| Series | Parallel |
| (1) The same amount of current flows through all the components. | (1) The current flowing through each component combines to form the current flow through the source. |
| (2) In an electrical circuit, components are arranged in a line. | (2) In an electrical circuit, components are arranged parallel to each other |
| (3) If Vt is the total voltage then, Vt = V1 + V2 + V3 | (3) If Vt is the total voltage, then
V1 = V2 = V3 |
| (4) If one component breaks down, the whole circuit will burn out. | (4) Other components will function even if one component breaks down, each has its own independent circuit |
