Article: A multimeter is a handy way to measure the different forces that make up an electrical charge. It's helpful to have one on hand to test the current in any electrical circuit. Get one that measures the current, voltage, and resistance. The current is the flow of electricity in a circuit. It is measured in amperes. A current's voltage, measured in volts, is the pressure pushing the current along the circuit. Resistance indicates how much the circuit resists the flow of electricity. It is measured in ohms. Resistors are small tubes on wires. They don't actively do anything, but they are important in limiting the electrical current. Without a resistor, the electrical current can become too strong and ruin other components. For example, if you attach an LED light to a circuit without a resistor, the light can burn out. Capacitors are the opposite of resistors. Instead of limiting the flow, they encourage it by storing a little bit of electricity. This way, if the power is disrupted, the circuit continues to work. For example, if you unplug your computer, the capacitors will ensure the electrical current runs smoothly from the battery. These components have + and - terminals that help conduct electricity. When activated, electricity flows through one end and out the other. Diodes have 2 ends while transistors have 3. Diodes are used to make an electrical current flow in 1 direction only. Transistors are like switches that change the direction of a current. For basic electrical work, you will need a wire cutter and a wire stripper from a hardware store. To do this, cut the wires to the length first. Then, strip about 14in (0.64cm) of insulation off the ends before connecting them to components. To work with the wire, hold the exposed ends against the components or tape them in place. If you use a breadboard, simply push the exposed end into the hole. When you first begin, you do not need to learn how to solder. Electrical wires are generally all copper. However, they are cased in different colors of plastic to distinguish their uses. Always connect like wires together. Use black and red wires to power your circuits. Black wires are the main current conductors in a circuit. Red wires are secondary carriers. Blue and yellow wires are uncommon, but are used to carry electricity in complex circuits. White and gray wires are considered neutral because they conduct unused electricity. Green wires are grounding wires which bring the current to the ground for safety.

What is a summary?
Measure an electrical current with a multimeter. Limit an electrical current with a resistor. Store electricity with a capacitor. Control electrical currents using diodes and transistors. Practice cutting and stripping wires. Read about how wires of different colors are used.