Here are some examples of circuits which have components which are not connected to both sides of the battery, but the correct circuit is shown next to them. Make sure you scroll down the whole page to get all the key points.

A properly wired circuit will:

• have components which are directly, or through another component
• be connected to both sides of the cell/battery/power supply

A complete and properly wired circuit will have:

• a properly connected battery/cell/power supply
• all components connected together with straight wires, leaving no gaps

Good circuits will make sure that:

• all wires are actually touching the components they are connecting to
• there are no small breaks