Scribd
Upload
146 views4 pages

Electronics Engineering Program - PUPSTB ECEN 30012 Basic Electronics 1 Experiment #4: Parallel Circuit - Voltage and Current Measurement Prelab

This document describes an electronics experiment to measure voltage and current in a parallel circuit. The objectives are to measure the voltage across resistors using a voltmeter, measure current using an ammeter, and verify that voltage is constant across parallel branches while total current equals the sum of branch currents. Students will construct a parallel circuit, measure voltages and currents, compute expected values, and answer conceptual questions about voltage and current behavior in parallel circuits.

Uploaded by

Jewel Lim
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
146 views4 pages

Electronics Engineering Program - PUPSTB ECEN 30012 Basic Electronics 1 Experiment #4: Parallel Circuit - Voltage and Current Measurement Prelab

This document describes an electronics experiment to measure voltage and current in a parallel circuit. The objectives are to measure the voltage across resistors using a voltmeter, measure current using an ammeter, and verify that voltage is constant across parallel branches while total current equals the sum of branch currents. Students will construct a parallel circuit, measure voltages and currents, compute expected values, and answer conceptual questions about voltage and current behavior in parallel circuits.

Uploaded by

Jewel Lim
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 4

Electronics Engineering Program - PUPSTB

ECEN 30012
BASIC ELECTRONICS 1

Experiment #4: Parallel Circuit - Voltage and Current Measurement

Prelab:

1. Identify the connections on your testboard (breadboard).

2. Become familiar with your multitester.

3. Use the power supply with caution.

Objectives:

 To be able to measure the voltage across a resistor using a voltmeter and the current flowing using an
ammeter.
 To be able to show that the voltage in a parallel circuit is CONSTANT.
 To be able to show that the total current is equal to the sum of the current flowing in each resistor.

Materials:

Resistors: 1kΩ, 10kΩ, 5.6kΩ, 1.5kΩ, 4.7kΩ, 2.2kΩ, 1.2kΩ, 3.3kΩ, 2.7kΩ, breadboard, multitester, DC power supply

Discussion:

A parallel DC circuit is connected so that the same voltage from the source is applied to each resistive branch.
Alternate values of current flow through each parallel branch according to its resistance. The current starts at the
negative side of the source and divides into each branch path. The output of each branch then combines and
returns to the positive side of the source.

When an additional resistor is placed in a parallel circuit, total resistance decreases. Removing a resistor from a
parallel circuit causes total resistance to become larger.

The current characteristic of a parallel circuit are more unusual than the other characteristics. Each parallel path
or branch has its own unique current flow based upon the value of its resistance. If all resistors are of the same
value, the current will be the same in each branch path. The total current flow is equal to the sum of the branch
current flow values. A “break” or “open in a parallel branch only applies to that branch. Therefore the operation
of each branch path is independent of other branches of the circuit.

The voltage characteristic of a parallel circuit is simple. The same voltage is applied to each resistance path or
branch. A value change in the source voltage does, however, alter the current and power characteristics of a
parallel circuit.
Procedure A: Voltage Measurement

1. Construct the following circuit connection on your breadboard. Use jumper wires if necessary

2. Measure the voltage across each resistor by connecting the voltmeter parallel to each resistor. Tabulate the
results in table 1. Get the average of these voltages and compare it to your supply voltage. Tabulate in table 2.

Procedure B: Current Measurement

1. Measure the current flowing in each resistor by connecting the ammeter in series with each resistor. Tabulate
the results in table 1. Get the sum of these currents and tabulate it in table 2.

2. Solve for the voltage across each resistor using V1 = I1 (measured value) x R1. Compare it to the measured
values. Tabulate in table 1.

3. Solve for each resistor current using I1 = V1 (measured value) / R1. Compare it to the measured values. Tabulate
in table 1.

4. Compute the total resistance RT of the circuit. Solve for the total current of the circuit using IT = VT / RT.
Compare it to the total measured current of the resistors in table 2.
Electronics Engineering Program - PUPSTB
ECEN 30012
BASIC ELECTRONICS 1

Experiment #4: Parallel Circuit - Voltage and Current Measurement

EVALUATION SHEET:

Name: ______________________________________________________

Date: ________________________

Table 1:
Resistances Measured Values Computed Values
Voltage Current Voltage Current
R1 1kΩ
R2 5.6kΩ
R3 1.5kΩ
R4 4.7kΩ
R5 2.2kΩ
R6 1.2kΩ
R7 3.3kΩ
R8 2.7kΩ

Table 2:
Voltage Current
Supply Voltage Total Current (IT) Computed Value
Average Value Total Measured Measured Value
% of Error % of Error

Conceptual Questions:

1. How do you connect a voltmeter in measuring the voltage across a resistor?

2. How do you connect an ammeter in measuring the current flow in each resistor?

3. What is the relationship of voltage to the resistance in a parallel circuit?

4. What is the relationship of current to the resistance in a parallel circuit?

5. What is the behavior of the voltage in a parallel circuit?


6. What is the behavior of the current in a parallel circuit?

You might also like