Semiconductors have valence shells that are exacly half full and can conduct electricity under some conditions but not others. This property makes them useful for the control of electrical current.

Current is the rate of flow of electrons per unit time and is measured in amperes (A). An ammeter is used to measure the electric current in a circuit.

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.

A transistor works by allowing a small amount of current applied at the base to control general current flow from collector to emitter through the transistor. A transistor acts as a gate or switch for electronic signals.

An inductor is coiled wire that stores electric energy in the form of magnetic energy and resists changes in the electric current flowing through it. If current is increasing, the inductor produces a voltage that slows the increase and, if current is decreasing, the magnetic energy in the coil opposes the decrease to keep the current flowing longer. In contrast to capacitors, inductors allow DC to pass easily but resist the flow of AC.