Mixed circuit What is it and what are its characteristics?

We know two very basic ways for electrical components to be connected within a circuit: this is accomplished through series or parallel connections; the third way involves the use of serial and parallel connections, called mixed circuit or combined. If you want to know everything about this circuit, continue reading our article.

mixed-circuit-2

Example of how a mixed circuit works with its respective calculations in each type of circuit presented.

What is a mixed circuit?

When referring to a mixed circuit, It is said that it is the combination of one or more components that are connected both in series and in parallel, so its properties and characteristics are the union of the two types of connection that exist.

How does a mixed circuit work?

In general, this type of circuit has a power supply, which is connected in series from a switch that powers the entire system equally. After this feeder, we normally have several secondary circuits, whose configuration can vary with respect to the structure of the receivers; series and parallel circuits without a specific pattern.

We can take as an example the previous image, a circuit that has a current that comes from its lower part as a battery, and manages to divide into two currents R4 and R5, and then join again, and divide to be able to travel through two connections R2 and R3, then join and repeat the trip through an R1 and finally return to the top of a battery.

Therefore, there is more than one path for this current to travel (parallel circuit), however we have more than two sets of electrically common points in the circuit (series circuit). For what are series connections, all nearby circuits will be automatically removed from the unit when the part of this loop or network is disconnected. So if the resistor R1 is disconnected at the top, the other resistors will stop working.

If we have a parallel secondary circuit, if one of the components melts, and an open point is generated, the other branch will continue to operate independently. Therefore, if we disconnect the resistors that are in parallel (R2, R3, R4 and R5), all the nearby branches will continue to work.

Applications

In a large part of household appliances and electronic devices, they can be made on the basis of mixed circuits. This means that cell phones, televisions, computers or any other similar utensil has mixed electrical circuits as an important part of the connections it has inside.

Mixed circuits characteristics

  • First of all, this type of circuit is characterized by being composed based on the combination of series and parallel circuits.
  • Likewise, the voltage can vary depending on the voltage drop between each node that it presents.
  • The intensity of the current may be different depending on the connection.
  • Finally, there are two formulas to calculate the total resistance of the mixed circuit.
mixed-circuit-3

Calculations necessary for total resistance, current and voltage within a mixed circuit.

How to solve a mixed circuit?

To solve in the simplest way a mixed circuit, We have the example with respect to the previous image, where the resistors that are placed in parallel, have the same resistance, so the objective of this is to determine the current and voltage of all the resistors that are found .

Calculation of total resistance

As we already know, the first thing we must do is simplify the circuit, this is done by replacing the two parallel resistors with a single resistance that is equivalent resistance. Therefore, two 8Ω resistors in series would be equivalent to a single 4Ω resistor. In this way, the two branching resistors, that is R2 and R3, can be replaced by a single resistance equivalent to 4Ω, this resistance will be in series with R1 and R4, so the total resistance would be:

  • RTot = R1 + 4 Ω + R4 = 5 Ω + 4 Ω + 6 Ω RTot = 15 Ω

Calculation of the total current

On the other hand, we can already use the equation of Omh's law (ΔV = I • R) to be able to determine the total current within the circuit. When doing this, you will need to use the total resistance and the total voltage or what would be the battery voltage. What we would be like:

  • IEverything = ΔVEverything / REverything = (60V) / (15Ω)

    IEverything = 4 Amps

Within the calculation of the current of 4 amps we represent the current in the location of this battery. However, the resistors of R1 and R4 are in series and the current in resistors connected in series is similar at all points:

  • IEverything = I1 = I4 = 4 Amps

Within the parallel branches, the sum of each current in the individual branches would be equal to the current outside of them. So I2 + I3, it will have to be equal to 4amp.

There are an infinite number of possible values ​​of which I2 + I3 satisfy this equation. Since the resistor values ​​are the same, the current values ​​on both resistors are also the same. So the current in the resistors is 2 and 3 equal to 2 amps.

  • I2 = I3 = 2 Amps

Voltage calculation with Ohm's law

Now that we know the current at each point of the individual resistors, we can use the Ohm equation (ΔV = I • R) in this way we can determine the voltage drop in each resistance, being the calculations that we present below :

  • ΔV1 = I1 • R1 = (4Amps) • (5Ω)

    V1 = 20V

    ΔV2 = I2 • R2 = (2Amps) • (8Ω)

    V2 = 16V

    ΔV3 = I3 • R3 = (2Amps) • (8Ω)

    V3 = 16V

    ΔV4 = I4 • R4 = (4Amps) • (6Ω)

    V4 = 24V

Steps for the Analysis of a Mixed Circuit

  1. Identify series and parallel connections: The main thing is to know which parts of the circuit are connected in series and which parts are connected in parallel?
  2. Acquire Equivalent Resistance: You will have to properly apply the series and parallel rules as necessary to decrease it to a single equivalent resistance.
  3. Calculate Total Current: Here you must use Ohm's law equation to determine the total current in the circuit.
  4. Resistors currents in series: After obtaining the Total Intensity, find the resistors that are in series with the power supply. The current in series connected resistors is the same at each point.
  5. Voltage drop of parallel resistors: In branches connected in parallel, the sum of the current in each individual branch is equal to the current outside the branches.
  6. Voltage of resistors in parallel: Depending on your circuit, we will have a voltage drop as a result of passing through resistors connected in series.
  7. Intensity of Resistors in Parallel: Finally, since you know the voltage drop across resistors connected in parallel, use Ohm's law equation to determine the current in the two branches.

If you liked this article and it was helpful, do not forget to visit our website to learn more interesting articles about electronics, such as Operation of solar panels and its great types. Likewise, if you want to deepen this topic, we leave you the following video, we hope that with all the data that we show you in this article, you will solve your doubts.


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