Why Is Internal Resistance Shown Differently in Voltage and Current Sources?

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SUMMARY

The internal resistance of energy sources is represented differently for voltage and current sources due to their operational characteristics. For voltage sources, internal resistance is depicted in series because increased current draw results in a voltage drop across this resistance, affecting the overall output voltage. Conversely, for current sources, internal resistance is shown in parallel, as it allows for current division between the source and load, maintaining the output current level regardless of the load resistance. This distinction is crucial for accurately calculating the effects of loading on each type of source.

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  • Understanding of voltage and current source concepts
  • Familiarity with Ohm's Law
  • Knowledge of circuit analysis techniques
  • Basic principles of electrical resistance
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  • Study the impact of load resistance on voltage sources
  • Explore current division in parallel circuits
  • Learn about ideal vs. non-ideal sources in circuit design
  • Investigate the implications of internal resistance in real-world applications
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Electrical engineers, circuit designers, and students studying electronics who need to understand the behavior of voltage and current sources in circuit analysis.

amaresh92
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why the internal resistance of energy source or cell is shown in series for voltage source and in parallel for current source?
thanks.
 
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Because it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to show it any other way.

Th source resistance is meant to allow you to calculate the effect of loading the source. With an ideal voltage source that has internal resistance, the more current you draw from it, the more voltage is dropped by that resistor, so the voltage for the source as a whole drops. A load in parallel with an ideal source will not affect the voltage at all, so there's no point in showing one.

Likewise with a current source. If the internal resistance is show in series with current source, it won't make any difference. Shown in parallel, the current is divided between the source and load resistance.
 

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