Connecting the 8 batteries in series multiplies their voltage while keeping their current the same yielding a 48V 20A configuration. Connecting the 8 batteries in parallel multiplies their current while keeping their voltage the same yieleding a 6V 160A configuration. Using a series-parallel connection, 4 batteries can be connected in series and 4 can be connected in parallel resulting in a 24V 80A configuration.

An electrical circuit is a path through which electricity flows. This path contains one or more components that create a load (something that is using electricity) and that load acts as resistance to the passage of electricity through the circuit. Electricity can only flow through a circuit when the path is closed and cannot flow through an open circuit.

Insulators have valence shells that are more than half full of electrons and, as such, are tightly bound to the nucleus and difficult to move from one atom to another.

A diode allows current to pass easily in one direction and blocks current in the other direction. Diodes are commonly used for rectification which is the conversion of alternating current (AC) into direct current (DC). Because a diode only allows current flow in one direction, it will pass either the upper or lower half of AC waves (half-wave rectification) creating pulsating DC. Multiple diodes can be connected together to utilize both halves of the AC signal in full-wave rectification.

All conductors have resistance and the amount of resistance varies with the element. In general, metals make the best conductors of electricity and non-metals make the worst conductors of electricity.