What is an Electric Circuit?

What is an Electric Circuit?

An electric circuit is a pathway or loop through which electricity can flow. It consists of a series of components that are connected together by wires, which allow the flow of electrons. The components can include batteries, resistors, capacitors, diodes, transistors, and other devices.

Types of Electric Circuit

There are following 5 main types of electric circuit:

1. Close Circuit

When load works on its own in a circuit then it is called Close Circuit or Closed Circuit. Under this condition, the value of current flow depends on load.

2. Open Circuit

When there is a faulty electrical wire or electronic element in a circuit or the switch is OFF, then it is called Open Circuit. In the below diagram you can see that the Bulb is Not glowing because either the switch is OFF or there is fault is the electrical wire.

3. Short Circuit

When both points (+ and -) of voltage source in a circuit gets combined with each other for some reason then it is called Short Circuit. Maximum current starts to flow under this situation. Short circuit generally happens when the conducting electrical wires get joint of even because of shorting in the load.

4. Series Circuit

When two or more loads (Bulb, CFL, LED, Fan etc.) are linked to each other in a series, then it is called a Series Circuit. In a series circuit, if one load or bulb gets fuse, then rest of the bulbs will not get power supply and will not glow.

5. Parallel Circuit

When two or more loads (Bulb, CFL, LED, Fan etc.) are linked to each other in parallel, then it is called Parallel Circuit. In this type of circuit, the voltage capacity of all loads must be equal to input supply. Power of "load" can be different. In a parallel circuit, if one load or bulb gets fuse, then rest of the bulbs will still get power supply and will glow.