How to Hook Lights in Parallel

Cut the electrical wire into several lengths at least six inches in length. This length will allow for easy connection to the light bulbs in a simple parallel circuit as indicated by Sciencefairadventure.com. Strip insulation from the ends of the electrical wire so adequate electrical connections can be made between bare wires, light bulbs and battery.

Wrap the bare end of a red wire around the stem of the light bulb as stated by Sciencefairadventure.com. Similarly, wrap the bare end black electrical wire around the stem of the light bulb. Cut a length of electrical tape and wrap the stem of the bulb in order to secure the connection of the electrical wire to the stem of the bulb. Repeat this process for all bulbs you wish to have in the parallel circuit.

Insert the bare ends of two segments of red electrical wire into a wire nut along with the unattached end of the red electrical wire coming from the light bulb. The article Electrical Basics: Skill Set published by "Popular Mechanics" shows that twisting the nut when all of the wires are inserted will secure the electrical connection. Repeat this process taking two segments of black electrical wire and the unattached end of the black wire coming from the light bulb.

Connect a second light bulb by using a wire nut to connect the unattached bare ends of red and black wire coming from the wire nut from the first light bulb to the corresponding red and black wire leads going to the second light bulb. By making this type of connection it is the beginning of a parallel pathway or circuit where each light has its own direct path to the positive and negative terminals of a battery says Berkeleypoint.com. Secure these connections using wire nuts in the same manner as the previous step. If additional lights are desired in the circuit, repeat this step connecting the bare ends of the black and red wires leading from the wire nut of the second bulb using the same method. Continue this until all lights desired are connected.

Connect the remaining unattached end of the red wire leading to the first wire nut and connect it to the positive terminal of a dry cell battery. This can be accomplished by securely inserting the bare end of the red wire into the coil at the positive battery terminal. Connect the remaining unattached end of the black wire leading to the first wire nut to the negative battery terminal by taping it to the battery terminal bolt. This creates a closed electrical conducting path extending from the positive to negative battery terminal according to Physicsclassroom.com and the circuit will illuminate all of the lights in parallel.