CONCEPTUAL TOOLS
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By: Neil E. Cotter
and Cynthia Furse
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CIRCUITS
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Configuration |
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Identifying Branches |
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Def: Connected components are in series if an
electron flowing through one of the components would have to flow through the
other components. That is, there is no
fork where current can take several paths.
Def: A branch is all the components in series between essential nodes. That is, the branch ends where current can split into two paths.
Tool: Use different colors (after deleting dangling wires) to mark branches. A branch ends at a node with three or more currents flowing out of it.
Note: A dangling wire that is connected only
at one end may be deleted when finding branches since zero current flows in the
wire that leads to an open circuit.
Ex: The branches are shown in colored rectangles in the circuit below
Components in the same branch are in series: Ro and Avnoise are in series, and R1 and C1 are in series. Non-essential nodes separate components in series, (see CONCEPTUAL TOOLS: Circuits: Configuration: Identifying Nodes).