Parallel Connection in Circuits

If the elements or components of a network are connected in parallel then the voltage across all the elements are equal but the current may vary from element to element. The parallel circuit has more than one path to the flow of current. Most of the equipment in the power system is connected in parallel. Unlike a series circuit an open circuit at one of the elements doesn't
turn off the remaining elements. This makes it easy in addition or removal of an element to the circuit without disturbing the whole circuit. If a particular parallel branch is open circuited, the current will stop flowing only in that path but continues to flow through the other parallel connected paths.

Examples of Parallel Circuits

The below figures show the examples of parallel connected circuits.

Resistors connected in parallel:

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The below figure shows the three resistors R₁, R₂, and R₃ are connected in parallel. The equivalent resistance to the circuit is Req=1/(R₁^-1+R₂^-1+R₃^-1). The sum of currents in the parallel circuit is equal to the currant delivered by the voltage source  V_S. The addition any resistance in parallel to the given circuit will increase the total current and decreases the equivalent resistance. Similarly the removal an element in parallel will increase the equivalent resistance and decreases the total current.

Parallel connected resistors with a voltage source

Parallel RLC Circuit:

The below figure shows the resistance, inductance and capacitance elements connected in parallel.

Parallel connected R L C parameters

Connecting batteries in parallel:

Batteries have two terminals positive and negative respectively. To connect these batteries in parallel, all the positive terminals are connected together and all the negative terminals are connected together as shown in the below figure.

Connecting batteries in parallel

Also Read:

Series Connection

Resistors connected in parallel

Voltage

Battery