{"appState":{"pageLoadApiCallsStatus":true},"articleState":{"article":{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-03-26T07:29:30+00:00","modifiedTime":"2021-09-17T21:32:21+00:00","timestamp":"2022-06-22T19:36:48+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Technology","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33512"},"slug":"technology","categoryId":33512},{"name":"Electronics","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33543"},"slug":"electronics","categoryId":33543},{"name":"General Electronics","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33571"},"slug":"general-electronics","categoryId":33571}],"title":"Closed, Open, and Short Circuits","strippedTitle":"closed, open, and short circuits","slug":"closed-open-and-short-circuits","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"This article explains in an easy-to-understand way what open, closed, and short circuits are, using a simple flashlight as an example.","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"You need a closed path, or <i>closed circuit,</i> to get electric current to flow. If there's a break anywhere in the path, you have an <i>open circuit,</i> and the current stops flowing — and the metal atoms in the wire quickly settle down to a peaceful, electrically neutral existence.\r\n<div class=\"imageBlock\" style=\"width: 535px;\">\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://sg.cdnki.com/what-can-act-as-an-electronic-switch-that-opens-or-closes-the-circuits-for-electrical-charges---aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZHVtbWllcy5jb20vd3AtY29udGVudC91cGxvYWRzLzQ4OTI2NC5pbWFnZTAuanBn.webp\" alt=\"A closed circuit allows current to flow, but an open circuit leaves electrons stranded.\" width=\"535\" height=\"216\" />\r\n<div class=\"imageCaption\">A closed circuit allows current to flow, but an open circuit leaves electrons stranded.</div>\r\n</div>\r\nPicture a gallon of water flowing through an open pipe. The water will flow for a short time but then stop when all the water exits the pipe. If you pump water through a closed pipe system, the water will continue to flow as long as you keep forcing it to move.\r\n<h2 id=\"tab1\" >Open circuits by design</h2>\r\nOpen circuits are often created by design. For instance, a simple light switch opens and closes the circuit that connects a light to a power source. When you build a circuit, it's a good idea to disconnect the battery or other power source when the circuit is not in use. Technically, that's creating an open circuit.\r\n\r\nA flashlight that is off is an open circuit. In the flashlight shown here, the flat black button in the lower left controls the switch inside. The switch is nothing more than two flexible pieces of metal in close proximity to each other. With the black button slid all the way to the right, the switch is in an open position and the flashlight is off.\r\n<div class=\"imageBlock\" style=\"width: 535px;\">\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://sg.cdnki.com/what-can-act-as-an-electronic-switch-that-opens-or-closes-the-circuits-for-electrical-charges---aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZHVtbWllcy5jb20vd3AtY29udGVudC91cGxvYWRzLzQ4OTI2NS5pbWFnZTEuanBn.webp\" alt=\"A switch in the open position disconnects the light bulb from the battery, creating an open circuit.\" width=\"535\" height=\"311\" />\r\n<div class=\"imageCaption\">A switch in the open position disconnects the light bulb from the battery, creating an open circuit.</div>\r\n</div>\r\nTurning the flashlight on by sliding the black button to the left pushes the two pieces of metal together — or closes the switch — and completes the circuit so that current can flow.\r\n<div class=\"imageBlock\" style=\"width: 535px;\">\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://sg.cdnki.com/what-can-act-as-an-electronic-switch-that-opens-or-closes-the-circuits-for-electrical-charges---aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZHVtbWllcy5jb20vd3AtY29udGVudC91cGxvYWRzLzQ4OTI2Ni5pbWFnZTIuanBn.webp\" alt=\"Closing the switch completes the conductive path in this flashlight, allowing electrons to flow.\" width=\"535\" height=\"157\" />\r\n<div class=\"imageCaption\">Closing the switch completes the conductive path in this flashlight, allowing electrons to flow.</div>\r\n</div>\r\n<h2 id=\"tab2\" >Open circuits by accident</h2>\r\nSometimes open circuits are created by accident. You forget to connect a battery, for instance, or there's a break in a wire somewhere in your circuit. When you build a circuit using a solderless breadboard, you may mistakenly plug one side of a component into the wrong hole in the breadboard, leaving that component unconnected and creating an open circuit. Accidental open circuits are usually harmless but can be the source of much frustration when you're trying to figure out why your circuit isn't working the way you think it should.\r\n<h2 id=\"tab3\" >Short circuits take the wrong path</h2>\r\nShort circuits are another matter entirely. A <i>short circuit</i> is a direct connection between two points in a circuit that aren't supposed to be directly connected, such as the two terminals of a power supply. Electric current takes the path of least resistance, so in a short circuit, the current will bypass other parallel paths and travel through the direct connection. (Think of the current as being lazy and taking the path through which it doesn't have to do much work.)\r\n<div class=\"imageBlock\" style=\"width: 458px;\">\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://sg.cdnki.com/what-can-act-as-an-electronic-switch-that-opens-or-closes-the-circuits-for-electrical-charges---aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZHVtbWllcy5jb20vd3AtY29udGVudC91cGxvYWRzLzQ4OTI2Ny5pbWFnZTMuanBn.webp\" alt=\"In a short circuit, current may be diverted from the path you intended it to flow through.\" width=\"458\" height=\"400\" />\r\n<div class=\"imageCaption\">In a short circuit, current may be diverted from the path you intended it to flow through.</div>\r\n</div>\r\n<p class=\"Warning\">If you short out a power supply, you send large amounts of electrical energy from one side of the power supply to the other. With nothing in the circuit to limit the current and absorb the electrical energy, heat builds up quickly in the wire and in the power supply. A short circuit can melt the insulation around a wire and may cause a fire, an explosion, or a release of harmful chemicals from certain power supplies, such as a rechargeable battery or a car battery.</p>","description":"You need a closed path, or <i>closed circuit,</i> to get electric current to flow. If there's a break anywhere in the path, you have an <i>open circuit,</i> and the current stops flowing — and the metal atoms in the wire quickly settle down to a peaceful, electrically neutral existence.\r\n<div class=\"imageBlock\" style=\"width: 535px;\">\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/489264.image0.jpg\" alt=\"A closed circuit allows current to flow, but an open circuit leaves electrons stranded.\" width=\"535\" height=\"216\" />\r\n<div class=\"imageCaption\">A closed circuit allows current to flow, but an open circuit leaves electrons stranded.</div>\r\n</div>\r\nPicture a gallon of water flowing through an open pipe. The water will flow for a short time but then stop when all the water exits the pipe. If you pump water through a closed pipe system, the water will continue to flow as long as you keep forcing it to move.\r\n<h2 id=\"tab1\" >Open circuits by design</h2>\r\nOpen circuits are often created by design. For instance, a simple light switch opens and closes the circuit that connects a light to a power source. When you build a circuit, it's a good idea to disconnect the battery or other power source when the circuit is not in use. Technically, that's creating an open circuit.\r\n\r\nA flashlight that is off is an open circuit. In the flashlight shown here, the flat black button in the lower left controls the switch inside. The switch is nothing more than two flexible pieces of metal in close proximity to each other. With the black button slid all the way to the right, the switch is in an open position and the flashlight is off.\r\n<div class=\"imageBlock\" style=\"width: 535px;\">\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/489265.image1.jpg\" alt=\"A switch in the open position disconnects the light bulb from the battery, creating an open circuit.\" width=\"535\" height=\"311\" />\r\n<div class=\"imageCaption\">A switch in the open position disconnects the light bulb from the battery, creating an open circuit.</div>\r\n</div>\r\nTurning the flashlight on by sliding the black button to the left pushes the two pieces of metal together — or closes the switch — and completes the circuit so that current can flow.\r\n<div class=\"imageBlock\" style=\"width: 535px;\">\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/489266.image2.jpg\" alt=\"Closing the switch completes the conductive path in this flashlight, allowing electrons to flow.\" width=\"535\" height=\"157\" />\r\n<div class=\"imageCaption\">Closing the switch completes the conductive path in this flashlight, allowing electrons to flow.</div>\r\n</div>\r\n<h2 id=\"tab2\" >Open circuits by accident</h2>\r\nSometimes open circuits are created by accident. You forget to connect a battery, for instance, or there's a break in a wire somewhere in your circuit. When you build a circuit using a solderless breadboard, you may mistakenly plug one side of a component into the wrong hole in the breadboard, leaving that component unconnected and creating an open circuit. Accidental open circuits are usually harmless but can be the source of much frustration when you're trying to figure out why your circuit isn't working the way you think it should.\r\n<h2 id=\"tab3\" >Short circuits take the wrong path</h2>\r\nShort circuits are another matter entirely. A <i>short circuit</i> is a direct connection between two points in a circuit that aren't supposed to be directly connected, such as the two terminals of a power supply. Electric current takes the path of least resistance, so in a short circuit, the current will bypass other parallel paths and travel through the direct connection. (Think of the current as being lazy and taking the path through which it doesn't have to do much work.)\r\n<div class=\"imageBlock\" style=\"width: 458px;\">\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/489267.image3.jpg\" alt=\"In a short circuit, current may be diverted from the path you intended it to flow through.\" width=\"458\" height=\"400\" />\r\n<div class=\"imageCaption\">In a short circuit, current may be diverted from the path you intended it to flow through.</div>\r\n</div>\r\n<p class=\"Warning\">If you short out a power supply, you send large amounts of electrical energy from one side of the power supply to the other. With nothing in the circuit to limit the current and absorb the electrical energy, heat builds up quickly in the wire and in the power supply. A short circuit can melt the insulation around a wire and may cause a fire, an explosion, or a release of harmful chemicals from certain power supplies, such as a rechargeable battery or a car battery.</p>","blurb":"","authors":[{"authorId":9082,"name":"Cathleen Shamieh","slug":"cathleen-shamieh","description":" <p><b>Cathleen Shamieh</b> is an electrical engineer and a writer with extensive engineering and consulting experience in the fields of medical electronics, speech processing, and telecommunications. ","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/9082"}}],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":33571,"title":"General Electronics","slug":"general-electronics","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33571"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[{"label":"Open circuits by design","target":"#tab1"},{"label":"Open circuits by accident","target":"#tab2"},{"label":"Short circuits take the wrong path","target":"#tab3"}],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[{"articleId":207483,"title":"Electronics For Dummies Cheat Sheet","slug":"electronics-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","categoryList":["technology","electronics","general-electronics"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/207483"}},{"articleId":203207,"title":"Tools Needed for Electronics Projects","slug":"tools-needed-for-electronics-projects","categoryList":["technology","electronics","general-electronics"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/203207"}},{"articleId":142544,"title":"Displaying Electrical Signals on an Oscilloscope","slug":"displaying-electrical-signals-on-an-oscilloscope","categoryList":["technology","electronics","general-electronics"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/142544"}},{"articleId":142537,"title":"Electronics: Doping Semiconductors","slug":"electronics-doping-semiconductors","categoryList":["technology","electronics","general-electronics"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/142537"}},{"articleId":142529,"title":"10 Memorable Names in Electronics","slug":"10-memorable-names-in-electronics","categoryList":["technology","electronics","general-electronics"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/142529"}}],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":239510,"title":"How to Assemble a Color Organ Circuit","slug":"assemble-color-organ-circuit","categoryList":["technology","electronics","general-electronics"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/239510"}},{"articleId":239507,"title":"What You Need to Build a Color Organ Circuit","slug":"need-build-color-organ-circuit","categoryList":["technology","electronics","general-electronics"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/239507"}},{"articleId":239504,"title":"How a Color Organ Works","slug":"color-organ-works","categoryList":["technology","electronics","general-electronics"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/239504"}},{"articleId":239501,"title":"What is a Color Organ Circuit?","slug":"color-organ-circuit","categoryList":["technology","electronics","general-electronics"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/239501"}},{"articleId":239497,"title":"How to Use a Color Organ Circuit","slug":"use-color-organ-circuit","categoryList":["technology","electronics","general-electronics"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/239497"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":false,"relatedBook":{"bookId":281695,"slug":"electronics-for-dummies-3rd-edition","isbn":"9781119675594","categoryList":["technology","electronics","general-electronics"],"amazon":{"default":"https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1119675596/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","ca":"https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/1119675596/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","indigo_ca":"http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-9208661-13710633?url=https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/product/1119675596-item.html&cjsku=978111945484","gb":"https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1119675596/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","de":"https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/1119675596/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20"},"image":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/electronics-for-dummies-3rd-edition-cover-9781119675594-203x255.jpg","width":203,"height":255},"title":"Electronics For Dummies","testBankPinActivationLink":"","bookOutOfPrint":true,"authorsInfo":"<p><p><b><b data-author-id=\"9082\">Cathleen Shamieh</b></b> is an electrical engineer and a writer with extensive engineering and consulting experience in the fields of medical electronics, speech processing, and telecommunications.</p>","authors":[{"authorId":9082,"name":"Cathleen Shamieh","slug":"cathleen-shamieh","description":" <p><b>Cathleen Shamieh</b> is an electrical engineer and a writer with extensive engineering and consulting experience in the fields of medical electronics, speech processing, and telecommunications. ","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/9082"}}],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/books/"}},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{"key":"cat","values":["technology","electronics","general-electronics"]},{"key":"isbn","values":["9781119675594"]}]\" id=\"du-slot-62b36f50a66b0\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{"key":"cat","values":["technology","electronics","general-electronics"]},{"key":"isbn","values":["9781119675594"]}]\" id=\"du-slot-62b36f50a6e09\"></div></div>"},"articleType":{"articleType":"Articles","articleList":null,"content":null,"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"sponsorAd":null,"sponsorEbookTitle":null,"sponsorEbookLink":null,"sponsorEbookImage":null},"primaryLearningPath":"Advance","lifeExpectancy":"Five years","lifeExpectancySetFrom":"2021-09-17T00:00:00+00:00","dummiesForKids":"no","sponsoredContent":"no","adInfo":"","adPairKey":[]},"status":"publish","visibility":"public","articleId":141399},"articleLoadedStatus":"success"},"listState":{"list":{},"objectTitle":"","status":"initial","pageType":null,"objectId":null,"page":1,"sortField":"time","sortOrder":1,"categoriesIds":[],"articleTypes":[],"filterData":{},"filterDataLoadedStatus":"initial","pageSize":10},"adsState":{"pageScripts":{"headers":{"timestamp":"2022-09-09T12:59:08+00:00"},"adsId":0,"data":{"scripts":[{"pages":["all"],"location":"header","script":"<!--Optimizely Script-->\r\n<script src=\"https://cdn.optimizely.com/js/10563184655.js\"></script>","enabled":false},{"pages":["all"],"location":"header","script":"<!-- comScore Tag -->\r\n<script>var _comscore = _comscore || [];_comscore.push({ c1: \"2\", c2: \"15097263\" });(function() {var s = document.createElement(\"script\"), el = document.getElementsByTagName(\"script\")[0]; s.async = true;s.src = (document.location.protocol == \"https:\" ? \"https://sb\" : \"http://b\") + \".scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js\";el.parentNode.insertBefore(s, el);})();</script><noscript><img src=\"https://sb.scorecardresearch.com/p?c1=2&c2=15097263&cv=2.0&cj=1\" /></noscript>\r\n<!-- / comScore Tag -->","enabled":true},{"pages":["all"],"location":"footer","script":"<!--BEGIN QUALTRICS WEBSITE FEEDBACK SNIPPET-->\r\n<script type='text/javascript'>\r\n(function(){var g=function(e,h,f,g){\r\nthis.get=function(a){for(var a=a+\"=\",c=document.cookie.split(\";\"),b=0,e=c.length;b<e;b++){for(var d=c[b];\" \"==d.charAt(0);)d=d.substring(1,d.length);if(0==d.indexOf(a))return d.substring(a.length,d.length)}return null};\r\nthis.set=function(a,c){var b=\"\",b=new Date;b.setTime(b.getTime()+6048E5);b=\"; expires=\"+b.toGMTString();document.cookie=a+\"=\"+c+b+\"; path=/; \"};\r\nthis.check=function(){var a=this.get(f);if(a)a=a.split(\":\");else if(100!=e)\"v\"==h&&(e=Math.random()>=e/100?0:100),a=[h,e,0],this.set(f,a.join(\":\"));else return!0;var c=a[1];if(100==c)return!0;switch(a[0]){case \"v\":return!1;case \"r\":return c=a[2]%Math.floor(100/c),a[2]++,this.set(f,a.join(\":\")),!c}return!0};\r\nthis.go=function(){if(this.check()){var a=document.createElement(\"script\");a.type=\"text/javascript\";a.src=g;document.body&&document.body.appendChild(a)}};\r\nthis.start=function(){var t=this;\"complete\"!==document.readyState?window.addEventListener?window.addEventListener(\"load\",function(){t.go()},!1):window.attachEvent&&window.attachEvent(\"onload\",function(){t.go()}):t.go()};};\r\ntry{(new g(100,\"r\",\"QSI_S_ZN_5o5yqpvMVjgDOuN\",\"https://zn5o5yqpvmvjgdoun-wiley.siteintercept.qualtrics.com/SIE/?Q_ZID=ZN_5o5yqpvMVjgDOuN\")).start()}catch(i){}})();\r\n</script><div id='ZN_5o5yqpvMVjgDOuN'><!--DO NOT REMOVE-CONTENTS PLACED HERE--></div>\r\n<!--END WEBSITE FEEDBACK SNIPPET-->","enabled":false},{"pages":["all"],"location":"header","script":"<!-- Hotjar Tracking Code for http://www.dummies.com -->\r\n<script>\r\n (function(h,o,t,j,a,r){\r\n h.hj=h.hj||function(){(h.hj.q=h.hj.q||[]).push(arguments)};\r\n h._hjSettings={hjid:257151,hjsv:6};\r\n a=o.getElementsByTagName('head')[0];\r\n r=o.createElement('script');r.async=1;\r\n r.src=t+h._hjSettings.hjid+j+h._hjSettings.hjsv;\r\n a.appendChild(r);\r\n })(window,document,'https://static.hotjar.com/c/hotjar-','.js?sv=');\r\n</script>","enabled":false},{"pages":["article"],"location":"header","script":"<!-- //Connect Container: dummies --> <script src=\"//get.s-onetag.com/bffe21a1-6bb8-4928-9449-7beadb468dae/tag.min.js\" async defer></script>","enabled":true},{"pages":["homepage"],"location":"header","script":"<meta name=\"facebook-domain-verification\" content=\"irk8y0irxf718trg3uwwuexg6xpva0\" />","enabled":true},{"pages":["homepage","article","category","search"],"location":"footer","script":"<!-- Facebook Pixel Code -->\r\n<noscript>\r\n<img height=\"1\" width=\"1\" src=\"https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=256338321977984&ev=PageView&noscript=1\"/>\r\n</noscript>\r\n<!-- End Facebook Pixel Code -->","enabled":true}]}},"pageScriptsLoadedStatus":"success"},"navigationState":{"navigationCollections":[{"collectionId":287568,"title":"BYOB (Be Your Own Boss)","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/for-the-entry-level-entrepreneur-287568"},{"collectionId":293237,"title":"Be a Rad Dad","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/be-the-best-dad-293237"},{"collectionId":294090,"title":"Contemplating the Cosmos","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/theres-something-about-space-294090"},{"collectionId":287563,"title":"For Those Seeking Peace of Mind","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/for-those-seeking-peace-of-mind-287563"},{"collectionId":287570,"title":"For the Aspiring Aficionado","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/for-the-bougielicious-287570"},{"collectionId":291903,"title":"For the Budding Cannabis Enthusiast","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/for-the-budding-cannabis-enthusiast-291903"},{"collectionId":291934,"title":"For the Exam-Season Crammer","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/for-the-exam-season-crammer-291934"},{"collectionId":287569,"title":"For the Hopeless Romantic","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/for-the-hopeless-romantic-287569"},{"collectionId":287567,"title":"For the Unabashed Hippie","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/for-the-unabashed-hippie-287567"},{"collectionId":292186,"title":"Just DIY It","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/just-diy-it-292186"}],"navigationCollectionsLoadedStatus":"success","navigationCategories":{"books":{"0":{"data":[{"categoryId":33512,"title":"Technology","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/books/technology-33512"},{"categoryId":33662,"title":"Academics & The Arts","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/books/academics-the-arts-33662"},{"categoryId":33809,"title":"Home, Auto, & Hobbies","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/books/home-auto-hobbies-33809"},{"categoryId":34038,"title":"Body, Mind, & Spirit","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/books/body-mind-spirit-34038"},{"categoryId":34224,"title":"Business, Careers, & Money","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/books/business-careers-money-34224"}],"breadcrumbs":[],"categoryTitle":"Level 0 Category","mainCategoryUrl":"/category/books/level-0-category-0"}},"articles":{"0":{"data":[{"categoryId":33512,"title":"Technology","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/articles/technology-33512"},{"categoryId":33662,"title":"Academics & The Arts","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/articles/academics-the-arts-33662"},{"categoryId":33809,"title":"Home, Auto, & Hobbies","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/articles/home-auto-hobbies-33809"},{"categoryId":34038,"title":"Body, Mind, & Spirit","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/articles/body-mind-spirit-34038"},{"categoryId":34224,"title":"Business, Careers, & Money","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/articles/business-careers-money-34224"}],"breadcrumbs":[],"categoryTitle":"Level 0 Category","mainCategoryUrl":"/category/articles/level-0-category-0"}}},"navigationCategoriesLoadedStatus":"success"},"searchState":{"searchList":[],"searchStatus":"initial","relatedArticlesList":[],"relatedArticlesStatus":"initial"},"routeState":{"name":"Article3","path":"/article/technology/electronics/general-electronics/closed-open-and-short-circuits-141399/","hash":"","query":{},"params":{"category1":"technology","category2":"electronics","category3":"general-electronics","article":"closed-open-and-short-circuits-141399"},"fullPath":"/article/technology/electronics/general-electronics/closed-open-and-short-circuits-141399/","meta":{"routeType":"article","breadcrumbInfo":{"suffix":"Articles","baseRoute":"/category/articles"},"prerenderWithAsyncData":true},"from":{"name":null,"path":"/","hash":"","query":{},"params":{},"fullPath":"/","meta":{}}},"dropsState":{"submitEmailResponse":false,"status":"initial"},"sfmcState":{"status":"initial"},"profileState":{"auth":{},"userOptions":{},"status":"success"}} A closed circuit allows current to flow, but an open circuit leaves electrons stranded. Picture a gallon of water flowing through an open pipe. The water will flow for a short time but then stop when all the water exits the pipe. If you pump water through a closed pipe system, the water will continue to flow as long as you keep forcing it to move. Open circuits are often created by design. For instance, a simple light switch opens and closes the circuit that connects a light to a power source. When you build a circuit, it's a good idea to disconnect the battery or other power source when the circuit is not in use. Technically, that's creating an open circuit.A flashlight that is off is an open circuit. In the flashlight shown here, the flat black button in the lower left controls the switch inside. The switch is nothing more than two flexible pieces of metal in close proximity to each other. With the black button slid all the way to the right, the switch is in an open position and the flashlight is off. A switch in the open position disconnects the light bulb from the battery, creating an open circuit. Turning the flashlight on by sliding the black button to the left pushes the two pieces of metal together — or closes the switch — and completes the circuit so that current can flow.Closing the switch completes the conductive path in this flashlight, allowing electrons to flow. Open circuits by accidentSometimes open circuits are created by accident. You forget to connect a battery, for instance, or there's a break in a wire somewhere in your circuit. When you build a circuit using a solderless breadboard, you may mistakenly plug one side of a component into the wrong hole in the breadboard, leaving that component unconnected and creating an open circuit. Accidental open circuits are usually harmless but can be the source of much frustration when you're trying to figure out why your circuit isn't working the way you think it should.Short circuits take the wrong pathShort circuits are another matter entirely. A short circuit is a direct connection between two points in a circuit that aren't supposed to be directly connected, such as the two terminals of a power supply. Electric current takes the path of least resistance, so in a short circuit, the current will bypass other parallel paths and travel through the direct connection. (Think of the current as being lazy and taking the path through which it doesn't have to do much work.)In a short circuit, current may be diverted from the path you intended it to flow through. If you short out a power supply, you send large amounts of electrical energy from one side of the power supply to the other. With nothing in the circuit to limit the current and absorb the electrical energy, heat builds up quickly in the wire and in the power supply. A short circuit can melt the insulation around a wire and may cause a fire, an explosion, or a release of harmful chemicals from certain power supplies, such as a rechargeable battery or a car battery. |