Auto 241 Electric II Chapter 41
What are the 2 basic types of Series/Parallel Circuits?
1 - A circuit where the load is in series with other loads in parallel 2 - A circuit where a parallel circuit contains resistors or loads which are in series with one or more branches.
What is a Parallel Circuit?
A parallel circuit is a complete circuit that has more than one path for the current.
What is a Series Circuit?
A series circuit is a complete circuit that has more than one electrical load where all of the current has only one path to flow through all of the loads. Electrical components such as fuses and switches are generally not considered to be included in the determination of a series circuit. The circuit must be continuous or have continuity in order for current to flow through the circuit.
What is another name for a Series/Parallel Circuit?
A series-parallel circuit is also called a compound or a combination circuit
What are Series/Parallel Circuits?
Series-parallel circuits are a combination of series and parallel segments in one complex circuit.
What does Kirchoff's Current (First) Law state?
The current flowing into any junction of an electrical circuit is equal to the current flowing out of that junction.
How is total resistance determined in a Series Circuit?
The resistances are added together to calculate total resistance in the circuit.
What are the separate paths which split and meet at junction paths called?
The separate paths which split and meet at junction points are called branches, legs, or shunts.
what is Law 3 of Parallel Circuits?
The sum of the individual currents in each leg will equal the total current. The amount of current flow through a parallel circuit may vary for each leg depending on the resistance of that leg. The current flowing through each leg results in the same voltage drop (from the power side to the ground side) as for every other leg of the circuit.
How is Resistance added in a Series Circuit?
The total resistance is the sum of all resistances added together.
What is Law 1 of Parallel Circuits?
The total resistance of a parallel circuit is always less than that of the smallest-resistance leg. This occurs because not all of the current flows through each leg or branch. With many branches, more current can flow from the battery just as more vehicles can travel on a road with five lanes compared to a road with only one or two lanes.
What is Kirchoff's Voltage (Second) Law?
The voltage around any closed circuit is equal to the sum (total) of the voltage drops across the resistances.
What is Law 2 of Parallel Circuits?
The voltage is the same for each leg of a parallel circuit.
How is total resistance determined in a Parallel Circuit?
the total resistance of a Parallel Circuit is NOT equal to the sum of the resistors (like in a series circuit). The total resistance in a parallel circuit is always less than any of the branch resistances.
