Experiment 2 Student’s Manual

American International University – Bangladesh (AIUB)

Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
EEE 1204: Electrical Circuits 1 (DC) Laboratory

Title: Verification of Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law (KVL) in Series Circuit and Verification of
Kirchhoff’s Current Law (KCL) in Parallel Circuit.
Introduction:
Kirchhoff's circuit law deals with the potential difference (commonly known as voltage) in
electrical circuits. They were first described in 1845 by Gustav Kirchhoff. This generalized the
work of Georg Ohm and preceded the work of Maxwell. Widely used in electrical engineering,
they are also called Kirchhoff's rules or simply Kirchhoff's laws.

The series circuit can be solved using Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law (KVL) and Voltage Divider Rule
(VDR) and parallel circuit can be solved using the Kirchhoff’s Current Law (KCL) and Current
divider rule (CDR).
The purpose of this experiment is:
 Analyze the basic laws of series circuits.
 Analyze the basic laws of parallel circuits.
 To develop an understanding of Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law (KVL) practically.
 To develop an understanding of Kirchhoff’s Current Law (KCL) practically.
 And finally measured values are going to be verified with calculated and simulated values.
Theory and Methodology:
Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law (KVL): Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law (KVL) in a DC circuit states that,
“the algebraic sum of the potential rises and drops around a closed loop (or path) is zero”. In other
words, “the sum of the rises around a closed loop must equal the sum of the drops in potential”. A
plus (+) sign is assigned for the potential rises (- to +) and minus sign (-) is assigned to a potential
drop (+ to -). In symbolic form, KVL can be expressed as: ∑ = 0, Where c is used for closed
loop and V is used for the potential rises and drops.

Figure 1: Series Circuit

Analysis of KVL circuit: For doing a complete analysis of KVL, with the given values of circuit
parameters follow the following steps:

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 Experiment 2 Student’s Manual

Step 1: Calculate the equivalent resistance of the circuit: = + +

Step 2: Calculate the supply current: = ⁄
Step 3: Calculate the voltage across different resistors: = ; = ; =
Step 4: Use KVL to verify: ∑ = or − − − = or = + +

Analysis of Series Circuit:

A circuit consists of any number of elements joined at terminal points, providing at least one closed
path through which charge can flow.
Two elements are in series if
a) They have only one terminal in common (i.e., one lead of one is connected to only one lead
of the other). b) The common point between the two elements is not connected to another
current-carrying element.
The current is the same through series elements. The total resistance of a series circuit is the sum
of the resistance levels. In general, to find the total resistance of N resistors in series, the following
equation is applied:
RT = R1+R2+R3+...........+RN (Ohms)
I=E/RT (Amperes)
The voltage across each resistor (Figure 1) using Ohm’s law; that is,
V1= IR1, V2= IR2, V3= IR3, ........., VN= IRN (Volts)
Using KVL, E = V1 + V2
The voltage divider rule states that the voltage across a resistor in a series circuit is equal to the
value of that resistor times the total impressed voltage across the series elements divided by the
total resistance of the series elements. The following VDR equation is applied:
Vx=RxE/RT Similarly, V1=R1E/RT, V2=R2E/RT
Where, Vx is the voltage across Rx, E is the impressed voltage across the series elements, and RT
is the total resistance of the series circuit.
Kirchhoff’s Current Law (KCL): Kirchhoff’s Current Law (KCL) in a DC circuit states that,
“the algebraic sum of the currents entering and leaving an area, system or junction is zero”. In
other word, “the sum of the currents entering an area, system or junction must equal the sum of
the currents leaving the area, system or junction”. In equation form, KCL can be expressed as [1]:

∑ =∑

Figure 2: Parallel Circuit

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 Experiment 2 Student’s Manual

Analysis of KCL circuit: For doing a complete analysis of KCL, with the given values of circuit
parameters follow the following steps:

Step 1: Calculate the equivalent resistance of the circuit: = [( ⁄ )+ ( ⁄ )+ ( ⁄ )]

Step 2: Calculate the supply current: = ⁄
Step 3: Calculate the current through different branches: = / ; = / ; = /
Step 4: Use KCL to verify: ∑ =∑ or − − − = or = +
+

Analysis of Parallel Circuit:

Two elements, branches, or networks are in parallel if they have two points in common. In general,
to find the total resistance of N resistors in parallel, the following equation is applied:
1/RT = (1/R1) + (1/R2) + (1/R3) +...........+ (1/RN) (Ohms)

The voltage across parallel elements is the same (Figure 1). (V1= V2= E)
I1=E/ R1, I2=E/ R2 (Amperes)
Using KCL, Is= I1+I2 (Amperes)

The current divider rule states that the current through any parallel branch is equal to the product
of the total resistance of the parallel branches and the input current divided by the resistance of the
branch through which the current is to be determined. The following CDR equation is applied:
Ix=RTI/Rx Similarly, I1=RTI/R1, I2=RTI/R2
where, the input current I equal V/RT, RT is the total resistance of the parallel branches. Substituting
V=IxRx into the above equation, Ix refers to the current through a parallel branch of resistance Rx.

Pre-Lab Homework:

Read about the KVL and KCL analysis from “Introductory Circuit Analysis’’ by Robert L
Boylestad. Try to analyze different circuits from text book and compare those with your
experimental circuit.

Apparatus:

1. Trainer Board
2. Digital Multimeter
3. DC Source
4. Resistors
5. Connecting Wires

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 Experiment 2 Student’s Manual

Precautions:

 Check whether all the apparatus is working fine or not.

 Implement the circuit carefully where necessary.
 While connecting DC source make sure it is not shorted while placing in the trainer board.
 Do not switch on the DC source while implementing the circuit in the trainer board.
 While measuring voltage, Digital multimeter should be placed in parallel across the
elements of the circuit where the voltage is to be measured, multimeter should be in
voltmeter mode.
 While measuring current, Digital multimeter should be placed in series with the branch of
the circuit where the current is to be measured, multimeter should be in ammeter mode.
Circuit Diagram:

R1

E R2
R3

Figure 3: Series Circuit to be Implemented in the Trainer Board

Figure 4: Measuring voltage across each Figure 5: Measuring current across each resistor in a series
resistor in a series circuit circuit

E R1 R2 R3

Figure 6: Parallel Circuit to be Figure 7: Measuring Current Across Each Resistor In A

Implemented in the Trainer Board Parallel Circuit

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 Experiment 2 Student’s Manual

Experimental Procedure:

1. Connect the circuit as shown in the figure 3. Measure the voltage across each elements of
the circuit. Look at the Figure 4 to check how to measure voltage. Fill the data table 1 with
necessary calculations.
2. Measure the current flowing through the circuit. Look at the Figure 5 to check how to
measure current. Fill the data table 1 with necessary calculations.
3. Connect the circuit as shown in the figure 6. Measure the current through each elements of
the circuit. Look at the Figure 7 to check how to measure current. Fill the data table 2 with
necessary calculations.
Data Table:

Table-1 (For Figure 3):

Value of Resistors: R1 = _____ KΩ, R2 = _____ KΩ, R3 = _____ KΩ

Value of Voltage Source: E = _____ V

E IS (mA) V1 (V) V2 (V) V3 (V) V1 + V2 + V3 (V)

Measured Value
Calculated Value
Simulated Value

Table-2 (For Figure 6):

IS (mA) I1 (mA) I2 (mA) I3 (mA) I1 + I2 + I3 (mA)

Measured Value
Calculated Value
Simulated Value

Simulation and Measurement:

Simulate the circuit of Figure 3 and 6 and fill up the data table 1 and 2. Attach the screenshot here.

Report Questions:
1. Why an ammeter can be damaged if it is connected in parallel to the load resistor?
2. Show brief calculation of Figure 3 and 6 to fill up the data table 1 and 2.

Discussion and Conclusion:

Summarize the experiment here and discuss whether the objectives were fulfilled or not within
a short paragraph.
Reference:
[1] Robert L. Boylestad, “Introductory Circuit Analysis”, 13th Edition, Prentice Hall, New York.

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