Circuit theory

Circuit theory is the theory of accomplishing work by means of routing matter through a loop. The types of matter used are:

• In electronic or electrical circuits: electrons (and charged ions, both positive and negative)
• In pneumatic circuits: compressed gas (normally ordinary air)
• In hydraulic circuits: pressurized, relatively incompressible fluid

Parts of a circuit

Every circuit consists of three basic components:

• "Active components": Source of energy
• Transmission lines
  • Control devices (optional)
• "Passive components": Load

A gun, a rocket and an internal combustion engine all use compressed gas to do work, but the spent gas is vented to the atmosphere and is not reused in the system, so these are not examples of pneumatic circuits. Refrigeration systems do, however, recycle the compressed gases they use, but are not typically thought of as circuits.

Gears, levers, linkages, pulleys/ropes and sprockets/chains transmit work energy from one location to another, but there is no loop, so these are not examples of circuits.

Circuit vs. network

An electrical circuit is a collection of electrical components which accomplish a specific task such as heating, lighting or running a motor. This collection may or may not form a complete topological loop, depending on whether it is presently connected to power, integrated into a larger device or circuit, or damaged. Sometimes, it is convenient to speak of an electrical circuit as a network, de-emphasizing the return path. Return paths are sometimes omitted from circuit diagrams, making the resulting graphic visually resemble a network topology rather than some sort of loop topology. See circuit diagram and schematic.

Open circuit vs. closed circuit

A fundamental part of circuit analysis is determining whether the matter has a return path to the power source. If the matter is blocked from returning to the power source, either wholly or partially, the entire assemblage will be prevented from accomplishing work. In an electrical circuit, an open circuit is caused intentionally when a user opens a switch or unintentionally when vibration or mechanical damage severs a wire. In a pneumatic or hydraulic circuit, this occurs when a valve is closed or there is a leak in one of the lines or components.

In electrical circuits, closing a switch creates a closed loop for the electrons to flow through. This is sometimes referred to as "completing the circuit." Other synonyms are also used.

Short circuit

In an electrical or electronic circuit, sometimes an unintended connection is made, such as when insulation is broken, frayed, melted or chewed by rodents, or a technician inserts a metal tool into a live device. When this happens, current bypasses some or all of the components in the circuit, taking a "shorter" path back to the power source. This can lead to excessive current drain, which in turn generates excessive heat, damaging or destroying sensitive parts of the system such as transistors and ICs.

Loops

In Graph theory, an edge whose two ends meet is called a loop, which is an entirely different usage of the word. In any kind of circuit, such a loop has no distinct function. An argument can be made that redundant lines for transmission of power do have a function, even if it is only a backup function.

Types

There are three basic types of circuit currently used in industry:

• Electronic or electrical
Pneumatic
Hydraulic

The following is a rough list of the types of components which make up each type of circuit.

Electronic circuit

• Sources of energy
  Batteries
  Generators
  Solar cells
• Transmission lines
  Wires
  Switches
• Passive components
  Transducers

Pneumatic circuit

• Sources of energy
  Compressor
• Transmission lines
  Air tank
  • Pneumatic hoses
  • Open atmosphere (for returning the spent gas to the compressor)
  Valves
• Passive components
  Pneumatic cylinders

Hydraulic circuit

• Sources of energy
  Power pack
• Transmission lines
  • Hydraulic hoses
• Passive components
  Hydraulic cylinders