An Electrical Circuit

AN ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT
The circuit shown below has a power source, fuse, switch, two lamps and
wires connecting each into a loop or circle. When the connection is
complete, current flows from the positive terminal of the battery through
the wire, the fuse, the switch, another wire, the lamps, a wire and to the
negative terminal of the battery. The route along which the electricity flows
is called an electrical circuit.

ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT REQUIREMENTS
a complete Electrical Circuit is required in order to make electricity
practical. Electrons must flow from and return to the power source.
There are three different circuit types all require the same basic
components:
1. Power Source is needed to supply the flow of electrons (electricity).
2. Protection Device prevents damage to the circuit in the event of a short.
3. Load Device converts the electricity into work.
4. Control Device allows the user control to turn circuit on or off
5. Conductors provide an electrical path to and from the power source.
BASIC CIRCUIT CONSTRUCTION
1. Power Source (Battery, Alternator, Generator, etc.)
2. Protection Device (Fuse, Fusible Link, or Circuit Breaker)
3. Load Device (Lamp, Motor, Winding, Resistor, etc.
4. Control (Switch, Relay, or Transistor)
5. Conductors (A Return Path, Wiring to Ground)

TYPES OF CIRCUITS
Individual electrical circuits normally combine one or more resistance or load devices.
The design of the automotive electrical circuit will determine which type of circuit is
used. There are three basic types of circuits:

1. SERIES CIRCUITS
a series circuit is the simplest circuit. The conductors, control and protection
devices, loads, and power source are connected with only one path to ground for
current flow. The resistance of each device can be different. The same amount of
current will flow through each. The voltage across each will be different. If the
path is broken, no current flows and no part of the circuit works. Christmas tree
lights are a good example; when one light goes out the entire string stops
working.

A Series Circuit has only one path to ground, so electrons must go through each
component to get back to ground. All loads are placed in series.
Therefore:
1. An open in the circuit will disable the entire circuit.
2. The voltage divides (shared) between the loads.
3. The current flow is the same throughout the circuit.
4. The resistance of each load can be different.

2. PARALLEL CIRCUIT
A parallel circuit has more than one path for current flow. The same voltage is
applied across each branch. If the load resistance in each branch is the same, the
current in each branch will be the same. If the load resistance in each branch is
different, the current in each branch will be different. If one branch is broken,
current will continue flowing to the other branches.

Parallel Circuit has multiple paths or branches to ground. Therefore:
1. In the event of an open in the circuit in one of the branches, current will continue to
flow through the remaining.
2. Each branch receives source voltage.
3. Current flow through each branch can be different.
4. The resistance of each branch can be different
3. SERIES PARALLEL CIRCUIT
a series-parallel circuit has some components in series and others in parallel. The
power source and control or protection devices are usually in series; the loads are
usually in parallel. The same current flows in the series portion, different currents
in the parallel portion. The same voltage is applied to parallel devices, different
voltages to series devices. If the series portion is broken, current stops flowing in
the entire circuit. If a parallel branch is broken, current continues flowing in the
series portion and the remaining branches.

A resistance and lamps may be connected in a circuit as illustrated below. This
type of connecting method is called series-parallel connection, and is a
combination of series and parallel connections. The interior dash board lights are a
good example. By adjusting the rheostat, you can increase or decrease the
brilliance of the lights.

An Electrical Circuit

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AN ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT

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