Wiring Receptacles In Series Vs Parallel

Parallel wiring is used in homes because of the reliable self containment of each outlet or light fixture that allows current to flow past them even if they fail than to have.

Wiring receptacles in series vs parallel. Here 3 wire cable is run from a double pole circuit breaker providing an independent 120 volts to two sets of multiple outlets. A parallel circuit arrangement that allows electricity to flow through more than one path if one component fails the others won t be affected. Because of this interesting connection as you increase the resistance in a parallel circuit you ll also increase the current. A parallel circuit is also a closed circuit where the current divides into two or more paths before coming back together to complete the full circuit.

And the more work you have a series circuit do the more your current will decrease. Advantages and disadvantages of arranging bulbs in series or parallel now that we have gained a better understanding of what it means to arrange bulbs in series and in parallel let us discuss the advantages and disadvantages of these two arrangements. Then you will know how things are done. Parallel circuits are a bit trickier allowing multiple circuits to connect while operating individually as part of a larger circuit.

Wiring outlets has to be done in parallel since that way should one outlet fail or a bulb inserted in one light fixture burn out the rest of the fixtures and appliances hooked up to that same line will keep working. The bulbs in circuit a are arranged in series while the bulbs in circuit b are arranged in parallel. The neutral wire from the circuit is shared by both sets. Outlets and lights should be wired in parallel.

How to wire up an electrical receptacle in one of two methods. Much more common than series circuits are those wired in parallel including most household branch circuits powering light fixtures outlets and appliances. Electrical electricalwiring electricalcode how to install an outlet in series or parallel. Either in series or in parallel.

In contrast a series circuit only has one pathway for electricity to flow. I suggest you get a book on electrical wiring and read it cover to cover before doing any wiring. To wire in parallel one connects the live and natural wires to the receptacle by a pigtail see image 1 below. This wiring is commonly used in a 20 amp kitchen circuit where two appliance feeds are needed such as for a refrigerator and a microwave in the same location.

In the following diagram it shows 2 lights connected in parallel then 2 lights connected in series. You can get these books at home improvement stores. To wire in series one connects the live and neutral wires directly to the receptacles. Here we compare wiring an electrical receptacle in series or daisy chained the most common practice with wiring receptacles in parallel on an electrical circuit.

Wiring diagram for dual outlets. This video explains the difference in electrical installation.