Understanding Physics in the Context of Series and Parallel Circuits

Demonstrate understanding of physics relevant to a selected
context
91169 version 2, Wiring of a House
1) A comparison of series and parallel circuits for direct and alternating
current
A series circuit is and normally the first circuit you will learn about as it is a basic circuit. The
connection comes by an wire from the negative side to the positive side of the battery, between this
circuit there could also be an light or fan etc... an example is this is shown below on the picture on the
left Series uses less energy
The current in a series circuit goes through every component in the circuit, therefore all of the
components in a series connection carry the same current.
Series circuit parallel circuit
`
An parallel circuit is what we have used in house wiring model below this circuit is normally in
houses on a much larger scale they consist of two wires brown and blue(blue is neutral and brown is
live). The wires go through connecters and bulbs to connect to a variable power supply that controls
the voltage going through to the bulbs.
If two or more components are connected in a parallel they have the same potential difference across
their ends
Parallel circuits will still continue to operate, at least with other components, if one of the parallels is
connected the component it can burn out
The difference between the two is that
Series circuit intends to have the same amount of current flow through all the components placed in
sequence
And parallel series components are not in sequence but they are parallel to each other
The comparison between the two is that
They both carry wires that can connect to a power supply of some sort
And they Both Converts electrical energy to light heat, sound etc.
2) AC and DC
AC stands for alternating - an alternating current is an electric current that the flow of electrons
changes. It also reverses its direction at regular intervals mostly used in power supplies. Alternating

current flows only in one direction and is the most common form to people typically used when people
plug in kitchen appliances, televisions, fans, and electric lamps. AC is voltage current that changes.
AC voltages change over time and the current flow can alternate direction.
DC stands for direct current - direct current generally means the electrons flow in a single direction.
DC is voltage current that is steady. DC voltages do not fluctuate while DC current flows in one
direction. It practically is an electric current flowing in one direction only.
The difference between the two is that Alternating current is the best way to transmit electricity over
large distances.
The comparison
3) The selection of appropriate cables, components and insulators
There are many different cables, components and insulators that are safer than others listed below
are some of the wires and safety things used when setting up an electrical circuit in a home.
When installing a circuit throughout a house, you want to use bigger wires rather than smaller wires
because the bigger wires are safer and allow more energy to flow through. Smaller wires can get
hotter faster causing a risk of burning your house down. Electrons also take longer to move through
smaller wires which use up more time and energy.
The wire on the left is mostly likely to be the strongest because it has larger diameter as well as
bundled conductors as comparative to the right wire.
 A description and explanation of safety devices features such as earth connections
and current overload protection devices
RCDs: a RCD, is termed as the residual current devices, it is a life-saving device designed to
avoid people from getting a deadly electric shock when they touch something live, like a bare
wire.
Circuit breakers: circuit breakers are the devices which are used to break the electrical
circuits when there is an emergency such as transmission and distribution faults, system
breakdown or something else which requires electrical circuit to be broken down immediately.
Earth wires: these wires are life-lines; they convey electricity through a faulty device from
the wire to earth instead of through human body. The MEN system containing earth wires
captures stray current and hence offers a safe way for the electricity to flow back to the
electricity circuit or to the earth.
The earth wires below: earth wires shown below are the neutral wires which complete the
circuit as well as carries current away from the home or commercial appliances.