Resistors can be chosen in a wide variety of values to control the voltage in a circuit, limit the current, or moderate the heat produced by the components in the circuit.

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.

Connecting the 4 batteries in series multiplies their voltage while keeping their current the same yielding a 60V 10A configuration. Connecting the 4 batteries in parallel multiplies their current while keeping their voltage the same yieleding a 15V 40A configuration. Using a series-parallel connection, 2 batteries can be connected in series and 2 can be connected in parallel resulting in a 30V 20A configuration.

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.

Resistors are used to limit voltage and/or current in a circuit and can have a fixed or variable resistance.  Variable resistors (often called potentiometers or rheostats) are used when dynamic control over the voltage/current in a circuit is needed, for example, in a light dimmer or volume control.