Series Resistance Calculator

Understanding Resistors in Series

When resistors are connected in series, the total or equivalent resistance of the circuit increases. This increase occurs because the electric current must pass sequentially through each resistor, encountering resistance at each point. Consequently, the total resistance is the sum of the resistances of all the resistors in the series.

How to Calculate

The formula to find the total resistance R_total of resistors in series is the sum of the resistances of each individual resistor:

R_total = R₁ + R₂ + R₃ + ··· + R_n

where:

R₁, R₂, R₃, ···, R_n are the resistances of each resistor in the series.

Example

Suppose you have three resistors in series with resistances of 100 ohms, 200 ohms, and 300 ohms. To find the total resistance, you simply add them together:

Visual Representation

Visualizing this in a circuit:

Imagine each resistor connected end-to-end. The current flows through the first resistor, then the second, and so on, with each resistor adding its resistance to the total.

Key Points

• Total Resistance Increases: In series, the total resistance is always the sum of the resistances of the individual resistors, which makes it greater than the resistance of any single resistor in the series.
• Current is Constant: The same current flows through each resistor in series, but the voltage across each resistor will vary depending on its resistance.

This method of calculation allows you to understand and determine how resistors will behave when connected in series in your electronic circuits. The principle is quite intuitive and essential for designing circuits where you need a specific resistance value by combining several resistors.