Meaning & use
parallel circuit
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Meaning
nouncountabletechnical
An electric circuit in which the current flows along two or more separate branches, so each part gets the full voltage.
Grammar: Countable: say 'a parallel circuit' or 'parallel circuits'; it is often followed by 'in' to describe the setup.
Patterns
- a parallel circuit
- wire something in a parallel circuit
- connect something in parallel
In a parallel circuit, each lamp has its own path back to the battery.
The kitchen sockets are wired as a parallel circuit so one appliance failing does not cut power to the others.
Her science project compared a series circuit with a parallel circuit.
Word forms
| plural | parallel circuits |
|---|
Common combinations
- wire something in parallel
- The electrician wired the lights in parallel so they all shine equally brightly.
- a parallel circuit diagram
- The teacher drew a parallel circuit diagram with three separate branches.
- connect something in a parallel circuit
- You connect the two resistors in a parallel circuit to lower the total resistance.
- series and parallel circuits
- The exam asked students to explain the difference between series and parallel circuits.
Synonyms and how they differ
- shunt circuit
- A more technical term for a branch that carries current alongside another path; 'parallel circuit' is the everyday school term.
Opposites
Word family
- parallel adjective
- Describing parts that run side by side or are connected in separate branches.
- parallelism noun
- The state of being similar or corresponding; not used for electrical wiring.
Commonly confused: parallel circuit or series circuit?
parallel circuit vs series circuit
In a series circuit the parts sit on one single loop, so the same current passes through each; in a parallel circuit the current splits into branches.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'parallel circuit' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Parallel circuit' is a noun for a branched electrical setup, so it fits 'gives each branch the same voltage'. Option 0 describes a series circuit, option 2 wrongly uses the noun as a verb, and option 3 is nonsense.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “parallel circuit”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.