Practical Examples
5. Seeing Series and Parallel in Action
Let’s bring this discussion to life with some practical examples. Consider the Christmas lights we mentioned earlier. Those cheap string lights are often wired in series. It’s an economical design, but as we know, one burnt-out bulb can kill the entire string. On the other hand, higher-quality Christmas lights often use a parallel configuration, so if one bulb goes out, the rest stay lit, preserving the holiday spirit. This is a tangible demonstration of the reliability benefit of parallel circuits, even at a slightly higher cost.
In the automotive world, the different components of your car’s electrical system are wired in parallel. Your headlights, radio, and ignition system all operate independently. If one component fails, the others continue to function. This is a crucial safety feature and a testament to the dependability of parallel wiring.
Think about the solar panels on a rooftop. Individual solar cells are typically connected in series to increase the voltage. Then, groups of these series-connected cells are connected in parallel to increase the current. This combination of series and parallel connections allows solar panels to generate both the voltage and current needed to power homes and businesses. This showcases how both series and parallel connections can be used together to optimize power delivery in complex systems.
Even in the realm of batteries, you might find series and parallel configurations. Connecting batteries in series increases the voltage, while connecting them in parallel increases the current capacity (the amount of time the batteries can provide power). This is why some devices, like flashlights, require multiple batteries in series to achieve the desired voltage.