ET 310 Grantham University Week 1 Circuit Analysis Discussion

Solve the Discussion at the beginning and respond to the two posts given by two classmates

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Discussion: (Solve)

Circuit Elements

I just purchased spotlights to put on top of the row bar of my Jeep Wrangler. These are 4 high watt lights with a resistance 50 ohms each. The lights work best at higher current. Now, do I install these in parallel or series? Explain.

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Classmate Responses: (Respond)

Jason Moore

As I’m sure most of the class knows by now the resistance of the lights in series is additive and in parallel it’s divided between the lights. Current is voltage divided by resistance (I = V/R) so the lower the total resistance, the higher the current. The lights in series would give a total of 200 ohms resistance and in parallel it would be 12.5 ohms so the option with higher current would be to install the lights in parallel.

Jeremy Musni

Regarding the lights I would say that it should be installed in parallel so light with be bright as wanted in rated conditions; however in series it would result in a lower amperage you modify the connections and give it more power to make it brigh as wanted.