Sarjaankytkentä

Sarjaankytkentä, also known as series connection in English, is a fundamental electrical configuration where components are arranged in a single path, allowing electrical current to flow through each component sequentially. This means that the current passing through the first component is the same as the current passing through all subsequent components in the circuit.

In a series circuit, the total resistance is the sum of the individual resistances of each component. If one component in a series circuit fails or is removed, the entire circuit is broken, and the flow of current stops. This is a key characteristic that distinguishes it from parallel connections.

The voltage supplied to a series circuit is divided among the components. The voltage drop across each component is proportional to its resistance, according to Ohm's Law. Therefore, components with higher resistance will experience a larger voltage drop.

Examples of series connections can be found in simple battery packs where multiple cells are connected end-to-end to increase the total voltage. Christmas lights, especially older types, are another common example; if one bulb burns out, the entire string goes dark. Understanding sarjaankytkentä is crucial for analyzing and designing electrical systems, as it dictates how current and voltage behave within the circuit.