*'''Closed:''' connected, on, functioning. A properly connected circuit with a load which has current flowing.
+
*'''Closed:''' Connected, on, functioning. A properly connected circuit with a load which has current flowing.
−
*'''Open:''' disconnected, off, disabled. A circuit that is not connected or switched off which has no current flowing.
+
*'''Open:''' Disconnected, off, disabled. A circuit that is not connected or switched off which has no current flowing.
−
*'''Short:''' fault, improper low resistance connection. A circuit that has been improperly built without sufficient resistance - like a load - to constrain the flow of current. A circuit in a short circuit state will allow as much current to flow as possible until the power source is exhausted. If a load is connected in parallel with a short-circuit, like in the diagram, the load may stop functioning due to insufficient voltage/current.
+
*'''Short:''' Fault, improper low resistance connection. A circuit that has been improperly built without sufficient resistance - like a load - to constrain the flow of current. A circuit in a short circuit state will allow as much current to flow as possible until the power source is exhausted. If a load is connected in parallel with a short-circuit, like in the diagram, the load may stop functioning due to insufficient voltage/current.
<gallery widths=250px>
<gallery widths=250px>
−
Closedcircuit.png|'''Closed circuit:'''<br />A properly functioning. Electrons are flowing and the light bulb is lit up.
+
Closedcircuit.png|'''Closed circuit:'''<br />An operational circuit. Electrons are flowing and the light bulb is lit up.
Opencircuit.png|'''Open circuit:'''<br />A circuit that is disconnected - possibly due to a switch - with no electrons flowing.
Opencircuit.png|'''Open circuit:'''<br />A circuit that is disconnected - possibly due to a switch - with no electrons flowing.
Shortcircuit.png|'''Short circuit:'''<br />An improperly functioning circuit with a low-resistance path for current to flow. Voltage drops nearly to zero as electrons take the low resistance path.
Shortcircuit.png|'''Short circuit:'''<br />An improperly functioning circuit with a low-resistance path for current to flow. Voltage drops nearly to zero as electrons take the low resistance path.
</gallery>
</gallery>
Latest revision as of 13:09, 8 February 2021
Circuits can be in various states:
Closed: Connected, on, functioning. A properly connected circuit with a load which has current flowing.
Open: Disconnected, off, disabled. A circuit that is not connected or switched off which has no current flowing.
Short: Fault, improper low resistance connection. A circuit that has been improperly built without sufficient resistance - like a load - to constrain the flow of current. A circuit in a short circuit state will allow as much current to flow as possible until the power source is exhausted. If a load is connected in parallel with a short-circuit, like in the diagram, the load may stop functioning due to insufficient voltage/current.
Closed circuit: An operational circuit. Electrons are flowing and the light bulb is lit up.
Open circuit: A circuit that is disconnected - possibly due to a switch - with no electrons flowing.
Short circuit: An improperly functioning circuit with a low-resistance path for current to flow. Voltage drops nearly to zero as electrons take the low resistance path.
