Guide:Wiring

Wiring is a feature introduced to Terraria in the 1.1 update. Unfortunately, it is very basic and even simple logic gates may be difficult or impossible to create. Wires are not "on" or "off", rather, they follow toggle rules; hitting a switch will trigger every output connected to it by wire.

Basics
The basics of wiring are simple. The two main components of a circuit are inputs and outputs. An input is something that creates a current and an output is something that receives a current. The most important thing to remember is that nothing will generate a constant current. For most inputs, there is no such thing as on or off. They will activate every output wired to them one time when they are activated. This means that you can't wire a switch to a statue and make it constantly spawn things; You must either flip the switch repeatedly or add a timer.

Switches and Levers
Switches and levers are both inputs. They send a current once every time they are toggled. It doesn't matter which direction they are flipped. If you connect a torch to a switch, then it will turn off the first time you flip the switch and on the second time, even if the switch was in the off position when the torch was wired to it.

Pressure Plates
A pressure plate sends a current every time something walks over it. Stepping on the pressure plate activates it; Stepping off of it does nothing. The most effective use of pressure plates is enemy detection, be it for activating automated traps or just as an advanced warning so you can be ready to defend.

Torches and Other Lighting
Many light sources can be turned on and off if they are wired to an input. Their state will toggle upon receiving a current.

Wooden Door
Wooden doors will toggle their state upon receiving a current.

Statues
Statues that can be activated by wiring will activate one time whenever a current is received, providing that enough time has passed since the previous activation. Though not all statues provide actions.

Active/Inactive Stone Blocks
Toggleable stone blocks will change their state when a current is received. This allows you to create doors that are opened with a switch or lever instead of an actual door, which can be opened by enemies. Also, trap doors can be created so that lava pits and other traps can be covered when they aren't needed.

Dart Trap
Dart traps will fire a dart whenever a current is received, providing that enough time has passed since the previous activation.

Explosives
Explosives detonate when a current is received. The explosion is the same as Dynamite although it's better because you can place it tactically and get to a safe distance. That is if you're willing to give up some wires the craftings and a detonator. (switch, pressure plate, etc.)

Timer
There are three types of timer: one second, three second, and five second. Timers are both an input and an output, making them uniquely capable of sending close to a constant current. If a timer is active, it will send a current every n seconds. If a timer receives a current, it will change its state. Timers can be used with statues to activate them as often as possible. Unfortunately, timers can't be placed sequentially to create longer intervals between activations. Two one second timers will not add up to two seconds. A current will be sent at the interval of the shortest timer on the circuit. A simple use for timers would be making a disco room or mob arena.