Learning Targets
- Identify power source, load, conductor, switch, and circuit path.
- Explain why safe circuit setup protects people, components, and prototypes.
- Check for correct connections before powering a circuit.
IED Unit 4 • Lesson 4.9
Electrical Safety and Simple Circuits
Focus question: How can simple circuits safely support an engineering prototype?
Your lesson guide
Objective
Identify power source, load, conductor, switch, and circuit path. Explain why safe circuit setup protects people, components, and prototypes. Check for correct connections before powering a circuit.
Materials
For the online work: a browser and your engineering notebook. Follow the activity’s materials list for any physical build, and get teacher approval before using equipment.
Plan your time
Suggested work block: 45–60 minutes. Physical builds and projects may span several classes; follow your teacher’s schedule.
Enable JavaScript to use this investigation. The lesson directions and report fields remain available below.
Mission Briefing
Today’s Plan
Use this page with the lesson presentation, your engineering notebook, and the tools or evidence assigned for Build and Verify a Safe Simple Circuit.
Success Looks Like
You can identify basic circuit components and explain safe circuit-building expectations.
LaunchLearnApplyCheckSubmit
Opening Prompt
How can simple circuits safely support an engineering prototype?
Connect your response to the decision, evidence, or quality standard required for Build and Verify a Safe Simple Circuit.
Reveal: useful engineering move
This lesson is ready to move forward when the evidence meets this standard: The circuit operates as intended with no exposed short circuit, reversed polarized component, or unsafe connection.
Core Skill
What We Are Practicing
A circuit must have a complete path for current to flow.
Electrical safety includes low-voltage habits, correct polarity, secure connections, and inspection before power.
A prototype circuit should be tested before it is integrated into a larger system.
Your Task
Build and Verify a Safe Simple Circuit
Construct the assigned low-voltage circuit and verify current path, polarity, and safe component use before connecting it to a prototype.
- Identify the source, load, conductors, and control component.
- Sketch or follow the approved circuit diagram.
- Build the circuit with power disconnected.
- Perform the safety check, power it briefly, and record the result.
Quality check: The circuit operates as intended with no exposed short circuit, reversed polarized component, or unsafe connection.
Lesson Interactive
Complete a Safe LED Circuit
Close the electrical path and include the component that protects the LED.
Status: Open or incomplete
A working circuit needs a complete path. A safe LED circuit also needs current limiting.
What You Will Submit
Simple Circuit Verification
Submission standard: The circuit operates as intended with no exposed short circuit, reversed polarized component, or unsafe connection.
Resources
Lesson Resources
Lesson 4.9 PowerPoint
Use the lesson slides for guided practice, interactive checks, and the exit ticket.
Introduction to Engineering Design
Return to the IED course hub for units, resources, certifications, and current course information.
Build your lesson report
Checkpoint: is your evidence ready?
- Check calculations, units, labels, and measurements against the activity requirements.
- Record what actually happened, including unexpected results.
- Explain what you changed and why; attach required drawings, photos, CAD, or code in your classroom assignment.
Submit the evidence specified in the activity and your classroom assignment. The report below collects your notes, calculations, observations, and reflections; attach any required drawings, photos, CAD, or code separately.
A PDF download is not a submission. Review it, then upload it and any required attachments through your classroom assignment system.