Calculating the equivalence of a parallel connection
This calculator will help you calculate the equivalent nominal of resistors, capacitors, and inductors connected in parallel. For the calculation, select the required element and enter the values.
When connecting capacitors in parallel, their capacitances add up. If you connect resistors or inductors in parallel, their equivalent resistance or inductance, on the contrary, decreases.
Consider, for example, a resistor. If you apply a voltage to it, a certain current will flow through it. By adding another resistor parallel to the first one, you will create a new path for the current. And even if the resistance of the second resistor is large, the total current from the power supply will still be greater than the current through one resistor. And if the total current is greater, then the total equivalent resistance should be less.
Application
Using multiple parallel resistors allows you to create less effective resistance when there is no resistor with the desired rating. For example, if you need a 1 KOhm resistance and no suitable rating is available, you can use two 2 KOhm resistors connected in parallel.
In addition, the use of parallel resistors also reduces the current passing through each individual resistor in the circuit. This can be useful, for example, when connecting high-power LEDs that consume 500 mW of power. If you use two higher-rated resistors connected in parallel, then only 250 mW will flow through each of them, which will allow you to use standard 0.25 W resistors.