Elenco Snaptricity&reg - Manual (Page 36)

Educational Corner:
-35-
Project #26
5V
Electric
Paths
If a circuit is given too much
voltage then its components
will be damaged. It is like
having the water in your faucet
come out at higher pressure
than you need, and it splashes
all over the room. If water in a
pipe is at too high of pressure
then the pipe may burst. Batteries can be selected to
give a circuit just the voltage it
needs. The electricity
produced by your electric
company comes at a higher
voltage, which must be
converted down for many
circuits.
5V
A
Snap the loose end of the red jumper wire to points A, B, C,
or D. Push the press switch (S2) to measure the voltage at
that point using the meter.
You can also connect the red jumper anywhere in the circuit
to measure the voltage there.
Operation
This circuit shows how the total voltage from the batteries
gets divided among the components in the circuit, which
are resisting the flow of electricity.
Description
Build the circuit and set the meter (M5) on the 5V setting.
Assembly
Triple Voltage Divider
B C D
Try to count how many
batteries are in your home.
Your count will probably be
low. Many products that
use your house power also
have batteries to retain
clock or programmed
information during brief
power outages (such as
computers).