Are branch currents in a parallel circuit always less than the total current of the circuit?

Branch currents in a parallel circuit are indeed always less than the total current of the circuit. In a parallel configuration, the total current supplied by the source is divided among the branches. Each branch carries a portion of the total current, depending on the resistance of that branch. According to Ohm's Law and Kirchhoff’s Current Law, the sum of the currents flowing into the junctions of a circuit must equal the sum of the currents flowing out. Therefore, each branch's current is a fraction of the total circuit current, leading to the conclusion that branch currents cannot exceed the total current flowing into the parallel circuit.

This principle underscores the functionality of parallel circuits, where multiple paths allow for individual currents in each branch to contribute to a combined total that is greater than the current in any one branch alone. Hence, the idea that branch currents are always less than the total current is a fundamental concept in analyzing parallel circuits.