Elenco Snaptricity® - Manual (Page 8)

-7-
DO’s and DON’Ts of Building Circuits
After building the circuits given in this booklet, you may wish to
experiment on your own. Use the projects in this booklet as a guide, as
many important design concepts are introduced throughout them. Every
circuit will include a power source (the batteries), a resistance (which
might be a lamp, motor, electromagnet, etc.), and wiring paths between
them and back.
You must be careful not to create “short circuits” (very
low-resistance paths across the batteries, see examples below) as this
will damage components and/or quickly drain your batteries.
ELENCO ®
is not responsible for parts damaged due to incorrect wiring.
Here are some important guidelines:
ALWAYS use eye protection when experimenting on your own.
ALWAYS include at least one component that will limit the current
through a circuit, such as a lamp, motor, or electromagnet.
ALWAYS use the meter and switches in conjunction with other
components that will limit the current through them. Failure
to do so will create a short circuit and/or damage those
parts.
ALWAYS disconnect your batteries immediately and check your wiring
if something appears to be getting hot.
ALWAYS check your wiring before turning on a circuit.
NEVER connect to an electrical outlet in your home in any way.
NEVER leave a circuit unattended when it is turned on.
NEVER touch the motor when it is spinning at high speed.
For all of the projects given in this book, the parts may be arranged in
different ways without changing the circuit. For example, the order of
parts connected in series or in parallel does not matter — what matters
is how combinations of these sub-circuits are arranged together.
Examples of SHORT CIRCUITS - NEVER DO THESE!!!
You are encouraged to tell us about new circuits you create. If they are
unique, we will post them with your name and state on our website at
www.snapcircuits.net/kidkreations.htm. Send your suggestions to
ELENCO
® : [email protected].
ELENCO ® provides a circuit designer so that you can make your own
Snap Circuits ® drawings. This Microsoft ® Word document can be
downloaded from www.snapcircuits.net/SnapDesigner.doc or
through the www.snapcircuits.net web site.
WARNING: SHOCK HAZARD - Never connect your
Snaptricity ® set to the electrical outlets in your home in any way!
Placing a 3-snap wire directly across
the batteries is a SHORT CIRCUIT.
This is also a
SHORT CIRCUIT.
When the switch (S5)
is turned on, this large
circuit has a SHORT
CIRCUIT path (as
shown by the arrows).
The short circuit
prevents any other
portions of the circuit
from ever working.
NEVER
DO!
!
!
NEVER
DO!
!
NEVER
DO!
!
NEVER
DO!