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Series-parallel network

DC circuits · Beginner · about 10 minutes · part of Zen’s Electronics Design Mastery

Reduce the network step by step: combine the parallel pair first, then add the series parts. Work back out to find each branch current.

Series-parallel network: the circuit on the simulator's bench

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How it works

R2 ∥ R3 = 1.32 kΩ

Req = R1 + (R2 ∥ R3) + R4 = 2.79 kΩ

I = 3.226 mA. Vpar = I · (R2 ∥ R3) = 4.258 V. The pair then splits I by I2 = Vpar/R2 and I3 = Vpar/R3.

Try it on the bench

  1. Change R3 and predict the new V_par before you look.
  2. Short R4 out with a wire. The pair now gets a bigger share.

Parts on the bench

In the course

Zen’s Electronics Design Mastery, module “DC Fundamentals”.

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