Circuit Theory A
Description
Have you ever used a calculator to add some numbers, looked at the answer, and realized that it was wrong? How did you know that the answer was incorrect? The calculator gave you an answer; why did you not trust it? You knew the answer was wrong because you understand the fundamentals of mathematics. Your instinct told you that the answer could not be correct. The same is true for circuit analysis. Throughout this course you will be using a Circuit Design Software to test the circuits that you design. This software will always give an answer, right or wrong. The only way that you will be able to rely on these answers is if you have an understanding of the laws of circuit analysis. You must develop the same instinct for circuit behavior that you have for mathematics. In this activity you will gain experience applying Ohm’s Law and Kirchhoff’s Voltage and Current Laws to solve simple series and parallel circuits.
Conclusion Questions
1. When using a parallel circuit, the voltage are always the same across any component. Current adds up per component.
2. When using a series circuit, the current always adds up across the circuit. Voltage adds up per component.
3. Christmas lights are positioned in a series circuit. This is because the current in the circuit must flow through all of the loads. Each light depends on each other. If one bulb breaks, then the circuit is broken and all the lights go out. This may be inconvenient to the buyer, but wiring a series circuit is much easier and faster for the manufacturer.
2. When using a series circuit, the current always adds up across the circuit. Voltage adds up per component.
3. Christmas lights are positioned in a series circuit. This is because the current in the circuit must flow through all of the loads. Each light depends on each other. If one bulb breaks, then the circuit is broken and all the lights go out. This may be inconvenient to the buyer, but wiring a series circuit is much easier and faster for the manufacturer.