series and parallel circuits

• Series circuit


  A closed loop through which current moves - from a power source, through a series of components, and back into the power source, with no branches
• Parallel circuit


  A circuit where different components are connected on different branches of the wire
• In a series circuit

  If a lamp breaks or a component is disconnected, the circuit is broken and all the components stop working
• In a parallel circuit

  If a lamp breaks or a component is disconnected from one parallel wire, the components on different branches keep working
• In a series circuit

  If you put more lamps into the circuit, the lamps will be dimmer than before
• In a parallel circuit

  The lamps stay bright if you add more lamps in parallel
• Series circuits


  • Use less wiring than parallel circuits
  • Useful if you want a warning that one of the components in the circuit has failed
• Parallel circuits


  • Useful if you want components to continue to work, even if one component has failed
  • This is why our homes are wired up with parallel circuits