Question T5D14
From subelement T5 - T5D
In which type of circuit is voltage the same across all components?
Why is this correct?
In parallel circuits, all components connect directly to the voltage source, so each receives the full source voltage. This is fundamentally different from series circuits where components share the total voltage proportionally based on their resistance values. Resonant and branch are not basic circuit configurations that describe voltage distribution patterns.
Memory tip
Remember the key distinguishing feature: parallel means 'side-by-side' connections where each component gets its own direct path to the voltage source. Series means 'end-to-end' where components must share whatever voltage remains after each preceding component.
Learn more
In practical amateur radio circuits, this principle appears everywhere. Your transceiver's power supply delivers the same voltage to all parallel-connected circuits (receiver, transmitter, display), while series-connected components like voltage dividers in your antenna tuner distribute voltage proportionally. Understanding parallel voltage distribution helps explain why adding more parallel loads increases current draw from your power supply while maintaining constant voltage across each load.
Think about it
Why do you think your car's headlights, radio, and air conditioning all work at full brightness/power when connected in parallel, but Christmas lights wired in series dim when one bulb burns out?