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To find a faulty bulb in a series circuit, measure the voltage drop across each bulb. The bulb with the highest voltage, specifically the source voltage, is the one that is open.

In the opposite case, when the faulty bulb is shorted, it will have zero volts, while the others have slightly higher than normal voltage.

In the case of series connected Christmas Tree lights, it is a bit complicated because it is hard to measure voltage while the bulb is plugged in.

You could plug each bulb, one at a time, into a working string, or you could measure the resistance of each bulb, looking for infinity. Note, however, that modern series connected Christmas Tree lights are designed to short out when they fail, so it is a simple matter of seeing which one is not lit. (If too many bulbs, however, are shorted, the string will pull excessive current and either all bulbs will fail or the string fuse will blow.)

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15y ago

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What happens when one light bulb burns out in a series circuit?

All of the light bulbs in the series circuit would go out.


What happens if you take a device out of a series circuit?

the light bulb gives off more light


Can a series circuit have one electrical device?

No. You can have multiple devices on a series circuit. How about a low voltage Christmas tree light set. There you may have 15 or 20 lamps in series.


Why it is often not practical to connect the electric components (example of lights) in series?

In a series circuit, if one of the light's filiments opens the bulb will go out, but along with that light every other device in the same circuit will stop operating.Think of an electric light circuit, in your home, that is controlled by a switch. When the switch is turned off the light goes out. This is an example of a series circuit where ithe switch is in series with the lamp.


Can you describe a situation where a series circuit could be used to operate an electrical device?

A series circuit could be used to operate a string of Christmas lights. Each light bulb would be connected in a series, so that if one bulb burns out, the entire string would stop working. This setup ensures that all lights in the series receive the same amount of current.


If a light bulb is missing in a series circuit will the bulb light?

If one light bulb in a series circuit fails, all the other light bulbs will go out, until the failed bulb is replaced and the series circuit is completed again.If one light bulb in a parallel circuit fails, all the other light bulbs will still work.


How is a Series circuit used everyday?

A light switch is in series with the light bulb it controls.


What happens when you open a switch in a series crcuit?

A closed series circuit is one where the current flows through all devices in the circuit. Opening a switch prevents current from flowing in the circuit and it becomes simply an "open circuit". Any device that operates with current (light, LED, motor, etc) will no longer function.


What happens when a light bulb is broken in a series circuit?

In a series circuit, when a light bulb is broken, it creates an open circuit which stops the flow of current throughout the circuit. As a result, all the other light bulbs in the circuit will also stop working because they are all connected in a series.


An example series circuit might be what?

A voltage or current source in series with a circuit breaker or fuse in series with a switch in series with a light bulb.


Why is the series arrangement not used for domestic circuits?

In series, each device creates a voltage drop related to the current and impedence of the device, therefore, the voltage for the devices in the circuit are not the same. Addition: Also, in a series circuit, if one device fails, all others in the circuit would also "turn off" - think older strands of Christmas lights. Lets say for example that all the lights in your house were in a series circuit. When you turned the circuit on, all the lights would come on, but when you turn the switch off, all the lights would also go off (possibly useful when leaving for the day or going to bed). Now, one light bulb blows out...every light in the house would go out, leaving you to try replacing every light in the house until you found the correct one...in the dark.


What is it called when one light goes out and they all go out?

It is called a series circuit. In a series circuit, if one light bulb goes out, it breaks the circuit and causes all the lights to go out.