Which type of electrical circuit allows current to flow in two or more paths?

A parallel circuit is characterized by the ability to allow current to flow through multiple paths. In this type of circuit, each device or component is connected directly to the power source, which means that if one path is broken or has a malfunction, the other paths remain unaffected, allowing current to continue flowing. This redundancy is a key benefit of parallel circuits, making them commonly used in household electrical systems and various applications where reliability is crucial.

In contrast, a series circuit only allows current to flow along a single path. If any component in a series circuit fails, the entire circuit is interrupted, stopping the flow of current. A combined circuit typically refers to a configuration that incorporates both series and parallel elements, but it does not exclusively define the flow of current in multiple paths like a parallel circuit does. A switch circuit, while useful for controlling the flow of current, does not define the nature of paths available for flow. Therefore, the parallel circuit uniquely meets the criteria of allowing current to navigate through two or more paths simultaneously.