Series and Parallel

[harryharman]

Hi everyone, first of all great site with some real great answers on here. I have a question which might sound silly but can't get my head around it. Series and parallel. Can anyone give me a practical real world example of the two? I've got my 2391 next month and I really don't understand what they are?!

Many thanks in advance

Harry

 

[Darkwood]

 

[Darkwood]

Elaborate what exact area are you struggling with, the concept, the current and voltage properties of loads connected???

 

[harryharman]

Like would a radial circuit be series? It was confusing me when it says remove the earth at the db when testing ze so not to create parallel paths? What is an example of a parallel circuit in a domestic dwelling

 

[DurhamSparky]

a radial circuit would be parallel

as the end usage is connect to both sides L&N

if you wired in series you would effectivly be using the neutral as feed for next light

 

[Darkwood]

I see, Most loads are connected in parallel with 230v between L and N, if multiple loads are on a radial and one fails the others carry on working.
Best way to describe series in domestic is the old xmas lighting that had series lighting with each lamp making up part of the circuits complete path through all the 'lets say' 40lamps, because the circuit flows through each lampin series one after the other then a failure of any lamp breaks the circuit and all lamps go out.

 

[DurhamSparky]

parallel paths = bonding to water / gas / other pipe work / other return paths to the DB.... if you remove main earth you effectively only have the main earth to test

 

[JUD]

a radial circuit would be parallel

as the end usage is connect to both sides L&N

if you wired in series you would effectivly be using the neutral as feed for next light

...and if one bulb blew every other light would stop working (think christmas tree lights)

 

[harryharman]

So really, in terms of hard-wiring, hardly anything if not nothing is wired in series? Thanks by the way!

 

[topquark]

Parallel in the context of "parallel paths to earth" just means more than one route to earth. It's not related to the series versus parallel AC/DC circuits.

 

[Darkwood]

a radial circuit would be parallel

as the end usage is connect to both sides L&N

if you wired in series you would effectivly be using the neutral as feed for next light

Although to note this applies to circuits with more than one load, a radial with one load is arguably series and parallel as it falls out of the meaning of the terms- 'Series and Parallel'.... so the OP dont get more confused.

 

[Guitarist]

2391 next month and nobody has taught you fundamental electrical theory?

 

[Darkwood]

OP has said its translating it into real terms i.e. its easy to follow and understand on paper but with alot of apprentices ive had over the yrs its hard to visualise when asked if a system is series or parallel because we use T&E cable you run the cable in series between say outside lights but when connecting you do that in parallel.

 

[harryharman]

OP has said its translating it into real terms i.e. its easy to follow and understand on paper but with alot of apprentices ive had over the yrs its hard to visualise when asked if a system is series or parallel because we use T&E cable you run the cable in series between say outside lights but when connecting you do that in parallel.

Yeah that's what I was trying to figure out thanks I understand it now

 

[harryharman]

2391 next month and nobody has taught you fundamental electrical theory?

Probably shouldn't have said what I did before so sorry if i offend but what's the point of posting a useless comment like that on here, it doesn't bring anything positive.

 

[Guitarist]

Yeah they taught us it at college ...............

I beg your pardon?

 

[topquark]

Current using AC equipment will be connected in parallel. Switches in series. DC (for lighting/alarms via a transformer) could be either series or parallel. (Maybe an over simplification but may help you picture it a little easier).

 

[Darkwood]

Yeah they taught us it at college but ***Quote Removed***

I would tone that kind of response down or use it on someone you know well, it could be taken with great offense, and lead you to an infraction from them upstairs, i assume from Guitarist response you dont know him that well to use that humour level.

 

[cogsey133]

Yeah they taught us it at college but ...........

Actually quite shocked at your response here...there is just no need for this tone

 

[Moses]

a radial circuit would be parallel

as the end usage is connect to both sides L&N

if you wired in series you would effectivly be using the neutral as feed for next light

I disagree, a radial circuit can be defined, as a series circuit if only one load is connected, and a parallel circuit if multiple loads are connected.

 

[Darkwood]

I disagree, a radial circuit can be defined, as a series circuit if only one load is connected, and a parallel circuit if multiple loads are connected.

Check my post 11... its already been covered and to correct you a circuit requires more than one load to be classed as series or parallel it isn't a term used for single load circuits, as its arguably both parallel and series.

 

[Moses]

Probably shouldn't have said what I did before so sorry if i offend but what's the point of posting a useless comment like that on here, it doesn't bring anything positive.

A venomous comment and not asked for and does not belong on this forum.

 

[Darkwood]

@Harry ... your opening post wasn't to forth giving with info hence i asked you myself for more guitarist simply stated what impression you gave with your post, you could have easily refuted it by correcting him and explaining exactly what area confused you, i myself recognised your confusion because my apprentices struggled in same area hence i spotted and replied to your satisfaction.
I would PM Guitarist at the very least and offer a private apology, yes his post may have not been very contributing to the thread but a response like that wasn't called for, ive been on here yrs and still dont know the regulars enough to pull a joke of that level on them... if thats how you intended it.

 

[DurhamSparky]

I disagree, a radial circuit can be defined, as a series circuit if only one load is connected, and a parallel circuit if multiple loads are connected.

always one clever tom dick and harry! :59:

 

[harryharman]

I have apologised to guitar and I'm also sorry to anyone on here that was offended by my poor taste joke. I'm new and don't want to get off to a bad start already!

 

[Moses]

always one clever tom dick and harry! :59:

am I write or wot?

- - - Updated - - -

I have apologised to guitar and I'm also sorry to anyone on here that was offended by my poor taste joke. I'm new and don't want to get off to a bad start already!

Accepted.

 

[DurhamSparky]

bad start duly noted...!!

 

[Guest123]

I have apologised to guitar and I'm also sorry to anyone on here that was offended by my poor taste joke. I'm new and don't want to get off to a bad start already!

You are very lucky I didn't see it before you edited it!!!

As you have seen the error of your ways & apologised we'll leave it there. Anymore contributions like that and your stay here will be a short one.

 

[DurhamSparky]

your not WRITE....!

 

[Moses]

your not WRITE....!

How?, may be i am missing something?

But

Before you comment, check post#2

 

[Darkwood]

No worries, if guitarist is Happy its forgotten and in the past

 

[DurhamSparky]

your missing the ability to spell RIGHT correctly!!! you can be WRITE as much as you like but it will hurt your hands and arm after a while!!

 

[cogsey133]

I wasn't offended by your poor taste joke Harry...i just felt there was a time and place for that style of humour. I am reading this thread with interest as i am learning something new here too Darkwood's comment "circuit requires more than one load to be classed as series or parallel it isn't a term used for single load circuits, as its arguably both parallel and series." I only see series and parallel in black and white terms ie: first week of first year stuff I have never really considered the possibility of a circuit being both series and parallel as Darkwood suggests.

We can all learn from this forum so i really felt wrong time, wrong place for that type of humour​

 

[ipf]

your not WRITE....!

But certainly wong

 

[Darkwood]

How?, may be i am missing something?

But

Before you comment, check post#2

Check your spelling moses he hi-lighted the word 'write'
Right!!!

 

[Darkwood]

I wasn't offended by your poor taste joke Harry...i just felt there was a time and place for that style of humour. I am reading this thread with interest as i am learning something new here too Darkwood's comment "circuit requires more than one load to be classed as series or parallel it isn't a term used for single load circuits, as its arguably both parallel and series." I only see series and parallel in black and white terms ie: first week of first year stuff I have never really considered the possibility of a circuit being both series and parallel as Darkwood suggests.

We can all learn from this forum so i really felt wrong time, wrong place for that type of humour​

Thanks for this and easy way to remember is series and parallel are a relative term between 2 or more loads (or other items in circuit) hence a single load cicuit can't be classed as either unless your reletive to another item or load in the circuit, light A is in series with the switch and in parallel with light B.... etc etc

 

[cogsey133]

Thanks for this and easy way to remember is series and parallel are a relative term between 2 or more loads (or other items in circuit) hence a single load cicuit can't be classed as either unless your reletive to another item or load in the circuit, light A is in series with the switch and in parallel with light B.... etc etc

I have been in this job for nearly 30 years now darkwood and may be on auto pilot because some things we just know and do. Its only when you start looking deeper into the theory that some things you have forgotten or hadn't realised or thought about in as long come to the forefront with some prompting from well informed people like yourself!

I guess that's why everyday is a school day

 

[ipf]

Thanks for this and easy way to remember is series and parallel are a relative term between 2 or more loads (or other items in circuit) hence a single load cicuit can't be classed as either unless your reletive to another item or load in the circuit, light A is in series with the switch and in parallel with light B.... etc etc

Or, basically speaking, how can something be 'in parallel' if there is nothing to be 'in parallel' with ?

 

[Guitarist]

My comment was more one of shock and concern for Harry that he was taking his 2391 shortly and nobody had taught him something which I consider a very basic concept...
Anyway, he has apologised for his comment regarding my Mother and I have accepted. No hard feelings.

Btw Harry, my Mother is 63

 

[Darkwood]

Btw Harry, my Mother is 63

Nice to see the Humour response and ive just done a ickle wee laughing at your last post, its a twist i hadn't considered or expected

 

[ipf]

And I bet she taught you some manners, as well as how to play the geetaar.lol.

 

[micknew]

Or, basically speaking, how can something be 'in parallel' if there is nothing to be 'in parallel' with ?

I agree, my only concept of series and parallel is as per post #2.
Never heard it described as in the other posts, could confuse people studying theory.

 

[Spudnik]

Get a grip lads, or this thread will be closed.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Knobhead]

To the OP
Do your own homework!

 

[topquark]

Or, basically speaking, how can something be 'in parallel' if there is nothing to be 'in parallel' with ?

So ultimately not in parallel with the generation source

 

[ipf]

So ultimately not in parallel with the generation source

OK, we know. So everything's in parallel (unless it's in series). More confusion for the learners.lol.

 

[topquark]

... or even an RCBO .... when is a device not a device (if it's only connected across L/N by physical (not electromagnetic fields?)). Sorry can't resist playing devils advocate

 

[telectrix]

... or even an RCBO .... when is a device not a device (if it's only connected across L/N by physical (not electromagnetic fields?)). Sorry can't resist playing devils advocate

but how do you describe a series circuit in a parallel universe?

 

[ipf]

but how do you describe a series circuit in a parallel universe?

Or a series of gymnastic exercises on the parallel bars, after circuit training.

 

[telectrix]

how do you train a circuit?