Title: Familiarizing with the Basic DC Circuit Terms and Concepts, Introduction to

Laboratory Equipment and Simulation tool (Multisim).

Theory and Methodology:

Current: Current is a flow of electric change carriers, usually electron-deficient atoms. The
standard unit ia the ampere. One ampere of current represents one coulomb of electrical charge
(6.24 x 1018 charge carriers) moving past a specific point in one second. If Q is the amount of
charge that passed through the surface in the time t, then the average current I is:
I = Q / t [3]

Voltage: Voltage, also known as electric potential difference, is a fundamental concept in

electricity and electrical engineering. It is the measure of the electric potential energy per unit
charge in an electric circuit or system. [3]
Resistance: Resistance is a fundamental property of materials and components that opposes the
flow of electric current through them. It is denoted by the symbol "R" and is
measured in ohms (Ω).
The resistance (R) of an object is defined as the ratio of voltage across it (V) to current through it
(I):
I = V / R [3]
Voltmeter: A voltmeter is an instrument used to measure the voltage or electric potential
difference between two points in an electrical circuit. It is a type of meter used in electrical
testing and troubleshooting. Voltmeter is a device that is used to measure the voltage difference
between two points. [4]

Ammeter: An ammeter is an instrument used to measure electric current in a circuit. It is

specifically designed to measure the flow of electric charge, typically expressed in amperes (A).
Ammeters are widely used in electrical and electronic systems to monitor current levels and
ensure proper functioning. [4]

Wattmeter: A wattmeter is an electrical instrument used to measure the power consumption or

power transfer in an electrical circuit. It is specifically designed to measure the rate at which
electrical energy is being converted from one form to another, typically expressed in watts (W).
Wattmeter measures the power delivered by a source and to a dissipative element.[4]

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Multimeter: A multimeter, also known as a volt-ohm meter (VOM), is a versatile electronic
instrument used to measure various electrical quantities in a circuit. It combines multiple
measurement functions into a single device, making it a valuable tool for both professional
electricians and hobbyists. It is also used to test continuity between to two points to verify if
there are any breaks in circuit or line. There are two types of multimeter: Analog and Digital. (a)
Analog has a needle style gauge (b) Digital has a LCD display.[4]

DC Power Sources: DC voltage sources can be divided into three broad categories: (a) batteries
(chemical action), (b) generators (electromechanical), and (c) power supplies (rectification).[3]

Electrical Power Supply: Power supply (sometimes known as a power supply unit or PSU) is a
device or system that supplies electrical or other types of energy. [3]

Breadboard: Breadboard is a reusable solder less device used to build a (generally temporary)
prototype of an electronic circuit and for experimenting with circuit designs. Generally
breadboard can be divided in two functional areas:
 The power strips are horizontally connected (A and D).
 The component grids are vertically connected (B and C). [3]

Circuit Breaker and Fuses: Fuses and circuit breakers have the same function which is to limit
current through the circuit as electronic components can be damaged if eccessive amount of
current flows through it. Fuses use thin wire that melts in this situations and disconnect the
circuit whereas circuit breakers use electromagnets for this job.[1]

Resistance Color Coding: Different resistors have different color strips on them. This generally
represents their theoretical resistance value. To understand this values we need the help of a
Resistance Color Code Chart.[1]

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 Fig: Color code chart for 4 band resistors. [2]

NI Multisim:
NI Multisim is an electronic schematic capture and simulation program which is part of a suite of
circuit design programs, along with NI Ultiboard. Multisim is one of the few circuit design
programs to employ the original Berkeley SPICE based software simulation. Multisim was
originally created by a company named Electronics Workbench, which is now a division of
National Instruments. Multisim includes microcontroller simulation, as well as integrated import
and export features to the Printed Circuit Board layout software in the suite, NI Ultiboard.
Multisim is widely used in academia and industry for circuit’s education, electronic schematic
design and SPICE simulation.[3]

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 Fig: Experiment circuit simulation from NI Multisim.

Apparatus:
1. Trainer Board
2. Voltmeter
3. Ammeter
4. AVO meter or Multimeter
5. DC Source
6. Resistors

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Precautions:

 To obtain a good reading when measuring voltage, it must connect the multi meter to two
points in a circuit. While measuring voltage, it was ensured not to touch the bare probe
tips together, as this action will create a short-circuit
 We did not read resistance or test for continuity with a multi meter on an energized
circuit.
 To measure current, we connected the multi meter in a circuit, allowing the electrons to
flow through the meter.
 The leads of multi meters possess practically no resistance. This design allows electrons
to flow through the meter with minimal difficulty. If it were not the case, the meter would
introduce additional resistance into the circuit, thereby impacting the current.

Experimental Procedure:

The Value of the supplied

resistors was calculated using
the color code
chart theoretically. Then the
value was measured using a
multi meter and
the following table:
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The Value of the supplied
resistors was calculated using
the color code
chart theoretically. Then the
value was measured using a
multi meter and
the following table:
 The Value of the supplied resistors was calculated using the color code chart theoretically.
Then the value was measured using a multi meter and we got the following table:

Data Table 1: Resistor value from color code

Resistor Color sequence Value using color Value using Multi

code chart meter
R1 Or-Or-R-G 33×102±5% 5.9
R2 Gre-R-R-G 82×102±5% 8.4
R3 Br-Gre-R-G 18×102±5% 1.5
R4 Gre-Bl-R-G 56×102±5% 5.6
R5 Br-B-R-G 10×102±5% 1.0

 The following circuit was constructed. Theoretically R T (Total Resistance), I (Total

Current), Vab, Vcd, Va and vb was calculated.

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Simulation and Measurement:

Data Table 2:Theoretical and multimeter values for I, V and R

E Theoretical Calculation Multimeter Readings

RT I Vab Vcd Va Vb I Vab Vcd Va Vb

12 600 .02 2 10 12 10 18.49 1830.51 8912.18 1.86 10.5

Calculation:
RT = R1 + R2 = (100+500) Ω = 600Ω
I = V/R = 12 / 600 = 0.02 Amp
Vab= I×Rab= 0.02 × 100 = 2 V
Vcd =I×Rcd=0.02 × 500 = 10 V
From Kirchhoff's law,
-E+Vab+Vb=0
So, Vb=E-Vab
= (12-2) V = 10V
Va = Vab + Vb= (2+10) =12 V

Result:
RT = 600 Ω
I = 0.02 Amp
Vab = 2 V
Vcd= 10 V
Va = 12 V
Vb= 10 V

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Report Questions:
 For R1,

Color code: Orange Orange Red Gold

Digit: 3, 3
Multiplier: 102
Tolerance: ± 5 %
Value, R1 = 33×102±5%
 For R2,

Color code: Green Red Red Gold

Digit: 8,2
Multiplier: 102
Tolerance: ± 5 %
Value, R2 = 82×102±5%
 For R3,

Color code: Brown Green Red Gold

Digit: 1,8
Multiplier: 102
Tolerance: ± 5 %
Value, R3 = 18×102±5%
 For R4,

Color code: Green Blue Red Gold

Digit: 5,6
Multiplier: 102
Tolerance: ± 5 %
Value, R4 = 56×102±5%
 For R5,

Color code: Brown Black Red Gold

Digit: 1,0
Multiplier: 102

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 Tolerance: ± 5 %
Value, R5 = 10×102±5%

Discussion:

 The bread board and the multimeter was checked before the start of the experiment.
 The resistor was placed properly according to the figure.
 The value of the voltage was increased gradually as applying a large voltage can damage
the resistors.
 When measuring Current the multi meter was connected in a circuit so the
electrons had to flow through the meter.
 During the experiment some error was taken place due to the multimeter. It was solved
with the help of course instructor.
 Finally all the data was placed in the data table. For the given equation, a result was
obtained.

Reference:
1. Robert L. Boylestad, “Introductory Circuit Analysis”, 13th Edition, Prentice Hall, New
York.
2. Study Library- https://studylib.net/doc/18114097 Visited: 10-06-23
3. DC Lab student manual- Ex 01
4. Wikipedia- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronics Visited: 10-06-23

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