A parallel circuit is one in which loads are divided parallel to one another and there are two or more channels for the electricity to flow. All of the components in a parallel circuit are linked across one another to create precisely two different sets of electrically connected points. All power lines, electrical appliances in your home, and eventually all transformers in the area are connected to one transformer. On ships and aircraft, the majority of the equipment is connected together in parallel to reduce weight and expense. Now let’s learn why are parallel circuits commonly used in homes and more about parallel circuit appliances at home and examples of series and parallel circuits.
1. What are Examples of Series and Parallel Circuits?
Examples of series and parallel circuits that use electricity are:
- Series Circuits: Series circuit refers to one in which all circuit elements are arranged in a single path. Different series circuit appliances at home are water heaters, freezers, refrigerators, lamps, bulbs, well water pumps, flashlights, etc.
- Parallel Circuits: Different parallel circuit appliances at home are car headlights, wiring of speaker systems in professional venues, street lamps, house lighting, etc.
2. What Appliances use Parallel Circuits?
The use of parallel circuit connections is fairly widespread. In order to allow for seamless connectivity of each electrical appliance, multiple appliances are linked in parallel forms in our homes. Parallel connections connect the home appliances which helps in switching separate appliances on or off. Light bulbs are also fixed in the same manner. (See How Does a Digital Camera Work?)
3. What is an Example of a Parallel Circuit in your Home?
An example of a parallel circuit in your home can be the house wiring system, as all the lights and appliances are connected by a single electric source at the same voltage. Regardless of the fact that one of the lights goes out, the other lights and appliances will still be able to receive current and work. (See What are the Uses of Electromagnets in Daily Life?)
4. Where are Parallel Circuits used in Homes?
Security Cameras, lighting fixtures, and all electrical appliances like fans, TV, etc. are the ways in which parallel circuits are used in homes. (See What is the Difference Between Open and Closed Circuit?)
5. Are Home Appliances Parallel Circuits?
Now that you are aware of an example of a parallel circuit in your home, let us understand if home appliances are parallel circuits. Yes, parallel circuits are used in home appliances because each appliance gets full voltage as resistance in such circuits is low. The wiring of switches, light switches, and outlets ensures that the hot and neutral cables form a continuous circuit channel that is unaffected by the use of multiple devices using the circuit, without the shut down of other devices, eg. you can switch on your TV without switching on your microwave as the TV will be given full voltage. (See What are Some Simple Machines in your House?)
6. What are Some Parallel Circuit Appliances at Home?
A parallel circuit is something like a house’s electrical system. All the lights and appliances like TV, microwave, fan, etc. are powered by a single electric source at the same voltage. Thus they are some examples of parallel circuit appliances at home. (See How Long do Lava Lamps take to Warm Up?)
7. Why are Parallel Circuits commonly used in Homes?
After gaining so much insight into what are some parallel circuits appliances at home, you may wonder about the reason why they are used. Parallel circuit appliances at home are commonly preferred because it provides an equal quantity of energy to each device.
Additionally, other circuits won’t be disconnected if a fault or short circuit happens in one circuit. This lowers the equivalent resistance and causes energy to be lost. For instance, if a series circuit was utilized, adding more lights would result in the dimming of the lights. That problem is avoided with a parallel circuit. The load receives the entire power of the circuit when a parallel circuit is used rather than a series circuit. (Also read What are 7 Electric Motor Parts?)
8. Why do Christmas Lights use Parallel Circuits?
When lights are connected in parallel, each light has its own circuit to the power source. As long as all of the lights are still connected to the power source in a closed circuit, even if one filament burns out, the other lights are unaffected. This is the reason why Christmas lights tend to use parallel circuits in order to keep the bulbs burning, in spite of one being broken. (See What are Examples of Elements in Everyday Life?)
9. Is a Computer a Parallel Circuit?
You are aware of parallel circuit appliances at home, but do you think they are also used in computers? Every home has parallel circuits in the form of its electrical wiring whereas it acts as a DC power supply for automobiles. Parallel circuits help in designing computer hardware as well. (See What is System Unit in Computer?)
10. What is Parallel Circuit in Electronics?
In a parallel circuit, the branches divide the current so that only a portion of it passes through each branch. In a parallel circuit, each branch of the circuit will have the same voltage only the currents will differ. A constant voltage will exist over the whole distance of the components in the parallel circuits that lead to the smooth functioning of electronics. Must read How Does an X ray Machine Work?
11. What are Some Examples of Series Circuits in Daily Life?
Lamps, well pumps, freezers, refrigerators, as well as water heaters are some examples of series circuits in daily life. Let’s learn how they work in detail:
- Water heaters use a series circuit. Power enters through the thermostat; a temperature control switch and when the water reaches the correct temperature, the thermostat will turn off the current to the heating element, which leaves the current with no further courses to follow.
- Lamps also function in a similar manner. Electricity travels from the socket to the switch, then through the light bulb back to the socket. Once the switch is turned on, the current will start to flow to the lightbulb. One direction is all that the stream can flow in.
- Freezers and refrigerators both use series circuits. The compressor and the temperature control switch are parts of this circuit. When the internal temperature exceeds the limit, then the temperature switch will turn the compressor button on, until it reaches the desired temperature.
The common electrical circuit used in most houses and gadgets is a parallel circuit. It generates a power system that is significantly more reliable and effective than would ordinarily be feasible since it offers more than one path for a current to travel through to a device. The fact that series circuits don’t heat up quickly means that any dry or flammable materials placed next to the circuit won’t catch fire. (See How do Solar Powered Lights work?)
