EXPT. NO.

9: THEVENIN’S THEOREM

OBJECTIVES:

1. To verify the Thevenin’s Theorem.

2. To determine the voltage across a resistor in a complex circuit by using Thevenin’s Theorem.
3. To determine the current flowing through a resistor in a complex circuit.

REQUIRED SKILLS:

 Knowledge in the proper use of multitester and familiar with the use of analog trainer (ATL-01
or equiv.) and breadboarding components.
 Knowledge in the proper use of ohmmeter and familiar with breadoarding components.

MATERIALS REQUIRED:

Description Qty.

360TR-model analog multitester 1

Analog Trainer (ATL-01 or equiv.) 1
Resistors, 1/4W 1kΩ 5

PROCEDURE:

1) In the experimental circuit of Fig. -9.1, determine its Thevenin equivalent circuit. Write your
solution and the Thevenin equivalent circuit on the space provided below:

Fig. -9.1: Experimental circuit for verification of Thevenin’s theorem

R1 R3
1k
1k a

I V
L L

Vs
10V V R2 R4 RL
1k 1k 1k

Solution for Step #:

Thevenin equivalent circuit for step #1:

2) Using your Thevenin equivalent circuit above, compute for the voltage across the load resistor
RL and the current, IL, flowing through it. Record your computed value in the space provided
below.

computed load voltage VL = ________volts; computed load current IL =________mA

3) Verify your results in step #2 by constructing the experimental circuit of Fig.-9.1 and by
measuring the actual load voltage and current. Record your computed value in the space
provided below.

Measured load voltage VL = ______volts; measured load current IL = _______mA

OBSERVATION AND ANALYSIS:

CONCLUSION:

When you have completed all of the above, have your laboratory instructor sign below.
QUESTIONS:

1) In the given circuit below, determine the amount of current flowing to the load resistor RL by
applying Thevenin’s Theorem and show its direction by drawing the current symbol in the
given circuit.

R1 R3
1k 2k
RL
100k
Vsl
15V
V a b

R2 R4
1.5k 470

ANSWERS TO QUESTION:
EXPT. NO. 10: THE CATHODE-RAY OSCILLOSCOPE (CRO)

OBJECTIVES:

1. To be familiar with the different controls, connectors and indicator of cathode-ray oscilloscope.
2. To prepare the CRO for measurement by performing preliminary control settings and adjustments.

SUGGESTED READINGS:

Oscilloscope instruction manual or any discussion about the cathode-ray oscilloscope.

REQUIRED SKILLS: Know how to read measurement scales.

MATERIALS REQUIRED:

Description Qty.

Dual-trace oscilloscope 1
Oscilloscope instruction manual 1

PROCEDURE:

Part 1: Familiarization with the basic oscilloscope controls, connectors and indicators

1) Familiarize yourself on the following controls, connectors, and indicators of a typical cathode-ray
oscilloscope (CRO) by referring to the instruction manual of the CRO that you are using and
explain briefly their respective function on the space provided below:

Display and power section

1. POWER switch

2. POWER lamp

3. INTERN control

4. FOCUS control

5. ROTATION control

6. ILLUM control
Vertical amplifier section

7. CH1 or X-IN connector

8. CH2 or Y-IN connector

9. CH1 AC/GND/DC switch

10. CH2 AC/GND/DC switch

11. CH1 VOLTS/DIV switch

12. CH2 VOLTS/DIV switch

13. VARIABLE VOLTS/DIV controls

14. PULL X10 MAG switches

(on variable VOLTS/DIV controls)

15. UNCAL lamps

16. CH1 POSITION control

17. CH2 POSITION control

18. PULL CH2 INV switch

19. V MODE CH1/CH2/CHOP/ALT/ADD

Sweep and trigger sections

20. TIME/DIV switch

21. TIME VARIABLE switch

22. PULL X10 MAG switch

23. UNCAL lamp

24. Horizontal POSITION control

 25. HOLD OFF control

26. Trigger MODE switch AUTO/NORMAL/TV FIELD

27. Trigger COUPLING switch AC/HF-REJ/DC/TV-V/TV-H

28. Trigger SOURCE switch CH1/CH2/LINE/EXT

29. EXT TRIG IN connector

30. Trigger LEVEL control

31. Trigger SLOPE switch

32. TRIG’D lamp

Miscellaneous features

33. CAL connector

34. Ground connector

Part 2: Reading the measured signal using the grid-line scale on the viewing area of the cathode-
ray tube (CRT)

2) Determine the number of vertical and horizontal divisions, from the grid-line scale (called as graticule)
that appears on the viewing area of the CRT, that are used for measuring displayed signal. Record the
results on the space provided below.

number of vertical divisions = _________ number of horizontal divisions =___________

3) Write down the minimum and maximum setting of the volts/division and time/division control knobs on
the respective space provided below.

minimum volts/divisions setting = _________ maximum volts/divisions setting =___________

minimum time/divisions setting = _________ maximum time/divisions setting =___________

4) In direct measurement (no attenuation) of signal by the CRO, determine the maximum peak-to-peak
voltage and maximum period of the measured signal that can be displayed effectively on the CRT by
using the results in step #2 and #3. Write down your results on the space provided below.

max. peak-to-peak voltage = _______volts maximum period =___________ seconds

5) Determine the type of oscilloscope probe that you are using if it is a direct probe (provides direct reading)
or an attenuator probe (with X1/X10 switch for attenuation of measured signal) and write your findings
on the space provided below. Most oscilloscope probes are available with IX attenuation (direct
connection) and 10X attenuation. When 10X are used, the scale factor (VOLTS/DIV switch setting) must
be multiplied by ten. Check if your oscilloscope has this feature from the label on its body.

type of oscilloscope probe = ____________________________

Part 3: Preliminary Control Setting and Adjustment

6) Prepare the CRO for measurement by setting the following controls as indicated.

POWER switch OFF (released)

INTEN control Fully counterclockwise
FOCUS control Mid rotation
AC/GND/DC switches AC
VOLTS/DIV switches 10mV
Vertical POSITION controls Mid rotation
VARIABLE VOLTS/DIV Fully clockwise and pushed controls
V MODE switch CH1
TIME/DIV switch 0.5 mS
TIME VARIABLE control Fully clockwise and pushed in
Horizontal POSITION control Mid rotation
Trigger MODE switch AUTO
Trigger SOURCE switch CH1
Trigger COUPLING switch AC
Trigger LEVEL control Mid rotation
HOLDOFF control NORM (Fully counterclockwise)

7) Plug the ac power cord into a convenience ac outlet.

8) Press in the POWER switch. The POWER lamp should light immediately. About 30 seconds later, rotate the
INTEN controls clockwise until the trace appears on the screen. Adjust the brightness to the lowest level of
brightness that will permit the display to be effectively viewed.

NOTE: Get in the habit of turning the brightness away if the oscilloscope is left unattended for many period of
time.

9) Turn the FOCUS control for a sharp trace.

10) Turn the CH1 Vertical position control to move the CH1 trace to the center of the horizontal graticule line.

11) See if the trace is precisely in parallel with the horizontal graticule line. If it is not, just the ROTATION
control with a small screw driver.

12) Turn the Horizontal POSITION control to align the left edge of the trace with the left-most graticule line.

13) Set one of the supplied oscilloscope probes for X10 attenuation. Then, connect its BNC end to to the CH1
or X-IN connector and it tip to the CAL connector. A square-wave display, five divisions in amplitude,
should appear on the CRT screen.

14) If the tops and bottoms of the displayed square wave are titled or peaked, as shown in Fig.-10.1, the probe
must be compensated (matched to the oscilloscope input capacitance). Adjust the capacitance-correction
trimmer of the probe with a small screwdriver.

Fig.-10.1: Effect of probe compensation

correctly under over

compensated compensated compensated

15) Set the V MODE switch to CH2, and perform steps #13 and #14 with the other probe on channel 2.

OBSERVATION AND ANALYSIS:

CONCLUSION:

When you have completed all of the above, have your laboratory instructor sign below.
QUESTIONS:

1) What switch of an oscilloscope is used to prepare the instrument for two-channel display?

2) Write down the computation showing that the measured amplitude in step #13 is equal to 0.5V.

3) What is the most important reason for using an attenuator probe at higher frequency signals, as
recommended in the manual of the oscilloscope?

4) What is the purpose of adjusting the brightness of the trace on the screen of the oscilloscope to the
lowest level of brightness enough to permit the display to be effectively viewed?

ANSWER TO QUESTIONS: