Analyzing Circuits - PSA Library

# Analyzing Circuits Series Overview Mastering DC circuit analysis before AC, electronics, and industrial controls Welcome to the Analyzing Circuits series. This section builds the skills every technician needs before moving into AC theory, electronics, troubleshooting, motors, relays, and controls. Everything here is hands on and designed to help you understand how real circuits behave, not just how to solve math problems. If you already know basic voltage, current, and resistance, you are ready to start. If not, check the Intro to Electrical Theory folder before continuing. ## What This Section Covers As you work through these lessons, you will learn how to break down any DC circuit step by step. You will see how voltage divides, how current splits between loads, and how to combine complex networks into simple forms you can actually measure. You will also learn what technicians really do in the field: measure voltage drop, find shorts, identify high resistance connections, and trace mixed circuits in panels and control cabinets. ## How to Use This Folder Each main topic has its own subfolder. Lessons build from simple to complex. Move in order unless you already have experience. - Read the short lesson - Practice with the examples - Review the callouts for tips - Apply the ideas using a multimeter or simulator > [!tip] Pro Tip > Pair these lessons with the PSA Virtual Simulator page to visualize circuits as you learn them. ## Folder Map and Quick Links ### 1. Introduction to Circuit Analysis A refresher on essential concepts. Start here if you are new or it has been a while. - [[1.1 What is Circuit Analysis]] - [[1.2 Why DC Comes First]] - [[1.3 Review of Voltage, Current, Resistance]] - [[1.4 Review of Simple Circuits]] - [[1.5 How to Read Basic Schematics]] - [[1.6 Using a Multimeter for Circuit Analysis]] ### 2. Series Circuits Everything depends on understanding series circuits first. - [[2.1 What is a Series Circuit]] - [[2.2 Current in Series Circuits]] - [[2.3 Voltage Distribution in Series Circuits]] - [[2.4 Resistance in Series Circuits]] - [[2.5 Power in Parallel Circuits]] - [[2.6 Current Divider Rule]] - [[2.7 Parallel Circuit Calculations]] - [[2.8 Parallel Loads in Real Systems]] - [[2.9 Troubleshooting Parallel Circuits]] ### 3. Parallel Circuits Learn how current splits and how loads behave independently. - [[3.1 What is a Series Parallel Circuit]] - [[3.2 Identifying Series Portions]] - [[3.3 Identifying Parallel Portions]] - [[3.4 Step by Step Reduction Method]] - [[3.5 Equivalent Resistance]] - [[3.6 Voltage and Current Calculations]] - [[3.7 Power in Series Parallel Circuits]] - [[3.8 Real Examples in Panels and Lighting]] - [[3.9 Troubleshooting Mixed Circuits]] ### 4. Series Parallel Circuits Real circuits are rarely pure series or pure parallel. This folder teaches you how to reduce mixed networks. - [[4.1 Introduction to Kirchhoff’s Laws]] - [[4.2 Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law (KVL)]] - [[4.3 KVL Example Circuits]] - [[4.4 Kirchhoff’s Current Law (KCL)]] - [[4.5 KCL Example Circuits]] - [[4.6 Using KVL and KCL Together]] - [[4.7 Mesh Analysis Basics]] - [[4.8 Node Voltage Method (Intro Only)]] - [[4.9 Troubleshooting Using Kirchhoff’s Laws]] ### 5. Kirchhoff's Laws The foundation for solving any DC network once Ohm's Law is not enough. - [[5.1 Internal Resistance of Sources]] - [[5.2 Voltage Sources in Series and Parallel]] - [[5.3 Current Sources in Series and Parallel]] - [[5.4 Dependent Sources (Intro Only)]] - [[5.5 Load Line Basics]] - [[5.6 Maximum Power Transfer Theorem]] - [[5.7 Efficiency in DC Circuits]] - [[5.8 DC Transients (Intro Only)]] ### 6. Advanced DC Concepts More realistic models that show how circuits behave in the field. - [[6.1 Superposition Theorem]] - [[6.2 Thevenin’s Theorem]] - [[6.3 Norton’s Theorem]] - [[6.4 Source Transformation]] - [[6.5 Thevenin Source Impedance]] - [[6.6 Norton Equivalent Circuits]] - [[6.7 Practical Uses in Troubleshooting]] - [[6.8 Real World Examples in Electronics and Controls]] ### 7. Circuit Theorems Fast and elegant ways to simplify tough circuits. - [[7.1 Power in Resistors]] - [[7.2 Power Dissipation]] - [[7.3 Efficiency Calculations]] - [[7.4 Energy Consumption (Wh and kWh)]] - [[7.5 Impact of Load Changes]] - [[7.6 Power Distribution in Multi Load Circuits]] - [[7.7 Heat and Safety Concerns]] - [[7.8 Sized Components Based on Power]] ### 8. Power Analysis Understand how circuits heat up, fail, and consume energy. - [[8.1 Voltage Measurements in Complex Circuits]] - [[8.2 Current Measurements in Multi Branch Circuits]] - [[8.3 Resistance Measurements in Circuit]] - [[8.4 Using Voltage Drop for Troubleshooting]] - [[8.5 Using Reference Points and Ground]] - [[8.6 Meter Burden and Its Impact]] - [[8.7 Best Practices for Field Measurement]] - [[8.8 Common Mistakes Made by Technicians]] ### 9. Measurement Techniques Learn how to make clean, safe, and meaningful measurements. - [[9.1 Systematic Troubleshooting Methods]] - [[9.2 Using Schematics to Trace Problems]] - [[9.3 Identifying Opens]] - [[9.4 Identifying Shorts]] - [[9.5 Identifying High Resistance Connections]] - [[9.6 Identifying Incorrect Load Values]] - [[9.7 Verifying Power Supply Problems]] - [[9.8 Troubleshooting Series Circuits]] - [[9.9 Troubleshooting Parallel Circuits]] - [[9.10 Troubleshooting Mixed Circuits]] - [[9.11 Recording Findings and Documentation]] ### 10. Troubleshooting DC Circuits Apply everything you learned to real problems. - [[10.1 Lighting Circuits]] - [[10.2 Control Circuits (Basic Industrial)]] - [[10.3 Automotive DC Circuits]] - [[10.4 Battery Systems]] - [[10.5 DC Power Supplies]] - [[10.6 Electronic DC Components (Intro)]] - [[10.7 Ground Reference Behavior]] - [[10.8 Field Case Studies]] ## Where to Begin If you are new to circuit analysis, start at the top. If you are confident with series and parallel circuits, skip straight to Kirchhoff's Laws or Measurement Techniques. The goal is not speed. The goal is understanding.