Series and Parallel Circuits
How current and voltage behave when loads are chained or branched.
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What you will learn
- Identify series and parallel sections in a wiring diagram
- Calculate total resistance in each configuration
- Explain why parallel loads share current
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In a series circuit current is the same everywhere and the voltages across the loads add up. In a parallel circuit the voltage is the same across each branch and the branch currents add up. Cars use parallel circuits so that each device sees the battery voltage and can be switched independently.
Understanding this prevents a classic error: assuming a component gets full battery voltage when an upstream resistance is stealing it.
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Key points
- Series: same current, voltages add
- Parallel: same voltage, currents add
- Car loads are almost always in parallel
All values shown are training examples. Real thresholds depend on the manufacturer, engine, temperature and system — always confirm with the vehicle service documentation.
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