De La Salle University

Gokongwei College of Engineering

Electronics and Communications Engineering Department

LBYC2M: Fundamental of Electrical Circuits Laboratory

Laboratory Activity No. 2
Title: Experiment 2

I. Objectives/Materials/Theory/Procedures/
OBJECTIVES
1. To calculate the single resistance which is equivalent to a group of resistors connected in series.
2. To calculate the single resistance which is equivalent to a group of resistors connected in parallel.

THEORY
Electric Resistance
An electrical resistance is a property that trap the energy, delaying its flow of electric current. It is
measured through the unit of ohm. It was named name after the German physicist, Georg Simon Ohm,
who discovered the relationship of voltage, resistance, and current. All material has a resistance but its
resistivity vary from material. For example, there is a material called conductor that has a low
resistivity, there is also material called insulator that has high resistivity, and lastly a semiconductor
that can both act like an insulator or a conductor.

Resistors in Series
A resistor connected in series has a current flow that pass through all the resistors and reducing its amount
of current. If the current is inversely proportional to the resistance, then resistor connected in series has an
equivalent resistance equal to the summation of all resistance of all resistor connected in a series . For
example, a 5 ohms resistor is connected in series with a 20 ohms resistor then its equivalent resistance
is 25 ohms which is the summation of all resistor’s value connected in series. An equivalent resistance
can be represented by a single resistor in a schematic diagram.

𝑅𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑡 = 𝑅1 + 𝑅2 + ⋯ + 𝑅𝑛
 Figure 2.1 Figure 2.2

Resistors in Parallel

A resistor that share a common node or has junction is connected in parallel. In parallel, the inverse of
the equivalent resistance is equivalent to the summation of all reciprocated resistance of all resistor
connected in parallel. For example, a 5 ohms resistor is connected in parallel with a 20 ohms resistor,
the inverse of the summation of all reciprocated resistance has an equivalent resistance of 4 A. An
equivalent resistance can be represented by single resistor in a schematic diagram.

1 1 1 1
= + +⋯+
𝑅𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑅1 𝑅2 𝑅𝑛

Figure 2.3 Figure 2.4

INSTRUMENTS AND APPARATUS

▪ None

PROCEDURE
Using the equations given in the theory section, calculate the value of the single equivalent resistance
between terminals A and B for each of the following series and parallel circuits. Show your
calculations in the spaces provided.
(a) Requivalent = 200 ohms

(b) Requivalent = 250 ohms

(c) Requivalent = 550 ohms

(d) Requivalent = 400 ohms

(e) Requivalent = 75 ohms

(f) Requivalent = 100 ohms

(g) Requivalent = 200 ohms

(h) Requivalent = 51.22 ohms

(i) Requivalent = 50 ohms

(j) Requivalent = 50 ohms

(k) Requivalent = 37.86 ohms

(l) Requivalent = 27.46 ohms

(m) Requivalent = 30 ohms

 (n) Requivalent = 27.27 ohms

II. Data and Results

Electric Circuit Equivalent resistance
A 200 ohms
B 250 ohms
C 550 ohms
D 400 ohms
E 75 ohms
F 100 ohms
G 200 ohms
H 51.22 ohms
I 50 ohms
J 50 ohms
K 37.86 ohms
L 27.46 ohms
M 30 ohms
N 27.27 ohms

III. Graphs/Sample Calculations

IV. Analysis and Conclusions
 ▪ None

V. Answers to Guide Questions

1. The terms “Open circuit”, “Short circuit” and “Dead short” are often used in speaking of electricity.
Answer the following questions about these three terms.
a) What is the value of the resistance of an open circuit?
ANS: The value of the resistance of an open circuit is infinite because the current is so low that
it can’t be measured.

b) What is the value of the resistance of a short circuit?

ANS: The value of the resistance of a short circuit is zero. It is a closed circuit that has very
low resistance.

2. When a switch is open, is the resistance between its terminals high or low?
ANS: The resistance of an open switch is high because it is an open circuit. There is no flow of
electricity in an open circuit.
3. What is the resistance of a closed switch (ideally)?
ANS: The resistance of closed switch is ideally zero
4. Using each of the methods shown in (a) and (b) below, calculate the values of the equivalent
resistance of a combination of the following connected in parallel:
a) R1 = 10 ohms
b) R2 = 5 ohms
c) R3 = 12 ohms
d) R4 = 20 ohms
e) R5 = 4 ohms

a) Using the equation:

1/Requivalent = 1/R + 1/R2 + 1/R3

1 1 1 1 1 −1
𝑅𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑡 = ( + + + + ) = 1.46 Ω
10 Ω 5 Ω 12 Ω 20 Ω 4 Ω

b) Applying successively the equation:

Requivalent = (R1 x R2)/(R1 + R2)

𝑅1 × 𝑅2 10 × 5 10
𝑅1,2 = ( )=( )Ω = Ω
𝑅1 + 𝑅2 10 + 5 3
 𝑅3 × 𝑅4 12 × 20 15
𝑅3,4 = ( )=( ) Ω= Ω
𝑅3 + 𝑅4 12 + 20 2
10 15
𝑅1,2 × 𝑅3,4 × 2 30
𝑅1,2,3,4 =( )=(3 ) Ω= Ω
𝑅1,2 + 𝑅3,4 10 15 13
3 + 2
30
𝑅1,2,3,4 × 𝑅5 ×4
𝑅𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑡 =( ) = (13 ) Ω = 1.46 Ω
𝑅1,2,3,4 + 𝑅5 30
13 + 4

Which of the two methods do you find easier to use?

ANS: Method “a” because it’s more simple than method “b”.

5) Connect all resistors, shown in Figure 2.5, in parallel.

Figure 2.5 Figure 2.6

6) The circuit of Figure 2.6 has 5 resistors and 3 switches. For each of the various switch conditions
(open or closed) given in Table 2.1. Calculate the resistance value between terminals A and B.
Draw the equivalent circuit and show your calculations for each condition.

Table 2.1

Switches Equivalent Circuit and

Open Closed Calculation of Equivalent Resistance

SW1

SW2 Requivalent = infinite ohms

SW3

SW1 SW3

SW2 Requivalent = 39 ohms

SW3 SW1

SW2 Requivalent = 37 ohms

SW1 SW2

SW3 Requivalent = 47 ohms

Reference: Electricity-Electronics Fundamentals
By Paul B. Zbar – pp. 30 - 46