What does applying 0 Volt to a circuit means?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the implications of applying 0 volts in electrical circuits, particularly in the context of short circuits and open circuits. Participants explore the meaning of 0V in various scenarios, including its application in a Common Base BJT configuration and the effects of noise on voltage measurements.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Devanand T suggests that applying 0V between two points could imply an open circuit, questioning the equivalence of 0V to a short circuit.
  • Another participant argues that 0V is not equivalent to a short circuit, emphasizing that a short circuit involves 0 resistance and that 0V can occur in various contexts, including open circuits.
  • There is a suggestion that the context of the question is important, with a mention of zero volt release switches.
  • Devanand T further inquires about the implications of applying 0V between the collector and base in a Common Base BJT configuration, asking whether this means to short or open the connection.
  • A later reply discusses the effects of noise on voltage measurements, stating that both an open and a short circuit can result in 0V, but noise can induce voltage that complicates measurements.
  • The same participant notes that shorting nodes allows charges to move and return to 0V, while a voltage source can help regulate voltage against noise, although this may be impractical for high accuracy.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the relationship between 0V, short circuits, and open circuits. There is no consensus on whether 0V should be considered equivalent to a short circuit, and the discussion remains unresolved regarding the implications of applying 0V in specific circuit configurations.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the importance of context in understanding the implications of applying 0V, particularly concerning noise and its effects on voltage measurements. The discussion does not resolve the complexities introduced by noise in practical applications.

dexterdev
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0 V is equivalent to short circuit. But applying 0V between 2 points means not connecting any source to those points (that is open circuit). Is not it?
Please clear my doubt.

-Devanand T
 
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dexterdev said:
0 V is equivalent to short circuit. But applying 0V between 2 points means either not connecting any source to those points that is open circuit. Is not it?
Please clear my doubt.

-Devanand T

I don't think 0V is equivalent to a short circuit. A short circuit implies 0 resistance, and has nothing to do with how much voltage is across it. It just so happens that ohms law relates that there will be 0 volts across a short circuit when current passes through it. You can see 0V on an open circuit, or 0V on 100 ohms of resistance for example. Keep in mind that this is all the abstract model of ohm's law, and we ignore things like noise and only finite currents and voltages that result from the abstract model.

Volts says how much work an electric field can transfer to a charged particle as it moves between 2 points in the electric field. It says nothing about the impedance(short circuit, open, etc.) between those 2 points without more information available.

Applying 0V means that the voltage source applied can do no work on charges in the circuit.
 
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Perhaps if you made clear what the context is?

Are you asking about zero volt release switches for instance?

Dragonpetter made a good reply interms of Ohm's law
 
Thank you sir for your reply. one more doubt. Suppose I have to plot input characteristics of a Common base BJT configuration, applying 0V between collector and base (Vcb=0V) means what? Then will we short collector and base or open it.
 
dexterdev said:
Thank you sir for your reply. one more doubt. Suppose I have to plot input characteristics of a Common base BJT configuration, applying 0V between collector and base (Vcb=0V) means what? Then will we short collector and base or open it.

An open or a short will both have 0V in the situation you describe, however, you cannot eliminate noise.

Charge can be induced on either node through electrostatic, triboelectric noise, piezoelectric noise, thermal noise, electromagnetic radiation, etc. The problem with using an open circuit is that if noise adds a net chargeonto one of the nodes, it will have created a voltage on the node, and there is no way for this voltage to quickly and reliably be removed in your measurement.

By shorting the two nodes, you allow the charges to move from the voltage noise and go back to 0V.

You can also rely on a voltage source to actively regulate the voltage to 0V, which just means in the real world, it will be removing the charge from either node when a voltage from noise appears, although this can be impractical for high accuracy and depends on your noise.
 
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