Electrical Circuits
Circuits: A circuit is made up of a power supply, connecting wires & various elements that allow current to leave a power source, travel through the elements & return back to the power source.
Common Electric Parts Battery/Power Source Bulb
Common symbols (cont’d) Switch Push-button Switch Resistor Voltmeter Ammeter V A
Circuits Power Supply - + A v Ammeter Resistor Voltmeter
Types of Circuits: There are 2 types of circuits: SERIES PARALLEL Trick to help identify type of circuit: Series: Current has only one option to flow Parallel: Current has more than one option to flow through There are 2 types of circuits: 1. Series Circuit 2. Parallel Circuit SERIES PARALLEL
Series Circuits Components are connected end to end Current only follows one path If one part of the circuit is broken, the entire circuit will stop functioning Eg: Christmas tree lights
Parallel Circuits Circuit that contains at least one branch Current can follow at least 2 different paths If part of the circuit is defective another part may still be able to operate. Eg: headlights on a car
Example Series or Parallel? 2. 1. PARALLEL SERIES A 3. 4. SERIES
Adding an Ammeter into a Circuit In order to measure the current traveling through a circuit, an ammeter must be inserted into the circuit. An ammeter is always connected inside the circuit in series. A
Connecting An Ammeter A) B) C) NO YES YES F) E) D) NO YES NO In each diagram, is the ammeter hooked up correctly to these circuits? A) B) C) A A NO A YES YES F) E) D) NO A YES NO A A
Adding a Voltmeter to a Circuit In order to measure the voltage traveling through a circuit, a voltmeter must be inserted into the circuit. A voltmeter is always connected outside the circuit in parallel. V
Connecting A Voltmeter In each diagram, is the voltmeter hooked up correctly to these circuits? V A) B) C) V V NO YES YES F) E) D) V YES V YES NO V
KEY POINTS Voltmeter – always placed outside of circuit attached in parallel Ammeter – is always placed inside circuit attached in series
Setting up a Circuit PARV acronym P-ower A-mmeter R-esistor V-olt Meter