Kirchoff's Second Rule "Junction Rule" or “Kirchoff’s Current Law (KCL)”
In deriving the formula for the equivalent resistance of 2 resistors in parallel, we applied Kirchoff's Second Rule (the junction rule).
"At any junction point in a circuit where the current can divide (also called a node), the sum of the currents into the node must equal the sum of the currents out of the node."
- This is just a statement of the conservation of charge at any given node.
- The currents entering and leaving circuit nodes are known as “branch currents”.
- Each distinct branch must have a current, Ii, assigned to it