Red Seal Electrician Practice
Signalling and communicationQuestion 38 of 1506

What is the difference between parallel and serial digital data?

  1. Parallel uses one wire per bit, and serial sends bits in turn
  2. Parallel uses fibre and serial uses copper wire for the same signal
  3. Parallel needs one wire for all bits and serial needs one wire per bit
  4. Parallel is an analog method of sending data, and serial is a digital method of sending it
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Correct answer: Parallel uses one wire per bit, and serial sends bits in turn

Serial saves wires but needs a faster signal.

Source: Lessons in Electric Circuits IV: Digital (Kuphaldt), 14.4: Electrical Signal Types

Practice signalling and communication

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026