Instructions

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PARALLEL CIRCUIT:
A parallel circuit is when the pathway splits into two or more
branches, with a Beacon located on each branch. In the illustration
below, current ows through both branches and lights both Beacons.
Parallel Circuit – 2 Beacons will light
SHORT CIRCUIT BYPASS IN PARALLEL CIRCUIT AVOID THIS!:
If a Beacon (LED/resistor) is located in one branch of a parallel circuit
but not the other branch, the current will bypass the Beacon and ow
only in the unrestricted branch of the circuit. This is bad. It creates a
short circuit condition that will heat up your batteries. If you create a
short circuit, remove one of the power supply tokens. See example 3
on page 2.
Beacon in parallel with bypass metal strip – Beacon does not light
SHORT CIRCUIT AVOID THIS!:
A short circuit is a pathway of metal strips with an unrestricted
connection from the (+) end of the Power Supply directly to the (–)
end of the Power Supply, without passing through an LED/resistor. In
this situation, too much current will ow and the batteries will get hot.
This is bad. Immediately remove one of the tokens to break the circuit.
See examples 1 & 2 on page 2.
Short Circuit – there is no beacon to light
SERIES CIRCUIT:
A series circuit is when two or more Beacons are located on the same
pathway, one after another. In the illustration below, current ows
through and lights both LEDs.
Series Circuit – 2 Beacons will light