What happens to the electric energy if circuit is not complete but energy is in wires?

Question

If power ( electric) is in main wire but it is not being utilised . is it wasted or stored some where?

Answer 1

Electrical voltage is similar to water pressure (and water will not flow in a pressurized pipe unless a valve is open, etc.).  If the wire is connected to a DC battery, electrons will be forced out of only one terminal into the wire 'compressing' electrons to its end that will remain stationary under the electrical pressure (until a circuit is completed) and no energy is wasted without flow.

If a wire is connected to an AC source, electrical pressure (voltage) will alternate in the wire causing a relatively few electrons to flow back and forth.  This subtle 'wave' action will alternately create and collapse an electromagnetic field about the wire and result in minute resistance losses (similar to an unloaded transformer with many windings but on a much smaller scale).

Answer 2

The energy in an incomplete circuit is identical to the energy in the wall outlet or battery to which is is connected.  The energy in that power source doesn't do anything until a circuit is complete.  The power source is in the same state with an incomplete circuit connected to it as it would be if nothing were connected to it.

Answer 3

It is not stored unless there is a storage mechanism built into the system somewhere. A storage mechanism might be for example a battery, a capacitor. These can store electricity (directly) and can then release it again for later use.

So, if the electricity is NOT used up as it is generated, then basically it is wasted because the generators have to keep generating the power, regardless whether it is actually being used or not.

For example, if you have a pushbike with a dynamo attached to the wheel, the dynamo keeps generating electricity even if you do not have the headlight switched on.

Answer 4

Think of something suspened above the ground. Until it is released it has potential energy, once released it becomes kinetic energy, and when it hits the ground it becomes heat.

Similarly the energy in a battery is potential energy until the circuit is completed, and then, most probably it will become heat; unless part of it becomes light, or sound, or something else.

If a generator is churning away, and no power is being drawn, it will have to work less hard, and it will consume less energy, because there is no back EMF. What energy it does consume is being used to overcome the friction in its bearings (and air resistance).

Answer 5

it will go on the wires waiting the circuit to be completed so the wires will be warm but not by the same level as when the electricity go through it.