Definitions for "Equivalent Circuit"
The equivalent circuit shown below depicts electrical activity of a quartz crystal unit operating at its natural resonant frequency. The CO, or shunt capacitance, represents the capacitance of the crystal electrodes plus the capacitance of the holder and leads. R1, C1, and L1 compose the "motional arm" of the crystal, and are referred to as the motional parameters. The motional inductance (L1) represents the vibrating mass of the crystal unit. The motional capacitance (C1) represents the elasticity of the quartz, and the resistance (R1), represents bulk losses occurring within the quartz.
This is a method, devised by Thérenin and Norton, of reducing the number of independent nodes and loops in a network through the replacement of series and parallel arrangements of passive elements by their appropiate equivalents. See Equivalent Circuit.
A simplified circuit that represents a more complex circuit but permits easier analysis.