|
|
Basics of Electricity
|
-
With a series circuit, the current
has only one path to follow from the source, through the load (lamp), and back to she power source.
See
Figure 1.13A.
-
With a parallel circuit, current
divides at one or more points and follows different paths back to the power source. See
Figure 1.13B.
-
A series-parallel circuit is a
combination of the other two. See
Figure 1.13C.
These circuit arrangements permit the flexible use of electricity for houses and commercial
industrial buildings.
|
|
|
|
Figure 1.13. Three types of electrical circuit.
To review, there must be a complete circuit for current to flow. A complete circuit can be
arranged as a series, parallel, or series-parallel circuit.
Types of Electricity
There are two types of electricity used for power applications: direct current (DC) and
alternating current (AC). Direct current power sources include batteries and direct current
generators. Electrons in the conductor flow continuously in one direction as long as the circuit is
complete. See
Figure 1.14. Most common sources of direct current are batteries used for torches,
watches and cars.
|
|
|
|
Figure 1.14. Direct current.
With alternating current, electrons in the conductor change direction regularly and
frequently. Alternating current is produced by an alternating current generator. It is the method
by which the
|
|
|
|
