If you’re just starting out in electrical engineering, you need to grasp the concept of an electrical circuit immediately. All electrical equipment (including your lightbulbs, flashlights, computers, and anything else you can think of) relies on electrical circuits.
So what is a circuit?
Let’s simplify this.
What Is an Electrical Circuit?
An electrical circuit is a path in which electric current travels through in a complete loop. This means that electricity requires a complete circuit to operate. Should you have a break at any point in the circuit, there will be a disruption to the current.
An electrical circuit provides a path through which the current can travel from a power source, through the load, and back to the power source.
The Elements of a Simple Circuit
Let’s say we are looking at a basic electrical circuit that only comprises a few elements.
In order for this circuit to operate, a power source and a conductor need to be connected across a resistance. In more simplified terms:
- Power supply (for example, a battery or mains electrical supply);
- Conductors such as wires; and,
- A load (for example, a resistor, a motor, light bulb, etc).
An Open vs a Closed Circuit
Before we continue to talk about circuits, let us take a moment to learn what an open circuit is, as well as a closed circuit.
A Closed Circuit
A closed circuit is a circuit that is not open; electricity can travel through it freely; the electrical component functions.
An Open Circuit
An open circuit has a break, meaning the electricity can no longer travel through it and thus cannot do anything.
The example of a lightbulb is helpful here, as you can either turn it on or off via a switch, thus opening or closing the circuit. If you turn your switch on (that is to say, the switch is closed), the light goes on because electricity flows through the circuit. When the switch is in the off position (that is to say, the switch is open), the light goes off as no current can travel through the circuit.
Why Are Electrical Circuits Important?
Electrical circuits are fundamental to all electrical and electronic systems. They are what allow electricity to do something other than just flow.
Electrical circuits are used for everything from home wiring systems to the electronics in your phone and computer as well as in factories and even transportation!
Simple Circuit Types
There are various types of circuits you can build, depending on your goals and applications. However, to understand circuits more deeply, it makes sense to first learn how to recognize two of the simplest types. The first is a series circuit and the second is a parallel circuit.
A Series Circuit
In a series circuit, all the elements are connected in a line. This means that should any element in the circuit fail, it will cause the entire circuit to no longer function.
A Parallel Circuit
A parallel circuit is made up of elements connected in parallel; this means that should the circuit have a failure, the rest of the components may remain unaffected.
Wrap-up
Electrical circuits are the most fundamental of all concepts in electrical engineering. Now that you know what an electrical circuit is, you are beginning to look at electricity completely differently.
At ElectroBase, we focus on making these fundamentals easy to understand so you can confidently build your knowledge step by step.