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Voltage: Parallel and Series Circuits (2019)
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Voltage: Parallel and Series Circuits (2019)

Power Panels

Managing Parallel Circuits

Parallel circuit configurations allow you to deliver the same voltage to multiple paths in a circuit at the same time. This technique is used extensively in robotics. Organizing all these connections and keeping them reliable under real world conditions are critically important.

In this lesson, you will use a terminal block to manage and secure a large number of parallel electrical connections simultaneously.

Power Panel
Power Panel

Mini Project Terminal Block Introduction

Gather the following parts:
  • Terminal Block Terminal Block
  • Nuts and Bolts Nuts and Bolts
  • Multimeter Multimeter
Project Goals:
  • Learn how the terminal block works
  • Assemble own terminal block

A terminal block is a exactly what it sounds like: a block with terminals (connectors) on it.

Terminal Block
Terminal Block

Some of the terminals are connected to each other by conductors inside the block. Use your multimeter to figure out which ones.

Draw a map showing which connector terminals are electrically connected to each other (and which aren't).

Terminal Block Sketch
Terminal Block Sketch

How To: Test Terminal Block Connectivity

Follow along with this module to test the terminal block's connectivity.

Click to reveal steps
Testing Wires with a Multimeter: Required items and tools

To begin testing wires, you will need the following:

  • Digital Multimeter Digital Multimeter
Checking Continuity

A multimeter can be used to test for an unbroken electrical connection between two points. Something with no breaks is called "continuous", so this process is called "continuity" testing.

Selecting Continuity Testing Function

The continuity testing function of the multimeter tests for electrical continuity between two points that you touch the multimeter's leads to.

Tip: If there is a continuous connection, the multimeter will make a beep sound, so the icon for this mode usually looks like a "sound waves" symbol.

  • Some multimeters do not include this feature. If yours does not, follow the steps below but use the lowest-value Resistance test feature (Ω) on your multimeter instead, and instead of a beep, look for a resistance value of zero or near zero to be shown on the screen.
Safety Notice

The continuity tester does not work on circuits that have power running through them. Disconnect power from the portion of the circuit you are testing and test the parts individually. The multimeter may be damaged if you attempt to use this feature on a powered circuit.

Step 1: Plug black lead into multimeter

Plug the black lead of the multimeter into the COM terminal.

Step 2: Plug red lead into multimeter

Plug the red lead of the multimeter into the terminal with one of the following icons next to it:

  • Continuity Symbol Continuity Symbol
  • Ohms Symbol Resistance (Ohms) Symbol
  • Voltage (Volts) Symbol Voltage (Volts) Symbol
  • Diodes Symbol Diodes Symbol

Tip: The continuity test feature is electrically similar to several other multimeter functions, so it usually shares a plug and a spot on the dial with one of them. Different multimeters have it share with different modes.

Step 3: Turn dial to Continuity Testing setting

Turn the dial to the connectivity testing setting.

Step 4: Touch leads together

Touch the metal parts of the multimeter leads together. The multimeter should make a sound while they are in contact (because the two leads are electrically connected to each other).

  • If no sound is played, check your connections and try again.
Step 5: Touch the leads to a pair of terminals

Touch the two leads to the ends of the terminals you want to test. If you hear a sound, it means that there is a continuous electrical path between those two points.

  • This means there is no connection between the two points. Try other pairs of terminals.
  • This either means you are trying to test for continuity across a component like an LED that cannot be tested using this mode (use Diode test mode instead), or it means the connection is loose.
  • There may be some interference in the block and may need to be replaced.
Step 6: Turn dial to Off

Turn the multimeter dial back to the OFF position when you are done.

Check Your Understanding

Which of these terminals should the BLACK lead of the multimeter be plugged into for a continuity test?
Hover over parts of the image and click to select
  • 200mA to 10A current terminal
  • COM terminal
  • V/?/Hz/uA/mA/°C terminal
Which terminal should the RED lead be plugged into for this multimeter?
Hover over parts of the image and click to select
  • 200mA to 10A current terminal
  • COM terminal
  • V/?/Hz/uA/mA/°C terminal
Which terminal should the RED lead be plugged into for this multimeter?
Hover over parts of the image and click to select
  • 200mA to 10A current terminal
  • The selected terminal only receives the red lead, to measure capacitance, temperature, hFE and 0.001mA to 200mA current.
  • Return terminal for all measurements
  • Voltage, resistance, frequency, diode, and continuity test terminal

Terminal Block Check Your Sketch

Check Your Sketches

The terminal block in this lesson connects pairs of screw terminals to each other. They do not connect diagonally, or "down" the long side.

  • Underneath the block, you can see that each pair is seperated horizontally.

Mini Project Terminal Block Introduction (continuation)

Mount the terminal block to a piece of cardboard or foamcore by using mounting screws and nuts

Notice that the mounting screws, while metal, do not touch any of the other metal parts of the circuit. They are only there to physically hold the block to the surface it is mounted on.

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