In a parallel circuit, removing a branch will typically affect the total current from the source how?

In a parallel circuit, removing a branch will typically affect the total current from the source how?

• A. No, it will stay the same.
• B. It will have no effect.
• C. It will increase.
• D. Yes, it will generally decrease.

Answer: (D)

In a parallel circuit, the total current drawn from the source is the sum of the currents through all the parallel branches. The voltage across each branch is the same as the source, so each branch draws a current based on its own resistance. When you remove one branch, you remove its current contribution, so the total current decreases by the amount that branch was carrying. With an ideal voltage source, the remaining branches keep drawing the same currents, so the total current simply drops.

In a parallel circuit, the total current drawn from the source is the sum of the currents through all the parallel branches. The voltage across each branch is the same as the source, so each branch draws a current based on its own resistance. When you remove one branch, you remove its current contribution, so the total current decreases by the amount that branch was carrying. With an ideal voltage source, the remaining branches keep drawing the same currents, so the total current simply drops.