1. Electrical Circuits Parts of a simple circuit: Wire Load
Power Source--- _________________
Switch

2. Power source: AC or DC
Alternating Current– flow of electric charge that regularly reverses its direction.
generated from outlets
Direct Current– charge flows in one direction.
generated from __________________

3. Open Circuit vs. Closed Circuit
When switch is open, there is no voltage difference and NO CURRENT WILL FLOW.
A circuit must have a complete path from positive to __________________ electrodes for current to flow.
Light switch: when it is ON, it has a(n) __________ circuit, when it is OFF, it has a(n) ________________ circuit.

4. Types of Circuits Series Circuit The parts are wired one after another
Example: old christmas tree lights
If one light goes out
All go out
One load effects the current in the loads after it. (example– lights will get dimmer one after another)

5. Types of Circuit Parallel Circuit
the electricity has more than one path it can travel.
Examples: used in cars, houses, most everything
If one light bulb (or load) goes out, the rest stay on
All light bulbs stay equally light because each has its own pathway

6. Circuit Safety Features
Electrical energy enters your home at the circuit breaker or fuse box and branches out to wall sockets, major appliances and lights.
Electric fuse- A safety device that detects too much current in a circuit. A fuse often has a component that melts and opens the circuit.
Found in
Cars, boats and
Big appliances

7. Circuit Safety Features
Circuit Breakers
A safety device that detects too much current in a circuit.
A circuit breaker often contains a bimetallic strip that bends and trips a switch that opens a circuit.
Found in
Houses