An electric circuit allows electricity to flow from the positive pole to the negative pole. A simple circuit can be a good basic electrical prop, and a means of electrical experimentation at home. Make sure you are supervised by a trusted adult when working on electrical circuits. Making an electrical circuit isn't difficult as long as you have a power source, wires, and a light bulb (or other electrical component). If you want to learn more about electrical circuits, try installing a simple switch so that you can easily turn the lights on and off. Although not required, this switch will show both open and closed circuits fine.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Using the Battery
Step 1. Attach the light bulb to the fitting
A lampholder is a device that is made as a lamp holder. This fitting also has 2 terminals. One terminal for the positive pole, and the other for the negative pole. That way, you can flow electricity through the lights inside the fittings.
Make sure you use a low-power lamp (approximately 1-10 volts)
Step 2. Unscrew the 2.5 cm long wire from each end of the 2 copper wires
You will use 2 copper wires to make it easier to distinguish the positive and negative poles. Use a knife or cable stripper to cut the insulation (the colored part) 2.5 cm long. When it is open, the copper part of the cable will be visible.
- Red and black wires are the most common in the market, but you can use other colors, such as red and white.
- Do not cut the copper part of the cable. You just need to open the plastic insulation that covers the cable. When they are exposed, peel or slide the insulation off the wires.
Step 3. Connect the positive pole
Generally the red wire is used to connect the positive pole. One end of the red wire will be connected to one side of the lampholder. The other end of the red wire must be connected to the positive pole of the battery.
If you can't get the red wire, choose one of the two wire colors as the positive wire
Step 4. Connect the negative cable
The black wire is usually used as the negative wire. Again, one end of the wire must touch the terminal of the lampholder (at the terminal that is not connected to the positive wire). The other end of the cable can be left alone until it's time to turn on the light.
Step 5. Turn on the light
Touch the free end of the black (negative) wire to the negative terminal of the battery. Thus, the electrical circuit is complete and electricity can flow. The electricity will go through and eventually turn on the light.
Part 2 of 3: Using the Power Pack
Step 1. Prepare the power pack
The power pack must be on a flat, level surface. Connect the power pack to the power socket. Thus, the electric circuit obtains a steady supply of power. Connect the other end of the cable to the power pack.
Step 2. Connect the lights
Attach the light bulb to the fitting. After that, connect each pole of the power pack to one of the terminals of the lampholder. When both are connected, the light will turn on.
If the light does not come on, check that the poles are connected properly and that the power pack is plugged in and on
Step 3. Adjust the voltage
You can move the power pack's dial to change the voltage and show the change in brightness of the lamp as the voltage rises and falls. The light will dim when the voltage is lowered, and get brighter when the voltage is increased.
Part 3 of 3: Installing the Switch
Step 1. Cut one copper wire
Disconnect the power source from the electrical circuit before cutting the wires. You can cut the positive and negative poles. Use a special cable cutter tool to disconnect the wires in the circuit. A switch will allow you to control an electrical circuit regardless of its location on the circuit.
Cables that are still connected to the power source should not be cut. You should always disconnect the power source before cutting any part of the cable
Step 2. Use the cable to connect the battery and switch
After you cut 1 wire, attach it to the switch. The switch has 2 simple terminals. Connect the cable connected to the battery to one of the terminals of the switch.
Leave the other terminals alone for now
Step 3. Connect the switch with the light bulb
The second wire is used to connect the lampholder terminals to the second terminal of the switch. Thus, the electrical circuit is complete.
Unlike the previous experiment, your circuit has not been able to conduct electricity. For the light to turn on, you need to press the switch
Step 4. Press the switch
When the switch button is toggled, the circuit will open (break) and close (complete). Thus, the electric current in the circuit can be disconnected or connected. When the circuit is closed, the light will turn on.
Warning
- Make sure you are supervised by an adult while working on the project.
- The bulb will feel hot so don't touch it when it's on.
- Do not use more than 9-12 volts (direct current/DC) to avoid risk of electric shock (although alternating current/AC electricity is more dangerous than DC).
What you need
- Light bulb
- Light bulb fittings
- 2 different colored wires (use copper wires for best results)
- 9 volt battery
- Switch
