Difference between revisions of "Circuit"
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| − | Formally, a '''circuit''' is a path from a high [[voltage]] source | + | Formally, a '''circuit''' is a path from a high [[voltage]] source (on a [[battery]], [[generator]], [[power supply]], etc) to other elements in the circuit (e.g. [[resistor]]s, etc), and then back to the paired low-voltage terminal on the source. |
The path must be a loop so that [[electron]]s can circulate, forming a [[current]], otherwise they will pile up at one end, and then nothing further will happen. The path may include branches, so that some of the electrons take one branch, and some another. | The path must be a loop so that [[electron]]s can circulate, forming a [[current]], otherwise they will pile up at one end, and then nothing further will happen. The path may include branches, so that some of the electrons take one branch, and some another. | ||
| − | More loosely, the term 'circuit' (or '''circuitry''') is used to describe a [[hardware]] assembly. | + | More loosely, the term 'circuit' (or '''circuitry''') is used to describe a [[hardware]] assembly, including a range of devices such as [[transistor]]s, etc. |
{{semi-stub}} | {{semi-stub}} | ||
[[Category: Electrical Basics]] | [[Category: Electrical Basics]] | ||
Latest revision as of 12:05, 18 November 2021
Formally, a circuit is a path from a high voltage source (on a battery, generator, power supply, etc) to other elements in the circuit (e.g. resistors, etc), and then back to the paired low-voltage terminal on the source.
The path must be a loop so that electrons can circulate, forming a current, otherwise they will pile up at one end, and then nothing further will happen. The path may include branches, so that some of the electrons take one branch, and some another.
More loosely, the term 'circuit' (or circuitry) is used to describe a hardware assembly, including a range of devices such as transistors, etc.
