Parallel connection of conductors - simple and understandable

Everyone, probably, repeatedly had to see spring running streams. Here is one stream in a hurry. Here next another runs. But they joined, and only one more flows. If we draw an analogy with the electric current, then each trickle can be considered a conductor, through which an electric current flows. And when two streams are connected, then again by analogy we can say that they witnessed the connection of conductors.

The same picture we see when one river flows into another. Two rivers flowed, and then one flows, but wider and fuller. But for understanding such an association, we will conduct a simple experiment, it can be done even mentally. Take two short pieces of rubber hose. We are now only important that water can flow through the hose.

These hoses will serve as conductors, clearly demonstrating what happens to the electric current. Put the end of the hose on the tap with water and let the water run out. She will flow from the tap on the hose. So we made the connection - a tap with a hose. It is called sequential, when the end of one conductor is connected to the beginning of the other, in this case the tap and hose are connected.

Now we take two hoses and connect the end of each of them to the tap (even if we just put these ends inside the tap spout), and the other two ends are lowered into a container, for example a bucket, and let the water go. The water from the tap will flow into the bucket, and it will flow through both hoses. We will see that water flows from each hose. Thus, we performed a parallel connection of the conductors.

Here is about the same picture and occurs when the current flows. Only in this case the current flows through the conductors, in the quality of which the wires are used. If the two ends of the two wires are connected to one point, and the other two to the other, it will be a parallel connection of the conductors. And if the wires are joined together, and then the two free ends are connected to the right places (to the source and to the load), this will be a serial connection.

It would seem, why such difficulties? And everything is very simple. When the parallel connection of the conductors is carried out, the total current flowing through all the wires is greater than each one individually. Remember the hoses and water. A few thin water hoses will flow more than through each of them separately, and you can, with thin hoses, let large volumes of water flow through them.

The same happens when an electric current flows. If there is no wire of the required cross section, capable of passing a large current, then a parallel connection of the conductors can be made. Then, through several thin wires, the same current will flow as through one thick wire.

Its purpose and the serial connection of wires. It is used when the length of the wire is short. In this case, connect several short wires, thereby increasing their length, and use this compound wire instead of one long one.

This is how the simplest versions look when parallel and serial connection of conductors is used. When performing electrical installation situations are much more complicated. In many cases, different ways of connecting the wires can achieve the desired goal, using the limited resources available. At the same time, knowledge of the laws of parallel and serial connection makes it possible to avoid errors in the performance of electrical wiring and in the calculation of electronic circuits. Correct execution of a serial or parallel connection of wires is a mandatory requirement for any electrical installation work.

The presented material on the simplest examples and analogies allows us to understand what are the connections of conductors, what are the connections (serial, parallel), and gives examples of the use of such compounds in engineering.