Department of Computer Engineering

Circuit Analysis

Faculty Member: Dated:

Semester:

Session:

Group:

LAB-1 Measuring Methods of Resistance and Capacitance

Name Reg. No. Report Viva Total / 15

Marks / 10 Marks / 5

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1.1 Objective
This experiment will familiarize students with the Measuring Methods of Resistance and Capacitance.

1.2 Equipment
1. Different Valued Resistors and Capacitors
2. DMM (Digital Multimeter)
1.3 Conduct of Lab
1. Students are required to perform this experiment using the equipment provided.
2. Students are required to work in groups specified by lab engineers.
3. Students are advised to seek help from the course instructor, lab engineers, assigned teaching
assistants (TA) and lab attendants.

1.4 Theory and Procedure

1.4.1 Resistance Measurement
1.4.1.1 Resistance Measurement using VOM/ DMM:
1.4.1.1.1 Precautions
1. Resistance is never measured by an ohm-meter in a live network, due to the possibility of
damaging the meter with excessively high currents and obtaining readings that have no meaning.
2. Always start with the highest range of the instrument and switch down to the proper range
successively.
3. Whenever measuring the resistance of a resistor in a circuit, note whether there are any other
resistive elements that could cause an error in the reading. It may be necessary to disconnect one
side of the resistor before measuring.
4. Check the zero and ohms adjustments each time the range is changed.
5. Keep the instruments away from the edge of the workbench, and away from heat and dangerous
fumes.
6. There is no zero adjustment on a DMM, but make sure that R=0 ohm when the leads are touching
or an adjustment internal to the meter may have to be made. Any resistance above the maximum
for a chosen scale will result in an O.L. indication.

1.4.1.1.2 Method
1. Press the key to activate resistance measurement. Note: pressing the key twice
will activate continuity measurement instead.
2. The mode will switch to resistance mode immediately, as shown below in figure 1-1.

Figure 1-1 DMM

3. Connect the test leads between the terminal and the COM terminal as shown in
figure 1-2

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 Figure 1-2 DMM Probe placement

Note: To turn the automatic range selection On/Off, press the AUTO key. Press the Up or the Down key to select
the Manual range. The AUTO indicator turns Off automatically. If the appropriate range is unknown, select the
highest range.

1.4.1.2 Resistance Calculation Using Color Coding:

1.4.1.2.1 4 BAND COLOR CODING
1. The resistance of many resistors can be determined by reading a series of colored bands imprinted
on the resistor body. In this scheme called “Resistor Color Code” each color represents a different
decimal digit.
2. The first three bands of the color code are used to specify nominal value of the resistance, and the
fourth, or tolerance band, gives the percent deviation from the nominal value that the actual resistor
may have. Due to manufacturing variations, the actual resistance may be anywhere in a range
equal to the nominal value plus or minus a certain percentage of that value.
3. The first two color bands specify the first two digits of the nominal value, and the third band
represents the power of 10 by which the first two digits are multiplied. The figure 1-4 demonstrates
these computations.
Example: -

Figure 1-3 Resistor and color codes

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 Figure 1-4 Color coding

1.4.1.2.2 5 AND 6 BAND COLOR CODING

In five color coding the first three color bands specify the first three digits of the nominal value
and other remains the same. In six color coding the last color line represent temperature
coefficient.

Figure 1-5 5 AND 6 BAND COLOR CODING

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1.4.1.3 Causes of Resistor failure
1. Resistance increases with the increase in temperature. As the lab temperature is almost 25 degrees
(Std. temperature) so this phenomenon might not occur.
2. A circuit fault may sometimes cause a resistor to run for an extended time at greater than rated
wattage result in damaging the resistor.
3. Excess energy can result in a resistor failure. The resistance may increase many times or go to an
open- or high-resistance state.
1.4.2 Capacitance measurement
1.4.2.1 Capacitor Types
1.4.2.1.1 Non-polarized capacitor
A non-polarized ("non-polar") capacitor is a type of capacitor that has no implicit polarity. It can be
connected either way in a circuit. Ceramic, mica and some electrolytic capacitors are non-polarized.
You'll also sometimes hear people call them "bipolar" capacitors. Non-electrolytic are non-polarized
capacitors. The non-electrolytic capacitors use Paper, Mica, Ceramic, Mylar, Glass, Porcelain,
Polycarbonate, and Wax as Insulator.

1.4.2.1.2 Polarized fixed capacitor

A polarized ("polar") capacitor is a type of capacitor that have implicit polarity -- it can only be
connected one way in a circuit. The positive lead is shown on the schematic (and often on the capacitor)
with a little "+" symbol. The negative lead is generally not shown on the schematic, but may be marked
on the capacitor with a bar or "-" symbol. Polarized capacitors are generally electrolytics.

The detailed types are shown in Figure 1-6.

Figure 1-6 Types of capacitor

1.4.2.2 Capacitor numerical Coding

They are used with non - electrolytic capacitors to specify their capacitance. Usually, these
codes are 3 digits long, specifying the capacitance in Pico Farads; the first two digits are Tens and

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 Units, whereas the third digit is power of 10. For example, a code 104 means: 100000pF = 0.1uF
(not 102pF!)

Figure 1-7 Capacitor’s Numerical Coding description

Figure 1-8 Capacitor’s Numerical Coding Examples

1.4.2.3 Capacitor Color Coding

Color A is for temperature coefficient, B & C is for first two digits, D for multiplier and
E for the tolerance in percentage. The detail is given in the Figure 1-9

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 Figure 1-9 Capacitor color coding

1.4.2.4 Capacitance using DMM

1. Press the key twice to activate capacitance measurement. Note: pressing the key once will
activate the diode measurement instead.
2. The mode will switch to capacitance mode immediately, as shown below in Figure 1-10.

Figure 1-10 DMM in Capacitance mode

3. Connect the test lead between the terminal and COM terminal; Positive-V,
Negative-COM as shown in Figure 1-11. The display updates the reading.

Note: To turn the automatic range selection On/Off, press the AUTO key. Press the Up or the Down key to select
the Manual range. The AUTO indicator turns Off automatically. If the appropriate range is unknown, select the
highest range.

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 Figure 1-11 Probe connection for Capacitor

1.4.2.5 Causes of Capacitor failure

1. Electrolytic capacitors fail due to leakage or vaporization of the electrolyte inside. This
can be caused due to heating in operation. Heating can be caused by either wrong
connection or the use of under-rated capacitors.
2. In electrolytic capacitors heating can cause the formation of gas inside which can explode
through the vent provided.
3. Voltage surges can also cause capacitor failure. Overtime, capacitors re-form themselves
to a particular voltage. When an unexpected surge occurs, a failure can take place.
4. Ceramic capacitors crack during over-voltages. This may create an open or short-circuit.
5. Tantalum capacitors are especially sensitive to voltage.
6. Electrolytic and Tantalum capacitors have polarity. The leads are marked positive and
negative. Wrong polarity connections of these capacitors can cause explosion or failure.
7. In addition to these causes, mechanical damage, heat and ageing can also cause capacitor
failure.
1.5 Observations
Table 1-1 Resistor color coding measurement

Table 1-2 Resistor DMM measurement

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Table 1-3 Capacitor Coding
Sr. Capacitance Capacitance Tolerance Tolerance Capacitance Max. Max.
no code value code value range voltage voltage
code Value
1

4
Table 1-4 Capacitor DMM measurement
Sr. Measured value using DMM Fall within specified tolerance
No (Yes/No)
1

1.6 Answer the Following

1. Is there any difference in measured and calculated value of resistance? If yes, then what could be
the reason?
_____________________________________________________________________________\
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
2. Practically, how can you differentiate between negative and positive terminals of an electrolytic
capacitor?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

3. What will be effect if we use polar capacitor in reverse polarity?

__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
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1.7

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 Assessment Rubrics for: Circuit Analysis
Method:
Lab report evaluation and instructor observation during lab sessions. Outcomes Assessed:
a. Ability to conduct experiments as well as to analyze and interpret data.
b. Ability to function in a team and adhere to rules and guidelines.
c. Ability to use the techniques, skills and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.
Performance Exceeds expectation (5-4) Meets expectation (3-2) Does not meet expectation (1) Marks

Selects relevant equipment / Needs guidance to select Incapable of selecting relevant

Realization of parts to the experiment, relevant equipment / parts to equipment / parts to the
experiment (a) develops circuit diagrams of the experiment and to experiment and unable to
part connections or wiring develop setup diagrams develop setup diagrams
Actively engages and
Cooperates with other group Distracts or discourages other
cooperates with other group
Teamwork (b) members in a reasonable group members from conducting
members in an effective
manner the experiments
manner
Connects circuit components Connects circuit parts, sets
Conducting properly, sets input signals input states according to the Unable to connect circuits parts,
experiment (a, according to the requirement of requirement of experiment and perform the procedure of
c) experiment and examines the and examines the output experiment
output meticulously with minor error
Observes lab safety rules;
Laboratory
handles the equipment and Observes safety rules and
safety and Disregards lab safety and
components with care and disciplinary guidelines with
disciplinary disciplinary rules
adheres to the lab disciplinary minor deviations
rules (b)
guidelines aptly
Completes data collection from
the experiment setup by giving Completes data collection Fails at collecting data by giving
proper input signals and with minor error and enters proper inputs and observing
Data
observing the outputs, ensures data in lab manual with output states of experiment
collection (c) that the data is entered in the slight deviation from setup, unable to fill the lab
lab manual according to the guidelines manual properly
specified instructions
Analyzes the data obtained
Analyzes data with minor
from experiment thoroughly Unable to establish the
error and correlates it with
and accurately verifies it with relationship between practical
Data analysis theoretical values
theoretical understanding, and theoretical values and lacks
(a, c) reasonably. Attempts to
accounts for any discrepancy in the theoretical understanding to
account for any discrepancy
data from theory with sound explain any discrepancy in data
in data from theory
explanation
Operate the NI ELVIS II VI
Uses NI ELVIS II VI
interfaces of oscilloscope, Unable to launch and operate the
Computer use interfaces of digital
digital multimeter, power on-PC NI ELVIS II Vis with or
(c) instruments with guidance
supplies, VI analyzer, etc. with without assistance
from instructor
little to no help
Total

Lab Engineer:
Name: ___________________________
Signature: ________________________
Date: ____________________________

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