Series vs parallel

By connecting filament lamps in a daisy- chain formation – known as ‘ in series’ – the supply voltage is divided between each lamp. For example, if a 12V power source is employed and 12 identical bulbs are connected in series, each bulb will draw 1V. This has the effect of uniformly reducing the brightness of each of the bulbs, in comparison to how they would appear if wired individually to the power source. This may be desirable in certain cases, as it also acts to reduce the amount of heat generated by a traditional bulb. Another pertinent factor of series wiring is that, when one bulb blows, all of the lights will be extinguished as the current can no longer flow through the whole circuit. In contrast, connecting bulbs in parallel means that each lamp is drawing the full amount of power emanating from the source, allowing them to shine at full brightness. If one or more bulbs were to blow, the others remain unaffected, making it easier to identify and replace the affected lamps. Parallel circuits often involve more wiring, with the positive and negative leads having to reach each individual lamp in turn. As for LEDS, they can be connected in series or parallel, provided that the resistors are connected correctly, with the LEDS shining to the same brightness regardless. Wiring a bunch of identical LEDS in series, using just a single resistor in advance of the first LED can save time and hassle.