How To Make A Simple Electrical Circuit: 14 Steps (with Pictures)

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Make a Simple Electrical Circuit PDF download Download Article Explore this Article parts 1 Building a Simple Circuit with a Battery 2 Installing a Switch 3 Troubleshooting Your Circuit Other Sections Expert Q&A Video Tips and Warnings Things You'll Need Related Articles References Article Summary Co-authored by Richard Taylor

Last Updated: October 15, 2025 Fact Checked

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This article was co-authored by Richard Taylor. Richard Taylor is an Electrician and Owner of R H Taylor Electrical Services based in Vero Beach, Florida. Richard has over 35 years of professional experience. He and his team offer electrical installation, re-wiring, and repair services. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 1,029,875 times.

A circuit is a closed path that electrons flow along to provide power to your home and electronics.[1] A simple electric circuit contains a power source (battery), wires, and a resistor (light bulb). In a circuit, electrons flow from the battery, through the wires, and into the light bulb. When the bulb receives enough of these electrons it will light up. When constructed properly, you will be able to light your bulb with just a few simple steps.

Steps

Part 1 Part 1 of 3:

Building a Simple Circuit with a Battery

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  1. Step 1 Gather the necessary materials. 1 Gather the necessary materials. To build a simple circuit, you will need a power source, 2 insulated wires, a light bulb, and a light bulb holder. A power source can be any type of battery or battery pack.[2] The rest of the materials can be found at your local hardware store.
    • When choosing a light bulb, find one that is around 15-25 volts so a single battery can power them. [3]
    • To simplify the wire attachment process, use a battery snap with wires pre-attached and a 9-volt battery or battery pack. [4]
  2. Step 2 Strip the ends... 2 Strip the ends of the insulated wires. In order for your circuit to work properly, the wires need to be totally exposed so you must strip the ends. Using wire strippers, remove about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of the insulation from the ends of each wire.
    • If you don’t have wire strippers, you can carefully use scissors to cut off the insulation.
    • Be careful not to cut all the way through the wire. [5]
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  3. Step 3 Install batteries into the battery pack. 3 Install batteries into the battery pack. Depending on the type of batteries you are using, you may be able to skip this step. If you are using multiple batteries, you will need a power pack to hold the batteries. Push each battery in by the side taking care to put the positive and negative ends in the correct orientation.
  4. Step 4 Attach your wires to the battery pack. 4 Attach your wires to the battery pack. The wires will be conducting your electric current from the batteries to the light bulb. The easiest way to attach the wires is to use electrical tape. Attach the end of one wire to one side of the battery, making sure that the wire maintains contact with the metal of the battery. Repeat with the other wire on the other side of the battery.
    • Alternatively, if you are using a battery snap, snap the end onto the end of a 9-volt battery or the battery pack.
    • Use caution while building your circuit. Although unlikely, it is possible to get a very small shock if you touch the wire directly while attached to the battery. You can avoid this by only touching the insulated part of the wire or removing the batteries until you install the light bulb.
  5. Step 5 Fasten the other end of the wire to the metal screw of the bulb holder. 5 Fasten the other end of the wire to the metal screw of the bulb holder. Take the exposed metal end of each wire and bend it into a U-shape. Loosen each screw on the light bulb holder just enough to slip the U-shape of the wire around the screw. Each wire will be attached to its own screw. Tighten the screw, ensuring that the metal of the wires remains in contact with the screw.
  6. Step 6 Test your circuit. 6 Test your circuit. Screw the light bulb into its holder until it is tight. If your circuit is hooked up properly, the bulb should light up when fully screwed into its socket.
    • Light bulbs can heat up quickly so be careful when installing and removing the bulb.
    • If the bulb doesn’t light, check to make sure the wires are touching the ends of the battery and in contact with the metal of the screws.
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Part 2 Part 2 of 3:

Installing a Switch

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  1. Step 1 Gather the materials. 1 Gather the materials. To install the switch, you will need 3 pieces of wire instead of 2 as well as a simple switch. Once you strip the wires and get them attached to the battery pack you can proceed to install the switch.[6]
  2. Step 2 Install the switch. 2 Install the switch. Take the exposed metal end of one of the wires from the battery pack and bend it into a U-shape. Loosen the screw on the switch and slip the U-shape of the wire underneath. Tighten the screw making sure that the metal of the wire remains in contact with the screw.
  3. Step 3 Attach the extra third wire to the switch. 3 Attach the extra third wire to the switch. Bend each of the metal ends of the wire into a U-shape. Slip the U-shape under the second screw of the switch to attach it. Tighten the screw ensuring the metal of the screw stays in contact with the metal of the wire.[7]
  4. Step 4 Hook up the light bulb. 4 Hook up the light bulb. Take the end of each wire (one from the battery and one from the switch) and bend it into a U-shape. Loosen each screw on the light bulb holder just enough to slip the U-shape of the wire around the screw. Each wire will be attached to its own screw. Tighten the screw, ensuring that the wires remain in contact with the metal screw.[8]
  5. Step 5 Test your circuit. 5 Test your circuit. Screw the light bulb into its holder until it is tight. Flip the switch! If your circuit is hooked up properly, the bulb should light up when fully screwed into its socket.
    • Light bulbs can heat up quickly so be careful when installing and removing the bulb.
    • If the bulb doesn’t light, check to make sure the wires are touching the ends of the battery and in contact with the metal of the screws.[9]
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Part 3 Part 3 of 3:

Troubleshooting Your Circuit

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  1. Step 1 Make sure all of the wires are connected properly. 1 Make sure all of the wires are connected properly. In order to complete the circuit, all wires must be touching the metal parts of each component. If your bulb doesn’t light up, check each side of the battery and the screws on the bulb holder to make sure the wires are in contact with metal.[10]
    • Make sure screws are tightened down to maintain contact.
    • In some cases, you may need to strip more of the insulation off the wire.
  2. Step 2 Check the filament in your light bulb. 2 Check the filament in your light bulb. Your bulb will not light if the filament is broken. Hold the bulb up to the light and ensure the filament is one connected piece. Try replacing the bulb with a new one. If the bulb isn’t the problem, proceed to the next troubleshooting step.
  3. Step 3 Test the charge of the battery. 3 Test the charge of the battery. If the battery is dead or low on charge, it might not have enough power to light the bulb. Using a battery tester, check the charge or just replace the battery with a new one. If this was the problem, your bulb should light immediately after replacing the battery.[11]
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question Where can I find a battery pack? Bess Ruff, MA Bess Ruff, MA Environmental Scientist Bess Ruff is a Scientist based in Sydney, Australia. Her research interests and previous scientific experience include environmental science, geography, biotechnology, mariculture, marine spatial planning, stakeholder engagement, and spatial ecology. She is a Postdoctoral Researcher at University of Sydney and a Project Manager at Offshore Biotechnologies. Prior to her work in Sydney, Bess was a Postdoctoral Researcher for over 2 years at Florida State University. She received a PhD in Geography from Florida State University, with a doctoral dissertation entitled "Culturing a Sustainable Seafood Future: How Governance, Economics, and Society Are Driving the Global Marine Aquaculture Industry”. She received her MA in Environmental Science and Management from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2016. She has conducted survey work for marine spatial planning projects in the Caribbean and provided research support as a graduate fellow for the Sustainable Fisheries Group. Bess Ruff, MA Bess Ruff, MA Environmental Scientist Expert Answer You should be able to purchase a battery pack at your local hardware store. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 55 Helpful 69
  • Question Do I have to use a light bulb holder? Community Answer Community Answer You don't have to use the holder, but it will be simpler if you do. If you don't have one, try putting the positive wire on the bottom of the bulb and then put the negative on the side part. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 84 Helpful 231
  • Question If I don't have a battery pack what should I do? Community Answer Community Answer Use the black insulation tape to keep the batteries in place instead of a battery pack. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 84 Helpful 243
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Tips

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Warnings

  • Don't touch the light bulb when lit as it will be hot. Thanks Helpful 35 Not Helpful 8
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Things You'll Need

  • A battery
  • A battery holder
  • Wires
  • Light bulb
  • Light bulb holder
  • Electrical tape
  • Switch

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References

  1. ↑ https://byjus.com/physics/electric-circuit/
  2. ↑ https://www.scienceprojects.org/simple-electric-circuit/
  3. ↑ https://www.scienceprojects.org/simple-electric-circuit/
  4. ↑ https://www.scienceprojects.org/simple-electric-circuit/
  5. ↑ https://www.scienceprojects.org/simple-electric-circuit/
  6. ↑ https://education.theiet.org/primary/teaching-resources/how-to-make-a-simple-electrical-circuit
  7. ↑ https://education.theiet.org/primary/teaching-resources/how-to-make-a-simple-electrical-circuit
  8. ↑ https://education.theiet.org/primary/teaching-resources/how-to-make-a-simple-electrical-circuit
  9. ↑ https://education.theiet.org/primary/teaching-resources/how-to-make-a-simple-electrical-circuit
More References (2)
  1. ↑ https://learning-center.homesciencetools.com/article/circuit-science-projects-for-elementary/
  2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmaawaMMMI8

About This Article

Richard Taylor Co-authored by: Richard Taylor Electrician This article was co-authored by Richard Taylor. Richard Taylor is an Electrician and Owner of R H Taylor Electrical Services based in Vero Beach, Florida. Richard has over 35 years of professional experience. He and his team offer electrical installation, re-wiring, and repair services. This article has been viewed 1,029,875 times. 446 votes - 73% Co-authors: 61 Updated: October 15, 2025 Views: 1,029,875 Categories: Electrical Projects Article SummaryX

To make a simple electrical circuit with a battery, use wire strippers or scissors to strip the ends of a length of insulated wire, but do not cut all the way through the wire. Install your batteries in a battery pack, then attach your wires to the battery pack using a battery snap or electrical tape. Fasten the other end of the wire to the metal screw of the bulb holder. Screw the bulb tightly into the holder. If the circuit is properly connected, the bulb should light up! Keep reading to learn how to install a switch on your circuit! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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