Resistor calculations

Thread Starter

Webby

Joined Jun 15, 2008
66
Hi, with two resistors in parrallel circuit of the same value the equation

R1 X R2 divided by R1 + R2 = Total resistance

does this equation still apply if the resistors are of different value?
 

mik3

Joined Feb 4, 2008
4,843
Yes, but it applies only for two resistors in parallel. If you have more than two use this formula:

Requivalent=1/(1/R1+1/R2........+1/Rn)
 

Wendy

Joined Mar 24, 2008
23,415
That same trick can be used to tweak standard resistors to astandard values. Given 3 resistors you can get pretty close to any value you choose, as long as your meter is accurate and the resistors don't drift.
 
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