Electrical Circuits and Circuits Conductors and insulators
A circuit is a collection of components connected by Materials that allow electricity to flow through them
Components wires through which electricity can flow. If a circuit forms are called conductors. Most metals are conductors.
a loop with a single path for the current to take, it is Materials that do not allow electricity to flow through
them are called insulators.
Electricity called a series circuit.
Electricity is a form of energy that makes things work.
Electrical appliances with cords and plugs are powered copper wire is
from the mains power supply. Cordless and portable a conductor
devices are powered by electrical energy stored in cells
or batteries.
Components plastic is an
insulator
All electrical items are made up of components, which
make them work. When electricity flows through all the components of a
Components have different jobs. For example, a cell circuit, it is called a complete circuit.
provides electrical power, a buzzer creates a sound, a
switch makes or breaks a circuit and a motor creates
movement.
Electrical hazards
Electricity can be
dangerous. If a mains
electric current goes
through your body, it can
cause serious injuries or
death.
When electricity cannot flow through all the components
switch lamp cell battery of a circuit, it is called an incomplete circuit. Loose wires, There are many
damaged components and flat cells or batteries can all situations where
stop the flow of electricity around a circuit. electrical appliances
can be dangerous. For
example, overloading
plug sockets can lead
to fires and touching
electrical appliances with
wire buzzer motor LED wet hands can cause
electric shocks. Touching
damaged wires can also
cause electric shocks.
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Circuit symbols Electric current Sensors
Circuit components are represented by different An electric current is the flow of electric charge through Many devices, such as nightlights, burglar alarms and
symbols. a circuit. For an electric current to flow, a circuit must thermostats, use sensors to monitor environmental
be complete. The electric current flows from the cell variables, such as light, movement or temperature.
through the components and back to the cell. These devices are programmed to give a response by
Circuit component symbols
cell switching on or off if the environment changes. For
example, some nightlights have sensors that cause them
to switch off when light levels rise.
wire open switch closed switch
Programming micro:bits
buzzer voltmeter motor
Micro:bits are small,
V M programmable
battery lamp LED
computers with
an LED display and
sensors. Micro:bits
can be programmed
Voltage to respond to
environmental
Circuit diagrams In a circuit, the cell acts variables and are used
like a pump, pushing to make a wide variety
A circuit diagram is a simplified drawing that represents
electric charge around the of different devices.
a real electrical circuit. Circuit symbols are used to draw
circuit. This pushing force
circuit diagrams.
can be measured using a
voltmeter or multimeter.
Glossary
cell The pushing force is appliance A piece of electrical equipment used in
open switch known as voltage, which is the home.
measured in volts (V).
environmental A feature of the environment that
Cells variable changes, such as temperature or light.
Cells have different names,
LED Stands for light-emitting diode. A
such as AA, AAA and D. They
device that produces light when an
are labelled with the voltage
electric current flows through it. An
they supply to a circuit. For
Image from: Shutterstock editorial/Nadya Buyanowa
LED only conducts electricity in one
example, an AA cell is labelled
direction.
with 1.5V. As cells are used,
their voltage, or pushing
lamp wire sensor A device that detects changes in the
force, decreases.
environment.
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