Line (Ladder) Diagrams are what we use to troubleshoot/verify electrical wiring and components. These diagrams are read from left-to-right and top-to-bottom. This diagram has a series of single lines that indicate the logic of the control circuit and how devices are connected to each other. Vertical lines are the supply power and horizontal lines (rungs) are the control circuits (hint the name “ladder”). These diagrams can be simple or complex, depending on the desired result for the process.
Basic Electrical Circuits must have the following to be a complete circuit and safe for operation:
1. Source of electricity (battery, solar cell, generator, or utility service)
2. Method to control the flow of electricity (switch, relay, PLC, contactor, or motor starter)
3. Component that converts electrical energy into another form of energy “load” (light, heat, sound, rotating motion, magnetic field, induction motor, or linear force)
4. Protection device to ensure that the circuit is protected from overloads and operates within designed electrical limits (fuse or circuit breaker)
The image below is an example of a "complete circuit":
Series Circuit vs Parallel Circuit:
Series Circuit – all components are connected end-to-end, forming a single path for current flow. The total voltage equals the sum of the voltage across each load (voltage across each load decreases if loads are added in series). The total resistance equals the sum of the resistance of all loads (resistance increases if loads are added in series). The total current is the same throughout the circuit (current decreases if the loads are added in series).
Parallel Circuit – all components are connected across each other, multiple paths for current flow. The total voltage is the same as the voltage across each load (voltage remains the same). The total resistance is less than the smallest resistance value (resistance decreases if loads are added and increases if loads are removed). The total current equals the sum of the current through all loads (current increases if loads are added in parallel).
Series-Parallel Circuits utilizes a combination of series circuits and parallel circuits. The total voltage equals the sum of the voltage across all series-connected loads and the voltage through the parallel-connected loads. The total resistance equals the sum of the series loads and the equivalent resistance of the parallel loads. The total current equals the total current flowing through all series loads or the sum of the current flowing through all parallel loads.
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