EEEB111

ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONICS
MEASUREMENT LABORATORY

Experiment 2:
Simple Direct Current Circuits

EEEB 111 ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONICS MEASUREMENT LABORATORY - UNITEN Exp. 2, Page 1/11

 EXPERIMENT 2

Simple Direct Current Circuits

Assessed OBE Course Objectives: CO1, CO2 and CO3.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this laboratory experiment are to measure the voltages and currents, in series and
parallel DC circuits correctly, using digital and analogue meters; and verify Kirchhoffs Current Law
(KCL) & Kirchhoffs Voltage Law (KVL).

INTRODUCTION

A. DC Series Circuit
Figure 2.1 shows a DC series resistive circuit with the current I flowing in resistors, R1 and R2.

R1

Vs I R2
DC power supply

Figure 2.1: DC Series Resistive Circuit

B. DC Parallel Circuit
Figure 2.2 shows a parallel resistive circuit with the currents IS, I1 and I2 flowing in resistors, R1
and R2.

IS
I1 I2
R1 R2
Vs
DC power supply

Figure 2.2: DC Parallel Resistive Circuit

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Current Measurement (Refer Appendix 1 for analogue meter)

DC currents may be measured with a DC ammeter or a multimeter switched to the current scale. An
ammeter is always connected in series with elements in the branch through which current is to be
measured (see Figures 2.3a, 2.3b, 2.3c and 2.3d).

The positive (red) and negative (black) probes of the ammeter must be connected in the positive
direction of current flow to get the correct current reading. Ideally, the ammeter should not disturb the
circuit in which current measurements are made i.e. zero resistance, but there is always a small
resistance associated with the ammeter.

R1
+ _
A

Vs I R2
DC power supply

Figure 2.3a: To measure I in DC Series Circuit

+ _
A
IS
R1 R2
Vs
DC power supply

Figure 2.3b: To measure IS in DC Parallel Circuit

+
I1 A
_
R2
Vs
DC power supply
R1

Figure 2.3c: To measure I1 in DC Parallel Circuit

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 R2
R1
Vs
I2 +
DC power supply
A
_

Figure 2.3d: To measure I2 in DC Parallel Circuit

Voltage Measurement (Refer Appendix 1 for analogue meter)

DC voltages may be measured with a DC voltmeter or with a multimeter, or VOM switched to a DC

voltage scale. A voltmeter is always connected in parallel with the elements across which the voltage
is to be measured (see Figure 2.4).

The positive (red) and negative (black) probes of the voltmeter must be connected in the positive
direction of current flow to get the correct voltage reading. In order not to disturb the circuit, the
voltmeter should have very high resistance. (The ideal voltmeter would have infinite resistance).

R1

+
+
VR2
Vs R2 V
DC power supply _
_

Figure 2.4: Example of Voltage Measurement

PRE-LAB ASSIGNMENT

Please read and familiarize with the KCL and KVL. Refer to Chapter 2, Sadiku (4th Edition).

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 UNIVERSITI TENAGA NASIONAL
Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering
College of Engineering
Semester: I / II / Special Academic Year: 20 .. / 20 ..

COURSE CODE: EEEB111 EXPERIMENT NO.: 2

LAB INSTRUCTOR: DATE: TIME:
TITLE: Simple DC Circuits
OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this laboratory experiment are to measure the voltages and currents, in
series and parallel DC circuits correctly, using digital and analogue meters; and verify
Kirchhoffs Law (including current/voltage divider rule).
MARKS:
EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS:

Part A : DC Series Circuit

Table 2.1 /6

Part B : DC Parallel Circuit

Table 2.2
/6

Part C : DC Series-Parallel Circuit

Table 2.3 /7

POST-LAB:

Part A : DC Series Circuit

Q1 /1
Q2 /1

Part B : DC Parallel Circuit

Q1 /1
Q2 /1

Part C : DC Series-Parallel Circuit

Q1 /1.5
Q2 /1.5
Q3 /2

CONCLUSIONS: /2

TOTAL:
INSTRUCTORS COMMENTS: /30
STUDENT NAME: STUDENT ID:
SECTION:
GROUP MEMBER: STUDENT ID:

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EQUIPMENT
1. Resistors: 100 , 1 k and 4.7 k
2. Analogue Multimeter (VOM)
3. Digital Multimeter (DMM)
4. DC Power Supply
5. DMM Probes x 2nos.
6. Crocodile Clips Connectors x 2nos.
7. Protoboard

PROCEDURE

Part A: DC Series Circuit

For all measurements made, record the values in Table 2.1 accordingly.

a. Measure the resistance of R1 and R2.

b. Construct the circuit of Figure 2.5.

c. Set VS = 8V. Use the DMM to measure across the voltage for setting accuracy.

d. Measure the voltages across R1 and R2, VR1 and VR2 respectively.

e. Measure the current through R2, IR2 .

R1 = 4.7 k

_
+ VR1
+ IR2
VR2 R2 = 1 k
Vs = 8V _

Figure 2.5: DC Series Circuit

Table 2.1: DC Series Circuit Measure R, V and I

Measuring Equipment
Measured SI
Values Units
DMM VOM

R1
R2
VS V
VR1 V
VR2 V
IR2 A

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Part B: DC Parallel Circuit

For all measurements made, record the values in Table 2.2 accordingly.

a. Construct the circuit of Figure 2.6.

b. Set Vs = 10V. Use the DMM to measure across the voltage for setting accuracy.

c. Measure the voltages across R1 and R2, VR1 and VR2 respectively.

d. Measure the currents through R1 and R2, IR1 and IR2 respectively.

IS IR1 IR2
+ +
VR1 R1 = 4.7 k VR2 R2 = 1 k
Vs = 10 V _ _

Figure 2.6: DC Parallel Circuit

Table 2.2: DC Parallel Circuit Measure R, V and I

Measuring Equipment
Measured SI
Values Units
DMM VOM

VS V
VR1 V
VR2 V
IR1 A
IR2 A

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Part C: DC Series-Parallel Circuit

For all measurements made, record the values in Table 2.3 accordingly.

a. Measure the resistance of R3.

a. Construct the circuit of Figure 2.7.

b. Set Vs = 12V. Use the DMM to measure across the voltage for setting accuracy.

c. Measure the voltages across R1, R2 and R3, VR1 , VR2 and VR3 respectively.

d. Measure the currents through R1 and R2, IR1 , IR2 and IR3 respectively.

R1 = 4.7 k

IR1 + VR1 _ IR2 IR3

+ +
VR2 R2 = 1 k VR3 R3 = 100
Vs = 12 V _ _

Figure 2.7: DC Series-Parallel Circuit

Table 2.3: DC Series-Parallel Circuit Measure R, V and I

Measured SI Measuring Equipment

Values Units DMM VOM

R3
VS V
VR1 V
VR2 V
VR3 V
IR1 A
IR2 A
IR3 A

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POST-LAB ASSIGNMENT

Part A: DC Series Circuit

1. Calculate the theoretical current through resistor R1, IR1 . Use only DMM measured values of R1,
R2 and VS in your workings.

2. How does the calculated value of IR1 compare to the measured value of IR2 ? Explain the theory
behind your answer.

Part B: DC Parallel Circuit

1. Calculate the current IS :

a) Using ONLY the measured resistor b) Using the measured current values
values and VS readings from the DMM IR1 and IR2 readings from the DMM

2. Calculate the percentage error between the calculated and measured values of IS. Take calculated
value from Question 1(a) and measured value from Question 1(b)

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Part C: DC Series-Parallel Circuit

1. Apply Voltage Divider Rule to calculate the voltages VR1 , VR2 , and VR3 . Use ONLY the DMM
measured resistances R1, R2, R3 and supply voltage VS values.

Example:
Step 1: Simplify the circuit of Figure 2.7 to the following.

R1

+ VR1 _
+
VR2 //R3 R2// R3
Vs
_

*** NOTE: VR2//R3 = VR2 = VR3 since R2 and R3 are in parallel.

Step 2: Solve using Voltage Divider Rule, given that:

1
1 =
(1 + (2 //3 ))

and
(2 //3 )
2 = 3 =
((2 //3 ) + 1 ))

a) VR1 b) VR2 c) VR3

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 2. Apply Ohms Law to calculate IR1 , IR2 IR3 . Use ONLY the calculated value VR1 ,
VR2 , and VR3 from Question 1 and measured resistances R1, R2, and R3.

d) IR1 e) IR2 f) IR3

3. Determine the magnitude of percentages error between the above calculated and previously
measured voltage and current values using DMM.

a) % error for VR1 b) % error for VR2 c) % error for VR3

d) % error for IR1 e) % error for IR2 f) % error for IR3

CONCLUSION:

List TWO (2) main understandings that you have gained from this experiment.

(i)

(ii)

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