Activity – Wiring the Lamp

Aim:
To connect electrical components and make the lamp glow safely.

Materials Needed

• PVC lamp body (from Lesson 4)

• Bulb holder

• Small LED bulb or 9V battery bulb (for safety)

• Electric wire (red and black or two-color)

• Switch (toggle or push type)

• Plug or battery connector

• Screwdriver

• Wire stripper / scissor (for insulation removal)

• Electrical tape

• Tester or multimeter (optional, under teacher supervision)

Step-by-Step Procedure

Step 1: Understand the Circuit

Before wiring, draw a simple circuit diagram in your notebook.

Basic Lamp Circuit:

Power Source (+/-)

   ↓

 Switch → Bulb Holder → Bulb → Return Wire → Power Source

This shows that current flows from the source → through the switch → into the bulb → and back to the source.

Step 2: Prepare the Wires

• Cut two pieces of wire (about 30–40 cm each).

• Carefully strip about 1 cm of insulation from each end using a wire stripper.

• Twist the exposed copper ends so that they don’t fray.

Step 3: Connect the Bulb Holder

• Locate the two screws on the bulb holder.

• Connect one wire end to each screw and tighten using the screwdriver.

• Make sure no copper part is sticking out — wrap with electrical tape if needed.

Step 4: Connect the Switch

• Take one of the wires from the bulb holder and connect it to one terminal of the switch.

• Connect another small wire from the other terminal of the switch to the power plug or battery.

• This allows the switch to control when electricity flows to the bulb.

Step 5: Connect the Power Source

• Connect the remaining wire from the bulb holder to the negative terminal of the power plug or battery.

• Check that your circuit looks like this:
  
  Power → Switch → Bulb Holder → Bulb → Back to Power.

Step 6: Test the Lamp

• Make sure all connections are tight and taped safely.

• Turn ON the switch or connect the battery.

• Observe — your lamp should light up!

• If it doesn’t, don’t worry — check for:

  • Loose connections

  • Wrong terminal polarity

  • Unplugged wire

Step 7: Mount the Circuit

• Place the bulb holder neatly into your PVC lamp frame.

• Use tape or clips to fix the switch and wires along the frame.

• Keep wires away from sharp bends or heat.

• You’ve now completed your working PVC lamp!

Observation Table (Sample)

Reflection

You just combined engineering design + electrical knowledge + hands-on skills!
When you turned on the lamp, you didn’t just light a bulb — you lit up your own creativity and confidence.

Remember: technology becomes meaningful when we use it safely and understand how it works.