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How to Make a Parallel Circuit With 2 Switches

There are two basic ways to connect electrical devices, such as switches and bulbs, on a circuit: serial and parallel. In a serial circuit the electricity must flow through each device in a singular path. If any part of the path is broken, none of the devices will function. However, a parallel circuit allows more than one path for the electricity to flow, which means that even if one of the devices is broken or switched off, the other devices can still function. You can make a circuit in which two switches are in parallel, either of which may be turned on to light a lamp.

Things You'll Need

6 volt battery
6 volt miniature lamp
2 switches
3 feet insulated copper wiring
14 alligator clips
Wire cutter/stripper

Instructions

- 1
  Cut the wire into 14 pieces, each roughly six inches long.
- 2
  Strip the ends of each wire and attach them to the alligator clips.
- 3
  Clamp one end of the first wire to either terminal on the battery.
- 4
  Attach the second and third wires to the free end of the first wire that is attached to the battery.
- 5
  Connect the free ends of the second and third wires to the switches, each end going to its own separate switch.
- 6
  Attach the fourth and fifth wires to the other sides of the switches on their unused terminals ̵1; one wire per switch.
- 7
  Make a three way connection, attaching the fourth and fifth wires that are connected to the switches to one of the ends of the sixth wire.
- 8
  Attach the free end of the sixth wire to one side of the light bulb.
- 9
  Connect one end of the seventh wire to the other side of the light bulb.
- 10
  Connect the free end of the seventh wire to the negative terminal of the battery.

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