How to Make a Simple Circuit With D Batteries

Make a simple circuit with D-Cell batteries.

A simple circuit comprises three different components. A power source (in this case D-cell batteries), an output device, and connectors between the power source and the output device. Each D-cell is rated at 1.5 volts, so to make this simple circuit, we will be working with a minimum of 2 of them, but adding more into the circuit can boost the voltage to whatever is desired. However, just remember that the output device cannot be rated at a lower voltage than the power source, or it will burn out.

Things You'll Need

• D-cell batteries; 2 for this application, but as many as is needed for your own application
• 3 volt incandescent flashlight bulb
• Duct tape
• Scissors
• Hobby wire, any gauge, 10 inches long
• Wire stripper

Instructions

1. Place one battery on top of another with the bottom battery positive terminal touching the top battery negative terminal.

2. Duct tape them firmly together using your scissors to cut the duct tape into usable lengths. Wrap the tape around the batteries but make sure both the top and the bottom remain uncovered.

3. Strip the hobby wire on both ends using a wire stripper. Allow a good 1/2-inch worth of bare copper wire to be exposed.

4. Tape one stripped end of the wire to the bottom flat plate of the battery. Make sure there is a solid connection between wire and metal plate.

5. Hold the light bulb in your hand and press the bottom button on the bulb onto the protruding positive tab on the upper battery. Incandescent flashlight batteries will have a small little protrusion or "button" on the bottom which attaches to one of the wires inside of the glass bulb. Keep it firmly in place.

6. Grab the wire that is attached to the negative terminal of the bottom battery and touch the exposed copper wire to the metallic side of the light bulb. Hold the bulb in place on the upper battery tab when doing this. The metallic side of the light bulb connects to the other side of the wire, as explained in step 5. By touching the positive tab on the battery to the light bulb button, and then touching the wire from the negative terminal to the side of the bulb, you will have just completed a simple circuit.

References

• Can-Do: Electricity-Simple Circuits
• Thank Quest Library: Circuits