answersLogoWhite

0

A parallel circuit has more than one resistor (anything that uses electricity to do work) and gets its name from having multiple (parallel) paths to move along . Charges can move through any of several paths. If one of the items in the circuit is broken then no charge will move through that path, but other paths will continue to have charges flow through them. Parallel circuits are found in most household electrical wiring. This is done so that lights don't stop working just because you turned your TV off.

Below is an animation of a parallel circuit where electrical energy is shown as gravitational potential energy (GPE). The greater the change in height, the more energy is used or the more work is done.

The following rules apply to a parallel circuit:

  1. The potential drops of each branch equals the potential rise of the source.
  2. The total current is equal to the sum of the currents in the branches.
  3. The inverse of the total resistance of the circuit (also called effective resistance) is equal to the sum of the inverses of the individual resistances.

    One important thing to notice from this last equation is that the more branches you add to a parallel circuit (the more things you plug in) the lower the total resistance becomes. Remember that as the total resistance decreases, the total current increases. So, the more things you plug in, the more current has to flow through the wiring in the wall. That's why plugging too many things in to one electrical outlet can create a real fire hazard.

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about Earth Science

What is the difference between a parallel and series circuit?

In a parallel circuit, each component has its own separate path for current to flow, allowing them to operate independently. In a series circuit, components are connected end-to-end so that the same current flows through each one in sequence.


Can electricity flow through a parallel circuit?

'Electricity' is the name given to a branch of science; it is NOT a quantity. So your question should read, 'How does an electric current flow through a parallel circuit?'The answer is that a parallel circuit is made up of two or more individual 'branches'. The sum of the currents flowing through each branch is the value of the current being drawn from the supply by the complete circuit.


Is wiring in your house a parallel or series circuit?

Houshold circuits, like all non-trivial circuits, are wired in series-parallel. Switches are in series with loads. Loads, and switches with loads as combined units, are in parallel with each other.


What is the difference between a series circuit and a parallel?

Series circuit has the light bulbs like this: -------------------Ii------------------- I I I I I I I O O I I I I O -----------O---------------O---------I If you unscrew one bulb, the whole, all the others will stop working too. Parallel has the bulbs like this: -------------------Ii------------------- I I I I I I I I I I I I I I ---------------------------------------- I I I-------O------I I I I I I-------O-------I


What is the difference between a series and parallel circuit?

In a series circuit, components are connected in a single pathway, so the current flows through each component in sequence. If one component fails, the circuit is broken. In a parallel circuit, components are connected in multiple pathways, so the current splits and flows through each component separately. If one component fails, the others will still work.

Related Questions

What type of circuit are there?

parallel circuit / series circuit / and a short circuit


Which term describes electrical circuit with two or more devices connected to a source of electricity in one loop?

A parallel circuit


What are the two kinds of electrical circuit?

There are four types of circuit: series, parallel, series-parallel, and complex.


How is a series circuit and a parallel circuit like their circuit names?

A series circuit is actually in series, but a parallel circuit, is Parallel


What is the best Example of series parallel circuit in vehicle?

fart


Which circuit has different parts of the circuit on separate branches?

Any circuit that even has more than one branch is a parallel one.


which of these words best describes train tracks?

parallel lines


Is the electric circuit in your home a series circuit or a parallel circuit?

Parallel.


What describes a parallel circuit?

A parallel circuit is a type of electrical circuit in which the components are connected in multiple branches. In a parallel circuit, each component has its own separate path for current to flow from the power source. This allows the components to operate independently of each other, and if one component fails, it does not affect the operation of the other components.


What type of circuit has more than one circuit on a wire a series circuit or a parallel circuit?

A parallel circuit is :)


A circuit that has two or more branches for electrons to follow is a?

parallel circuit.


Would a bedroom be wired using a series circuit or a parallel circuit?

A parallel circuit