NCCER Electrical Level 2 – Control Systems And Fundamental Concepts (Module 26211-23) Practice Test

In a parallel circuit, the voltage across each path is the same as the source voltage. That’s because each branch is directly connected across the supply. The current in each branch, however, depends on that branch’s resistance (or impedance) and can be different from branch to branch, since I = V/R for each branch. The total current drawn from the source is the sum of all the branch currents, so I_total = I1 + I2 + … + In. This is why the statement that the voltage across each branch is the same and the currents in the branches add to equal the source current best describes how voltage and current distribute in parallel circuits. For example, with two branches, each sees the same voltage, but if one branch has a lower resistance it carries more current, and the two currents add together to make the total from the source.