Question
Question: Series arrangements for the resistors are not used for domestic purposes. Why?...
Series arrangements for the resistors are not used for domestic purposes. Why?
Solution
We need to understand the properties of both series combination and parallel combinations to analyse the requirements of application in the domestic purposes. The proper combination is necessary for a safe and economic use of the electric energy.
Complete step by step answer:
We know that the household and other apartments or buildings use the parallel combination of the resistors rather than the series combination of resistors.
We know that the equivalent resistance in a circuit for a series combination is the sum total of the resistances in the circuit, whereas, in the parallel combination, the equivalent resistances get divided each time a resistance is added parallelly. This is an advantage which can be exploited from the combination of circuits. As the resistance is low, the current will be less and since the connection is parallel, the voltage doesn’t get divided up.
This feature of having a constant voltage for all devices allows the current of the required value, according to the resistance of the device, to pass without any extra loss.
Also, in the series combination, since all the loads are connected along the same path, any discontinuity will lead to total breakdown of the circuit and none of the devices will work. Therefore, the parallel combination is recommended over the series combination.
The parallel combination reduces the risk of overload to a greater extent as compared to the series combination.
With all these reasons the parallel combination is used in the household connections.
Note:
It is much easier for the electric current suppliers to maintain a constant potential difference throughout to supply the current rather than distributing. The voltage can be easily stepped up and down using transformers according to the requirement.