Circuit Diagrams

Often electrical circuits are very complex which can make them difficult to
draw. For this reason we use electrical symbols to simplify the process as
shown in the diagram below.

Below is a list of equipment that you may use when constructing electrical
circuits. Copy the symbols from the board. These symbols are used in order
to draw diagrams of electrical circuits. When drawing electrical circuits you
must always use a pencil and ruler.

EQUIPMENT SYMBOL EQUIPMENT SYMBOL

Connecting wire Light globe

2 wires crossing
over one another Ammeter

Resistor Voltmeter

2 wires joined
Battery (single together
cell)

Battery (two cells Switch closed

in series)

Motor Switch open

Fuse
ACTIVITY 1: DRAWING ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS

Using the electrical symbols above, draw circuit diagrams in the spaces
provided to suit these descriptions. REMEMBER: ALWAYS USE A PENCIL
AND RULER.

Circuit 1 contains a battery connected to an ammeter and two light globes.

Between the light globes is a switch and it is on.

Circuit 2 contains a battery, an ammeter, one light globe and an open switch.

Circuit 3 contains a battery, an ammeter and three light globes. Between the
first and second globe is a switch and the ammeter. The switch is closed.
Circuit 4 contains a battery and an open switch. The circuit also contains
three globes and an ammeter. The ammeter is next to the switch. One globe
is next to the switch and two next to the ammeter.

Series and Parallel Circuits

Electrical circuits can fall into one of two categories. They can be wired in
series or in parallel.

Series = a circuit in which the electricity can only follow one path

Parallel = a circuit in which the electricity is given several choices of paths to

follow.
ACTIVITY 2: SERIES AND PARALLEL CIRCUITS

QUESTION 1: Explain the difference between a series circuit and a parallel

circuit.

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QUESTION 2:

EQUIPMENT NEEDED: 1 x Battery Pack, 3 x light globes, 4 x connecting

wires.

1. Collect the equipment listed above and set up a simple series circuit
so as to make two light bulbs glow.
2. In the space below draw a circuit diagram using appropriate graphics
and symbols.

3. Add a third light globe in series with the other two. Describe what
happens and attempt to explain this outcome using your understanding
of potential difference, current and resistance (If you do not remember
these terms look back over your notes from last lesson).

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 4. Turn the power off and then unscrew one of the bulbs from the circuit.
Turn the power back on and observe what happens to the light globes.
Explain what happens and describe why this happens.

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QUESTION 3:

EQUIPMENT NEEDED: 1 x battery pack, 3 x light globes, connecting wires

1. Collect the equipment listed above and set up a circuit so that two light
globes are in parallel.
2. In the space below draw a circuit diagram of this parallel setup using
appropriate graphics and symbols.

3. Add a third light globe in parallel with the other two. Describe what
happens and attempt to explain this outcome using your understanding
of potential difference, current and resistance (Remember to look over
your notes from last lesson).

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4. Turn the power off and then unscrew one of the bulbs from the circuit
(it does not matter which one you select). Turn the power back on and
observe what happens to the light globes. Explain what happens and
describe why this happens.

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 5. If you were an electrician wiring the lighting in a new house. Would
you connect them in series or in parallel? Explain your answer.

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ACTIVITY 3: ELECTRICAL SWITCHES

Use the circuit shown below to answer the questions which follow it.

1. Which switch(es) must be closed for globes P and Q only to light up?

2. What minimum number of switches must be closed for a current to flow

in part of this circuit?

3. If globe U is on, what other globes must also be on?

4. What globes will light up if switches A, D and F are closed?

5. Can you close switches so that only globes R, S and Q will be on?
Explain.

6. If all the switches are closed, which globes will be on?

ACTIVITY 4: WEBSITES
When you have completed all of the questions above have a look at the
following websites.

• To review diagrams of a complete circuit…

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks3bitesize/science/physics/electricity_2.shtml

• To review diagram of a circuit diagram…

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks3bitesize/science/physics/electricity_3.shtml

• To look what happens with a short circuit (wire with no component)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/edexcel/electricityintheory/
voltagecurrentresistancerev2.shtml

• To look at circuit diagrams for parallel and series circuits and what
happens when a light blows.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks3bitesize/science/physics/electricity_4.shtml