PARALLEL AC CIRCUITS

A simple parallel AC circuit.

The voltage in a parallel circuit remains constant across each individual branch. However, the total current divides among the individual branches. In a parallel AC circuit, the total current is in phase with the applied voltage. The individual currents are also in phase with the applied voltage.

The in-phase relationship of the applied voltage, total current, and individual branch currents in a parallel AC circuit.

All current and voltage values are the effective values. These values are used the same way DC values are used.