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 laws, namely Kirchhoff's Voltage Law (KVL) and Kirchhoff's Current Law (KCL),
are fundamental principles in electrical circuit analysis. These laws were formulated by the
German physicist Gustav Kirchhoff in the mid-19th century. KVL states that the algebraic sum
of voltages around any closed loop in a circuit is zero, while KCL states that the sum of currents
entering a node or junction in a circuit is equal to the sum of currents leaving that node or
junction

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:

 Verification of KVL in a series circuit
 Verification of KCL in a parallel circuit
 Understanding circuit behavior
 Circuit design and troubleshooting
 And finally measured values are going to be verified with calculated and simulated
values

Theory and methodology:

Kirchhoff's Voltage Law (KVL) is a fundamental principle in electrical circuit analysis that
relates to the conservation of energy. It states that the algebraic sum of the voltage drops (or
rises) around any closed loop in an electrical circuit is zero.
The theory behind Kirchhoff's Voltage Law is based on the principle of conservation of energy.
According to this law, the total energy supplied by a voltage source in a circuit must be equal to
the total energy consumed by the circuit elements.
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.[2]

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 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:

Step 1: Calculate the equivalent resistance of the circuit: RT = R1+R2+R3

Step 2: Calculate the supply current: IS= E/RT
Step 3: Calculate the voltage across different resistors: V1 = IS R1 ; V2 = IS R2 ; V3 = IS R3
Step 4: Use KVL to verify: ∑CV = 0 or E − V1 – V2 – V3 = 0 or E = V1 + V2 + V3

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

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 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.[2]

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
[2]:
∑ IEntering =∑ Ileaving

Analysis of KCL circuit:

Values of circuit parameters follow the following step,
Step-1 :Calculation of the equivalent of the circuit :
RT = [( 1/R1 )+ (1/R2)+(1/R3)]-1
=[(1/2.16)+(1/5.53)+(1/0.52)]-1
=0.389 kΩ

Step-2: Calculation of the current through different branches:

Is =E/RT
=12/0.389
=30.8 mA
Step -3: Calculation of the current through different branches:
I1 =E/R1 I2= E/R2 I3=E/R3
= 12/2.16 =12/5.53 =12/0.52
=5.55 mA = 2.16 mA = 23 mA

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Step-4: Use KCL of verify : ∑ IEntering =∑ Ileaving
Is= I1+I2+I3 = 5.55+2.16+23
=30.71 mA

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. (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.[1][3]

Apparatus:
1. Trainer Board
2. Digital Multimeter
3. DC Source (12 V)
4. Resistors (2.16 KΩ, 5.53 KΩ, 0.52 KΩ, 0.99 KΩ, 8.41 KΩ, 21.27 KΩ )
5. Connecting Wires

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Precautions:

 All the apparatus were checked before the experiment.

 The circuit was implemented carefully where necessary.
 Made sure that the DC source is not shorted in the breadboard.
 Made sure not to switch on the DC source while implementing the circuit.
 Multimeter was placed in parallel while measuring voltage and it was connected in series
while measuring current.
 The multimeter was set in voltage mode while measuring voltage and in current mode
while measuring current.

Circuit Diagram

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

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 Figure 6: Perallel Circuit to be Implemented in the Trainer Board

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Experimental Procedure:

1. The circuit was connected in series and voltage across each resistors were measured.
After measuring, the data tables were filled with appropriate calculations.
2. After completing voltage measurements, the circuit was connected in parallel to measure
current across each resistors. Table 2 was filled with this measurements and with
appropriate calculations.
3. Help was taken from circuit diagrams to understand how to make measurements for each
circuit.

Simulation and Measurement:

Figure 2:
Simulation for Voltage measurements.

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 Figure 3: Simulation for current measurements.

Data Table:

Table-1 ( Series Circuit to be Implemented in the Trainer Board):

Value of Resistors: R1 = 2.16KΩ, R2 = 5.53KΩ, R3 = 0.52KΩ
Value of Voltage Source: E = 12V

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

(V)
Measured Value 1.51 3.12 8.12 0.78 12.02
Calculated Value 12 1.47 3.17 8.12 0.79 12.08
Simulated Value 3.133 8.08 .786 12

Table-2 (Parallel Circuit to be Implemented in the Trainer Board):

Value of Resistors: R1 = 0.99KΩ, R2 = 8.41KΩ, R3 = 21.27KΩ
Value of Voltage Source: E = 12V

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

Measured Value 14.12 1.47 12.2 0.5 14.17
Calculated Value 14.11 1.42 12.12 0.56 14.1
Simulated Value 14.105 1.42 12.121 0.564 14.105

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Report Questions:
1. Connecting an ammeter in parallel to the load resistor can lead to damage for a couple of
reasons:
Current Overload: Ammeters have a limited current-carrying capacity, typically
specified as the maximum current they can handle without damage. Exceeding this limit
can cause the internal components of the ammeter to overheat and potentially fail.
Measurement Error: Connecting an ammeter in parallel disrupts the intended
current path through the load resistor. This can alter the current distribution in the circuit
and result in inaccurate measurement.

2. Given, [From figure 3]

E=12 V
R1=2.16 kΩ
R2=5.53 kΩ
R3= 0.542 kΩ
In a series circuit RT= R1+ R2+ R3
= (2.16+5.53+0.542) kΩ
= 8.15 kΩ
E 12
Is = = =1.47 mA
R T 8.15
V1= IsR1= (1.47 × 2.16) = 3.17 V
V2= IsR2= (1.47 × 5.53) = 8.129 V
V3= IsR3= (1.47 × 0.542) = 0.796 V
V1 +V2 +V3 = (3.17+8.129+0.796) V
= 12.08 V

Given, [From figure 6]

E=12 V
R1=0.99 kΩ
R2=8.41 kΩ

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 R3= 21.27 kΩ
1 1 1 1
In a parallel circuit = + +
RT R 1 R 2 R 3
1 1 1
= + +
0.99 8.41 21.27
= 0.85 kΩ
E 12
Is = = =14.11 mA
R T 0.85
I1= E/R1= (12 / 0.99) = 12.2 mA
I2= E/R2= (12 / 8.41) = 1.47 mA
I3= E/R3= (12 / 21.27) = 0.5 mA
I1 +I2 +I3 = (1.47+12.2+0.5) mA
= 14.17 mA

Discussion and Conclusion:

To experimentally verify Kirchhoff's Voltage Law (KVL) in a series circuit we built a simple
series circuit consisting of a power supply (battery), a resistor, and connecting wires. Connected
a voltmeter across the power supply, parallel to the resistor. Measured and record the voltage
reading on the voltmeter. To experimentally verify Kirchhoff's Current Law (KCL) in a parallel
circuit We built a simple parallel circuit consisting of a current source (such as a power supply),
two resistors, and connecting wires. Connected an ammeter in series with the current source to
measure the total current in the circuit. Measured and record the current reading on the ammeter.
We have compared the measured values with the theoretical value. The measured values are a
little deviated from the theoretical values. Thus the KVL and KCL is verified successfully.

Resources:
[1] Robert L. Boylestad, “Introductory Circuit Analysis”, 13th Edition, Prentice Hall, New York.
[2] DC students Lab Manual exp- 03
[3] Study Library- https://studylib.net/doc/9945dc34 Access date: 16-06-23

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