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How to Plan Electrical Circuits

Electrical circuits are the foundation of the modern world, building the backbone of everything from telephones and speakers to computers and the internet. An essential part of creating your own circuit is planning it out to make sure that it will fit with the physical constraints of where the circuit will be placed, that it will meet your needs and that you will have a plan to consult when purchasing and building your circuit. Just as you wouldn't start a long trip without a map, you shouldn't start building an electrical circuit without a plan.

Things You'll Need

Graph paper
Pencil
Tape measure

Instructions

- 1
  Identify the objective of your circuit. Are you lighting a room, building an amplifier or constructing a radio? This will determine the parts you need as well as the physical constraints by which the layout will have to abide.
- 2
  Review the symbols used in drawing electrical schematics if you don't know them already. These symbols are the language of electronics in the same way that sheet music is the language of music, and just as you need to know the notes to write a symphony, you need to learn how schematics work to plan and create an electrical circuit.
- 3
  Draw out the circuit on a piece of quadrille or graph paper. Use lines for the wires and the appropriate symbols for each component. If you are designing a circuit for a house, make sure it is within the building code for your area.
- 4
  Review the schematics to make sure the design is safe and that it will fit in the wall, box or circuit board for which it is intended. You will need to know the dimensions of your components and the lengths of the wires you are using. These may be included in the packaging, or you might need to measure them.
- 5
  Refer to the schematic frequently while constructing your circuit to make sure you're staying on track.

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