In which type of circuit does adding loads decrease resistance?

In a parallel circuit, adding loads decreases the overall resistance of the circuit. This occurs because each additional load provides an alternative pathway for the current to flow. In a parallel configuration, the total resistance can be calculated using the formula ( \frac{1}{R_{total}} = \frac{1}{R_1} + \frac{1}{R_2} + \frac{1}{R_3} + ... ), where ( R_1, R_2, R_3, ) etc., are the resistances of the individual loads.

As more loads are added in parallel, the reciprocal of the total resistance increases, leading to a decrease in the total resistance of the circuit. This enhanced current flow is why parallel circuits are commonly utilized in household wiring to allow multiple devices to operate simultaneously without affecting one another’s performance. The additional pathways facilitate more total current without introducing additional resistance, unlike in series circuits where resistance accumulates as more loads are added.