What is Electrical circuits: Definition and 64 Discussions

An electrical network is an interconnection of electrical components (e.g., batteries, resistors, inductors, capacitors, switches, transistors) or a model of such an interconnection, consisting of electrical elements (e.g., voltage sources, current sources, resistances, inductances, capacitances). An electrical circuit is a network consisting of a closed loop, giving a return path for the current. Linear electrical networks, a special type consisting only of sources (voltage or current), linear lumped elements (resistors, capacitors, inductors), and linear distributed elements (transmission lines), have the property that signals are linearly superimposable. They are thus more easily analyzed, using powerful frequency domain methods such as Laplace transforms, to determine DC response, AC response, and transient response.
A resistive circuit is a circuit containing only resistors and ideal current and voltage sources. Analysis of resistive circuits is less complicated than analysis of circuits containing capacitors and inductors. If the sources are constant (DC) sources, the result is a DC circuit. The effective resistance and current distribution properties of arbitrary resistor networks can be modeled in terms of their graph measures and geometrical properties.A network that contains active electronic components is known as an electronic circuit. Such networks are generally nonlinear and require more complex design and analysis tools.

View More On Wikipedia.org
  1. T

    Capacitors in Electrical Circuits

    Homework Statement In the circuit below, C1 = 5 microfarads, C2 = 10 microfarads and R = 1000 ohms. Initially, the switch is open, C1 is charged to 20 volts, and C2 is uncharged. At time t=0 the switch is closed. I think I managed to solve the first two but I have troubles with part (c)...
  2. V

    Electrical Circuits: Power and Energy Calculations

    Homework Statement A student is asked to supply an electric motor with 1.0 mA of current at 3.0 V potential difference. a. Determine the power to be supplied to the motor. b. Determine the elctrical energy to be supplied to the motor in 60s. c. Operating as designed, the motor can lift a...
  3. C

    Find I: Solving Electrical Circuits

    Homework Statement [PLAIN]http://img688.imageshack.us/img688/1452/45481808.png Find I at all branches. Homework Equations \sum I=0 for a junction. \sum V =0 for a closed loop. The Attempt at a Solution I found the solution but I don't understand why they chose certain...
  4. T

    Solve Electrical Circuits Problems 9 and 11e

    I've got difficulties solving problems 9 and 11e... I've tried using superposition and transformation of sources theorems to solve number 9 and still no clue, 11 e i know is thevelinn but i have no idea what to do with the short circuit... Number 9. says (the picture is attached to the pdf)...
  5. T

    Exploring the Power of Resistance in Electrical Circuits

    Hi. Something which has been bugging me a bit lately, is this: I've learned at school that from P=V*I and V=IR, we can insert the second equation in the first, and get P=I^2*R. This equation shows (probably amongst more things) that the power emitted in a wire is the square of the current, and...
  6. D

    Electrical Circuits: Recharging a Battery

    Homework Statement Suppose that a battery of emf E and internal resistance r is being recharged: another emf sends a current I through the battery. Why rate is electrical energy being converted into chemical energy? Homework Equations P=EI-I^2*r V=E-Ir I know that since it is...
  7. J

    Electrical circuits conceptual question

    1) What is the pattern for how voltage gets distributed in a series circuit with equal resistances? what about with unequal resistances? 2) What about in a parallel circuit for equal resistances? with unequal resistances? In either scenario, is there any relation btwn the size of resistance...
  8. Y

    Start making electrical circuits

    Hi, I'm a CS student but I'm taking some EE courses. This semester I had my first two courses in EE: systems and control (basically analysis of electrical networks, discrete and continuous systems, basic control systems and introduction to signal analysis) and digital logic (combinatorial...
  9. M

    Engineering Inductance Uses, Ideal Sources & Ammeter Measurement

    Questions: 1)wts the practical importance of inductance in dc and ac working? 2)application of ideal current and voltage sources? 3)how does an ammeter measure the RMS value of current?... Attempts 1)The only ones i know are that inductors reduce fluctuations in voltage in dc...
  10. C

    Calculating Power in Electrical Circuits: Help Needed

    i am just about to start an electrical course at college and I've been reading up on some mathematics i will need when i start my problem is i don't know much about compound angles and trig and i want to complete some examples within a book the following problem is the one i need help with...
  11. A

    Solving Electrical Circuits: Series & Parallel Components

    Homework Statement Homework Equations P = IV V = IR The Attempt at a Solution I know how to solve the problem once i figure out which parts are parallel and which parts are series. So would it be R2 and R3 are in parallel and R4 is series, but what about R1? i have done a...
  12. I

    Heat Transfer in Electrical Circuits

    In an electrical circuit, when current flows through a resistance, heat is produced. Is there some quantity (?) into which heat is transformed when it flows through a substance (all substances having some resistance to heat flow)?
  13. P

    Limited knowledge of electrical circuits

    I have a limited knowledge of electrical circuits and recently it got put to test. I live in Arizona and the A/C on my house quit. I found that the condensing fan motor had siezed This is what was in the unit. 1/5 hp, 825 RPM 208-230 vac, 1.1 amp with a 7.5 ufd capacitor. The local...
  14. H

    Damping in Electrical Circuits

    Could someone please give me a QUALITATIVE description of: -critical damping -over damping -under damping So I can understand the physics behind the oscillatios in a circuit. I know the mathematical explanations (ie. over damping is when the characteristic polynomial solutions are both...
Back
Top