If one lightbulb should burn out, all the
lights would go out.
Figure 7-12 shows exactly the same
circuit as in Figure 7-10 except that conven-
tional schematic symbols are used. This is
the way you would find the circuit in the
usual electrical drawing.
In Figure 7-11, the same lights are
connected in parallel. The current divides
between the six branches of the circuit. If
one light should burn out, the remaining
five will still operate properly.
Figure 7-13 shows the schematic draw-
ing for the six holiday lights connected in
parallel.
The electrician, in wiring your home,
wired all your lights, convenience outlets,
and appliances in parallel. We will now
apply our knowledge of parallel circuits.
See Figure 7-14.
Here we have two convenience
(duplex) outlets or receptacles wired in par-
allel across the line voltage. The 110 volt
line is made up of two electrical conductors
and a safety ground. The conductors are
referred to as the hot and neutral wires.
The hot wire, usually protected by black
(sometimes red) insulation provides the
source of the electrical energy. This “hot”
Chapter 7 Parallel Circuits
61
1 2 3 4
8 7 6 5
Holiday Lights
Figure 7-12.
Holiday lights in series using conventional
schematic symbols. Note the electrical safety
ground symbol found at the plug.
Remember the voltage and current
levels present at all electrical connections
in your home can be lethal. This means
you need to take special safety pre-
cautions when exposed to such circuits.
The safest action step you can take is to
de-energize the circuit you are examining.
This is done by removing the fuse or
switching off the circuit breaker to the
circuit. The electrical voltage (or pressure)
coming from a household outlet is suffi-
cient to push enough current through your
body to cause death.
Safety Suggestion!
1 2 3 4 6 5
Figure 7-13.
Schematic drawing for holiday lights connected
in parallel. Again, note the safety ground sym-
bol found at the plug.
110 V
line
Figure 7-14.
Convenience (duplex) outlets in your home are
connected in parallel across the line.