Assignment 01 Solution

ESC201 2023-24 Sem-II

1. The digital multimeter (DMM) is a device used to measure voltage between two nodes. It is equipped with
two leads (usually red for the positive reference and black for the negative reference) and an LCD display
lead at the top node and the negative lead on the bottom node. Explain why would we ideally want a DMM
used this way to have an infinite resistance as opposed to zero resistance.

Solution:

Consider the following circuit in which an ideal current source is driving three resistances in parallel.

We would like to measure the voltage drop between the two nodes of the above circuit.
2. Find the equivalent resistance between node X and Y in the circuit shown below (Figure 1) given the
values of resistors as: R1 = 8Ω, R2 = R3 = 2Ω, R4 = 7Ω.

R2

X Y
R4
R3

Figure 1

Solution:
The given circuit can be redrawn as:

Applying formula for parallel and series combination of resistors repeatedly, we will get
3. For circuits shown in Figures 2 and 3, the values of resistors are given as: R1 = 50Ω, R2 = 500Ω, R3 = 100Ω,
R4 = 50Ω, R5 = 25Ω and R6 = 50Ω.
R1 R4 R1 R4

5 mA +

R2 R5 10 V +
− v R2 R5

R3 R6 i R3 − R6

Figure 2 Figure 3

a) Use current division to find current i through R5 in Figure 2.

Solution:
4. Use the concept of series and parallel resistances along with voltage and current division to determine the
current i in the circuit shown in Figure 4 (see below).
20Ω 15Ω

4Ω 15Ω

5Ω 15Ω
i
+ 24Ω 5Ω
− 48 V

8Ω

Figure 4

Solution:

48 V
5. Use superposition theorem to solve for current i in the circuit shown below (Figure 5).

Figure 5
Solution:
6. Determine Ix, Iy and Vz in the circuit shown below (Figure 6) using superposition.

2V

Ix
+
6I x 1Ω 2Ω 2I y
−
11 A
Iy

+ Vz −

Figure 6

Solution:

Iy2
7. Three appliances – an 850W coffee maker, a 1200W microwave oven, and a 900W toaster – are connected
in parallel to a 120V circuit with a 15A circuit breaker.
a) Draw a schematic diagram of this circuit.
b) Which of these appliances can be operated simultaneously without tripping the circuit breaker?

Solution:

W
=
8. A practical current source provides 10W to 250Ω load and, 20W to 80Ω load. A resistance RL with voltage
vL across it, and with current iL through it, is connected to the source. Find the values of RL, vL, and iL if
a) vL.iL is maximum.
b) vL is maximum.
c) iL is maximum.

Solution:

The practical current source is a parallel combination of ideal current source IN and internal resistance RN.

The circuit in which the practical current source connected to a load of resistance RL is shown below:
9. Determine the power dissipated in the 10Ω resistor in the following circuit shown below (Figure 7)

2Ω

5A 5 V1 10Ω
+

V1 4Ω

Solution:
10. Consider the following bridge circuit (also known as the Wheatstone Bridge) shown below in Figure 8.
Find condition relating R1, R2, R3, and R4 for which current i5 = 0.

Solution:

Given i5 = 0, we have i1 = i3, and i2 = i4 (using KCL)

Since i5 = 0, the voltage difference between node C and D is also 0, i.e., VCD = 0 (using Ohm’s law).

So, node C and D are at the the same potential, i.e., VC = VD.

Hence, VAC = VAD and VCB = VDB.

Dividing the last two equations, we get

VAC/VCB = VAD/VDB

 (i1R1)/(i3R3) = (i2R2)/(i4R4)
Using i1 = i3 and i2 = i4, we get R1/R3 = R2/R4.
Or, R1/R2 = R3/R4.
Or, R1R4 = R2R3,
i.e., product of resistances corresponding to opposite sides of the quadrilateral ACBD must be equal.