RESISTIVE LOADS POWERED BY SEPARATE OR BY COMMON ELECTRICAL SOURCES

In designing a multiple load electrical system, the designer may wish to compare the performance of two set ups: (1) a common electrical source powering all loads or (2) separate electrical sources powering individual loads. Three types of electrical sources: an ideal voltage source, an ideal current source and solar cell source powering resistive loads were analyzed with respect to their performance (e.g. power) in separate and common source systems. A mathematical proof is given, for each case, indicating the merit of the separate or common source system. The main conclusions are (1) identical resistive loads powered by electrical sources perform the same in both system set ups, (2) non-identical resistive loads powered by ideal voltage sources perform the same in both system set ups, (3) non-identical resistive loads powered by ideal current sources have higher performance in separate source systems and (4) non-identical resistive loads powered by solar cell sources have higher performance in a common source system for a wide range of load resistance. © 1990.