A strand is a closed circuit through which electrons flow. A simple electrical circuit consists of a power source (battery), wires, and a resistor (light bulb). In a strand, electrons flow from the battery, through the wires, and into the light bulb. If it receives enough electrons, the light bulb will light up. If assembled correctly, you can light a light bulb in a few simple steps.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Stringing Simple Strands with Batteries
Step 1. Gather the necessary materials
You will need a power source, two wires, a light bulb and a light bulb socket. You can use any type of battery or battery pack as a power source. The rest, you can get at the electrical store.
- Choose a light bulb that matches the power the power source is capable of producing.
- To make the wiring process easier, use a battery snap that is already wired and a 9 v (volt) battery or battery pack.
Step 2. Open both ends of the cable
For the strand to work, the cable must be exposed at both ends. Use a cable opener and remove the cable wrapping layer approximately 2.5 cm long from both ends of the cable.
- If you don't have a cable-opening tool, use scissors to carefully pry the wires open.
- Be careful not to break the cable.
Step 3. Install the battery into a battery pack
Depending on the type of battery you are using, you can skip this step. If you are using multiple batteries, you will need a power pack to accommodate the batteries. Insert the battery into this case and make sure the orientation of the positive and negative ends is correct.
Step 4. Attach the cables to the battery pack
The cable will carry electric current from the battery to the light bulb. You can easily attach the cable with tape. Connect one end of the cable to one end of the battery. Make sure the exposed end of the cable touches the metal of the battery pole. Do the same for the cable and the other end of the battery.
- Otherwise, if you are using a battery snap, attach the ends to the poles of the 9 volt battery or battery pack.
- Be careful when arranging the strands. Although it's rare, you can still get a slight electric shock if you touch an exposed wire while it's attached to the battery. You can prevent this by touching the part of the cable that is wrapped in a protective film or removing the battery until you plug in the light bulb.
Step 5. Tighten the other end of the wire to the metal screw of the light bulb socket
Take the exposed end of the wire, and bend the copper so it looks like a "U" shape. Loosen each screw in the bulb so that the U-shaped wire can be wrapped around the screw. Tighten the screw, and make sure the copper portion of the cable stays in contact with the screw.
Step 6. Test your strands
Plug the light bulb into the socket until it's tight. If the strand is properly attached, the bulb will light up when it is plugged into the socket.
- The bulb can heat up quickly so be careful when installing and removing the bulb.
- If the bulb doesn't light up, check to make sure the copper parts of the wires are touching the ends of the battery and the metal of the bulb socket screws.
Part 2 of 3: Installing the Switch
Step 1. Gather the ingredients
You need three wires to be able to attach the switch, instead of two. Once the ends of the wires are untied and attached to the battery pack, you can start installing the switch.
Step 2. Install the switch
Take the exposed end of the wire from the battery pack and bend it into a U. Loosen the screw on the switch and tuck the U-shaped wire under it. Tighten the screw so that the copper portion of the cable remains in contact with the screw.
Step 3. Attach the third wire to the switch
Bend each exposed end of the wire into a U-shape. Slide the U-shaped wire under the second screw on the switch. Tighten the screw and make sure the metal of the screw is still touching the copper part of the cable.
Step 4. Connect the light bulbs
Take the ends of each wire (one from the battery and one from the switch) and bend them into a U. Loosen each screw in the light bulb socket so that the copper portion of the wire can wrap around the screw. Each cable will be attached to its own screw. Tighten the screw and ensure that the copper portion of the cable remains in contact with the metal of the screw.
Step 5. Test your strands
Plug the light bulb into the socket until it's tight and turn on the switch! If the strand is installed properly, the light will come on when it is firmly seated in the socket.
- The bulb can heat up quickly so be careful when installing and removing the bulb.
- If the light bulb doesn't light up, check to make sure the copper end of the wire is touching the end of the battery and touching the metal of the screw.
Part 3 of 3: Solve Your Strand Problem
Step 1. Make sure all cables are plugged in properly
In a perfect strand, all the wires should touch the metal parts of each component. If the light bulb doesn't light up, check each battery pole and screw in the light socket and make sure the copper part of the wire is touching the metal of the other components.
- Make sure the screws are tightened tightly so that the connection does not come loose.
- In some cases, you may need to open the ends of the cable more.
Step 2. Check your light bulb filament
The bulb will not light if the filament is damaged. Look at the lamp in bright light and make sure the lamp filament does not break. Try changing your light bulb. if the light is still not on, proceed to the next step.
Step 3. Test your battery charge
If the battery is dead or the power is so low that you can't turn on the light. Use a battery tester and check the charge or simply replace the battery with a new one. If the problem is resolved the light bulb will light up immediately after replacing the battery.
