In a parallel circuit, if one path fails, what happens to the others?

In a parallel circuit, if one path fails, what happens to the others?

• A. They continue to operate
• B. Current doubles in remaining paths
• C. Voltage decreases in all paths
• D. All paths stop

Answer: (A)

In a parallel circuit, each branch has its own path back to the power source, so the branches operate independently. If one path fails and becomes open, it simply drops out of the circuit, but the other branches still have a complete loop with the same supply voltage. The current in each of the remaining paths is determined by its own resistance (I = V/R), so they continue to draw current and operate as before. The total current drawn from the source decreases because one branch is no longer drawing current, but the voltage across the remaining branches stays the same.

In a parallel circuit, each branch has its own path back to the power source, so the branches operate independently. If one path fails and becomes open, it simply drops out of the circuit, but the other branches still have a complete loop with the same supply voltage. The current in each of the remaining paths is determined by its own resistance (I = V/R), so they continue to draw current and operate as before. The total current drawn from the source decreases because one branch is no longer drawing current, but the voltage across the remaining branches stays the same.