Definition
An electrical circuit in which the components are connected across the same two voltage points, providing more than one path for current to flow. Each branch receives the full source voltage, and the total current drawn from the source is the sum of the currents through each branch. If one branch opens, the others continue to operate.
Plain English
A circuit wired so that each device has its own separate path back to the power source. Every device gets the full voltage, and if one device fails or is switched off, the others keep working.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft electrical system discussions, especially when describing how lights, instruments, radios, or other electrical loads are connected to the aircraft power system.
Derivation
Parallel' comes from the Greek 'parallelos,' meaning 'beside one another.' In a parallel circuit, the branches sit side by side between the same two points — a direct visual match to the word's origin.
Why Pilots Care
Failure of one component leaves the others still powered, preserving essential systems.
Analogy
Think of several doors leading from the same hallway into separate rooms. If one door is blocked, the other doors can still be used. In a parallel electrical circuit, each branch is its own door for electricity.
Intuition Check
Parallel does not just mean the wires are physically side by side. Here it means the parts are connected across the same two electrical points, so each part has its own current path.
Example Sentence 1
The cabin lights are wired in a parallel electrical circuit, so one burned-out bulb doesn't cause the others to go dark.
Example Sentence 2
Avionics units share a parallel electrical circuit so each radio still receives full voltage if another unit fails.