EEET2603: Lab1 - Guideline

LAB 1:
FAMILIARIZATION WITH LABORATORY EQUIPMENT

AIM
This initial lab concentrates on the use of laboratory equipment so that you become familiar with
its basic features and operation while verifying some simple circuit laws.
WARNING
There is a lot of reading in preparation for this laboratory experiment. As you read through,
highlight the experimental parts that specifically require attention in the laboratory.
EQUIPMENT
Multimeter, DC power supply, breadboard, resistors 220, 1k, 1.2k.
INTRODUCTION
You remain at the same bench position throughout the Session and will have plenty of
opportunity to master fundamental electrical engineering laboratory procedures.
Before commencing this Unit, please read Appendices 1-4. These are,
Appendix 1 - Prototyping Board
This board is used in the construction of your circuits.
Appendix 2 - Resistor Colour Coding
The colour code is not difficult and should be known, without referring to a chart, by the end of
Session. You will find that there are preferred combinations of colours for the significant figures
of the resistance value. These will be of assistant to you.
Appendix 3 - Digital Multimeters
These meters are used for the measurement of voltage, current and resistance.
Appendix 4 - The D.C. Power Supply
The concepts of EARTH and FLOATING are described in this Appendix.
IMPLEMENTATION:
The experimental circuit is shown in Figure 1.1.

R1

R2 R3

Figure 1.1. Resistive network

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EEET2603: Lab1 - Guideline

3.1 Resistance measurement

1) Read the tolerance percentage of three provided resistors with the nominal value
220, 1k and 1.2 k, and calculate tolerance range based on the nominal value and
the tolerance percentage of every resistor. Input these values in Table 1 of the result
sheet.
2) Change the setting of the multimeter to resistance measurement (Press 2W button).
3) Change the connection of the multimeter. Red lead is plugged to V port, black lead is
plugged to COM port (LO black) of the multimeter.
4) Measure the resistance values of the provided resistors by touching the red- and black-
leads of the multimeter to two ends of the resistor, respectively. Input the measured
resistance in Table 1 of the result sheet.
5) Measure the total resistance between two nodes (1) and (2) and input it in Table 2 of
the result sheet together with the calculated one based on the nominal resistance
values.
3.2 DC voltage measurement
1) Change the setting of the multimeter to voltage measurement (Press DCV/DCI button).
2) Change the connection of the multimeter. Red lead is plugged to V port, black lead is
plugged to COM port (LO black) of the multimeter.
3) Construct the circuit shown in Figure 1.1 on your prototyping board (breadboard).
4) Connect the 5V DC voltage source between node (2) and (1). Measure DC voltage source
V21, V23 and V31. For example, if V21 is measured, the red lead (probe) of the multimeter
is touched to node (2) and the black lead of the multimeter is touched to node (1). Thus,
V21 will be the voltage at the red lead with respect to black lead.
5) Input these measured values in Table 3 together with the calculated values based on 5V DC
supply and nominal resistance values.
3.3 DC current measurement
1) Change the setting of the multimeter to current measurement (Press shift button->Press
DCV/DCI button).
2) Change the connection of the multimeter. Red lead is plugged to +10A port, black lead is
plugged to COM port (LO black) of the multimeter.
3) Using the circuit and DC power supply as in section 3.2. Measure the current running
through every resistor of the circuit shown in Figure 1.1. For example, if the current running
through R1 (220) is measured, first disconnect one end of the resistor R1 from node 3,
then plug this end to one available hole/node in the breadboard, after that touch the red lead
of the multimeter to this new node and the black lead of the multimeter to node 3.
Note: The current that you are measuring has to flow through the ammeter. Therefore, the
ammeter must be connected in series with each resistor, one at a time. The measured current
direction is from red lead to black lead.
4) Input these measured values in Table 4 of the result sheet together with the calculated
values based on 5V DC supply and nominal resistance values.
5) Change the connection of the multimeter. Red lead is plugged to V port, black lead is
plugged to COM port (LO black) of the multimeter.

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EEET2603: Lab1 - Guideline

APPENDIX 1
BREADBOARD
The prototyping board gives the circuit designer a convenient base on which to construct
circuits. The holes are compatible with the pin spacings on integrated circuits. Inter-component
wiring is achieved through the conductors that are already built into the layout of the board. The
holes readily accept integrated circuit pins and leads from low-power diodes, ¼W resistors and
small capacitors. However, if difficulty is experienced with larger diameter leads, solder a
smaller diameter lead onto it for use instead.
Although several manufacturers make these boards, they will all have the same general
characteristics and layout as illustrated in Figure A1. 1.

Figure A1.1 The layout of the Prototyping Board, showing the hole placings at the left and
inter-connecting conductors on the right of the figure.

FEATURES
These features are described in terms of the numbers shown on the board that is illustrated in
Figure Al. I.
1. There are two rows of connections across the top and bottom of the board. These are useful
for power supply leads, earth lines and other connections that are required along the length
of the board.
2. Note the gap at the centre of these rows of holes. Use a wire bridge if you want the line to
pass right across the board.
3. The gap across the centre of the board is suitable for inserting integrated circuits (IC) with
the two rows of pins on opposite sides of the gap.
4. On each side of the centre gap (3), the holes are connected in groups of five at right angles
to the gap.
Note: For an integrated circuit which has been inserted across the gap (3), the integrated
circuit pins are all isolated from each other but connections can easily be made to them using
the adjacent holes.

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SUGGESTIONS

• Use the upper and lower rows of holes for power supply and earth connections.
• Keep the component leads short. Long leads may touch and give short circuits. Circuit
construction is easier to follow later if neat wiring is used in the first place.
• Insert the components gently but firmly and vertically into the holes on the board. Use your
small pair of long-nose pliers to insert the components. A positive electrical contact must
be made and maintained with the conductors beneath the holes.
• Arrange the layout of the components on your board to be similar to that of your circuit
diagram, e.g.

Figure A1.2 A circuit diagram with equivalent breadboard layouts. Case (b) shows a
preferred layout that reflects the circuit diagram on the board.

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EEET2603: Lab1 - Guideline

APPENDIX 2

RESISTOR COLOUR CODING

The ordinary carbon composition fixed resistors that we use in the laboratory are characterized
by three quantities; (i) their resistance value in ohms, , (ii) their tolerance as a percentage and
(iii) their power dissipation in watts. The power dissipation capability is determined mainly by
the physical size of the resistor. General purpose resistors with ¼W dissipation will be used
unless a higher power rating is required.

Figure A2.1 The colour code bands on a resistor.

The nominal value for the resistor and its tolerance are described by the colour bands on the
resistor. Normally, there will be four bands on each resistor placed towards one end of the
resistor (if there is enough room). Commencing with the band closest to a lead of the resistor,
the interpretation of each band is given in the table below.

Band 1 2 3 4
Colour First Second
Significant Significant Tolerance
digit digit
Multiplier %
Black 0 1
Brown 1 1 10 1
Red 2 2 100 2
Orange 3 3 1 000 3
Yellow 4 4 10 000 4
Green 5 5 100 000
Blue 6 6 1 000 000
Violet 7 7 10 000 000
Grey 8 8 100 000 000
White 9 9 1 000 000 000
Gold 0.1 5
Silver 0.01 10
No colour 20
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EEET2603: Lab1 - Guideline

It is important that you know how to use this table and, with practice, you should remember the
numerical value assigned to each colour. The first two bands give the significant digits of the
resistance value (the second digit may be zero) while the third band gives the exponent for the
multiplying power of ten, i.e. the third band tells you how many additional zeroes must be added
to the significant digits. The fourth band gives the tolerance or range in which an actual resistor
may be found with respect to its nominal value. Most resistors used in the laboratory. have gold
(±5.%) for this tolerance band. A 20% tolerance is assumed if the fourth band is missing.
EXAMPLES
Resistor Band 1 Band 2 Band 3 Band 4 Resistance value
R1 Brown Red Black Gold 12 x 100 = 12  5%
R2 Red Violet Brow Gold 27 x 101 = 270  5%
R3 Orange White Orange Red 39 x 103 = 39k  2%

There is a compromise in selecting the values for any store of resistors that are kept in the
laboratory. It is desirable to cover all resistance values, say from 1 to 10M, with the lowest
tolerance affordable. In our laboratories the resistors generally have a tolerance of ±5
%. To maintain stock at a reasonable level we don't keep all resistors from the 5 % range,
preferring instead to omit every second value and retaining the values that would be kept in a
complete 10%. range.

EXERCISES
Resistor Band 1 Band 2 Band 3 Band 4 Resistance value
R1 Blue Grey Gold Gold
R2 Yellow Violet Yellow Gold
R3 Red Red Red Red
R4 Brown Green Green Silver

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APPENDIX 3

DIGITAL MULTIMETER

Figure A3. 1. Digital Multimeter 34461A

This appendix describes the techniques that are required to use the digital multimeters. The
digital multimeter displays the value in numerical form, possibly in conjunction with
multiplying factors. The digital multimeter is also able to display negative values for d.c. (direct
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EEET2603: Lab1 - Guideline

current) measurements. Much of the work of electrical engineering will be impossible if you do
not have the ability to make accurate and dependable electrical measurements. The instruments
that you will use in this laboratory are designed to perform the most basic and often the most
important measurements that are required for. testing electrical equipment during the
development of a new circuit design and for further investigation if found to be defective.

There are several different types of digital multimeter used in the laboratories. This note looks
at the facilities of a general type, from which other multimeters may be related accordingly. For
a.c. (alternating current) signals, both analogue and digital multimeters measure r.m.s. (Root
Mean Square) voltages and currents which, using an oscilloscope, would be measured as peak-
to-peak quantities. Unlike oscilloscopes, multimeters are not earthed measuring instruments,
(refer to Appendix 4 for an explanation of earthed and floating). The voltages (a.c. and d.c.)
measured by the meters are the potential differences between the measurement points and not
the potential of a point unless it is being measured with respect to earth.

MEASURING RESISTANCE
You must be very careful not to attempt to measure a resistance in a circuit that is carrying
current. At best, the resistance reading that you obtain will be wrong and it is quite possible that
the meter may be damaged.
Don't use your fingers to: clamp the test leads against, the resistor leads as your body resistance
will affect the readings and make nonsense of any higher resistance values.
Using the digital meter
There is ' no zero adjust on the digital multimeter. However, the meter is checked by touching
the leads together for a 0 reading.
Connect the resistor to the test leads, and select the appropriate range for the best reading.
Remember that any scale marked k will be reading in kilo-ohms and any M scale in mega-
ohms. Thus a 68 resistor may read 68.1 on a 200 scale, 0.068 on a 2k and 0.000 on a 2M
scale. If the meter display is blank, except for a minus sign, the resistor value is too high for the
range that has been selected. Change range and repeat the measurement.

MEASURING A.C. AND D.C. VOLTAGES

• Using the digital meter
• Change the function switch the voltage mode.
• Select range to be the highest range.
• Connect the red lead from the (+) or V-0-A terminal on the meter to one end of the
component being measured and the black lead from (-) or COM to the other end of the
component. The voltage or potential difference is being measured across this component.
• Select lower voltage ranges, if appropriate, to obtain better readings.
• If the reading is negative, then the potential at the red lead is lower than the potential at the
black lead. Take note of this and change the leads over.
Note: In voltage-measuring mode, the multimeter itself has a very high resistance (millions of
ohms), so hardly any current goes through the multimeter itself, and it shouldn't affect the

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circuit.
MEASURING A.C. AND D.C. CURRENTS
Be extremely careful when measuring current and make sure that you know the maximum
permissible current that your meter can handle. When currents are measured directly, a break
must be made in the circuit at the point where the current is to be measured and the meter
inserted to complete the circuit again. All the current at the measurement point passes through
the meter. Remember that the meter is more susceptible to burn-out when it is set to measure
low current ranges than when set to measure any other function. When you have finished your
measurement, never leave the meter set to measure current.
This helps to prevent the meter being accidentally burnt out when it is next used.
• Using the digital meter
• Change the function switch to current mode.
• Select the highest range, i.e. 10A. For the 10A range, the red lead must be connected to
the 10A socket.
• Break the circuit at the point where the current is to be measured and rejoin the circuit via
the meter so that the current flows in at the 10 A socket and out at COM.
• If appropriate, change to lower ranges to obtain a better reading. This includes changing
the red lead to the mA socket.
• The negative current will be displayed with a negative sign and there is no need to
interchange the position of the leads.

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EEET2603: Lab1 - Guideline

APPENDIX 4

THE D. C. POWER SUPPLY

There are several types of power supply in use in the laboratories. They are all standard units
and suitable for our requirements, although there are some variations between them. The
purpose of this Appendix is to point out some of the general features of a laboratory power
supply without making specific reference to any particular type.

Figure A4.1: Circuit symbols and equivalent notations for a battery.

A battery is a source of electricity that gives a constant d.c. voltage, where d.c. (direct current)
means that the current produced by the source does not change its direction with respect to time.
A battery has two terminals, but no earth.
If an earth is connected to either the negative (-) or the positive (+) terminal (but not both!) of
a battery, then the battery is said to be EARTHED. A battery which is not earthed gives a
FLOATING voltage and is known as a floating battery.

VOLTAGE CONVENTIONS

A voltage with a single subscript specifies the potential of the subscripted point in the circuit
with respect to earth. Thus VA specifies the potential of A with respect to earth and VB specifies
the potential of B with respect to earth.
A voltage with a double subscript, for example VAB, specifies the potential difference between
A and B. The potential difference is the potential of the first subscripted point with respect to
the second point. Thus VAB = VA −VB . For the batteries illustrated in Figure A4.2, complete the
table of voltages and potential differences in Figure A4.3.
REMEMBER: FLOATING means not earthed, EARTHED means not floating and
"ONLY ONE EARTH" is true for electrical circuits too!

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Figure A4.2: The voltages and potential differences for three battery configurations.

case case case

(a) (b) (c)
VA ? 9V 0V
VB ? 0V -9V
VAB 9V 9V 9V

Figure A4.3: Voltage and potential table.

Figure A4.4: A typical laboratory power supply unit.

Figure A4.4 is an example of a power supply which provides one fixed 5V supply and two
variable supplies. The Red terminal is the positive terminal, Black is the negative terminal.
The Green terminal is the Earth. How do you wire up this instrument for the three different
configurations shown in Figure A4.2

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