Exp nt-03

eri
To measure DC quantities &verification of Ohm’s Law
me (A) DC voltage Measurement
1. To learn how to measure DC voltages
2. To learn how to use digital multimeter as voltmeter properly

Apparatus:
 Resistor, DVM, DC power supply

Discussion:
The force which causes the current to flow through the circuit element is called electromotive
force (emf, E) or voltage. The voltage is measured in volts (V).
A voltmeter is an instrument used to measure voltage. It must be connected in parallel with the
terminal of the circuit element whose voltage we wish to measure. When you use the DC
voltmeter to measure voltage, it is very important to ensure correct polarity and range.
Procedure:
1. Turn on the main switch of the trainer.
2. Turn the DC voltage control knob completely to the left (min. position).
3. Connect the +20V terminal of DC voltmeter to the V+ terminal of DC power supply,
and the 0 terminal to the GND terminal of DC power supply.
4. Measure and record the DC voltage reading indicated by the

voltmeter E= V

5. Slowly turn the voltage control knob towards the right and observe the change of
reading on the voltmeter.
Did the reading increase while the control knob is turned towards the right? Yes/NO
6. When the control knob reaches its full clockwise position (max. position), record the
voltage reading as indicated by the voltmeter.
E= V
This voltage value is the maximum available positive power from the main unit.
7. Disconnect the connections between the voltmeter and the positive power supply.
8. Return the voltage control knob to its min position.
9. Connect the +V terminal of DC voltmeter to the -20V terminal of DC power supply,
and the 0V terminal to the GND terminal of DC power supply.
10. Slowly turn the voltage control knob towards the right and observe the change of
the reading on the voltmeter. The reading should be increasing.
 11. Record the voltage reading as indicated by the voltmeter

E= V

12. This voltage value is the maximum available negative value form the trainer.

Results:
Fixed Power supply = _ V

Range of Positive Power Supply= V

Range of Negative Power Supply= V

Conclusion:
(B) DC Current Measurement

Objectives:
1. To learn how to measure the DC current in circuit

Discussion:
If a voltage source is applied to a circuit, electric current will flow in the circuit. The ammeter is
the instrument used to measure the current flow in the circuit. It must be connected in series with
the circuit element whose current flow we wish to measure. The unit of measurement of electric
current is the ampere (A).

When an ammeter is connected into a circuit, the internal resistance of the instrument is added to
that of the circuit. The current is therefore reduced. To minimize this effect, ammeters are always
constructed to have a low internal resistance.

The current must always enter at the positive terminal and leave through the negative terminal of
a dc ammeter. Reversing the polarity or choosing a range too small will cause the pointer of dc
ammeter to hit the mechanical stops at the ends of scale, and the dc ammeter may be damaged.

It is possible to construct an equivalent dc ammeter by connecting a dc voltmeter in parallel with

a known resistor. If the equivalent dc ammeter is connected in series with a circuit or component
such as a resistor, the current flow will produce a voltage drop across the known resistor and the
voltage will be indicated by the voltmeter. Then the current value can be calculated by using the
equation I=E/R.

Procedure:
1. Wire the circuit as shown in the figure below.

2. Connect the voltmeter to terminals V+ and GND terminal of power supply and set
the voltage output=5V.
3. Disconnect the voltmeter.
4. Using the equation I=E/R, calculate and record the current in the circuit.
 I=
5. Connect the ammeter in the circuit as shown below and note down the reading shown
on meter.
I=

6. It is simple to build an equivalent ammeter by connecting a known resistor in

parallel with a voltmeter, See the figure below.

7. Make connections as shown in the figure below and again measure the value of current
I=

Conclusion:
 (C) Resistance Measurement using Ω-meter &Color codes

Objectives:
1. To study the basic construction of an Ohmmeter
2. To learn how to use an Ohmmeter to measure resistor value.
3. To determine resistance value using color coding

Theory:
All materials resist (oppose) the flow of electrical current through them; this property is known
as resistance. The unit of measure for electrical resistance is (Ω). The instrument used to measure
electrical resistance is called an ohmmeter.
An ohmmeter is powered by an internal battery that applies a small voltage to a circuit or
component and measures how much current flow through the circuit or component. It then
displays the result as resistance. Ohmmeters are used for checking continuity and for measuring
the resistance of components. Zero resistance indicates a short circuit while infinite resistance
indicates an open circuit (OL) on meter display. A reading higher than the specification indicates
a faulty component or a high resistance problem such as burnt contacts, corroded terminals or
loose connections. Ohmmeters, because they are self-powered, must never be connected to a
powered circuit as this may blow up a fuse in the meter and damage its battery. An analog
ohmmeter should be calibrated regularly by connecting the two lead together and zeroing the
meter with the adjust knob.
Common carbon resistors are marked with a standard color code from which you can determine
the resistance and tolerance. The first and second bands represent the numerical value of the
resistor, and the color of the third band specifies the power-of-ten multiplier or number of zeros.
The forth band is the tolerance band which indicates that the actual value of the resistor can vary
from the nominal value by ±5%, ±10% and ±20%.
 Resistor Color Code

0 Black
1 Brown
Resistance value, 2 Red
first three bands. 1st 3 Orange
band - 1st digit
2nd band - 2nd digit 4 Yellow
3rd band - number 5 Green
of zeros. 6 Blue
7 Violet
8 Gray
9 White

5%Gold
4th band, 10%Silver
tolerance
20% No band

The steps for measuring resistance using ohmmeter are

1. Select a proper measure range by switching the range selector. Most analog meters
usually contain ranges R*1, R*10, R*100, and R*1k etc. (if you don’t know the value of
the resistance to be measured-start with the highest range).
2. Connect the two probe terminals together and zero your ohmmeter by turning the 0 ohms
adjust knob.
3. Connect the terminals of ohmmeter across the element (such as a resistor) whose
resistance you wish to measure, and read the reading on scale.
4. Interpret the reading by taking the value you see on the meter and multiplying it by the
resistance scale switch setting. For example, if you see a meter reading of 17, and the
scale switch is set to R x 100, the actual resistance measurement is 17 x 100 or 1700
ohms

Procedure:
Use ohmmeter to measure the values of resistors and compare these values with the calculated
values (using carbon color coding scheme)
Resistor 1st Band 2nd 3rd Band Tolerance Calculated Measured
Band (%) Value Value
R1

R2

R3

R4

R5

R6

Results and Conclusion:

(D) Variable Resistor Characteristics/Potentiometer

Objectives:
1. To study the characteristics of resistors
2. To measure the resistance values of a potentiometer

Theory:
Resistors can be simply divided into two types: fixed resistors and variable resistors. A fixed
resistor has two terminals and its resistance is constant.
A variable resistor or potentiometer has three terminals and its resistance is variable. The
circuit symbol and picture of variable resistor is shown below

The resistance between the end terminals RAC is fixed and is always equal to its nominal value (if
the potentiometer is of 10K value, then resistance RAC will be 10K).

The wiper resistances, resistances between the wiper terminal and the end terminals, RAB and
RAC, are variable and depend on the wiper position.

Procedure:
1. Locate variable resistor (VR) on the trainer.
2. Designate three terminals of VR as A (the right), B (the middle), and C (the left).
3. Using ohm-meter, measure the resistance between terminals A and c and record the
value of RAC.
RAC=
4. Turn the VR control knob completely to the left (fully counter clockwise position).
Measure and record the resistance between terminals A and B.
RAB(CCW)=
5. Then turn the control knob towards the right (CW direction) and observe the
reading indicated by the ohmmeter. Is the resistance decreased? Yes/ No
6. Measure and record the resistance when the control knob is turned completely to
the right(full CW position)

RAB(CW)=
 7. Turn the VR control knob completely to the left. Measure and record the
resistance between terminals B and C.
RBC(CCW)=
8. Then turn the control knob towards full right, observe and record the reading.
RBC(CW)=
9. Measure the other resistances shown and complete the table

Shaft Position RAB RBC RAB +RBC

Fully CCW
¼ Turn
½ Turn
¾ Turn
Fully CW

Is the equation RAC=RAB +RBC satisfied? Yes/No

(E) To verify the Ohm’s Law
Objectives
1. To verify Ohm’s Law
2. To learn how to use Ohm’s Law in circuit analysis
3. Draw a graph between V & I by using different values of V

Introduction:
Ohm's Law deals with the relationship between voltage and current in an ideal conductor. This
relationship states that:
The potential difference (voltage) across an ideal conductor is proportional to the current
through it.
The constant of proportionality is called the "resistance", R.

Ohm's Law is given by:

V=IR
Where V is the potential difference between two points which include a resistance R. I is the
current flowing through the resistance. Ohm's Law can be used to solve simple circuits. A
complete circuit is one which is a closed loop. It contains at least one source of voltage (thus
providing an increase of potential energy), and at least one potential drop i.e., a place where
potential energy decreases. The sum of the voltages around a complete circuit is zero. An
increase of potential energy in a circuit causes a charge to move from a lower to a higher
potential (ie. voltage).The circuit diagram is shown below

Procedure:
1. Take a resistor of 1kΩ and measure its value using ohmmeter

Is the measured value within the nominal tolerance? Yes/No

2. Connect the voltmeter terminals +V and GND and adjust the positive power to +10V
3. Using ohm’s law and the values step 2 and 3, calculate and record the current value
I= mA
4. Insert the millimeter in the circuit and measure the value of current I= mA
5. Is there agreement between your measured and calculated current values? Yes/No
6. Raise the positive power to obtain a reading of 15mA on the ammeter
7. Using ohm law and the value of step 6 calculate and record the voltage value,
E= V
8. Using the voltmeter, measure the voltage between terminals +V and GND and record the
results E= V

Is there agreement between your measured and calculated voltage values? Yes/No

9. Draw a graph between V&I by using different value of V&I

Table:

Voltages(V)
Current(mA)

Graph:
(F) Power Measurement in DC Circuit

Objectives:
1. To understand the definition and functions of electrical power
2. To learn how to measure the power dissipated in a dc circuit

Theory:
The purpose of a power source in an electrical circuit is to supply electrical energy to the load.
The load uses this energy to perform some useful work. In electricity, work is accomplished by
the movement of electric current. Power is the rate of doing work. The unit of measurement of
power is the watts (W). A force of one volt producing a current of one ampere is equal to one
watt of power. The wattmeter is a basic instrument used to measure power. Electrical power in a
DC circuit can be expressed by three formulas:
P=EI, P=I2R, P=E2R
Where
P=power in watts
E=Voltage in volts
I=Current in amperes
R=Resistance in ohms
When electric energy is supplied to a resistor, it is immediately converted into heat with the
result that the resistor warms up. The greater the electric power supplied, the higher the temp will
become, until a point is reached where either the resistor or nearby components will burn out. In
order to maintain an acceptable temperature, resistors that have to dissipate large amounts of
power are made physically large, while those that dissipate little energy can be made smaller.

Procedure:
1. Take a resistor of IKΩ and measure its value using ohmmeter

R1=

2. Connect the voltmeter to terminals +V and GND and adjust the positive power to +15V.
3. According to the figure shown below connect the circuit components.
4. Use ammeter to measure current in the circuit at the moment power is supplied.

I=
 5. Using the equation P=EI and the values of step 3 and 4, calculate and record the power
dissipated in this circuit.
P= W
6. Using the equation P=E /R and the values of step 1 and 2, calculate and record the power
2

dissipated by resistor R1
P= W
7. Using the equation P=I R and the values of step 1 and 4, calculate and record the power
2

dissipated by resistor R1
P= W
Do all of your power values agree? Yes/No
8. Turn off the power and touch the body of resistor R1 to feel the temperature. What is the
form that electric power is converted into ?

Results and Conclusion:

Simulation:
1. Attach the circuit in Multisim as shown following figure.
 2. Measure and record the current as indicated by the ammeter at the moment
the power is applied.
I=
3. Using the equation P=EI and the values of steps 1 and 2, calculate and
record the power dissipated in this circuit
P=
4. Using the equation P=E /R and the values of step 1 and 2, calculate and
2

record the power dissipated by resistor R1

P= W
5. Using the equation P=I R and the values of step 1 and 4, calculate and
2

record the power dissipated by resistor R1

P= W
Do all of your power values agree?
Find I1 and I2 in the following circuit by using ammeter.

I1= I2=