Handbook 652 Body Electrical Diagnosis Parallel Resistance In parallel circuits, the total circuit resistance is always less than the smallest branch resistance. Moreover, adding a new parallel branch lowers the total circuit resistance and increases total circuit current flow. Using the example above, assume a third branch is added with a 2Ω load. What would the total current flow and resistance be then? This explains why adding a parallel component in a circuit can sometimes blow a fuse. 32 Technical Training