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why do batteries in parallel draw less when they are in series?
ok I know that they are "divided" and distribute power equally, but why don't they add like in series? i don't seem to fully get it, and i tried to think an analogy using water, but that doesn't seem to work which got me think... is it part of some weird behavior in quantum mechanics that wouldn't be covered? if so please try to explain in laymen terms so i can get a general idea.
1 Answer
- TechnobuffLv 71 decade agoFavorite Answer
You have the concept all wrong. Batteries don't "draw" power, they supply power.
When in parallel, the voltage available is the voltage of 1 cell, but the time a particular current can be drawn from them is multiplied by the number of batteries, or it can deliver a maximum current of the maximum current possible from 1 battery, multiplied by the number of batteries.
When in seies, the voltage available is the voltage of 1 battery multiplied by the number of batteries, but the maximum possible current that can be drawn is the maximum that can be drawn from just 1 battery.
So let's say you are working with 2V. batteries, 2 in series or parallel. The maximum current that 1 can deliver is 1A (ampere).
In series, you will have a voltage of 4V., but a maximum current of 1A.
In parallel, you will have a voltage of 2V., but a maximum current of 2A.
Now by Watt's law, Power (W) = EI (voltage x current).
Series = (4 x 1) = 4W.
Parallel = (2 x 2) = 4W.
From that, you can see the POWER available is the same from both series and parallel connections!
Just a word on paralleled batteries, though. Don't ever actually DO it! Just leave it in the realm of theory. You would go for larger capacity batteries, rather than palallel smaller ones.