Trystan Casey
An electrical circuit is a closed loop of interconnected electrical components that allow electric current to flow. These components include batteries, resistors, inductors, capacitors, switches, transistors, and wires. Circuits are designed to deliver power, control and regulate current flow, and protect against electrical faults. A circuit is considered closed when current can flow from one terminal of a battery to another without disruption. Conversely, an open circuit occurs when a disconnection in any part of the circuit stops the flow of current.
An electrical network, on the other hand, is a broader concept that refers to the interconnection of two or more circuit elements, such as voltage sources, resistors, inductors, and capacitors. Networks can be active or passive, depending on whether they contain a source of electromotive force, such as a battery or generator. All circuits are considered networks, but not all networks are circuits. While circuits focus on the closed-loop path for current flow, networks can include more complex arrangements of components, such as branches, nodes, and junctions.
| Characteristics | Electrical Circuit |
|---|---|
| Definition | A closed loop made up of components like batteries and resistors that allow electric current to flow. |
| Types | Open, closed, short, series, and parallel. |
| Components | Batteries, resistors, inductors, capacitors, switches, transistors, voltage sources, current sources, resistances, etc. |
| Current Flow | Electrons flow from the negative to the positive terminal. |
| Circuit Elements | Connected in series, parallel, or series-parallel. |
| Characteristics | Electrical Network |
| --- | --- |
| Definition | An interconnection of electrical components. |
| Types | Resistive, inductive, capacitive, diode, etc. |
| Components | Passive elements (resistors, inductors, capacitors, etc.), active elements (voltage sources, current sources, etc.), or both. |
| Active vs. Passive | Active networks contain a source of energy and can supply energy indefinitely; passive networks do not contain a source of energy. |
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What You'll Learn
Circuits are a type of network
An electrical circuit is a type of electrical network that contains a closed path for the flow of electric current. It is made up of components like batteries and resistors that allow electric current to flow. The main roles of electrical circuit components include delivering power, controlling and regulating flow, and protecting against electrical faults.
There are different types of circuits, such as open, closed, short, series, and parallel. A series circuit is where the same current flows through all elements connected in the series. A parallel circuit is where the voltage drop across each component is the same, but the currents flowing through each component may differ. A combination of these two is a series-parallel circuit. Most real-world electrical systems use series-parallel circuits.
A network that contains active electronic components is known as an electronic circuit. These networks are generally nonlinear and require more complex design and analysis tools. An active network contains at least one voltage source or current source that can supply energy to the network indefinitely. A passive network, on the other hand, does not contain any sources of energy and consists of passive elements like resistors and capacitors.
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Active and passive networks
An electrical circuit is a closed loop made up of components like batteries and resistors that allow electric current to flow. An electrical network is an interconnection of electrical components or a model of such an interconnection. Thus, all circuits are networks, but not all networks are circuits.
A network that contains active electronic components is known as an electronic circuit. Active networks contain at least one voltage source or current source that can supply energy to the network indefinitely. Active elements can inject power to the circuit, provide power gain, and control the current flow within the circuit. Active components require an external source to operate in a circuit and they produce energy in the form of voltage or current. Examples of devices with active components include diodes and transistors, which perform “active” operations like amplifying, rectifying, or converting supplied current (signal).
Passive networks, on the other hand, do not contain an active source. They consist of passive elements like resistors, capacitors, and inductors. Passive networks are generally taken to be linear, but there are exceptions. Passive components are required electronic devices that perform "passive" operations like consuming, storing, or releasing electric power. Examples of devices with passive components include incandescent light bulbs, loudspeakers, sensors, microwaves, remote keyless entry systems, and antennas.
It is important to note that all electronic circuits must contain at least one active component, and most electronic devices contain both active and passive components.
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Series and parallel circuits
An electrical circuit is a closed loop made up of components like batteries and resistors that allow electric current to flow. There are different types of circuits, such as open, closed, short, series, and parallel.
A series circuit is defined by the fact that all its components are connected end-to-end, forming a single path for the current to flow. In a series circuit, the voltage gets dropped at each component, but the current remains the same for all of them as the path is continuous.
In contrast, a parallel circuit is where all components are connected across each other, forming exactly two sets of electrically common points. There are many paths for the current to flow, but only one voltage across all components.
In a series circuit, two components are said to be in series if they share a common node and the same current flows through them. In a parallel circuit, if components share two common nodes, they are in parallel.
An example of a parallel circuit is the wiring system of a house. If one of the electric lamps burns out, the current can still flow through the rest of the lights and appliances.
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Open and closed circuits
An electric circuit is an arrangement of components such as energy sources, resistors, inductors, and capacitors, which allow the flow of electric current from the source to the load. A closed circuit is a continuous path that allows the flow of electricity from the source to the load. A conducting wire, a source of energy (e.g. a battery), and an electric load are the main parts of a closed circuit. These components are joined together to form a closed loop so that the current can flow from the source to the load through the wire. A closed switch completes the path to allow the current to flow in the circuit.
A simple example of a closed circuit is a basic flashlight. Closing the switch completes the conductive path in the flashlight, allowing electrons to flow and the light to turn on.
An open circuit, on the other hand, is a discontinuous path that restricts the flow of electricity from the source to the load. In other words, an open circuit is a break or gap in the electrical path, preventing the flow of current. This results in infinite resistance between two points in the circuit, and the voltage remains at its full potential. Open circuits are often created by design, such as with a light switch, but they can also be created accidentally, for example, by a forgotten battery connection or a break in a wire.
The terms "open" and "closed" can be confusing because they are commonly associated with a door, where "open" implies free passage and "closed" implies blockage. However, in the context of electrical circuits, the terms have the opposite meanings, with "open" indicating no flow and "closed" indicating free passage of electric current.
It is important to be able to identify and differentiate between open and closed circuits to ensure the safety, reliability, and efficiency of electrical equipment.
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Electrical laws and theorems
Some of the key electrical laws include:
- Kirchhoff's Current Law: This law states that the sum of all currents entering a node is equal to the sum of all currents leaving the node.
- Kirchhoff's Voltage Law: This law states that the directed sum of the electrical potential differences around a loop must be zero.
- Ohm's Law: Ohm's Law states that the voltage across a resistor is equal to the product of the resistance and the current flowing through it. This law is also applied in small-signal analysis, where non-linear elements can be linearized to obtain small-signal estimates of voltages and currents.
- Superposition Theorem: This theorem applies to linear networks with multiple independent sources. It states that the response in a particular branch when all sources act simultaneously is equal to the linear sum of individual responses calculated by considering one independent source at a time.
Additionally, there are other theorems like Norton's Theorem, which pertains to the electrical equivalence of networks, and Fleming's Rule, which is important for motors and generators.
These laws and theorems help simplify and analyse electrical networks and circuits, aiding in the design and troubleshooting of electrical systems.
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Frequently asked questions
An electrical circuit is a closed loop made up of components like batteries and resistors that allow electric current to flow. An electric circuit is a type of electrical network.
An electrical network is an interconnection of electrical components like batteries, resistors, inductors, capacitors, switches, and transistors. A network that contains active electrical components is known as an electrical circuit.
In a series circuit, the same current flows through all elements connected in the series. In a parallel circuit, the voltage drop across each component is the same, but the currents flowing through each component may differ.
