Basic DC Theory http://www.zen22142.zen.co.uk/Theory/basicdc.

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Basic DC
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Article : Andy Collinson

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Jump to Series & Parallel Circuits, Kirchhoff's Laws, Current Division,

Voltage Division

Ohm's Law
In DC circuits, the relationship between the current, voltage, power
and resistance may be resolved with the aid of a pie chart :-

There are four quadrants representing Voltage, V, Power, W,

Resistance, R and Current, I. Knowing any two quantities allows the
other two to be found. For example, if you have a 1k resistor and
measure a voltage of 10 Volts DC across its terminals, then the
current flowing through the resistor will be V/R or 10mA. Similarly,

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the power developed in the resistor will be V2/R or 100mW.

Depending on the flow of current, a voltage will have a polarity. The

direction of current is indicated with an arrow, as shown below :-

The side of the resistor where the current flows into the resistor will
be the positive side of the voltage, the negative side is where the
current flows out. If the resistor was 5 ohms and the current ( I, not
one) was 2 amps, then the voltage or potential difference would be
10 volts. In electronics, it is normal to talk about potential differences
(p.d.) with reference to one point, which is usually zero. If the point
was not zero, then its value would be clearly indicated, but for
convenience, most systems have a common ground or earth which is
usually zero volts.

Series and Parallel Circuits

The current in a series circuit is the same at all points. Below, 2mA is
measured at any break between two points:

The voltage in a parallel circuit will be the same when measured

across any two points:

Kirchhoff's Laws

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Kirchhoff's voltage and current laws are also a basic prerequisite for
circuit analysis. Kirchhoff's current law simply states that the sum of
currents flowing into a junction equals the sum of currents flowing
away from the junction. For example:-

The arrows represent the direction of current flow, the junction is

where the wires meet. I1 is flowing into the junction whereas I2 and
I3 are flowing out. If I1 was 20 amp and I3 was 5amp then I2 would
be 15amp, as I1=I2+I3.Kirchhoff's voltage law states that the sum
of voltage drops around a closed circuit is equal to zero. This can
also be expressed as the sum of voltage drops around a closed circuit
is equal to the sum of voltage sources :-

If the diagram above, the voltage drops across R1, R2 and R3 must
equal 10v or 10=V1+V2+V3. Here is an example :-

The currents i2 and i3 and the unknown resistance, R can all be

calculated, using basic dc theory. The direction of current flow is as

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indicated by the arrows. The voltage on the left hand 10 ohm resistor
is flowing out of the top terminal of the resistor. The p.d. across this
resistor is (i1* R ) or 5 volts. This is in opposition to the 15 volt
battery. By Kirchhoff's voltage law the p.d. across the centre 10 ohm
resistor is thus 15-5 or 10volts. Using ohms law, the current through
the 10 ohm resistor ( V/R ) is then 1 amp. Using Kirchhoff's current
law and now knowing i1 and i3, i2 is found , i3=i1+i2 therefore
i2=0.5 amp. Again using Kirchhoff's voltage law the p.d. across R
can be calculated. 20=i2R+10. The voltage across R ( i2R) is then 10
volts. The value of R is (V/I) or 10/0.5 or 20 ohms. A few more
examples are presented under the Circuit Analysis section.

Current Division
The current flow at a junction will divide into two parts, the current
through the respective branch can be worked out as shown below:

for I1 and for I2

Voltage Division

The voltage across R1 can be found using the equation:

The voltage across R2 can be found using the equation:

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Return to Circuit Theory

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