parallel circuit

parallel circuit:

see electric circuitelectric circuit,
unbroken path along which an electric current exists or is intended or able to flow. A simple circuit might consist of an electric cell (the power source), two conducting wires (one end of each being attached to each terminal of the cell), and a small lamp (the
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Parallel circuit

An electric circuit in which the elements, branches (elements in series), or components are connected between two points with one of the two ends of each component connected to each point. The illustration shows a simple parallel circuit. In more complicated electric networks one or more branches of the network may be made up of various combinations of series or series-parallel elements.

Schematic of a parallel circuit

In a parallel circuit the potential difference (voltage) across each component is the same. However, the current through each branch of the parallel circuit may be different. For example, the lights and outlets in a house are connected in parallel so that each load will have the same voltage (120 volts) but each load may draw a different current (0.5 ampere in a 60-watt lamp and 10 amperes in a toaster).

parallel circuit

[′par·ə‚lel ′sər·kət] (electricity) An electric circuit in which the elements, branches (having elements in series), or components are connected between two points, with one of the two ends of each component connected to each point.

parallel circuit

parallel circuit

parallel circuit

parallel circuit:

Parallel circuit

parallel circuit

parallel circuit

Synonyms for parallel circuit

noun a closed circuit in which the current divides into two or more paths before recombining to complete the circuit

Synonyms

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