In series circuits, how does the total voltage relate to the individual voltage drops across components?

In a series circuit, the total voltage supplied by the power source is distributed across the individual components connected in that series. Each component, such as resistors or other devices, experiences a voltage drop based on its impedance, contributing to how the total voltage is utilized in the circuit.

The principle that governs this relationship is known as Kirchhoff's Voltage Law, which states that the sum of the electric potential differences (voltage drops) around any closed network is zero. In a series circuit, this translates to the total voltage being equal to the sum of the voltage drops across each component. Therefore, if you were to measure the voltage across each component and then add them together, you would find that it matches the total voltage supplied by the source. This is foundational in understanding how circuits operate, especially in troubleshooting and design scenarios within avionics systems where multiple components are engaged in a given circuit pathway.