They both have electrical current flowing through wires, but that’s where the likeness ends.
A series circuit is a closed circuit where the current follows one path.
If one part of the circuit fails, the entire circuit fails.
The Spruce / Michela Buttignol
With a parallel circuit, the circuit remains intact.
Devices tap into the circuit, and the failure of one gadget will not affect the entire circuit.
What Is a Series Circuit?
A series circuit is one where the devices along the circuit loop are connected in a continuous row.
If one equipment fails or is disconnected, the entire circuit is interrupted.
So, all devices along the circuit stop working at the same time.
Series circuits are rare in house wiring.
A power strip is an example of series wiring.
A power strip uses one switch to control several appliances and devices on parallel circuitry.
What Is a Parallel Circuit?
Individual devices merely tap into the main circuit loop.
Parallel circuits are more common than series circuits.
This is how most household branch circuits powering light fixtures, outlets, and appliances are wired.
Most standard 120-volt household circuits in your home are (or should be) parallel circuits.
The pigtails are the exit and entrance ramps for the current flow.
Other times, the design of the rig creates a continuous ongoing pathway.
A parallel circuit is like a freeway.
Ramps allow cars to exit and enter a freeway without interrupting the main highway.
A parallel circuit has many off- and on-ramps.
A failure in any single loop never shuts down the entire circuit.
A series circuit is like a circular road with multiple bridges.
If any one of the bridges fails, a vehicle cannot continue to drive on the circular road.
When to Use a Series Circuit
When wiring household circuits, you’ll usually create parallel circuits.
AGFCI receptaclehas screw terminals labeled “line,” as well as screw terminals labeled “load.”
The load terminals can extend the wiring to additional regular receptacles beyond the GFCI.
This gives regular receptacles GFCI protection even though they aren’t GFCI receptacles.
Should the GFCI fail, all of the downstream outlets connected to it will stop working.
The voltage in series vs. parallel circuits will be the same for both.
It is easier to wire a series circuit than a parallel circuit.
A parallel circuit requires you to pigtail wires and to add wire nuts.
So,electrical project costsare slightly less when wiring a series circuit.
