Basic Circuit Operation
BASIC ELECTRICITYElectrical power flows from the power source to a load device and then back to the source of power. The electrical circuit should contain a device to open or close the circuit, such as a switch or relay, and a protective device (in case of an overload), such as a circuit breaker or a fusible link. Electrical circuits can be set up as series circuits, parallel circuits, or series/parallel circuits. The circuits in this vehicle are normally parallel circuits.
Series Circuit:
Series Circuit
In a series circuit, the electrical devices are connected to form one current path to and from the power source, In a series circuit the voltage is shared equally by all the devices in the circuit.
Parallel Circuit:
Parallel Circuits
A series/ parallel circuit consists of a single current path and a circuit with more than one current path to and from the power source. In a parallel circuit the voltage is constant and equal for each current path.
Series/Parallel Circuit:
Series/Parallel Circuit
A series/Parallel circuit consists of a single current path and a circuit with more than one current path to and from the power source.