Difference Between Series And Parallel Circuit

What Is A Series Circuit?

A series circuit is a circuit in which resistors are arranged in a chain, so that current has only one path to take. The current is the same through each resistor but voltage is dropped (lost) across each of the resistances. In a series circuit, the sum of the voltages consumed by each individual resistance is equal to the source voltage.

In a series circuit, every device must function for the circuit to be complete. If a fault occurs in one resistor or if one bulb burns out, the entire circuit is broken.

A common application of series circuit in consumer electronics is in batteries, where several cells connected in series are used to obtain a convenient operating voltage. Series circuits are also used for lighting in electric multiple trains’ units.

What You Need To Know About Series Circuit

A series circuit is a circuit which consists of multiple electronic components in the sequential order in a single path.
In series circuit, the same current is flowing through each component or load.
A fault in one of the components of the series circuit causes hindrance in the operation of the entire circuit.
In the series circuit, different voltage exists across each component in the circuit.
In a series connection, it is not easy to detect fault in the circuit.
The construction of series circuit is easy since it requires fewer conductors.
The series circuit is not easy to repair as compared to parallel circuit.
In series circuit, current passes through a single path.
The equivalent resistance in case of a series circuit is always more than the highest value of resistance in the series connection.
The effective or equivalence resistances (R) of the series circuit is the sum of the resistances connected in series (R=R₁+R₂+R₃).

Also Read: Difference Between Voltage And Current

What Is A Parallel Circuit?

A parallel circuit is a circuit in which the resistors are arranged with their heads connected together and their tails too connected together. Components connected in parallel are connected along multiple paths so that the current can split up. Also, the voltage across the total voltage across each of the components is the same, and the total current is the sum of the currents flowing through each component.

In parallel circuits, if any of the components are damaged, the current will not flow through that particular branch, current will flow through other parallel branches, hence the circuit will still function properly.

Parallel circuits are used for domestic wiring so that a fault in any one branch does not cut off the supply for the other branches. Parallel circuits are also used in distribution systems to take tappings from the supply bus.

Other applications of parallel circuits include:

The DC power supply in automobiles uses parallel circuits.
The computer hardware is designed using parallel circuits.

What You Need To Know About Parallel Circuit

A parallel circuit is a circuit which consists of multiple electronic components in the parallel branch.
In the parallel circuit, different amount of current flows through each parallel branch of the circuit.
If any of the components are damaged, the current will not flow through that particular branch, current will flow through other parallel branches, hence the circuit will still function properly.
In the parallel circuit, the same voltage exists across the multiple components in the circuit.
In a parallel connection, it is quite easy to detect fault or disconnection in the circuit.
Construction of the parallel circuit is complicated. It requires more conductors.
The parallel circuit can be easily repaired.
In parallel circuit, current can be passed through multiple paths.
The equivalent resistance in the parallel circuit is always less than any of the individual resistances in parallel combination.
The reciprocal of the effective or equivalent resistance (R) of the parallel circuit is the sum of the reciprocals of the resistances connected in parallel (1/R=1/R₁+1/R₂+1/R₃).

Also Read: Difference Between SCR And TRIAC

Difference Between Series And Parallel Circuit In Tabular Form

BASIS OF COMPARISON	SERIES CIRCUIT	PARALLEL CIRCUIT
Description	A series circuit is a circuit which consists of multiple electronic components in the sequential order in a single path.	A parallel circuit is a circuit which consists of multiple electronic components in the parallel branch.
Current	In series circuit, the same current is flowing through each component or load.	In the parallel circuit, different amount of current flows through each parallel branch of the circuit.
Fault In Circuit	A fault in one of the components of the series circuit causes hindrance in the operation of the entire circuit.	If any of the components are damaged, the current will not flow through that particular branch, current will flow through other parallel branches, hence the circuit will still function properly.
Voltage	In the series circuit, different voltage exists across each component in the circuit.	In the parallel circuit, the same voltage exists across the multiple components in the circuit.
Default Detection	In a series connection, it is not easy to detect fault in the circuit.	In a parallel connection, it is quite easy to detect fault or disconnection in the circuit.
Construction	The construction of series circuit is easy since it requires fewer conductors.	Construction of the parallel circuit is complicated. It requires more conductors.
Repair	The series circuit is not easy to repair as compared to parallel circuit.	The parallel circuit can be easily repaired.
Current Path	In series circuit, current passes through a single path.	In parallel circuit, current can be passed through multiple paths.
Equivalence Resistance	The equivalent resistance in case of a series circuit is always more than the highest value of resistance in the series connection.	The equivalent resistance in the parallel circuit is always less than any of the individual resistances in parallel combination.
Equivalence Resistance Calculation	The effective or equivalence resistances (R) of the series circuit is the sum of the resistances connected in series (R=R₁+R₂+R₃).	The reciprocal of the effective or equivalent resistance (R) of the parallel circuit is the sum of the reciprocals of the resistances connected in parallel (1/R=1/R₁+1/R₂+1/R₃).

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