The total power in __________ electrical circuit is calculated by finding the sum of the individual component power consumption.

• A. any
• B. series
• C. parallel
• D. mixed

Answer: (A)

Power in a circuit is additive across its elements. The total power drawn from the sources equals the sum of the power absorbed or dissipated by every component, regardless of how they’re connected. In a series circuit, the same current flows through each component, so each one has its own power, and adding those powers gives the total. In a parallel circuit, each component experiences the same voltage, calculates its power independently, and summing those powers yields the total. In a mixed circuit, you still sum the power of all components to obtain the total. The important point is energy balance: the circuit’s total power equals the sum of the powers of its parts.