What does Kirchoff's Voltage Law (KVL) state regarding a DC series circuit?

Kirchhoff's Voltage Law (KVL) is a fundamental principle in electrical engineering that states that the sum of all electrical potential differences (voltages) around any closed circuit loop must equal zero. In the context of a DC series circuit, this translates to the idea that the total voltage provided by the power source is equal to the sum of the voltage drops across each of the components in that series circuit.

When a voltage is applied across a series of resistors or other electrical components, the voltages across these components add up to match the total supplied voltage. This means if you measure the voltage at various points in the circuit, the total measured voltage drops across the components will equal the source voltage, confirming KVL. This principle is crucial in circuit design and analysis, as it ensures that energy is conserved within the circuit.

Understanding this law helps in diagnosing issues in DC circuits, calculating required resistor values, or ensuring that the components are properly rated for the voltage they will encounter.