When more branches are added in parallel, what is the expected effect on total current?

Study for the Electrical Apprenticeship Year 1 Exam. Use flashcards and multiple-choice questions with hints and explanations. Prepare for success!

When multiple branches are added in parallel, the total current flowing through the circuit increases. This is due to the nature of parallel circuits, where each branch provides an additional path for current to flow.

In a parallel configuration, the voltage across each branch remains constant. According to Ohm's Law, current (I) through each branch is determined by the voltage (V) across it and its resistance (R) using the formula I = V/R. As more branches are introduced, the overall equivalent resistance of the circuit decreases, especially if the branches have low resistance.

As a result, since the total current is derived from the total voltage divided by the equivalent resistance, lowering the equivalent resistance leads to an increase in total current. Thus, with each added branch, the total current drawn from the source rises, which is why the increase in total current is the expected effect when more branches are added in parallel.

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