Paper Circuits – Batteries in Series and Parallel

Batteries can be set up in series and in parallel just like LEDs. If you want to experiment with it, use these examples to get started. They both use two 3 Volt batteries but the way the batteries deliver power is different:

Batteries in Series

To set up batteries in series, connect the negative of the first battery to the positive of the second. Then connect positive of the first battery to the negative of the second. Connecting the batteries in this way doubles the voltage but keeps the amp hours (length of time the batteries can power something) the same.

Set up batteries in series so you can use lower voltage batteries to power something that need a higher voltage.

Batteries in Parallel

To set up batteries in parallel, connect the negative of the first battery to the negative of the second. Then connect the positive of the first battery to the positive of the second. Setting up batteries in this way increases the length of time the batteries can power something but the voltage remains the same.