Electric Circuits Basics

Electric Circuits

Basics

• An electric circuit is a path through which electric current flows
• Consists of a power source, wires, and devices that use electricity (loads)
• Electric circuits can be series, parallel, or a combination of both

Series Circuits

• Components are connected one after the other
• Current flows through each component in sequence
• If one component fails, the entire circuit is broken
• Voltage is divided among components

Parallel Circuits

• Components are connected between the same two points
• Each component has the same voltage
• If one component fails, the others remain operational
• Current is divided among components

Circuit Analysis

• Ohm's Law: V = I × R (Voltage = Current × Resistance)
• Kirchhoff's Laws:
  • Kirchhoff's Voltage Law (KVL): ΣV = 0 (sum of voltage changes around a loop is zero)
  • Kirchhoff's Current Law (KCL): ΣI = 0 (sum of current entering a node is zero)

Magnetic Circuits

Basics

• A magnetic circuit is a path through which magnetic flux flows
• Consists of a magnetomotive force (mmf), magnetic reluctance, and magnetic flux
• Magnetic circuits are analogous to electric circuits

Magnetic Reluctance

• Opposition to magnetic flux
• Depends on material, geometry, and air gaps
• Analogous to electrical resistance

Magnetomotive Force (mmf)

• The driving force behind magnetic flux
• Analogous to electromotive force (emf) in electric circuits
• Measured in ampere-turns (At)

Magnetic Flux

• The flow of magnetic field lines
• Measured in webers (Wb)
• Analogous to electric current in electric circuits

Electric Circuits

• An electric circuit is a path through which electric current flows
• Consists of a power source, wires, and devices that use electricity (loads)
• Electric circuits can be series, parallel, or a combination of both

Series Circuits

• Components are connected one after the other
• Current flows through each component in sequence
• If one component fails, the entire circuit is broken
• Voltage is divided among components

Parallel Circuits

• Components are connected between the same two points
• Each component has the same voltage
• If one component fails, the others remain operational
• Current is divided among components

Circuit Analysis

• Ohm's Law: V = I × R (Voltage = Current × Resistance)
• Kirchhoff's Laws:
  • Kirchhoff's Voltage Law (KVL): ΣV = 0 (sum of voltage changes around a loop is zero)
  • Kirchhoff's Current Law (KCL): ΣI = 0 (sum of current entering a node is zero)

Magnetic Circuits

• A magnetic circuit is a path through which magnetic flux flows
• Consists of a magnetomotive force (mmf), magnetic reluctance, and magnetic flux
• Magnetic circuits are analogous to electric circuits

Magnetic Reluctance

• Opposition to magnetic flux
• Depends on material, geometry, and air gaps
• Analogous to electrical resistance

Magnetomotive Force (mmf)

• The driving force behind magnetic flux
• Analogous to electromotive force (emf) in electric circuits
• Measured in ampere-turns (At)

Magnetic Flux

• The flow of magnetic field lines
• Measured in webers (Wb)
• Analogous to electric current in electric circuits

Learn about the basics of electric circuits, including series and parallel circuits, and how they work. Understand the components of a circuit and how they are connected.