Electric circuits / Networks and important terms related to it

you must know

Electrical Network
Combination of different electric elements or components which are
connected in any way is called electric network
Complex Networks
A Circuit which contains on many electrical elements such as resistors,
capacitors, inductors, current sources and Voltage source (both AC and DC) is
called Complex network. These kinds of networks cant be solved easily by
simple ohms Law or Kirchhoffs laws. I.e. we solve these circuits by specific
technique i.e. Nortons Theorem, Thevenins Theorem, Superposition
theorem etc.
Circuit or Electric Circuit
Circuit is a close loop path giving a return path for the current. Or a close
conducting path in which current can flow is called circuit
Click image to enlarge

Types of Electric Circuits

There are many types of electrical circuits. Here we will briefly discuss one
by one.
Series circuit = in this circuits, all the electrical elements (Voltage or
Current sources, inductors, capacitors, resistors etc) are connected in series

i.e. There is only one path for traveling electricity and no other branches
consist in this circuit.
Parallel circuits = in this circuits, all the electrical elements (Voltage or
Current sources, inductors, capacitors, resistors etc) are connected in parallel
i.e. There are many paths for traveling electricity and the minimum
branches in this circuit are two.
Series-parallel circuits = if circuit elements are series connected in some
parts and parallel in others, that would be a series-parallel circuit. In other
words, this is a combination of series and parallel circuits.
Star-Delta Circuits
Star-Delta Circuit = this is not series or parallel nor series-parallel circuit.
In this circuit, electrical elements are connected such a way that undefined in
term of Series, parallel or Series Parallel configuration. These kinds of circuits
can be solved by Star Delta Transform or Delta Star transformation.
Following are more derived circuits of the Series, parallel, and Series-parallel
circuits

Pure Resistive Circuit

Pure Inductive Circuit

Pure Capacitive Circuit

Resistive, Inductive Circuit i.e. RL Circuit (Series & Parallel)

Resistive, Capacitive Circuit i.e. RC Circuit (Series & Parallel)

Capacitive, Inductive Circuits i.e. LC Circuits (Series and Parallel)

Resistive, Inductive, Capacitive Circuit RLC Circuit (Series & Parallel)

These all circuits are shown in below image.

Click image to enlarge

In the above circuits, all the above mentioned components or elements may
be connected in series, parallel, or in series-parallel configuration.
Lets go to discuss some more electric circuits which you must know before
starting to analyze an Electric circuit or network.
Linear circuit
A linear circuit is an electric circuit in which circuit parameters (Resistance,
inductance, capacitance, waveform, frequency etc) are constant. In other
words, a circuit whose parameters are not changed with respect to Current
and Voltage is called Linear Circuit.
Non linear circuits
A nonlinear circuit is an electric circuit whose parameters are varied with
respect to Current and Voltage. In other words, an electric circuit in which
circuit parameters (Resistance, inductance, capacitance, waveform,
frequency etc) is not constant, is called Non Linear Circuit.

The Main Difference between Linear and Nonlinear Circuit

Unilateral circuits
In unilateral circuits, the property of circuit changes with the change of
direction of supply voltage or current. In other words, unilateral circuit allows
the current to flow only in one direction. Diode rectifier is the best example
of unilateral circuit because it does not perform the rectification in both
direction of supply.
Bi-lateral circuits
In bilateral circuits, the property of circuit does not change with the change
of direction of supply voltage or current. In other words, bilateral circuit
allows the current to flow in both directions. Transmission line is the best
example of bilateral circuit because, if you give supply from any direction,
the circuit properties remain constant

Difference between Unilateral and Bi-Lateral Circuits & Elements

Circuits Parameters or Constants and related terms

Different components or elements which use in Electric Circuits are called

circuits parameters or constants i.e. resistance, capacitance, inductance,
frequency etc. These parameters can be lumped or distributed.
Active Circuit
A circuit which contains on one or more E.MF (Electro motive force) sources
is called Active Circuit
Passive Circuit
A circuit, in which no one EMF source exist is called Passive Circuit

The Main Difference between Active and passive Components

(Very Easy Explanation with Examples)

Other important related terms to Electric Circuits and Networks

Node
A point or junction where two or more circuits elements (resistor, capacitor,
inductor etc) meet is called Node
Branch
That part or section of circuit which locate between two junctions is called
branch
In branch, one or more elements can be connected and they have two
terminals.
Loop
A closed path in circuit where more than two meshes can be occurred is
called loop i.e. there may be many meshes in a loop, but a mesh does not
contain on one loop.

Mesh
A closed loop which contains no other loop within it or a path which does not
contain on other paths is called Mesh.