series and parallel electrical theory

[bobgrey]

So I've always used series and parallel of wiring subs to control resistance. So I can wire a 4 ohm dvc sub to be a 2 or 8 ohm load. So the argument I had was about maximizing power output from a theoretical amplifier rated at 1000rms at 2 ohms and 600@8. I argued to wire the sub in parallel to maximize output and my friend argued series is always better because even though there is less output from the amp the power goes through both coils and each coil sees all of the power (600w ea) output instead of half (500w ea) (if it were split given a parallel wiring). Thinking about it logically makes sense but it contradicts my understanding of electrical theory. Do components in series each really see all of the power? My argument was that each coil in series would only see 300w even though there was 600w going through them.

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[adulbrich 5,000+ posts]

Both coils will see the same wattage. They may just see a different volts to amps ratio

 

[bobgrey]

So if I had a 2000w d1 sub I could power it with 2000w at .5 ohms in parallel or 1000w at 2 ohms in series? Because each coil is going to see the same 1000w and power it adequately?

 

[adulbrich 5,000+ posts]

If its 2000 at .5 ohm, it would be more like 500 at two ohms (theoretically). However, amplifier efficiency is much less at a lower impedance.

Doesn't matter if you wire in series or parallel, both coils of your sub will see about the same power if they are the same resistance.

 

[garychoffmann 10+ year member]

No that is not how it works. If wired in parallel or series the amplifier sees a singular load. 2000 watts in parallel is not the same as 1000 in series. With 2000 watts in parallel each coil sees 1000 watts. With 1000 watts in series each coil sees 500 watts. Is that what you were trying to figure?

 

[adulbrich 5,000+ posts]

No that is not how it works. If wired in parallel or series the amplifier sees a singular load. 2000 watts in parallel is not the same as 1000 in series. With 2000 watts in parallel each coil sees 1000 watts. With 1000 watts in series each coil sees 500 watts. Is that what you were trying to figure?

I think he's asking if both coils will see equal power. The answer is yes

EDIT: never mind, he was asking if the coils would see the same power when wired at .5 and 2 ohms

 

[bobgrey]

Right, thanks. That was my argument my friend was trying to say that he basically could double the power the sub sees if he wired in series because the same power was going through both coils and "being used twice" and I failed to explain why that wasn't how it worked.

 

[Jepalan]

Right, thanks. That was my argument my friend was trying to say that he basically could double the power the sub sees if he wired in series because the same power was going through both coils and "being used twice" and I failed to explain why that wasn't how it worked.

Your friend is wrong. The combined impedance (ohms) of the coils determines how much total power the amp will put out (based on the amps specs and capability to drive that total ohm load). Whether the coils are wired in series or in parallel, they will each receive 1/2 the total power that the amp puts out.

If amp is putting 2000W RMS into the combined coils (series or parallel), then each coils receives 1/2 the power (100W RMS each). If amp is putting 800W RMS into the combined coils (series or parallel then each coil receives 400W RMS each. Period.

Explanation:

When coils are wired in parallel, each coil receives the full amplifier output voltage, but 1/2 the current. When wired in series, each coil receives the full amplifier output current, but 1/2 the amplifier output voltage. Since power = volts x amps, the result is the same. (IF the total ohm load is the same in each case)