Passes directions around the circuit (7)
I believe the answer is:
elapses
'passes' is the definition.
(I know this)
'directions around the circuit' is the wordplay.
'directions' becomes 'eses' (ESE is an example).
'around' is an insertion indicator.
'the circuit' becomes 'lap' ('lap' can be a synonym of 'circuit').
'eses' going around 'lap' is 'ELAPSES'.
(Other definitions for elapses that I've seen before include "Passes (in time)" , "Slips away" .)