AC Circuit Analysis Lab Lab 1

INTRODUCTION TO BASIC LABORATORY / MEASUREMENT EQUIPMENT

OBJECTIVES

 To introduce the basic electrical equipment’s in the lab.

 To be able to deal with some of the frequently used instruments and equipment; like the
digital multi-meter, Function Generator, Oscilloscope and DC Power Supply.

LABORATORY EQUIPMENT

DC POWER SUPPLY
Generally, this is a dual power supply with (+) and (-) voltage terminals, and a ground
(common) terminal. a dual-output laboratory power supplies voltage and current are indicated
on three-digit display, can be operated in parallel or in series, and can be operated as constant
voltage (CV) source or as constant current (CC) source.
 The main attributes of this device is:
i. Dual channel, two circuits of adjustable output voltage 0~32V and one circuit of fixed
voltage 5V.
ii. Master-slave tracking, constant voltage and current, Ⅰ, Ⅱ circuit can be
used for master-slave tracking and used in parallel or in series.
iii. Display mode: LED digital tube display can show voltage and current simultaneously.
iv. Constant voltage and constant current operation
v. The output voltages are available through safety sockets on the front panel.
vi. The output values are indicated on the meters of the master unit (Upper side).
vii. The units are equipped with a third output supplying a fixed voltage of 5Volts and a
max. Current of 3A. This output is located on the right side with safety sockets. (See
Figure1-1)

Figure 1-1 DC Power Supply

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AC Circuit Analysis Lab Lab 1

PROCEDURE:

i. Turn on the DC Power supply.

ii. Turn the Voltage limit control from the Minimum to Maximum, and then record both
values of the Minimum to Maximum voltage.
iii. V minimum = ……………… V maximum =………………………
iv. Turn the Current limit control from the Minimum to Maximum, and observe the effect
on the Voltage value.
v. Turn the Voltage limit control to set the voltage value to 5V.
vi. Place short circuit (S.C) between (+) & (-) output terminals.

vii. Turn the Current control from the Minimum to Maximum, and then record both
values of the Minimum to Maximum current.
I minimum =…………………………. I maximum =………………………
viii. Turn the Voltage limit control from the Minimum to Maximum and observe the
effect on the Current value.
ix. Disconnect the S.C.
THE DIGITAL MULTI METER

It is used for measurement of circuit variables (like voltage and current), circuit continuity,
resistance, diode terminal identification etc. some multi-meters
also have an option of measurement of temperature. These are
mainly of two types, digital (with LCD display of readings)
and analogue (with moving needle on a graduated scale).
There are two probes, one colored red and the other colored
black. The black probe is plugged into a socket marked
“COM”. There are three sockets for the red probe to be
plugged into. One is marked “V, , diode, buzzer” indicating
the position where this probe should be while measuring/
identifying voltage, resistance, diode, temperature etc. The
second socket is marked “mA, uA” indicating the position of
the red probe for measuring current in the milli-
Ampere/micro-Ampere range. The third socket is marked “A”
indicating the position of the red probe for measuring current
in Ampere range. There is a selector available on the meter,
which has to be moved to appropriate variable and
range while measuring any variable / element. Figure 1-2 Digital Multi meter

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AC Circuit Analysis Lab Lab 1

PROCEDURE

RESISTANCE MEASUREMENTS

i. Obtain a resistance.
ii. Prepare the DMM for resistance (Ω) measurements.
iii. Connect the DMM probes to the two terminals of the resistor.
iv. Select the DMM auto range and record its reading.
v. Repeat with the smallest range setting.
ALSO YOU CAN MEASURE

 Direct Current Measurements.

 Alternating Current Measurements.
 Direct Voltage Measurements.
 Alternating-voltage measurements.
THE OSCILLOSCOPE

This is one of the most important pieces of laboratory test equipment. It is basically a voltage
sensing and display device; it cannot measure current directly. However, it can be used to
measure a voltage proportional to a desired current, e.g., across a small sampling resistance.
Most modern Scopes have two input channels with adjustable, calibrated, gain. Two signals
can thus be viewed separately or simultaneously if they are synchronized. Calibrated gain
settings enable the measurement of voltage amplitude.
A horizontal Time axis is provided by an internal generator. This generator produces a
calibrated variable-frequency voltage the amplitude of which varies linearly with time. Thus,
a voltage waveform applied to either input channel can be viewed as a function of time. And
a plot of the relationship between two signals at both channels cab be performed also.
An important Scope function is the Trigger. Circuits in this subsection enable the selection
of the amplitude of the input signal at t = 0 relative to its peaks. This corresponds to having a
selectable phase angle. Another important Scope function is applying a mathematical
operation on the signal, such as inverting, add the two signals, and subtract them. (See
Figure1-3)

Figure 1-3 The Oscilloscope

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AC Circuit Analysis Lab Lab 1

The Panel and User Interface

The Front Panel

Figure 1-4 Represents the front panel of Oscilloscope; each part of the panel is labeled

The User Interface

User Interface of Oscilloscope

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AC Circuit Analysis Lab Lab 1

To Perform a Functional check

- Turn on the instrument and wait until the display shows the waveform window
- Attach the probe as shown in the figure below

- Push [Auto] button, within few seconds, a square wave will display

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AC Circuit Analysis Lab Lab 1

THE FUNCTION GENERATOR

A Function Generator provides voltages of different wave forms. These may include: sinusoidal,
triangular, and square. An adjustable level of DC off set (+ or -) may also be available. In addition, a
control may be present to vary the waveform symmetry. Output-voltage frequency and amplitude may
have a wide dynamic range. (See Figure1-5)

Figure 1-5 The Function Generator

Figure 1-6 Front panel of the Function Generator, each part of the panel listed above

1. External analog modulation input connector

External digital modulation/ frequency
2. meter connector
3. LAN port
4. USB port
5. External 10MHz input connector
6. Internal 10MHz output connector
7. Ventilation vent
8. Fuse
9. Power switch
10. AC power supply

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AC Circuit Analysis Lab Lab 1

Function Interface
Function interface is shown in figure

Description:
CH1/CH2: the selected channel will be highlighted.
1) Limit indicates output range is at limit. White color: valid; Grey color: invalid.
2) 50Ω indicates the matched impedance of output terminal (1Ω to 10KΩ adjustable, or high
resistance; default: 50Ω)
3) Sine wave. Different modes have different menu.
3.a) Bezel menu on the right: corresponding buttons for different function. Highlighted display
indicates that the function is selected.
3.b) Bezel menu on the bottom: sub menu belonging to the right menu. Highlighted display indicates
that the function is selected.
If the submenu has over 6 labels, use button to flip over.
1) Labels on the right of screen: Highlighted display indicates that the label is selected. If not, press
corresponding soft key to select.
2) Labels at the bottom of screen: Sub label belongs to the next category of Type label. Press
corresponding button to select sub labels.

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AC Circuit Analysis Lab Lab 1
Set output frequency

Default waveform: A sine wave of 1 kHz frequency and 100mV amplitude (with 50Ω termination).
Steps for setting the frequency to 2.5MHz:
1) Press Menu → Wave → Param → Freq in turn to set the frequency. Pressing Freq to edit frequency or
period.
2) Press the number keyboard to input 2.5.
3) Select corresponding unit on the bottom bezel menu: MHz

Set output amplitude

Default waveform: A sine wave of 100mV peak-peak value with 50Ω termination. Steps for setting the
amplitude to 300mV:
1. Press Menu → Wave → Param → Amp in turn. Press Vpp, Vrms, and dBm.
2. Press number button to input 300.
3. Press unit mVpp.

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AC Circuit Analysis Lab Lab 1

PROCEDURE

OSCILLOSCOPE AND FUNCTION GENERATOR

i. Turn on the function generator and the Oscilloscope.

ii. Set the frequency of the function generator to 1000 Hz.
iii. Set the function Selector to sinusoidal output.
iv. Set the amplitude to 5Vpp.
v. Connect the circuit shown at Figure1-7.
vi. Measure Vo using channel 1 of the Oscilloscope.
Vo= ………………….

Figure 1-7 Circuit Diagram

BREADBOARD

Breadboard is an essential part of the electrical/electronic toolkit. It allows for the easy assembly, testing
and disassembly of all manner of electrical and electronic circuits. This is used to construct circuits using
components and jumper wires. All the components are mounted on to the breadboard with jumper wires
used to connect them to each other. Breadboards are available in a wide variety of sizes and shapes. (See
Figure1-8)

Figure 1-8 Breadboard

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AC Circuit Analysis Lab Lab 1

ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS

The BNC Connector (Bayonet Neill–Concelman)

Figure 1-9 Oscilloscope probe BNC - double clips (crocodile) and

BNC to BNC Wires respectively
Banana Connector

Figure 1-10 Banana plug to Banana plug wire

Banana Plug To Alligator (Crocodile) Clip Wire

Figure 1-11 Banana tocrocodile connector

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AC Circuit Analysis Lab Lab 1
Learning Outcomes Assessment Questions:

1- What does a DC Power Supply Do?

2- State the modes of DC power supply.
3- Does the Voltage value change when the Current controls of DC power supply are turned up
or down?
4- Does the Current value change when the Current controls of DC power supply are turned up
or down?
5- How a DMM must be connected in a circuit to measure Current: In Series or Parallel?
6- How a DMM must be connected in a circuit to measure Voltage: In Series or Parallel?
7- What is vertical sensitivity?
8- What is horizontal sensitivity?

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