What happens to total current when resistors are connected in series?

When resistors are connected in series, the total current that flows through the circuit remains the same across all components. This is a fundamental principle of series circuits known as Kirchhoff's Current Law, which states that the current entering a junction must equal the current leaving that junction. In a series connection, all resistors share the same current since there is only one path for the current to flow.

As resistors are added in series, the total resistance of the circuit increases, which generally leads to a decrease in the total circuit current according to Ohm's Law (I = V/R, where I is current, V is voltage, and R is total resistance). However, the key point is that the current flowing through each individual resistor, as well as the total current flowing in the circuit, is the same at any given moment.

While it's true that the total current may decrease when adding resistors—due to the increased resistance—the actual current measured at a single point in the circuit remains consistent, reaffirming that the total current does not change across the series arrangement. This concept is crucial in understanding the behavior of electrical circuits and is essential knowledge for anyone studying fire alarm systems or other electrical systems.