Circuit Terminology

An electrical network is a system of interconnected elements, not necessarily forming a closed path.

In contrast, a circuit, also an interconnected system, must contain closed paths.

While all circuits are networks, not all networks are circuits.

Based on the arrangement of elements, a circuit includes branches, nodes, loops, and meshes.

A branch is a two-terminal element like a resistor or a voltage source. A circuit having a voltage source, a current source, and two resistors consists of four branches.

A node connects two or more branches and is represented by a dot. If a short circuit connects two or more nodes, they constitute a single node.

A loop is a closed path that traverses through multiple nodes without crossing any node twice. If the loop has at least one branch not shared with other loops, it is independent.

A mesh is a type of loop that contains no other loops within it.

A network containing b branches, n nodes, and l independent loops satisfies the fundamental theorem of network topology.