parallel circuit

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Electrical circuit in which the components are connected side by side. The current flowing in the circuit is shared by the components.

Voltage in a parallel circuit
Components are connected across the same voltage source, and therefore the voltage across each of the components is the same (provided the resistance of each component is also the same). This can be written as V_T = V₁ = V₂, where V_T is the total voltage, V₁ is the voltage across component 1, and V₂ is the voltage across component 2. For example, if the voltage across component 1 is 6 volts, then the voltage across component 2 is also 6 volts. The mains supply in the UK is 240 volts. All electrical appliances are designed to operate efficiently at this voltage. Appliances are connected in parallel circuits with the same voltage applied to each appliance.

Current in a parallel circuit
The current divides to flow through each of the components in the parallel paths. The amount of current that flows through each of the components depends on the resistance of each component. A component with a lower resistance will allow more current to flow through. If I₁ is the current flowing through component 1 and I₂ is the current flowing through component 2, then the total current, I_T, is given by I_T = I₁ + I₂.

Resistance in a parallel circuit
The total resistance R_T of two conductors of resistances R₁ and R₂ connected in parallel is given by:

1/R_T = 1/R₁ + 1/R₂

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