Paralleelühendus

Paralleelühendus is the Estonian term for a parallel circuit. In electrical engineering, a parallel circuit is a connection where components are connected across common points, allowing electric current to split and flow through multiple paths simultaneously. This is in contrast to a series circuit, where components are connected end-to-end, and current flows through only one path.

In a parallel connection, the voltage across each component is the same. However, the total current flowing into the parallel combination is the sum of the currents flowing through each individual component. The total resistance of a parallel circuit is always less than the resistance of any single branch, and it can be calculated using the reciprocal formula: 1/R_total = 1/R_1 + 1/R_2 + 1/R_3 + ...

A common example of a parallel circuit is the wiring of household electrical outlets. Each outlet is connected in parallel to the power source, so that appliances plugged into different outlets receive the same voltage, and if one appliance is switched off or malfunctions, the others continue to operate. Another example is found in vehicle headlights, where each bulb is typically wired in parallel. This ensures that if one bulb burns out, the other remains lit.

The main advantage of a parallel connection is its reliability. If one component fails, the rest of the circuit can often continue to function. This makes it a widely used configuration in many electrical systems.