Batteries in Parallel vs. Series Voltage

Electrical engineers and students undergoing engineering studies are well aware of the constant argument about batteries in parallel and batteries in series. The thing that determines the voltage, current capacity, and resistance is how a battery is connected.

Two common ways to connect batteries are parallel and series. Batteries connected in parallel offer different conditions as to those connected in series. We are here to talk about the conditions related to both connections.

Battery connection is important for people who want to make their appliances work longer. Batteries in parallel and series determine how much longer the application will work.

Batteries Connected in Series

Talking about series connections first, batteries connected in series offer the following conditions. When we connect batteries in series, it means that we are increasing the voltage of batteries. An increase in voltage is followed by an increase in internal resistance in the circuit of the battery. Although we are increasing the voltage, the current capacity remains the same when batteries are connected in series.

What we want from a battery is higher current capacity so the application runs efficiently for a longer time. Increasing voltage is necessarily a pro, but increased capacity is what we are after. Current capacity remains the same, which means that multiple batteries connected in series offer the same capacity as one battery. Added voltage is of no help in hindsight.

Batteries Connected in Parallel

Batteries in parallel offer the following things. When we connect batteries in parallel, we are increasing the overall capacity provided by the batteries. Upon connecting batteries in a parallel set, we are keeping the voltage the same. Since batteries are used in appliances, we want increased capacity instead of increased voltage. Batteries connected in parallel also reduces the internal resistance in the circuit.

We have already established earlier that appliances need more capacity to run longer. Batteries connected in parallel provide increased capacity. Although voltage remains the same in this series. The voltage of a battery is of importance if we talk about it as a separate factor. Rest assured, increased capacity should be our goal.

What’s Better? Batteries Connected in Series or Batteries Connected in Parallel?

Now that we know the difference between batteries connected in parallel and batteries connected in series, it is time to determine which set is the most efficient.

Parallel Connection – The majority of our everyday appliances working on batteries need a higher capacity to work. Appliances can work on batteries with lower capacity as well. Such appliances do not work for a long time. To make our applications work for a longer time, we need a higher current capacity. High current capacity is offered by a parallel connection. Parallel connection not only increases the capacity but it also reduces the internal resistance. It makes the appliances work longer.

Series Connection – A very few appliances require increased voltage to function effectively. In such cases, batteries are always connected in series. Series connection is often disregarded because it increases the resistance. That is why only a few appliances work on this system.

Batteries in parallel vs. series have their pros and cons. Due to the operation of everyday appliances, batteries connected in parallel are more efficient. It is better to charge batteries in a parallel set if you want them to last longer.