A simple electrical circuit

Electrical · The Basics of Electricity · printed page 85 (PDF page 86)

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Book index entries

Circuit – Simple Electrical Electric Circuit – Simple Simple Electrical Circuit

Text in the illustration

A
open circuit - switch off
(no voltage to appliance)
no current flows
black
(hot)
wire
switch
white
(neutral)
B
closed circuit - switch on
(voltage supplied to appliance)
current flows

Generated explanation

Two diagrams compare an open and a closed electrical circuit supplying a light bulb. In diagram A, the switch interrupts the black hot conductor, and the bulb is unlit; the annotation states that no current flows. In diagram B, the switch connects the hot conductor, completing the circuit and illuminating the bulb. Both diagrams show a white neutral conductor leaving the bulb and terminating at a ground symbol. The illustration explains switch operation rather than depicting an installation defect.

Components

hot conductor neutral conductor switch light bulb ground symbol