When something is plugged into an outlet, it will receive power in one of two ways- in series or in parallel. While the difference might not be immediately apparent to someone with a limited understanding of electricity, there are pronounced differences between the two. In this blog post, we’ll explore those differences and explain why they’re important. Stay tuned!
What is Short Circuit in a Series?
Short-circuiting in a series is when the current traveling through the circuit finds an easier path to travel other than going through the entire circuit. Short circuits usually happen accidentally, but they can also be caused on purpose.
Short-circuiting can cause damage to the components in a circuit and can even start fires. Short circuits can be prevented by using fuses or Circuit breakers in the circuit.
When a Short Circuit happens, it causes the current to increase dramatically which creates heat. The heat from the Short Circuit can cause fires, and it can also damage the components in the circuit. Short Circuits are one of the most common reasons for electrical fires.
What is Short Circuit in a Parallel Circuit?
A short circuit in a parallel circuit is a situation where the current flowing through the circuit takes a path of least resistance. This situation occurs when there is an open connection in the circuit.
As a result, the current flows through the open connection instead of flowing through the resistor. The open connection has a lower resistance than the resistor, so the current flow through it is greater than the current flowing through the resistor.
This causes an increase in the overall current flow in the circuit, which can damage the electrical components in the circuit. Short circuits can also cause fires if the electrical components are not properly protected.
Differences between Short Circuit in a Series and a Parallel Circuit
Short circuits can happen in both series and parallel circuits. However, there are some important differences to keep in mind.
- In a series circuit, a short circuit will cause the current to stop flowing entirely.
- This is because the path of least resistance has been created, so the current will take the shortcut instead of flowing through the entire circuit.
- In contrast, a short circuit in a parallel circuit will only cause the current to flow through one branch of the circuit.
- The other branch will continue to function normally. This is because parallel circuits have multiple paths for the current to take, so a short circuit in one branch does not affect the other branches.
As a result, it is important to be aware of the different effects that short circuits can have on different types of circuits.
Conclusion
We hope this article has helped clear up any questions you may have had about series and parallel circuits. Remember, in a series circuit, if one component fails, the entire circuit is shut down. In a parallel circuit, however, if one component fails, the other components will continue to function.
