Current
Introduction
This practical work will help discover the differences between a series circuit and a
parallel circuit and allows the observation of the influence of the number of lamps on
the current flow in both circuits.
Materials
Description
Tooxy device
Voltage sensor
Current sensor
Power supply Evolio F3-12V / 1A
E10 socket
Electrical supply lead red 50 cm
Electrical supply lead black 50 cm
Quantity
1
1
1
1
3
5
5
Reference
480 000
482 201
482 202
281 001
283 044
283 073
283 078
Experimentation
Ammeter must be connected in series in the circuit
SERIES / PARALLEL CIRCUIT
In a series circuit, lamps are mounted in the following manner:
In your opinion
¾ What impact will adding lamps in series in the circuit have on the brightness?
¾ How does the current change when lamps are added to a series circuit?
¾ What happens if a light bulb burns out?
-1-
In a parallel circuit, lamps are mounted in the following manner:
In your opinion
¾ What impact will adding lamps in parallel in the circuit have on the brightness?
¾ How will the current change for each light bulb?
¾ What happens if a light bulb burns out?
ADDING LAMPS IN A SERIES CIRCUIT
•
•
Set up the wiring as shown in the photo to the right
Measure the current in the circuit
•
•
•
Add a second lamp in series in the circuit
Set up the wiring as shown in the photo to the right
Measure the current in the circuit
Circuit with 1 lamp (I1)
Circuit with 2 lamp (I2)
Current (A)
¾ What do you notice?
¾ What happens if you remove one light bulb from its support?
•
•
•
Move the ammeter in the circuit
Carry out wirings as shown below
Measure the current in the circuit
-2-
Position 1
Position 2
Position 3
Current (A)
¾ What do you notice?
ADDING LAMPS IN A PARALLEL CIRCUIT
•
•
Set up the wiring as shown in the photo to the right
Measure the current in the circuit
•
•
•
Add a second lamp in parallel in the circuit
Set up the wiring as shown in the photo to the right
Measure the current in the circuit
Circuit with 1 lamp (I1)
Circuit with 2 lamp (I2)
Current (A)
¾ What do you notice?
¾ What happens if you remove one light bulb from its support?
-3-
•
•
•
Move the ammeter in the circuit
Carry out wirings as shown below
Measure the current in the circuit
Node
Position 1
Position 2
Position 3
Position 4
Current (A)
¾ What do you notice?
Conclusion
How does the brightness of the bulb and the terminal voltage change?
How does the current change when lamps are added to a series/parallel circuit?
What are the advantages/disadvantages of series/parallel circuits?
What applications could be envisaged for lamps in series / in parallel?
Complete:
In a parallel circuit, the sum of the currents entering a node is…………..…… to the
sum of the currents exiting this node
468, rue Jacques Monod, ZI N°1 Netreville, BP 1900, 27019 Evreux Cedex France
International – Tél. : +33 (0)2 32 29 40 23 - Fax : +33 (0)2 32 29 43 05
www.jeulin.com - [email protected]
Société par Actions Simplifiée au capital de 1.000.000 euros
TVA intracommunautaire : FR47 344 652 490 - SIREN : 344 652 490 RCS Evreux
-4-