1. Chapter 6
Series Circuits

2. Series Circuit Has only one path for electrons to flow. Load
Voltage Source
Load
Load

3. Voltage ET = E1 + E2 + E3 + E…+ EN
Total voltage equals the sum of the voltage drops – Kirchoff’s voltage law
Voltage Drop # 1
ET = E1 + E2 + E3 + E…+ EN
Voltage Drop # 2
Total Voltage

4. Current IT = I1 = I2 = I3 = I…= IN
Since there is only one path for electrons to flow - The current is equal throughout the circuit. The current must be the same at any place in the circuit.
Current at place # 1
IT = I1 = I2 = I3 = I…= IN
Total Current
Current at place # 2

5. Resistance RT = R1 + R2 + R3 + R…+ RN
Total resistance is equal to the sum of the individual resistance values
Resistance # 1
RT = R1 + R2 + R3 + R…+ RN
Total Resistance
Resistance # 2

6. Power
Total Power consumed in a series circuit is equal to the source voltage multiplied by the circuit current.
Total Voltage
PT = ET x IT
Total Power
Total Current

7. V = I x R Ohm’s Law V I = R V R = I
Can be applied to any individual component of a series circuit.
If you know two values you can find the third. V
I = R
V = I x R V
R = I

8. Troubleshooting Open circuit (break) Check switches
Check source voltage
Check fuse
Check voltage drops
Short circuit (no resistance)