National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Electrical and Computer Practice Exam

In a series circuit, components are connected in a single path, which means that the current flows through each component sequentially. This configuration dictates that the same current flows through all the components in the circuit, and the total resistance is simply the sum of the individual resistances. If any component in a series circuit fails or is disconnected, the entire circuit is interrupted and ceases to function.

This single-path connection is what characterizes series circuits as opposed to parallel circuits, where components are connected across common points creating multiple paths for current flow. In a parallel circuit, if one branch fails, the current can still flow through the other branches, allowing the circuit to remain operational.

Understanding this fundamental distinction is essential when analyzing circuits, as it affects their behavior in terms of resistance, voltage distribution, and overall operation.