What is an Electrical Circuit and How Does It Work

Have you ever mindlessly stared at your phone charger, wondering how it works? How electrical energy flows through it? Probably not. But given how technology dominates our lives, it’s worth exploring the fundamental building block of most devices: the electric circuit. We will break down this often-overlooked component in a fun and easy-to-understand way.

What Is an Electrical Circuit?

We know “electric circuit” isn’t the most exciting phrase. But trust us, it’s crucial. Essentially, it’s a complete path for electricity to travel. Imagine it as the life force of your electronics. Your phone, gaming system, and internet router wouldn’t work without it.

An electric circuit is a closed loop or path where electricity flows. It’s made up of different parts that work together. The flow of electricity starts at the power source and returns to it.

A primary electric circuit needs a power source, two wires, and a light bulb. You can say that these are the basic electric circuit formula. The wires connect the power source to the bulb, forming a complete path for electricity to flow. The bulb won’t light up when the circuit is broken, like when a switch is off. The circuit must be closed to turn on the light bulb, allowing electricity to travel through the wires to the bulb.

Wires are made of materials called conductors, which easily allow electricity to pass through. Copper and aluminium are common choices. A thin wire called a filament gets very hot inside a light bulb when electricity flows through it, producing light.

How the Electric Circuit Works

Ever wonder how the electric circuit works? The simple electric circuit is an uninterrupted loop that allows electrons to flow from one point to another. Firstly, electric circuits need a power source, a battery or a generator. We use copper conductors to connect to our load device and will also need a switch to turn the circuit on and off. When the switch is in the closed loop position, it allows electric current to flow to the load device, known as a closed circuit, and when in the off position, the current is interrupted, and the device fails to work, known as the open circuit.

Short circuits are also known as types of electric circuits. They can be dangerous and form when the positive and negative conductors collide. This can cause serious harm to the conductors and load devices.

In our homes, electricity to power outlets and lighting points is supplied from TPS copper cabling through a protective device called an RCD/RCBO. The TPS copper cable has three conductors: live, neutral, and earth.

The Live Conductor – it’s the conductor that carries electric current to your load devices {appliances}. Its electric current is dependent on the size of the conductor and protective device.

The Neutral Conductor – the neutral is the return path for current after it flows through the load, and it’s the reason why a circuit is complete. This conductor should have zero potential, meaning 0 volts.

The Earthing Conductor – the most important cable in a simple circuit; in my view, it provides a safe path for current to flow in the case of circuit malfunction. This cable will be connected to the metal frame of appliances, lighting fixtures and other known devices. A fault to earth will occur when leakage current leaks from the live conductor, causing the protective device to trip and open the electric circuit.

The Difference Between Current, Voltage & Resistance

The movement of electrons, which causes an electric charge, produces electrical energy or electricity in the electric circuit. The continuous movement of electric charge through the conductors of an electric circuit is called current and is measured in amps. The driving force behind the current flow is called the voltage and is the difference in charge between two points; it is measured in volts with a symbol V. We always have opposition in the electric circuit, and it is called the resistance. The resistance opposes current flow; the higher the resistance, the less current flows.

So the relationship between voltage, current and resistance is expressed by the Ohms law calculation – Current {I} = Voltage {V} / Resistance {R}

Increasing the voltage in the electric circuit will increase the current, and increasing resistance will decrease the current.

A water pump system is a great electric circuit and current flow concept. In the electric simple circuit, a power supply will create voltage similar to a pump producing water pressure in a pipe. The current will be identical to the continuous flow rate of water, with the pressure acting as the voltage, and any restrictions in the piping will represent the resistance. The overall resistance in the piping will depend on the piping’s length and size, and the same applies to a conductor: the longer the length, the more resistance you will have, the larger the cross-sectional area of the cable, and the lower its resistance.

What Are the Best Conductors and Insulation for Electricity?

Electric current flows freely in a conductor and does not in an insulator. Conductors are usually made from metal with a low resistance, so the current flows more freely. Copper, aluminium, silver, and gold are good conductors. Insulators are made of non-metallic material that will slightly or completely block current flow. They have a high resistance to electric current, and good examples of non-metallic materials are rubber, wood, and plastics.

The cables for powering your power outlets and lighting points are made of copper for conductivity and rubber for an insulator to completely block current from leaking. Current will always take the path of least resistance, so we use copper as a conductor and rubber as a solid insulator.

Understanding Different Circuit Types and How They Work

Electric circuits can be wired in different ways. Several types of electric circuits are used in everyday life.

An open circuit is one where the switch is off, preventing electricity from flowing.

A closed circuit is one where the switch is closed, creating a closed loop that allows electricity to flow through the circuit.

A series circuit is one where all components are connected one after the other, forming a single path for the electricity to flow. This means the same amount of current passes through every component in the circuit.

Series circuits are less suitable for businesses and homes because if one device stops working, all devices in the entire circuit are affected. All electrical components are connected one after the other, so electricity flows through them sequentially.

Parallel circuits are ideal for workplaces. Each device has its own path in a parallel circuit, so if one fails, others continue working, preventing disruptions. Circuit components are connected side-by-side, allowing electricity to flow through multiple paths simultaneously.

A parallel circuit is like multiple paths for electricity to flow. Unlike a series circuit, where everything is connected in a single line, the components are connected in parallel circuits.

• Same voltage: Every part of the circuit gets the same amount of electrical push (voltage).
• Different currents: The amount of electricity (current) flowing through each path can differ. The total electricity is the sum of what flows through each path.

Imagine your home’s lights: They’re wired in a parallel circuit. If one bulb burns out, the others stay on because they have separate paths for electricity flow.

The last type of circuit combines parallel and series electric circuits—a series-parallel circuit.

By understanding these concepts, business owners can create safe and efficient electrical systems that protect employees and equipment.

What Is a Short Circuit?

A short circuit is a dangerous situation where electricity takes an unintended path, causing excessive current flow. This can lead to overheating and fires. To prevent this, fuses and circuit breakers are essential. These devices automatically cut off the power when there’s too much current.

A short circuit is the most damaging kind of fault in an electrical circuit. You would hope your protective device quickly isolates the circuit before damaging appliances or other devices.

A short circuit occurs when 2 cables or any other conductive material cross paths. This creates a shorter path for current to flow and causes large amounts of heat to be released from the cable. This heat can be quite damaging to the cable and could possibly result in a fire if the protective device is not brought into action. The protective device most commonly used in our homes today is called the RCD and protects the cabling when a fault occurs.

Km.electric always advises testing your RCDs every month. You can test them by pressing the test button on the front of the RCD.

Rest assured if a shortage occurs at your home or business. KM Electric is here to help. Call Ken on 0405 83 83 83

What Does It Mean When There’s an Electrical Circuit Overloading?

An overloaded circuit occurs when too many devices are plugged into one outlet or circuit, and the total power used exceeds the circuit’s safe limit when you calculate electric current.

Signs of an overloaded circuit include:

• Flickering or dimming lights: This suggests the circuit is struggling to supply enough power.
• Warm or hot outlets: Overheated outlets are a fire hazard and require immediate attention.
• Frequent circuit breaker trips: This indicates the circuit is overloaded and needs reset.
• Buzzing or crackling noises: These sounds can signal a problem with the electrical current.
• Burning smell: A robust and burning odour is a warning sign of overheating wires.
• Discoloured outlets or switches: This often indicates excessive heat and potential damage.
• Reduced appliance performance: Overloaded electric circuits can cause appliances to work less efficiently.

If you notice any of these signs, addressing the issue promptly is essential to prevent electrical fires and damage to your appliances.

KM Electric is Here to Help

Electric circuits are essential to our modern way of life, providing power for countless devices and systems. Learning about how electric circuits work helps us appreciate the amazing technology that surrounds us and the brilliant minds behind it. So, the next time you use electricity, take a moment to consider the incredible electrical systems that make it possible.

Don’t let flickering lights, tripped breakers, or burning smells disrupt your life. KM Electric is here to help. Our experienced electricians can diagnose and resolve various electrical problems, from overloaded electric circuits to faulty wiring.

We prioritise your safety and peace of mind. Our technicians have the latest tools and knowledge to handle electrical challenges efficiently and effectively.

Don’t risk electrical hazards. Contact KM Electric today for a reliable and professional solution.