Types of DC Circuit
Based on circuit combination DC circuits can be classified into three types:
- Series DC Circuit
- Parallel DC Circuit
- Series-Parallel DC Circuit
Series DC Circuit
When the components of a DC circuit are connected end-to-end, they form a Series DC Circuit. This kind of circuit has the components lined up together to create a linear path for current to flow. The current flowing is same across all the elements in a series ciruit.
Here three resistors R1, R2, R3 are in series with voltage V. Let’s learn to calculate the total resistance in a series DC Circuit.
Consider V1, V2 and V3 as the voltage drops over the resistors R1, R2 and R3.
Then,
V = V1 + V2 + V3
From Ohm’s Law we know that V = IR
IR = IR1 + IR2 + IR3
IR = I(R1 + R2 + R3)
Cancelling out I on both sides, we get
R = R1 + R2 + R3
Hence, in Series DC Circuit total effective resistance is equal to the sum of all individual resistances.
Parallel DC Circuit
A Parallel DC Circuit is the one in which there is multiple path for a current to flow from one juction to another junction. Both the ends of each component are connected by a common point then it results in a parallel DC circuit.
In case of Parallel DC Circuit, all elements will have same voltage which will be equal to voltage drop across the two end points. Lets learn to calculate the total resistance in a Parallel DC Circuit.
In the above circuit diagram, resistors R1, R2 and R3 are joined in parallel over a V voltage supply. I1, I2, and I3 are the currents flowing through them.
The total current flowing through the circuit is,
I = I1 + I2 + I3
I = V/R1 + V/R2 + V/R3
Then total electrical resistance R,
V/R = V/R1 + V/R2 + V/R3
1/R = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + 1/R3
Series-Parallel DC Circuit
When we talk about practical circuits, they are usually a combination of series as well as parallel circuits. These circuits can be solved by series an parallel circuit laws
In the above circuit diagram, resistors R2 and R3 are joined in parallel and their equivalent is on series with resistor R1
The parallel combination of resistors 2 and 3 is
1/R23 = 1/R2 + 1/R3
R23 = R2R3/R2+R3
Now, the series combination with total voltage V
Req = R1 + R23
Req = R1 + R2R3/R2+R3
DC Circuit
Direct Current Circuit or DC Circuit is a closed electrical circuit in which the flow of electricity is in one direction. DC Circuit has a DC Power Supply which produces Direct Current in the circuit. As opposed to alternating current, Direct Current has a fixed magnitude and flows in one direction only. Direct Current Circuit forms a major backbone of the electronics industry.
In this article, we will learn what is Direct Current Circuit, its types, the derivation of voltage and current in different types of DC Circuits, application of DC Circuits, and how to convert AC to DC Circuits.
Table of Content
- Direct Current Meaning
- Direct Current Circuit
- Types of DC Circuit
- Direct Current Circuit Breaker
- How to Convert AC to DC Circuit
- AC and DC Circuit