Final answer:
Electric circuits have three basic features: a voltage source to provide energy, conductors to carry the current, and a load to use the electricity. Circuit diagrams use symbols for these components and include safety features such as circuit breakers and protective cases.
Step-by-step explanation:
All electric circuits have three basic features: a voltage source, conductors, and a load. The voltage source, such as a battery or power supply, provides the electromotive force (emf) required to drive electric current through the circuit. The conductors, usually made of materials like copper, create a path for the current to flow. The load, which could be a light bulb, a motor, or another electrical device, utilizes the electrical energy converted from the source. In a circuit diagram, these elements are represented by symbols: the voltage source by a specific symbol like a set of short and long parallel lines (battery), the conductor by lines, and the load by a resistor symbol, among others. Safety features such as circuit breakers or fuses, protective cases, and proper grounding are critical to modern electrical.