Reading time: 15 mins
In this prelab, we will focus on how to connect and analyze series-parallel circuits.
- Analyzing series-parallel circuits is discussed in your lectures. The basic method is the reduce and return approach. In the reduce phase, you try to reduce the network to its simplest form across the source, then determine the source current from Ohm’s Law. In the return phase, Ohm’s law, voltage divider rule, or current divider rule is used to calculated the voltage and current of the interested circuit components.
The following video shows an example on how to use reduce and return approach.
2. Connecting series-parallel circuits is similar to connect series circuit or parallel circuit. You need to identify the needed components first, then place them on the breadboard following the circuit schematics, lastly connect them using jumping wires.
The following video shows an example on how to connect a series-parallel circuit.
Now you can work on the quiz on Blackboard. We will practice more in your lab session.
