Circuit Theory
Description
Regardless of circuit complexity, circuit designers as well as users need to be able to apply basic electrical theories to circuits in order to verify safe operation and troubleshoot unexpected circuit failure. In this activity you will gain experience applying Ohm’s law and Kirchhoff’s voltage and current laws to circuits in order to gain understanding of circuit requirements and relationships between voltage, current, and resistance.
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.