Lamps connected in parallel. Circuit diagram showing two lamps connected in parallel. The components are represented by standard symbols. At upper left is a battery consisting of one cell; an open switch is at lower left; and the lamps are at centre and at right. When the switch is closed, the potential difference (voltage) of the battery will cause electric current to flow round the circuit and the lamps will light up. The arrangement of the circuit affects the brightness of the lamps. When they are connected in parallel (as here), the battery can drive a larger amount of current through the lamps than if the lamps were connected in series. When connected in series to the same battery, the lamps will be dimmer. See T356/603 for an example of lamps connected in series.