The Combination Of Cells In Series And In Parallel

In electricity, a cell is a unit structure that generates an electrical current by some other mechanism other than a conductor moving in a magnetic field. The solar cell, for example, is made up of a semiconductor junction that enables sunlight to be converted into power. It is called a battery when we connect one or more electrochemical cells to external connections to electrical power devices. Whenever a battery supplies power, its positive terminal is called the cathode, and its negative terminal is called the anode.  But here, we will discuss when cells are connected in series and parallel and its advantages and disadvantages.

What is the combination of Cells in Series and parallel?

There are two types of circuits: parallel and series. A combination of series and parallel can be used to link cells. A series circuit allows electrons to only flow in one direction. Each resistor will carry the same amount of current. 

When resistors are connected in series, their voltages will be different. Series circuits are not likely to become overheated. The design of a series circuit is simpler than that of a parallel circuit.

In a parallel circuit, electrons flow through multiple branches. A constant voltage is maintained across each resistor in this circuit. When branches of the circuit intersect at a common point, the circuit’s current is split and then recombined. It is possible to build a parallel circuit in various ways, which means cells can be arranged in various ways. For example, parallel circuits can be used as current dividers. 

It is simple to connect or disconnect a new cell or other components in a parallel circuit without impacting the other elements. However, because it employs many wires, it gets complicated.

What is EMF?

The electromotive force (EMF) occurs when a potential difference develops between the two terminals of a battery in an open circuit. Positive voltage (V+) is present in the anode, whereas negative voltage (V–) is present in the cathode. 

EMF is the potential difference between the positive terminal anode and the negative terminal cathode when no current flows through it.

By measuring the emf, we can estimate how much energy is delivered to the charge in the cell. Divide the charge in coulombs by the energy in joules. Electromotive force is what makes current flow.

Total Emf of a Battery

As long as there is no current flowing through the electrical circuit, the total magnitude of the EMF equals the voltage difference between the terminals of the battery.

When no current flows through the circuit, emf equals V (potential difference) across the terminals.

ε = V

Combination of Cells in Series

A series of cells are connected end to end so that the same current passes through each one. When cells are connected in series, the battery’s emf is equal to the sum of the emf of the individual cells. 

When we have many cells with positive terminals connected to the negative terminals of the rest, then the negative terminals connect to the positive terminals, etc., we can say that the cells are connected in series.

The advantage when cells are connected in series is that we get a higher system voltage and a lower system current when we do so. The lower the current in the system, the thinner the wiring can be, and the less voltage drop will be. 

One disadvantage of a series-connected battery system is the requirement of a converter to achieve low voltages.

EMF of cells connected in series

All the individual cells that make up the battery are connected in series and form the battery’s overall emf.

E is the overall emf of a battery, multiplied by the number of cells

E = E1 + E2 + E3 + …..+ En

Combination of Cells in Parallel

If the current is shared among several cells, the cells are in parallel. All positive terminals are connected in a parallel combination, and all negative terminals are connected.

In the case of a paralleled battery, if every cell possesses the same emf, then the battery emf combined by n numbers of cells is the same as each cell’s emf.

One of the most significant benefits of connecting batteries in parallel is that if one of the batteries fails, the other batteries can still give power.

The disadvantage of connecting batteries in parallel increases the current draw. It means that the wires are thicker and have a higher voltage loss.

Conclusion

It is possible to connect batteries both in series and in parallel. These types of batteries are called series-parallel batteries. In some cases, a battery cell may not be able to supply the load with sufficient voltage or current.  Several series combinations are connected in parallel to produce the required load current, as many batteries required in series are connected in parallel to produce the load voltage. Apart from that, learn about the Faraday law used to measure the quantity of electricity and calculate the total EMF of a battery.