Circuits and Circuit Diagrams PDF

# CIRCUITS and CIRCUIT DIAGRAMS A circuit is a continuous loop consisting of an energy source, conducting wires, one or more loads, and a switch. A circuit diagram is a standard way of drawing an electrical circuit. It is also called a schematic diagram. In a circuit diagram, symbols are used to rep...

# CIRCUITS and CIRCUIT DIAGRAMS A circuit is a continuous loop consisting of an energy source, conducting wires, one or more loads, and a switch. A circuit diagram is a standard way of drawing an electrical circuit. It is also called a schematic diagram. In a circuit diagram, symbols are used to represent the different types of components that are linked together in a circuit. Here are some common symbols: | Symbol | Description | | :------------------------------------ | :----------- | | **wire** | | | **power-pack** | | | **switch - open** | | | **switch - closed** | | | **ammeter** | A | | **voltmeter** | V | | **resistor** | | | **fuse** | | | **single cell** | | | **light bulb** | | | **battery** | | Notice above that a battery is more than one cell. The longer line represents the positive electrode, and the smaller line is the negative side of the cell. This picture shows one cell hooked up to a light bulb. Notice the straight lines in the circuit diagram represent wires. The cell is one long line and a short one (this is not a battery but we still call it one!) # Most circuits used in everyday life have more than one load. These loads may be connected in two ways: 1. **SERIES** - electrons follow only one path 2. **PARALLEL** - electrons can flow more than one way ## 1. **Series circuit** a circuit in which loads are connected end to end so that the electrons have only one path to follow ## 2. **Parallel circuit** a circuit in which loads are connected by branches so that electrons can move along more than one path electrical outlets in your house are wired this way. # Circuit Symbols | Symbol | Description | | :------------------------------------ | :------------ | | **conducting wire** | | | **wires joined** | | | **wires not joined** | | | **ground connector** | | | **cell** | | | **battery (with 3 cells)** | | | **lamp** | | | **resistor** | | | **switch** | | | **ammeter** | A | | **fuse** | | | **voltmeter** | V |