Electrical circuits are the foundation of today’s modern technology. Knowledge about where to use each Circuit is key to creating an effective and safe project. Each circuit has its specific use, which needs to be understood to avoid blocks while building your electronic project.
In the following article, we’ll highlight the fundamentals of circuits and the different types of circuits available in the market, so you can build in peace knowing you’ve found the right circuit for you.
There are 4 main parts of a circuit, the following are explained below;
Parts Of A Circuit
- Cell : The cell is the main power source. This component powers up a Circuit and has two terminals, which are negative and positive. The negative terminal is the source that is connected to the circuit and supplies it with energy.
- Switch : The switch is the next component in a circuit. It is used to break a circuit by diverting its power. They can turn items on and off (open and closed Circuit relation here)
- Wire: A wire acts as a connector between all the components. It is established using a thin strand of metal which acts as a conductor that allows electricity to pass through
- Light Bulb: The light bulb is the last component in a circuit. It produces light using electricity. Light bulbs glow because electricity is sent to a thin wire filament which is known as tungsten which emits light.
Usage Of A circuit
To discuss the usage of a circuit, it’s essential to first understand that a circuit is a closed loop that allows an electric current to flow from a power source, through a set of electrical components, and back to the source. Here are some common usages of circuits in various contexts:
- Electronic Devices: Circuits are the backbone of all electronic devices, such as smartphones, computers, and TVs. They help in processing information, executing commands, and powering the device.
- Lighting: Circuits are used in residential and commercial lighting systems, including LED lights, which require a constant flow of electricity to operate.
- Industrial Machinery: In industrial settings, circuits control machinery, enabling operations such as automation, motor control, and safety interlocks.
- Home Appliances: Everyday appliances like refrigerators, microwaves, and air conditioners use circuits to function, manage power distribution, and control various settings.
- Communication Systems: Circuits are crucial in telecommunications, enabling the functioning of radios, satellites, and network systems for data transmission.
- Transportation: Modern vehicles, including cars, trains, and planes, rely on complex circuits for engine management, lighting, entertainment systems, and safety features.
- Renewable Energy Systems: In solar panels and wind turbines, circuits help convert and regulate power, ensuring stable energy supply and distribution.
- Medical Equipment: In the medical field, circuits are used in devices like pacemakers, MRI machines, and monitoring systems to ensure they operate reliably and effectively.
Types Of Circuits
Electric Circuit
An electrical circuit is the most basic form of a circuit. It is a path that allows electric current to flow through various components. These components may include wires, cells, a switch, and a component to absorb the power which is called the load(eg, a light bulb). There are many applications for an electric circuit that range from basic appliance operation to lighting systems.
Open Circuit
An open circuit is a type of circuit that has a break in the path of current flow. Which leads to an interrupted path that prevents current from flowing. Contact points are disturbed which prevents the current from reaching the direction it was supposed to. This sort of Circuit could be used for testing and troubleshooting as it helps in identifying any faults in an electrical device.
Closed Circuit
The opposite of an open Circuit is a closed circuit. This has no breaks in the path between each end. This allows for a full loop of electricity, which isn’t interrupted by anything. When components like a bulb and battery are added to the Circuit, the bulb has a constant glow because of the constant flow of current. Oftentimes, these are in battery-operated devices to ensure the flow of electricity.
Short Circuit
An unwanted flow of current to a part of a Circuit creates a short circuit. When an unintentional low-resistance connection is made between 2 points of an electrical circuit. This allows for an excessive flow of current, which can bypass the intended path and cause damage to your circuit or, in some cases, even start a fire.
Series Circuit
If you have two or more components that are connected after one another, it’s called a series circuit. In this style of circuit, there is only one path for the current to flow and all components share that path. If any part of the series fails or if the source of power is disconnected, the entire Circuit will stop functioning because current cannot flow through the circuit.
Parallel Circuit
Alternatively, the parallel Circuit has multiple paths for the current to flow. This type of Circuit has multiple components and a single source of power for each component and the flow of current is divided between each of them. The setup is much more reliable when contrasted with the series circuit, as it ensures the independence of a circuit. If one component is faulty the other component will still work as it allows multiple components to function even if one path is interrupted.
Series- Parallel Circuit
A combination of the series Circuit and the parallel Circuit makes the series-parallel circuit. This blends the configuration of both types of circuits, where principles of current consistency and voltage division are applied from the series part of a series Circuit, and the principals of independent operation while sharing a single source current are retained from the knowledge of how a parallel Circuit functions.
AC Circuit
Alternating currents, AKA AC circuits, are known for their functionality of regularly reversing current flow. It occurs in a smooth wave-like pattern called a sinusoidal wave, which ensures a more stable fluctuation of voltage. A common application for the circuit would be when electricity flows for long distances. Although AC circuits are powerful it’s important to note there may be a risk of electrical shocks so careful consideration should be maintained when configuring this type of circuit.
DC Circuit
The opposite of the AC circuit is the DC circuit. It allows the current to flow in a single constant direction. Generally used in more simple applications, where electricity flows for shorter distances. Unlike a fluctuating source of voltage, the DC Circuit uses constant voltage and are commonly found in appliances like mobile phones, computers, and other small devices. Where the stability of the power source shouldn’t be affected by the direction of current flow.
Single-Phase Circuit
In a single-phase circuit, an AC type of power is used. This kind of Circuit allows the voltage to flow in smooth wave-like patterns. To make such kinds of Circuit work you only require a single phase to function, which means only two wires to complete the circuit. One of which is called the phase/ line wire, which carries the electrical current, and the other is called the neutral wire which completes the circuit by carrying the current back.
Polyphase Circuit
A poly-phase circuit uses more than one source of voltage. For example in a three-phase AC circuit, there will be three different electrical waves that need to be spaced 120° apart from each other. And to set up the system you would require three to four wires. The Circuit is used for complex applications and has a more stable and efficient power supply compared to a single-phase system.
Star-Delta Circuit
The name for the star-delta circuit comes from the shape of how different components are connected. They come in either a star (Y) or delta (Δ) configuration. These systems differ from parallel or series circuits. To switch between them, you can use different calculations to aid in transformations from one configuration into another, which helps simplify circuit analysis. star-delta circuits are used motor starters, to help curb the initial current surge when starting up.
Linear Circuit
Linear circuits are built to be consistent and have predictable behavior. Which means, parameters don’t change no matter how much current or voltage is applied. These would maintain a stable resistance, capacitance, and inductance and are useful for signal amplification and analog processing.
Non-Linear Circuit
The inverse of a linear circuit would be a non-linear circuit. Where things like resistance, capacitance, and inductance change depending on the amount of current or voltage. Which means the Circuit doesn’t behave in a straightforward or predictable way, and its behavior can vary with different levels of current or voltage.
Unilateral Circuits
As the name suggests, in a unilateral circuit, the current flows in a singular direction, so if you were to change the direction of voltage or current the Circuit wouldn’t operate. An example of the operation of a unilateral Circuit would be in power supplies, where devices receive DC power in an AC source. Another example would be a diode, which is used in rectification. It allows current to only flow in a singular direction.
Bi-Lateral Circuits
Whereas bi-lateral circuits let current flow in both directions and the Circuit would work and behave the same even if you change the direction of the flow of current. These circuits are found in signal amplification, where a bi-directional current flow is needed.
Resonant Circuits
A resonant Circuit also known as a tuned circuit is designed to oscillate at a particular frequency which is known as the resonance frequency. It consists of inductors and capacitors to store energy and transfer it back and forth between magnetic and electrical fields. When the input signal matches the circuit’s natural frequency, it passes through easily while other frequencies are filtered out. Such circuits are commonly found in radio transmitters as they help to tune specific frequencies.
Integrated Circuits
One of the smallest types of circuits is integrated circuits. Despite its compact size, these circuits host many components such as transistors, resistors, and capacitors. These are then shrunken and fixed to a piece of silicone, allowing ICs to perform a range of functions from signal amplification to data processing. Integrated circuits are one of the most efficient and cost-effective types of circuits and are found in almost every piece of modern tech.
Digital Circuits
Digital circuits are electrical circuits that operate using digital signals, which represent information in a binary form(0s and 1s)and logic gates (AND OR NOT) to process data and enable complex computation and decision-making processes. Digital circuits form the foundation for modern technology and are applied in technologies such as phones and computers which use immense processing to work.
Analog Circuits
Unlike digital circuits which use binary form to process data, analog circuits use continuous signals to process data over a range. They’re essential to amplify, filter, and modulate signals which is used when technologies relating to sound or radios or other technologies which require handling of various signal strengths.
Active Circuit
Active circuits have one or more sources of electromotive force (EMF) like batteries or other sources of power supplies, which help power the circuit. Such circuits help amplify signals or power devices because they have external power sources that add energy to the circuit. An example of the application of an active Circuit would be a radio, which uses external power to amplify its signal.
Passive Circuit
In comparison to active circuits, passive circuits don’t use EMF. Instead, it relies on the energy that’s present in the circuit, such as the one which is stored in capacitors or inductors. Such circuits can’t amplify signals or add energy but they instead use or store the energy provided by an external source. A simple circuit with just resistors and capacitors, without any batteries or power supplies, is a passive circuit.
Magnetic Circuit
Magnetic circuits use magnetic force instead of electric current. In a magnetic circuit, the magnetic lines travel in a closed path that starts and ends at the same point. There is no flow of current in a magnetic circuit, just the force that moves along the path. They differ by using materials like steel or iron which easily conduct magnetic reactions.
Sequential Circuit
Sequential circuits are a byproduct of digital circuits, they store and use previous data to determine their future behavior. Found in digital systems to create state machines, timers, and memory elements. These said memory elements in sequential circuits are often implemented with flip flops which store binary values and retain their state even when inputs change.
Combinational Circuit
Combinational circuits are a type of circuit which are designed using multiple interconnected logic gates (AND OR NOT) where the output solely depends on its present input and there is no element memory involved, so the circuit’s output changes immediately in response to changes in the input. Many times these types of circuits are found in logical and arithmetic operations in CPUs.
Mixed Signal Circuit
An integrated circuit that contains both analog and digital circuit mechanisms on a single chip is known as a mixed signal circuit. It handles both types of signals (analog and digital) which allows them to be used in a variety of applications. This includes custom-designed circuits for specific tasks (ASICs). You’ll find applications of these circuits used in smartphones and in analog to digital converters.
Now that we have gone through all the types of circuits here are a few answers to some frequently asked questions which you may be having.
FAQs:
The main parts of an electric circuit include the cell (power source), switch (controls flow), wire (connects components), and load (component that absorbs power, like a light bulb).
An open circuit has a break in the path, preventing current flow, while a closed circuit allows continuous current flow without interruptions.
A short circuit occurs when current bypasses the intended path due to low resistance, which can lead to overheating, damage to the circuit, or even fire.
Analog circuits process continuous signals that vary smoothly, while digital circuits use discrete binary signals (0s and 1s) for processing data.
A mixed signal circuit combines both analog and digital functions on a single chip, used in devices like smartphones and for tasks like analog-to-digital conversion.
Conclusion
To summarize, circuits have always held a great deal of importance when it comes to the way we develop and utilize modern technology. This article covered a range of circuits from open circuits to mixed signal circuits, understanding the various types and purposes of circuits provides you with the knowledge to help you build the perfect efficient and functional project.
