In contrast to the constant one-way flow of direct current, alternating current changes direction many times each second. Electricity is delivered from power stations to customers as AC because it provides a more efficient way to transport electricity over long distances.

Current flow through a wire increases the temperature of the wire. If too small a wire is used, the wire will heat up causing a loss in conductivity and possibly a fire. The thicker in diameter a wire is, the more current it can carry without overheating.

Splicing is permanently joining two wires together. Splicing can be done with screw-on connectors or wire crimps but the preferred method for splicing is soldering. Soldering takes the most effort but results in a connection that is electrically and mechanically identical to the original wire.

Voltage (V) is the electrical potential difference between two points. Electrons will flow as current from areas of high potential (concentration of electrons) to areas of low potential. Voltage and current are directly proportional in that the higher the voltage applied to a conductor the higher the current that will result.

You can multiply the voltage or the current supplied by individual batteries by connecting them together either in series or in parallel. The characteristics of batteries connected in series are that total voltage equals the sum of the individual battery voltages, total current equals the average of the individual battery currents, the positive terminal of one battery is connected to the negative terminal of the next, and one connection is made between each adjacent battery.