Module 1 - Introduction to Matter, Energy, and Direct Current
Navy Electricity and Electronics Training Series (NEETS)
Chapter 3:  Pages 3-31 through 3-40

 

 

Given:

Solution (a):

Solution (b):

Solution (c):

 

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Solution (d):

An important fact to keep in mind when applying Ohm's law to a series circuit is to consider whether the values used are component values or total values. When the information available enables the use Ohm's law to find total resistance, total voltage, and total current, total values must be inserted into the formula. To find total resistance:

 

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To find total voltage:

To find total current:

Note: IT  is equal to I in a series circuit. However, the distinction between IT  and I in the formula should be noted. The reason for this is that future circuits may have several currents, and it will be necessary to differentiate between IT  and other currents.

To compute any quantity (E, I, R, or P) associated with a single given resistor, the values used in the formula must be obtained from that particular resistor. For example, to find the value an unknown resistance, the voltage across and the current through that particular resistor must be used.

To find the value a resistor:

To find the voltage drop across a resistor:

To find current through a resistor:

Q21.  a series circuit consists two resistors in series. R1  = 25 ohms and R2  = 30 ohms. The circuit current is 6 amps. What is the (a) source voltage, (b) voltage dropped by each resistor, (c) total power, and (d) power used by each resistor?

Kirchhoff's Voltage LAW

In 1847, G. R. Kirchhoff extended the use Ohm's law by developing a simple concept concerning the voltages contained in a series circuit loop. Kirchhoff's voltage law states:

"The algebraic sum the voltage drops in any closed path in a circuit and the electromotive forces in that path is equal to zero."

 

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To state Kirchhoff's law another way, the voltage drops and voltage sources in a circuit are equal at any given moment in time. If the voltage sources are assumed to have one sign (positive or negative) at that instant and the voltage drops are assumed to have the opposite sign, the result adding the voltage sources and voltage drops will be zero.

Note: The terms electromotive force and EMF are used when explaining Kirchhoff's law because Kirchhoff's law is used in alternating current circuits (covered in Module 2). In applying Kirchhoff's law to direct current circuits, the terms electromotive force and EMF apply to voltage sources such as batteries or power supplies.

Through the use Kirchhoff's law, circuit problems can be solved which would be difficult, and ten impossible, with knowledge Ohm's law alone. When Kirchhoff's law is properly applied, an equation can be set up for a closed loop and the unknown circuit values can be calculated.

POLARITY Voltage

To apply Kirchhoff's voltage law, the meaning voltage polarity must be understood.

In the circuit shown in figure 3-22, the current is shown flowing in a counterclockwise direction. Notice that the end resistor R1, into which the current flows, is marked Negative ( - ). The end R1 at which the current leaves is marked Positive (+). These polarity markings are used to show that the end Ri  into which the current flows is at a higher negative potential than the end the resistor at which the current leaves. Point a is more negative than point B.

Figure 3-22. - Voltage polarities.

Point C, which is at the same potential as point B, is labeled negative. This is to indicate that point C is more negative than point D. To say a point is positive (or negative) without stating what the polarity is based upon has no meaning. In working with Kirchhoff's law, positive and negative polarities are

assigned in the direction current flow.

 

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APPLICATION of Kirchhoff's Voltage LAW

Kirchhoff's voltage law can be written as an equation, as shown below: Ea  + Eb  + Ec + . . . En  = 0 where Ea, Eb, etc., are the voltage drops or emf's around any closed circuit loop. To set up the equation for an actual circuit, the following procedure is used.

1.   Assume a direction current through the circuit. (The correct direction is desirable but not necessary.)

2.   Using the assumed direction current, assign polarities to all resistors through which the current flows.

3.   Place the correct polarities on any sources included in the circuit.

4.   Starting at any point in the circuit, trace around the circuit, writing down the amount and polarity the voltage across each component in succession. The polarity used is the sign AFTER the assumed current has passed through the component. Stop when the point at which the trace was started is reached.

5.   Place these voltages, with their polarities, into the equation and solve for the desired quantity. Example: Three resistors are connected across a 5O-volt source. What is the voltage across the third resistor if the voltage drops across the first two resistors are 25 volts and 15 volts?

Solution: First, a diagram, such as the one shown in figure 3-23, is drawn. Next, a direction current is assumed (as shown). Using this current, the polarity markings are placed at each end each resistor and also on the terminals the source. Starting at point A, trace around the circuit in the direction current flow, recording the voltage and polarity each component. Starting at point a and using the components from the circuit:

Substituting values from the circuit:

 

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Figure 3-23. - Determining unknown voltage in a series circuit.

Using the same idea as above, you can solve a problem in which the current is the unknown quantity. Example: a circuit having a source voltage 60 volts contains three resistors 5 ohms, 10 ohms, and 15 ohms. Find the circuit current.

Solution: Draw and label the circuit (fig. 3-24). Establish a direction current flow and assign polarities. Next, starting at any point - point a will be used in this example - write out the loop equation.

Figure 3-24. - Correct direction assumed current.

 

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Since the current obtained in the above calculations is a positive 2 amps, the assumed direction current was correct. To show what happens if the incorrect direction current is assumed, the problem will be solved as before, but with the opposite direction current. The circuit is redrawn showing the new direction current and new polarities in figure 3-25. Starting at point a the loop equation is:

 

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Figure 3-25. - Incorrect direction assumed current.

Notice that the AMOUNT current is the same as before. The polarity, however, is Negative. The negative polarity simply indicates the wrong direction current was assumed. Should it be necessary to use this current in further calculations on the circuit using Kirchhoff's law, the negative polarity should be retained in the calculations.

Series Aiding and Opposing Sources

In many practical applications a circuit may contain more than one source emf. Sources emf that cause current to flow in the same direction are considered to be Series AIDING and the voltages are added. Sources emf that would tend to force current in opposite directions are said to be Series Opposing, and the effective source voltage is the difference between the opposing voltages. When two opposing sources are inserted into a circuit current flow would be in a direction determined by the larger source. Examples series aiding and opposing sources are shown in figure 3-26.

 

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Figure 3-26. - Aiding and opposing sources.

A simple solution may be obtained for a multiple-source circuit through the use Kirchhoff's voltage law. In applying this method, the same procedure is used for the multiple-source circuit as was used above for the single-source circuit. This is demonstrated by the following example.

Example: Using Kirchhoff's voltage equation, find the amount current in the circuit shown in fig 3-27.

Figure 3-27.-Solving for circuit current using Kirchhoff's voltage equation.

 

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Solution: As before, a direction current flow is assumed and polarity signs are placed on the drawing. The loop equation will be started at point A.

E2  + ER1 + E 1  + E3  + ER2 = 0

Q22.  When using Kirchhoff's voltage law, how are voltage polarities assigned to the voltage drops across resistors?

Q23.  Refer to figure 3-27, if R1  was changed to a 40-ohm resistor, what would be the value circuit current  (IT)?

Q24.  Refer to figure 3-27. What is the effective source voltage the circuit using the 40-ohm resistor?

Circuit TERMS and Characteristics

Before you learn about the types circuits other than the series circuit, you should become familiar with some the terms and characteristics used in electrical circuits. These terms and characteristics will be used throughout your study electricity and electronics.

REFERENCE Point

A reference point is an arbitrarily chosen point to which all other points in the circuit are compared. In series circuits, any point can be chosen as a reference and the electrical potential at all other points can be determined in reference to that point. In figure 3-28 point a shall be considered the reference point. Each series resistor in the illustrated circuit is equal value. The applied voltage is equally distributed across each resistor. The potential at point B is 25 volts more positive than at point A. Points C and D are 50 volts and 75 volts more positive than point a respectively.

 

 

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NEETS Modules
-	Matter, Energy, and Direct Current
-	Alternating Current and Transformers
-	Circuit Protection, Control, and Measurement
-	Electrical Conductors, Wiring Techniques, and Schematic Reading
-	Generators and Motors
-	Electronic Emission, Tubes, and Power Supplies
-	Solid-State Devices and Power Supplies
-	Amplifiers
-	Wave-Generation and Wave-Shaping Circuits
-	Wave Propagation, Transmission Lines, and Antennas
-	Microwave Principles
-	Modulation Principles
-	Introduction to Number Systems and Logic Circuits
-	- Introduction to Microelectronics
-	Principles of Synchros, Servos, and Gyros
-	Introduction to Test Equipment
-	Radio-Frequency Communications Principles
-	Radar Principles
-	The Technician's Handbook, Master Glossary
-	Test Methods and Practices
-	Introduction to Digital Computers
-	Magnetic Recording
-	Introduction to Fiber Optics
Note: Navy Electricity and Electronics Training Series (NEETS) content is U.S. Navy property in the public domain.