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How to Calculate Resistors in Series

A resistor is an electronic component that limits the flow of current in an electrical circuit. Resistance is measured in ohms; the higher the resistance, the lower the current will be.

The voltage a resistor produces is proportional to the electric current that flows across its two terminals. This proportionality is expressed by Ohm's Law (V = IR, where V equals voltage, I equals current and R equals resistance).

Circuit diagram
Pencil
Paper
Calculator

Instructions

- 1
  Locate the resistors on your circuit diagram. They normally appear as a zigzag line next to a number that indicates resistance. On some diagrams, they may appear as rectangles.
- 2
  Determine whether the resistors are connected in series. Resistors connected in series are wired along a single path.
- 3
  Label the resistors R1, R2, R3 and so on.
- 4
  Note the values of each of these resistors. Again, the number next to the resistor symbol indicates its resistance in ohms.
- 5
  Add the values of the resistors. The resistance of the total circuit is the sum of the individual resistors. Thus, R total = R1 + R2 + R3 + . . . Rn.

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