  We examine two criteria for balance of a gain graph, one based on binary
cycles and one on circles. The graphs for which each criterion is valid depend
on the set of allowed gain groups. The binary cycle test is invalid, except for
forests, if any possible gain group has an element of odd order. Assuming all
groups are allowed, or all abelian groups, or merely the cyclic group of order
3, we characterize, both constructively and by forbidden minors, the graphs for
which the circle test is valid. It turns out that these three classes of groups
have the same set of forbidden minors. The exact reason for the importance of
the ternary cyclic group is not clear.
