Electrotechnics

Basic Parts of an Electric Circuit

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 Objective
Identify the basic parts of an Electric Circuit.

Content:

- Introduction.
- Electric Circuit Definition.
- Basic parts of an Electric Circuit.
- Circuit Components.
- Conclusions.

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 Introduction

When you switch on a light, you probably

don't think about what goes on to make the
light actually light up.

The four basic parts of an electrical circuit

must be in place to provide the power
needed to produce light or to power another
type of electrical device.

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 Electric Circuit Definition

The electric circuits are closed-loop or path which forms a network of

electrical components, where electrons are able to flow.

This path is made using electrical wires and is powered by a source, like a
battery.

The start of the point from where the electrons start flowing is called the
source whereas the point where electrons leave the electrical circuit is called
the return.

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 Basic Parts of an Electric Circuit

Every electric circuit, regardless of where it is or how large or small it is, has
four basic parts: an energy source (AC or DC), a conductor (wire), an
electrical load (device), and at least one controller (switch).
Visualize what happens when you switch on a room light.
You toggle or push a switch to "turn on" the light.
Your action causes electricity to flow (much like water flows through a pipe)
through the wires of the electrical system to the bulb, which converts the
electrical energy traveling through the wires to visible light.
The process is essentially the same for powering up a computer, or turning on
a TV, or providing the electrical power needed to start or operate any
electrical device.

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 Basic Parts of an Electric Circuit

1.- The Energy Source

2.- The Conductor
3.- The Switch
4.- The Load

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 1.- The Energy Source

In an electrical circuit, the power source

provides the voltage (the force that
pushes electrons through a conductor --
measured in volts) and current (the rate of
flow of electrons -- measured in amperes)
to energize a device attached to the
circuit.

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 1.- The Energy Source

A voltage power source provides a

constant voltage level to the circuit.
Examples of voltage power sources are
batteries, like the ones in your laptop
computer or car, the energy from the solar
panels on your roof, your car's alternator,
or the energy coming from your local
power plant or hydroelectric dam.

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 1.- The Energy Source

On the other hand, a current power

source (also known as “constant-current
source”), which is measured in amps,
provides a constant current of energy
regardless of its voltage. Typically,
constant-current circuits are included in a
system to protect the device providing the
electrical load on the circuit. For example,
an LED requires a constant level of
current to protect it from burning out or
being damaged.

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 2.- The Conductor

In a typical electrically powered

environment that uses common electrical
devices, the conductor is the wiring in a
home or device that provides the path of
the circuit, on which the energy flows.

The conductor (conduction) system

interconnects all of the other parts of the
circuit.

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 2.- The Conductor

Electrical power flows somewhat like

water through a pipe or hose.
The conductor provides the piping through
which the electrical energy flows from its
source to its load and back again
sometimes.
And like water through a hose, the amount
of energy that is required on the circuit (as
demanded by the load device) determines
the gauge of the wire that makes up the
circuit conductor.

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 3.- The Switch

The switch provides the control that

closes (continues) or opens (breaks) the
electrical energy flow on the circuit.
A variety of circuit switches exist, including
wall switches, push buttons, key toggles,
and many biometric devices.
A closed circuit switch can have either a
sustained contact or a transient contact.

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 3.- The Switch

A sustained contact, such as a light

switch, maintains the circuit in a state that
allows for a constant flow of energy.
A transient, or momentary, contact only
provides an energy flow to the circuit while
a button or similar device is being pushed
or engaged.
When the button is released, the circuit is
once again open.

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 4.- The Load

Any device attached to an electrical circuit

that is activated or energized by the flow
of electricity to it, provides the electrical
load on the circuit.
The load is the amount of electrical
energy the device uses to complete its
task.
This electrical consumption is measured
in watts, which equals the current (amps)
multiplied by the volts on the circuit.
Lights, TVs, motors, heaters and
appliances are load devices that consume
power.

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 Circuit Components

While most circuit definitions show either three or four basic

components, there are other features and components that can be
included in what makes up an electrical circuit.
Various descriptions of electrical circuits may include other electrical
components, such as gates, hinges, transistors, meters of varying
types, and so on.
Whether or not these items should or shouldn't be in the definition
really depends on you, your understanding, and the application for
the electrical circuit in question.

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 1.- Inductor

An inductor is a passive electrical

component that opposes sudden changes
in current. Inductors are also known as
coils or chokes. The electrical symbol for
an inductor is L.
Inductors slow down current surges or
spikes by temporarily storing energy in an
electro-magnetic field and then releasing it
back into the circuit.

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 2.- Relay

A relay is an electrically operated or

electromechanical switch composed of an
electromagnet, an armature, a spring and
a set of electrical contacts.
The electromagnetic switch is operated by
a small electric current that turns a larger
current on or off by either releasing or
retracting the armature contact, thereby
cutting or completing the circuit.
Relays are necessary when there must be
electrical isolation between controlled and
control circuits, or when multiple circuits
need to be controlled by a single signal.

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 3.- Integrated Circuit

An integrated circuit (IC) is a small

semiconductor-based electronic device
consisting of fabricated transistors,
resistors and capacitors. Integrated
circuits are the building blocks of most
electronic devices and equipment.
An integrated circuit is also known as a
chip or microchip.

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 4.- Capacitor

The capacitor is an electric component

that has the ability to store energy in the
form of electrical charges that creates a
potential difference, which is a static
voltage, much like a small rechargeable
battery. The most basic design of a
capacitor consists of two parallel
conductors (Metallic plate), separated with
a dielectric material. When a voltage
source is attached across the capacitor,
the capacitor plate gets charged up. The
metallic plate attached to the positive
terminal will be positively charged, and the
plate attached to the negative terminal will
be negatively charged.
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 5.- Led

Is a semiconductor diode that emits light

when voltage is applied: used
in electric lighting, alphanumeric displays,
as on digital watches, etc.

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 6.- Diode

A diode is a semiconductor device that

essentially acts as a one-way switch for
current. It allows current to flow easily in
one direction, but severely restricts
current from flowing in the opposite
direction.
Diodes are also known
as rectifiers because they change
alternating current (ac) into pulsating
direct current (dc). Diodes are rated
according to their type, voltage, and
current capacity.

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 7.- Battery

A battery is an energy source consisting of

one or more electrochemical cells and
terminals on both ends called an anode (-)
and a cathode (+).
Electrochemical cells transform chemical
energy into electrical energy.
Inside the battery is an electrolyte, often
consisting of soluble salts or acids, it
serves as a conductive medium, allowing
the electric charge to travel through the
battery.

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 8.- Light Bulb

A light bulb is a device that produces light

from electricity. Light bulbs turn the
electricity to light by sending current
through a thin wire called filament.
The filament is usually made of tungsten,
a material that emits light when electricity
is passed through it. The emission of light
is due to the high resistance offered by the
material tungsten, which we will learn in
higher classes.
Apart from lighting, the light bulbs are
used in electronic items as an indicator,
traffic signals, indicator lights in cars, etc.

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 9.- Transistor

A transistor is a type of
a semiconductor device that can be used
to both conduct and insulate electric
current or voltage.
A transistor basically acts as a switch and
an amplifier. In simple words, we can say
that a transistor is a miniature device that
is used to control or regulate the flow of
electronic signals.
Transistors are one of the key
components in most of the electronic
devices that are present today.

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 10.- Connecting Wires

A wire is a flexible strand of metal, usually

cylindrical.
Wires are used for establishing electrical
conductivity between two devices of an
electrical circuit.
They possess negligible resistance to the
passage of current.
The wires are covered by an insulated
coating of different colours.
The colour codes are used to distinguish
between neutral and ground, and live
wire, which differs from one country to
another.

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 11.- Basic Electrical Circuit

Electrical wires are connecting a light bulb

to a battery with a switch in between
them.

Here as the switch is closed, the circuit

gets completed, the electrons start to flow
and deliver energy from the battery to the
light bulb, thus making it glow.

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 Conclusions:

The electric circuits are closed-loop or path

which forms a network of electrical
components, where electrons are able to
flow. This path is made using electrical
wires and is powered by a source, like a
battery.

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