Springs in Parallel

Definition of Parallel Springs

When a group of springs work together under one force or load.

When springs work in parallel, you have more force to withstand your working loads. Ninety nine percent of the time the springs will be identical which is why we’ve provided you with the following formulas to calculate the amount of force (equivalent rate) you’re generating when placing a load on these springs.

Rate With Identical Springs Example

If you have 4 identical compression springs, and need to have an equivalent spring rate of 40 pounds per inch (lbs/in), you divide the equivalent rate by the number of springs. The result of this equation is the constant spring rate/force that each spring needs to have.

Formula for Parallel Springs Rate

Single Spring Rate = Equivalent Rate ÷ Number of Springs

Parallel Springs Rate Calculation

Single Spring Rate = 40 lbs/in ÷ 4 springs
Single Spring Rate = 10 lbs/in

parallel springs rate calculation example

Load With Identical Springs Example

To know how much load you will achieve per spring, you will also need to divide the equivalent load by the number of springs. If you’re applying a force of 20 pounds and divide it by 4 springs, the load each spring will be carrying is 5 pounds.

Equation to Calculate Load Per Spring

Load p/ Spring = Equivalent Load ÷ Number of Springs

Parallel Springs Load Calculation

Load p/ Spring = 20 lbs ÷ 4 springs
Load p/Spring = 5 lbs

parallel springs load calculation example

Compression Spring Finder

Find and buy stock compression springs in two simple steps using Spring Finder. This easy to use search engine makes it easy to find and buy the stock spring you need.

The following simple steps will get you started:

In the basic search, you can enter:

For the advanced search, you must select “Search More Fields”. Here you can enter:

Once you’ve entered your spring’s specifications, click “Search”.

The following are the specifications you can select to organize your search:

Spring Finder Results in Table

Spring Finder Results in Grid View

Extension Spring Finder

Find and buy stock extension springs in two easy steps using Spring Finder. This simple tool makes finding the stock tension spring you need a fast and productive task. Search through over 4,000 designs off the shelf.

The following simple steps will get you started:

In the basic search, you can enter:

To access the parameters in the advanced search, click on “Search More Fields” where the following dimensions will be available:

The fields are not mandatory so you can choose whatever dimension you feel needed and click “Search” once you have done so.

These are the specifications you can organize your extension springs by:

Spring Finder Results in Table

Spring Finder Results in Grid View

Torsion Spring Finder

Find and buy stock torsion springs in two easy steps using Spring Finder. This simple tool makes finding the stock torsion spring you need a fast and productive task. Search through about 1,000 designs off the shelf.

The following simple steps will get you started:

In the basic search, you can enter:

To access the parameters in the advanced search, click on “Search More Fields” where the following dimensions will be available:

The fields are not mandatory so you can choose whatever dimension you want and click “Search” once you have done so.

These are the specifications you can organize your torsion springs by:

Spring Finder Results in Table

Spring Finder Results in Grid View

Conical Spring Finder

Find and buy stock conical springs in two simple steps using Spring Finder. This easy to use search engine makes it easy to find and buy the stock spring you need.

The following simple steps will get you started:

In the basic search, you can enter:

For the advanced search, you must select “Search More Fields”. Here you can enter:

Once you've entered your spring's specifications, click “Search”.

The following are the specifications you can select to organize your search:

Spring Finder Results in Table

Spring Finder Results in Grid View

Springs in Parallel

Definition of Parallel Springs

Rate With Identical Springs Example

Formula for Parallel Springs Rate

Parallel Springs Rate Calculation

Load With Identical Springs Example

Equation to Calculate Load Per Spring

Parallel Springs Load Calculation