Self-Contradictory Combinations – Are My Explanations Correct?

currentcurrent-sourceshort-circuitvoltagevoltage-source

  • Can a current source be in parallel with a short circuit?
  • Can a current source be in series with an open circuit?
  • Can a voltage source be in parallel with a short circuit?

I have added my own answers and am confused about those a little bit.

For the first one, as a short circuit has zero voltage and infinite current, the voltage of current source must be the same as that of the short circuit right? If the current source has no voltage, how can charge even flow?

For the second one, as in series, the components must have similar current to the components in series with it. As in open circuit there is no current, this is not possible for what I think.

For the third one, a short circuit has no voltage and infinite current. As in parallel, the voltage of the voltage source must be equal to that of the short circuit, which is not possible as the short circuit's voltage is zero. So this circuit is also not possible right?

Best Answer

Assuming ideal elements

  1. A current source can without any problem be in parallel with a short. That's because a current source just delivers the intended current. The voltage is a function of the series resistance (which is 0 Ohm resulting in 0 V for the voltage)

The rest is OK.

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