SHUNT CIRCUIT Meaning and
Definition
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A shunt circuit refers to an electrical circuit that is designed to divert or redirect a portion of the current flow away from the main or primary circuit. It consists of an additional path or branch that serves as an alternative route for the electrical current to flow through. The purpose of using a shunt circuit is to protect sensitive devices or components in the main circuit by providing a low resistance pathway for excess current to flow through, thus preventing the main circuit from being overloaded or damaged.
In a shunt circuit, a shunt resistor is often used to divert the current. This resistor is connected in parallel with the load or component that requires protection. When the current exceeds a certain threshold level, the excess current will flow through the shunt resistor, allowing it to bypass the load. By effectively "shunting" the excess current, the main circuit is maintained within safe operating limits.
Shunt circuits are commonly employed in various electrical systems and devices to safeguard sensitive components such as electronics, transformers, circuit breakers, metering devices, and power distribution systems. They are particularly useful in applications where current regulation or protection against excessive current is critical, ensuring that the overall system operates efficiently and avoids potential damage or malfunction.
Common Misspellings for SHUNT CIRCUIT
- ahunt circuit
- zhunt circuit
- xhunt circuit
- dhunt circuit
- ehunt circuit
- whunt circuit
- sgunt circuit
- sbunt circuit
- snunt circuit
- sjunt circuit
- suunt circuit
- syunt circuit
- shynt circuit
- shhnt circuit
- shjnt circuit
- shint circuit
- sh8nt circuit
- sh7nt circuit
- shubt circuit
Etymology of SHUNT CIRCUIT
The word "shunt" in the context of a circuit is derived from the Old English word "scyndan", meaning "to cause to spring, leap, or bound". Over time, "scyndan" evolved into the Middle English word "schaunten", which meant "to move aside" or "to divert". The term "shunt" began to be used in electrical engineering in the early 20th century to refer to a device or component that diverts or bypasses current in a circuit. Hence, a "shunt circuit" is a circuit that diverts or redistributes current flow.
