Electric Circuits Lab Manual

Lab 1: Introduction and Orientation to the Circuits Lab

Objectives

 To become familiar with some of the basic components and equipments to be used
in the Lab.
 To implement simple electric circuits.

Equipment

 Bread Board
 Digital Multimeter (Models: Extech- Multiview 110, True RMS Multimeter- 430 ; GW
Multimeter-GDM354A)
 Resistors

Introduction to basic components and equipment

In this experiment, you will be introduced to some components and equipments that you
will be using in the lab. You will be familiar on how to use various instruments and
equipments. You will learn how to read the nominal values of resistors and how connect
components on the breadboard.

Components
Resistors
 The resistor's function is to reduce the flow of electric current.
 This symbol is used to indicate a resistor in a circuit diagram.
 Color codes for resistors
Low-power resistors are color coded; that is the rated value and the tolerance of a
resistor is indicated by some standard color bands on its body. To read the color code of
a common 4 band resistor with a 5% tolerance, start at the opposite side of the
tolerance band and read from left to right.

Note: Additional information regarding resistors and other components like the
capacitor and inductors are given in the Reference Manual.

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Resistor Color Code

Table 1.1.

Examples:
1) A Carbon 22000 Ohms or 22 Kilo-Ohms also known as 22K at 5% tolerance is identified by:
Band 1 = Red, 1st digit
Band 2 = Red, 2nd digit
Band 3 = Orange, 3rd digit, multiply with zeros, in this case 3 zero's
Band 4 = Gold, Tolerance, 5%

2) A Precision Metal Film 19200 Ohms or 19.2 Kilo Ohms also known as 19K2 at 1% tolerance:
Band 1 = Brown, 1st digit
Band 2 = White, 2nd digit
Band 3 = Red, 3rd digit
Band 4 = Red, 4th digit, multiply with zeros, in this case 2 zero's
Band 5 = Brown, Tolerance, 1%

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Lab Work
(Full lab report and lab tasks must be submitted individually)
Task 1: Learning color codes (2 marks)

Step 1: Learn the colors

Learning the "Color-Code" is COMPULSORY. The same color code is used for everything else,
like coils, capacitors, RF-chokes, etc. Again, just the color code associated with a number, like:
black=0 brown=1 red=2, etc.
To learn the code by memory, try this:
BB ROY Great Britain has a Very Good Wife

Step 2: Learn the tolerances.

Step 3: Do the exercises below.

1st band, denominator: Brown (1)

2nd band, denominator: Black (0)
3rd band, how many zeros (1)
4th band, tolerance in %: gold (5)
Answer: 100 ohm, 5% tolerance

1st band: _____

2nd band: _____
3rd band: _____
4th band, tolerance in %: _____
Answer: ___________________

1st band: _____

2nd band: _____
3rd band: _____
4th band, tolerance in %: _____
Answer: ___________________

1st band: _____

2nd band: _____
3rd band: _____
4th band, tolerance in %: _____
Answer: ___________________

1st band: _____

2nd band: _____
3rd band: _____
4th band, tolerance in %: _____
Answer: ___________________

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Equipment
1. Breadboard:

Figure 1.1
A Breadboard
What is a breadboard?
The bread board has many strips of metal (copper usually) which run underneath the board. The
metal strips are laid out as shown below. These strips connect the holes on the top of the board.
This makes it easy to connect components together to build circuits. The holes are made so that
they will hold the component in place. Each hole is connected to one of the metal strips running
underneath the board. Each wire forms a node. A node is a point in a circuit where two
components are connected. Connections between different components are formed by putting
their legs in a common node. On the bread board, a node is the row of holes that are connected
by the strip of metal underneath.

Use of Breadboard
A breadboard is used to make up temporary circuits for testing or to try out an idea. No soldering
is required, so, it is easy to change connections and replace components.
Connections on a Breadboard
Breadboards have many tiny sockets (called 'holes') arranged on a 0.1" grid. The leads
of most components can be pushed straight into the holes. ICs are inserted across the central
gap with their notch or dot to the left. Wire links can be made with single-core plastic-coated
wire of 0.6mm diameter (the standard size). Stranded wire is not suitable because it will crumple
when pushed into a hole and it may damage the board if strands break off.

Figure 1.2
Depicts the Connection on a Breadboard
The diagram shows how the breadboard holes are connected. The top and bottom rows are
linked horizontally all the way across. The other holes are linked vertically in blocks of 5 with
no link across the centre. However a jumper (as shown by the green wire) can connect the
windows of horizontally short rows.

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Task 2: Familiarization on breadboard connections (2 marks)

The following voltage sources (V1 and V2) and resistors (R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5) were connected
on a breadboard as shown in Figure 1.3.

Connections A to G
Figure 1.3

Observe carefully the connections on Figure 1.3 and fill up Table 1.2.
Table 1.2
Indicate whether
Connection the connection Consequences for a bad connection
is good or bad
A
B
C
D
E
F
G

2. Digital multimeter
There are three models of digital multimeters (DMM) in the Lab. These are: Extech-
Multiview 110 (Figure 1.4a), Extech True RMS Multimeter- 430 (Figure 1.4b), and GW
Multimeter-GDM354A(Figure 1.4c).

Figure 1.4a Figure 1.4b Figure 1.4c

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As their name implies, multi-meters can measure voltage, current and resistance. Some
multi-meters measure additional electrical parameters. The switch settings that you select will
define the function of the instrument at any time. The proper use of a DMM requires knowing
how to insert the meter into the circuit to make the measurement without altering the basic
parameters of the circuit. The function and use of each instrument is explained briefly below.
You can consult the instrument manuals for more details.

Voltage, Current and Resistance Measurements using Multimeter

 DMM as a Voltmeter:

 The difference in electric potential (voltage) between any two nodes in a circuit is
measured by connecting the probes of the voltmeter to the two nodes in the circuit.
Note that this places the voltmeter in parallel with that portion of the circuit between
the measurement points as shown in the figure below. Because the voltmeter is placed
in parallel with the circuit element, you do not need to physically alter your circuit in
order to measure voltage.
 An ideal voltmeter would have an infinite resistance so that no current is conducted
through it. Thus, it would not alter the voltages at the nodes to which the voltmeter is
connected.
 In reality voltmeters are never ideal, but the input impedance (or internal resistance) is
so high that the meter functions in a nearly ideal manner.
 An AC voltmeter generally measures and displays the RMS value of the time-varying
component of the voltage. This DMM provides a true RMS value (including harmonics up
to 50 kHz).
 When used in DC, all voltmeters are designed to give a positive reading whenever the
red probe is placed on a potential higher than that of black probe.

Steps:
 To measure voltage, select the “V” mode
 To measure voltage across an element connect the voltmeter in parallel
 For correct polarities make sure that the Red probe is connected to the positive
terminal (current entering terminal) and black probe to the negative terminal (current
leaving terminal)
Task 3: Try these circuits yourself in the Lab! (1mark)

Example A: Example B:

Figure 1.5a Figure 1.5b

Voltmeter connections to measure electric potential

Result: V=… Result: V=…

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 DMM as a Ammeter:

 Ammeters measure the flow of charge through a branch of a circuit.

 The meter must be inserted into the current stream, in series with the component or
circuit through which the current is flowing. Figure 1.6a illustrates this.
 An ideal ammeter would have zero resistance so that no voltage is developed (dropped)
across it when the current flows through it. Thus, according to KVL, this would not
affect the loop currents in the circuit being measured.
 A real ammeter has a small resistance that, sometimes, affects measurement.

An AC ammeter generally measures and displays the RMS value of the time-varying component of
the current.
Steps:
 To measure current, select the “A” mode
 To measure current through a particular loop of your circuit, connect the ammeter
in series with the other elements in the circuit loop by physically modifying your circuit
in the following way:

1. Create a gap in the segment where you want to measure the current.
2. Reconnect the gap using your ammeter as a jumper wire

Task 4: Try these circuits yourself in the Lab! (1 mark)

Example A: Example B:

Figure 1.6a Figure 1.6b

Ammeter connections to measure current

Result: Current =… Result: Current=…

Note:
NEVER connect an ammeter directly across a voltage source – the low resistance of
the ammeter will act as a short circuit causing a large current to flow, damaging the
meter.
CAUTION: This is just an illustration. Do not try this !!!!

Figure 1.6c

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 DMM as a Ohmmeter:

 An ohmmeter measures the net resistance of all components connected between its two
probes.
 The ohmmeter works by forcing a small, known, and steady current to flow through the
measurement probes and the element being measured. The voltage developed between
the nodes connected to the ohmmeter is sensed, and (per Ohm's Law) the equivalent
resistance, V/I, is displayed.
 When measuring the resistance of any circuit element, that element or elements must
be isolated from the rest of the circuit, i.e., isolated from any component that can alter
the small current delivered to the circuit by the meter or alter the voltage developed
across the element of interest.

Note:
ALWAYS ISOLATE THE RESISTANCE TO BE MEASURED: You cannot measure the
resistance of a resistor while it is in a powered circuit – this may damage the ohmmeter.

Steps:
 To measure resistance, select the ohms mode.
 Isolate the element whose resistance is to be measured and place ohmmeter leads
across it. It is not OK to use your fingers to do this- Try it out!

Task 5: Try these circuits yourself in the Lab! (1 mark)

Part A: Measurement of the resistance of resistor.

Use the multimeter to measure one of the resistance provided by the instructor.
Result: R=…

Note:
It is OK to hold the two terminals of the resistors while measuring its resistance? Why?
Check it by doing the Lab-work given below and you will know for yourself!

Part B: Measuring the Resistance of Your Body

1) Holding one probe between the thumb and forefinger of each hand, measure the resistance
of your body between your hands. Squeeze the probes tightly so that good contact is established.
Record the value of your body's resistance.

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Task 6: Calculation of nominal values and measuring the resistance of carbon

composition resistors. (3 marks)
Do the following steps for each of the 5 resistors given to you.
1. Calculate (nominal value by the color code) and measure the resistance of the resistors
and record these values in their respective columns in Table 1.3. Show all your
calculations in your report.
2. Calculate the % Error using the formula below:
Nominal Value  Measured Value
% Error   100
Nominal Value
Record this value in the tolerance column of Table 1.3
3. Is your measured value within the nominal range of tolerance? If no, write your
comments in the remarks column of Table 1.3.
(You may resize the remarks column if necessary.)

Table 1.3
Summary of Observations and Calculations
Nominal Computed Range Measured % Error
Value (A) Tolerance value (B) Between Remarks
A&B

Note: Details of other equipments like the Oscilloscope and the Function Generator are
included in the Reference Manual.