Elenco Snap Circuits reg Home Learning User Manual

AGES

8 & up

Copyright © 2014 by ELENCO®All rights reserved. No part of this book shall be reproduced by 753043
any means; electronic, photocopying, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher.

Patents 7,144,255, 7,273,377; & other patents pending

Table of Contents

Basic Troubleshooting 1

Parts List 2

How to Use It 3

DO’s and DON’Ts of Building Circuits 4

Advanced Troubleshooting 5

WARNING TO ALL PARTS WITH A SYMBOL - Moving parts. Do not touch the motor or fan during operation.

!

Do not lean over the motor. Do not launch the fan at people, animals, or objects. Eye protection is

WARNING: SHOCK HAZARD - Never connect Snap Circuits®to the

electrical outlets in your home in any way!

WARNING: Always check your wiring

before turning on a circuit. Never leave a
circuit unattended while the batteries are
installed. Never connect additional
batteries or any other power sources to
your circuits. Discard any cracked or
broken parts.

Snap Circuits®Electricity 101 is a tool for opening the exciting world of electronics.
Following the Learn by Doing®concept, electronics will be easy to understand by building
circuits as you learn about them. This book emphasizes the practical applications of
electronics, without bogging down in mathematics. This book is as much about science as
about electronics. It will take about 3 hours to complete this book.

Why should you learn about electronics? Electronics plays an important and increasing
role in our everyday lives, and so some basic knowledge of it is good for everyone. Learning
about it teaches how to do scientific investigation, and the activities develop basic skills
needed in today’s world.

!

Adult Supervision: Because children’s

abilities vary so much, even with age
groups, adults should exercise discretion
as to which experiments are suitable and
safe (the instructions should enable
supervising adults to establish the
experiment’s suitability for the child).

Basic Troubleshooting

1. Most circuit problems are due to incorrect assembly, always double-check that your circuit
exactly matches the drawing for it.

Be sure that parts with positive/negative markings are positioned as per the drawing.

2.

3. Be sure that all connections are securely snapped.

4. Try replacing the batteries.

ELENCO®is not responsible for parts damaged due to incorrect wiring.

Note: If you suspect you have damaged parts, you can follow the Advanced Troubleshooting

procedure on page 6 to determine which ones need replacing.

Summary of Parts & Circuit Diagram Symbols

Activity Listings 9

Activities 1 - 30 10 - 37

Vocabulary 38-40

End of Unit Test 41-43

WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD

!

parts. Not for children under 3 years.

Make sure your child reads and follows all
of the relevant instructions and safety
procedures, and keeps them at hand for
reference.

This product is intended for use by adults
and children who have attained sufficient

!

•

Use only 1.5V AA type, alkaline batteries (not incl.).

• Insert batteries with correct polarity.

• Non-rechargeable batteries should not be
recharged. Rechargeable batteries should only be
charged under adult supervision, and should not be
recharged while in the product.

• Do not mix alkaline, standard (carbon-zinc), or
rechargeable (nickel-cadmium) batteries.

• Do not mix old and new batteries.

• Remove batteries when they are used up.

• Do not short circuit the battery terminals.

• Never throw batteries in a fire or attempt to open its
outer casing.

• Batteries are harmful if swallowed, so keep away
from small children.

!

- Small

maturity to read and follow directions and
warnings.

Never modify your parts, as doing so may
disable important safety features in them,
and could put your child at risk of injury.

Batteries:

6-8

Conforms to all applicable US

government requirements.

Meets academic standards

for elementary science.

-1-

Parts List (Colors and styles may vary) Symbols and Numbers

Important: If any parts are missing or damaged, DO NOT RETURN TO RETAILER. Call toll-free [phone] or e-mail us at:

[e-mail]. Customer Service • 150 Carpenter Ave. • Wheeling, IL 60090 U.S.A.

Qty. ID Name Symbol Part # Qty. ID Name Symbol Part #

r 1

r 2

r 2

r 1

r 1

r 1

r 1
r 1

r 1
r 1

2

3

4

5

6

M1

M3

Base Grid
(11.0” x 7.7”)

2-Snap Wire 6SC02

3-Snap Wire 6SC03

4-Snap Wire 6SC04

5-Snap Wire 6SC05

6-Snap Wire 6SC06

Motor
Fan Blade

Electromagnet
Iron Core Rod

6SCBG

6SCM1

6SCM1F

6SCM3

6SCM3B

r 1

r 1

r 1

r 1

r 1

r 1

r 1

r 1

D1

L1

B1

SP

U1

Q2

R1

R5

Red Light Emitting
Diode (LED)

2.5V Lamp

Battery Holder ­2 1.5V type AA (not included)

Speaker 6SCSP

Music
Integrated Circuit

NPN Transistor 6SCQ2

100Ω Resistor 6SCR1

100kΩ Resistor 6SCR5

uses

(STANDING)

6SCD1

6SCL1

6SCB1

6SCU1

r 1

r 1

r 1

S1

S2

RP

Slide Switch 6SCS1

Press Switch 6SCS2

Photoresistor 6SCRP

r 1

r 1

Jumper Wire (Black) 6SCJ1

Jumper Wire (Red) 6SCJ2

You may order additional / replacement parts at our
website: www.snapcircuits.net

-2-

How to Use It

®

Snap Circuits
simple to build and understand.

The Snap Circuits®kit uses building blocks with snaps to
build the different electrical and electronic circuits in the
projects. Each block has a function: there are switch blocks,
lamp blocks, battery blocks, different length wire blocks, etc.
These blocks are in different colors and have numbers on
them so that you can easily identify them. The circuit you will
build is shown in color and with numbers, identifying the
blocks that you will use and snap together to form a circuit.

For Example:

This is the switch block which is green and has the marking

on it as shown in the drawings.

S1

Please note that the drawing doesn’t reflect the real switch
block exactly (it is missing the ON and OFF markings), but
gives you the general idea of which part is being used in the
circuit.

Electricity 101 has 30 projects. They are

To build each circuit, you have a power source block number

B1

that needs two (2) “AA” batteries (not included with the

Snap Circuits®kit).

A large clear plastic base grid is included with this kit to help
keep the circuit blocks properly spaced. You will see evenly
spaced posts that the different blocks snap into. You do not
need this base to build your circuits, but it does help in
keeping your circuit together neatly. The base has rows
labeled A-G and columns labeled 1-10.

Next to each part in every circuit drawing is a small number
in black. This tells you which level the component is placed
at. Place all parts on level 1 first, then all of the parts on
level 2, then all of the parts on level 3, etc.

Place the fan on the motor whenever that part is used,
unless the project you are building says not to use it.

Some circuits use the jumper wires to make unusual
connections. Just clip them to the metal snaps or as
indicated.

M1

This is a wire block which is blue and comes in different wire
lengths.
This one has the number , , , , or on it
depending on the length of the wire connection required.

-3-

2 3 4 5 6

Note: While building the projects, be careful not to
accidentally make a direct connection across the battery
holder (a “short circuit”), as this may damage and/or quickly
drain the batteries.

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 resistor, lamp, motor, integrated circuit, 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. Only

connect the IC using configuration given in the projects, incorrectly doing
so may damage it. 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 the speaker, lamp, electromagnet,
music IC (which must be connected properly), motor,
photoresistor, or resistor.

ALWAYS use the LED 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.

Examples of SHORT CIRCUITS - NEVER DO THESE!!!

Placing a 3-snap wire directly
across the batteries is a
SHORT CIRCUIT.

This is also a

SHORT CIRCUIT.

!

NEVER

DO!

When the slide switch (S1) 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!

ALWAYS connect the music IC using configurations given in the

projects or as per the connection descriptions for it.

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.

!

!

NEVER

DO!

(STANDING)

WARNING: SHOCK HAZARD - Never connect your Snap

Circuits®set to the electrical outlets in your home in any way!

NEVER

DO!

-4-

Advanced Troubleshooting

(Adult supervision recommended)

ELENCO®is not responsible for parts damaged due to incorrect
wiring.

If you suspect you have damaged parts, you can follow
this procedure to systematically determine which ones
need replacing:

1. 2.5V lamp (L1), motor (M1), speaker (SP), and battery holder

(B1): Place batteries in holder. Place the 2.5V lamp directly

across the battery holder, it should light. Do the same with the
motor (motor + to battery +), it should spin to the right at high
speed. “Tap” the speaker across the batttery holder contacts,
you should hear static as it touches. If none work then replace
your batteries and repeat, if still bad then the battery holder is
damaged.

2. Jumper wires: Use this mini­circuit to test each jumper
wire, the lamp should light.

6.

Music IC (U1): Build the circuit

shown here. Turn it on and the LED
(D1) flickers for a while and stops, it
should resume if you spin the motor
(M1) or push the press switch (S2).

7.

NPN transistor (Q2), 100kΩresistor (R5), and Photoresistor
(RP): Build the mini-circuit shown here. The LED (D2) should

only be on if the press switch (S2) is pressed; if otherwise then
the NPN is damaged.

• Replace the 100Ω resistor (R1)
with the 100kΩ resistor (R5). The
LED should light when the press
switch is pressed; otherwise the
100kΩ resistor is damaged.

• Replace the 100kΩ resistor with the photoresistor. The LED
should light when the press switch is pressed and there is
light on the photoresistor; otherwise the photoresistor is
damaged.

3.

Snap wires: Use this mini-

circuit to test each of the snap
wires, one at a time. The lamp
should light.

4. Slide switch (S1) and Press switch (S2): Build activity 1, if
the lamp (L1) doesn’t light then the slide switch is bad. Replace
the slide switch with the press switch to test it.

100Ωresistor (R1) and LED (D1): Build activity 6 except

5.
initially use the speaker (SP) in place of the LED, you will hear
static if the resistor is good. Then replace the speaker with the
LED and see that it lights.

-5-

8.

Electromagnet (M3): Use the circuit for activity 18, and place

the iron core rod in the electromagnet. When you push the press
switch (S2), a metal paperclip or small iron nail should be
attracted to the iron core rod; if no attraction then the
electromagnet is damaged.

ELENCO

®

150 Carpenter Avenue

Wheeling, IL 60090 U.S.A.

Phone: [phone] • Fax: [phone]

e-mail: [e-mail] • Website: www.elenco.com

You may order additional / replacement parts at:

www.snapcircuits.net

Summary of Parts & Circuit Diagram Symbols

Produces electrical energy using a chemical reaction. The larger terminal
(on the left) is positive (+). A single cell is often called a battery, but strictly

Dry Cell

2 Cell Battery (B1)

a battery is two or more cells joined together.

Batteries supply electrical energy. A battery is more than one cell.

Wire

(2, 3, 4, 5, & 6 snap

wires, red and

black jumper wires)

Wires joined

Wires not joined

Used to pass current very easily from one part of a circuit to another. A 3­snap wire is shown here.

A ‘blob’ should be drawn where wires are connected (joined), but it is
sometimes omitted. Wires connected at ‘crossroads’ should be staggered
slightly to form two T-junctions, as shown on the right.

In complex diagrams it is often necessary to draw wires crossing even
though they are not connected. Often the ‘bridge’ symbol shown on the right
is used because the simple crossing on the left may be misread as a join
where you have forgotten to add a ‘blob’!

-6-

Summary of Parts & Circuit Diagram Symbols

A transducer that converts electrical energy to light. It contains a special wire
that glows bright when a large electric current passes through it. The upper
symbol is used for a lamp providing illumination, for example a car headlamp

Lamp (L1)

or flashlight bulb.

LED (D1)

Light Emitting

Diode

Resistor

(R1 100Ωand R5

100kΩ)

Photoresistor

(RP)

On-Off Switch

(S1)

A transducer that converts electrical energy to light.

A resistor restricts the flow of current through a
circuit.

A resistor whose value changes as light shines on it.

A mechanical switch that allows current to flow only
when it is in the closed (on) position.

Press Switch

(push-to-connect

S2)

-7-

A push switch allows current to flow only when the
button is pressed.

Summary of Parts & Circuit Diagram Symbols

A transducer that converts electrical energy to kinetic energy

Motor (M1)

Speaker (SP)

Music

Integrated Circuit

(U1)

Music IC

(motion).

A transducer that converts electrical energy to sound. An
electrical signal creates mechanical vibrations, which create
variations in air pressure, which travel across the room to
your ears.

A module that converts electrical energy to Music. It
contains a specialized sound-generation circuit with
resistors, capacitors, and transistors. The descriptions
for the music IC module is given here for those
interested, see the projects for connection examples:

Music IC:

(+)

TRG

(–)

(+) - power from batteries
(–) - power return to batteries

HLD

OUT - output connection
HLD - hold control input
TRG - trigger control input

Music for ~20 sec on power-up, then hold HLD to (+) power

OUT

or touch TRG to (+) power to resume music.

Electromagnet

(M3)

with Iron Core

Rod

NPN Transistor

(Q2)

A coil of wire, which acts like a magnet when an electric current
flows through it. Placing an iron bar inside increases the
magnetic effects.

A device that switches or amplifies electrical current.

-8-

Activities Listing

Activity # Description Page #

1 Electric Light and Switch 10

2 Motor and Switch 12

3 Lamp and Fan in Series 13

4 Lamp and Fan in Parallel 14

5

6 Light Emitting Diode 16

7 One Direction for the LED 17

8 Conduction Detector 18

9 Morse Code 19

10 Flying Saucer 20

11 Decreasing Lift 20

12 Two-Speed Fan 21

13 Musical Doorbell 22

14 Musical Alarm 23

15 Happy Birthday with Light 24

16 Spinning Rings 25

17 Strobe the House Lights 25

18 The Electromagnet 26

19 This OR That OR Both 27

20 This AND That 28

21 Music AND Gate 29

22 Neither This NOR That 30

23 NOT This AND That 30

24 Reflection Detector 31

25 Math Game 32

26 LED Night Light 33

27 Motor Running LED 34

28 Light Activator 35

29 Sounds, Light, and Motion 36

30 Simple Water Alarm 37

Lamp, Speaker, and Fan in Parallel

15

Objectives: As a result of completion of activities 1 - 30 in this kit, students will:

• Understand basic information about electricity as a form of energy

• Control the flow of electricity through a number of circuits and devices

• Identify the path of electricity through a circuit

• Identify the parts of a circuit

• Repair a non-functioning circuit

• Transform electrical energy into light, sound, and motion

• Identify series and parallel circuits

• Determine if materials are conductors of electricity or insulators

• Observe the effect of resistance on the brightness of a bulb or LED

• Study the motion of a motor

• Produce and study sound from a speaker

• Draw and label circuit diagrams

• Build a Morse Code sender (telegraph using light instead of sound)

• Send and receive messages in Morse code, and decode messages received

• Observe the effect of fluorescent light on a spinning disc

• Observe the effect of electricity on a temporary magnet (electromagnet)

• Use a transistor to switch devices on or off

• Make a circuit that detects the presence of water

• Have a better understanding of the scientific method of investigation

-9-

Activity 1

Electric Light and Switch

Materials List

Quantity Description

2 2-Snap Wires
1 3-Snap Wire
1 Battery Holder (B1) with 2 AA batteries (not included)
1 Lamp (L1)
1 Slide Switch (S1)

Assembly

Build the circuit shown on the left by placing the parts with a black 1 next to
them on the board first. Then add the parts with a 2. Install two AA type
batteries (not included) in the holder (B1).

Operation

What happens when you close the switch (turn it on)?

What happens when you open the switch (turn it off)?

Now build this circuit with some of the same parts (lower circuit drawing).

What do the two circuits have in common?

How can you tell when electricity is flowing through the circuit?

Explain how the switch works.

What could you do to open and close this circuit without a switch?

Give two examples of switches used in everyday life.

1.

2.

-10-

Use the circuit diagram symbols to draw the two circuits you have made on the previous page.

Diagram 1

Tell why these three circuits will not light the lamp, then explain a way to fix the circuits.
A. B. C.

Diagram 2

Circuit A will not light the bulb because

_______________________________

Repair by: _______________________

_______________________________

-11-

Circuit B will not light the bulb because

_______________________________

Repair by: _______________________

_______________________________

Circuit C will not light the bulb because

_______________________________

Repair by: _______________________

_______________________________

Activity 2

Motor and Switch

Use the circuit diagram symbols to draw the circuit shown below.

Circuit Diagram

Materials List

Quantity Description

2 2-Snap Wires
1 3-Snap Wire
1 Battery Holder (B1)
1 Motor (M1) and Fan Blade
1 Slide Switch (S1)

Assembly

Build the circuit pictured on the left by placing all parts with a black 1 next
to them on the board first. Then assemble the parts with a black 2. Place
the motor (M1) with the “+” side as shown.

+

WARNING: Moving parts. Do not touch

!

the fan or motor during operation.

WARNING: Do not lean over the motor.

!

Operation

What happens when you close the switch (turn it on)?

What happens when you open the switch (turn it off)?

What is the electrical energy changed into?

How is this circuit similar to the lamp circuit in Activity 1?

Think of several examples of tools or toys powered by a motor.

-12-

Activity 3

Lamp and Fan in Series

Use the circuit diagram symbols to draw the circuit shown below.

Circuit Diagram

Materials List

Quantity Description

2 3-Snap Wires
1 Battery Holder (B1)
1 Lamp (L1)
1 Motor (M1) and Fan Blade
1 Slide Switch (S1)

Assembly

Build the circuit pictured on the left. Place all the parts with the black 1 next
to them on the board first, then the parts with the black 2.

Operation

What happens when you close the switch?

What happens when you open the switch?

-13-

WARNING: Moving parts. Do not touch

!

the fan or motor during operation.

Remove the lamp. What happens?

Put the lamp back in. Open the switch. Take the fan off the motor. Close the
switch. Describe What happens.

The circuits in Activity 1, 2, and 3 were series circuits. In a series circuit all
of the parts are placed on the board one after the other.

WARNING: Do not lean over the motor.

!

Activity 4

Lamp and Fan in Parallel

+

WARNING: Moving parts. Do not touch

!

the fan or motor during operation.

WARNING: Do not

!

lean over the motor.

Materials List

Quantity Description

1 2-Snap Wire
1 3-Snap Wire
1 4-Snap Wire
1 Battery Holder (B1)
1 Lamp (L1)
1 Motor (M1) and Fan Blade
1 Slide Switch (S1)

Assembly

Build the circuit shown.

Operation

What happens when you close the switch?

What happens when you open the switch?

Use the circuit diagram symbols to draw the circuit:

Remove the lamp. What happens to the motor?

Put the lamp back in. Open the switch. Remove the fan blade
from the motor. Close the switch. What happens to the lamp?

How is a parallel circuit different from a series circuit?

-14-