com/elec1/resist1.htm
[2] Mercer University. [Online]. Available:
The measured individual currents of I1 and http://physics.mercer.edu/labs/manuals/manualEMlab/ResistiveCirc
I uits.pdf
[3] Randolph College website. [Online]. Available:
( 2+ I 3) were both 0.05 A. In comparison to http://physics.randolphcollege.edu/lab/106_116lab/serparlab/index.htm
[4] Resistors in Series and Parallel, De La Salle University, Physics
Department
the measured I T , the percent of difference 0 %
was calculated (Table 12).