Rööpkühendus

Rööpkühendus, also known as parallel connection, is an electrical circuit configuration where components are connected across the same two points in a circuit. This means that the voltage across each component in a parallel connection is identical. When a current enters a parallel junction, it splits and flows through each parallel path independently. The total current flowing into the junction is equal to the sum of the currents flowing through each parallel branch.

In a parallel circuit, if one component fails or is removed, the other components will continue to operate as long as they are still connected to the power source. This is a key characteristic that distinguishes parallel connections from series connections, where a failure in one component would break the entire circuit. The effective resistance of a parallel combination of resistors is always less than the resistance of any individual resistor in the combination. This is because the additional paths for current flow reduce the overall opposition to the flow of electricity.

Examples of parallel connections are commonly found in household wiring, where multiple appliances are connected to the same power outlet. Each appliance receives the same voltage from the mains supply, and if one appliance is switched off or malfunctions, the others can still be used. Another example is in automotive electrical systems, where various components like headlights and the radio are wired in parallel.