Physics Department

Electricity and Magnetism Laboratory

ELECTRICAL MEASUREMENTS
1. Aim.

 Learn to use measuring instruments:

o Digital multimeter.
o Oscilloscope.

 Assembly of simple elementary circuits.

 Collection and interpretation of LISSAJOUS patterns.

2. Overview.

Many common electrical measurement instruments are based on electrical current. This first lab
exercise seeks to give you some understanding of these instruments and to demonstrate their
correct use.

Generally, in an electric circuit we can get two electrical measurements: current measurements (I)
and voltage measurements (V).

o To measure V with a multimeter: V

Connect the voltmeter in parallel with the element, i.e. the
black-test lead is connected to the negative terminal of the
element being measured, and the red-test lead is
connected to the positive terminal of the element, as shown
in the figure.

o I (current) can be measured by connecting a multimeter in

series with the element. Be careful, as the multimeter may A
be damaged by wrong measurement connection.

2.1 Resistor color code guide.

A resistor is a circuit element manufactured to have a constant resistance. The resistance of a

resistor can be determined by the color bands (see the chart below) printed on the resistor according
to the following rule:

R = (first color number)(second color number) x 10 (third color number) Ω

The fourth color band tells you the tolerance of the resistor: gold means ±5% tolerance, silver
means ±10% tolerance and no fourth band means ±20%.

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 High-precision resistors have five bands. The first three bands indicate the first three significant
figures of the resistance; the fourth band indicates the number of zeros; the fifth band is the percent
tolerance.

Digit (X, Y, Z)  Color Resistor Value:

0  Black 5  Green
1  Brown 6  Blue R = XY x 10Z 
2  Red 7  Violet
3  Orange 8  Grey Color Code:
4  Yellow 9  White
- First band correspond to first digit X.
tolerance
- Second band correspond to second digit Y.
- Third band correspond to the (exponent) Z.
- Fourth band indicates the precision: 5% gold
and 10 % silver.
multiplicator (Z)
2nd digit (Y)
1st digit (X)
Example: One resistor with red-green-red-gold code has a value of,
R=25 x 102=2500=2.5 k, 5% of precision, it is, 2500 x 0.05 = 125. The result is,
R  R = 2.50  0.13 k.

2.2 Multimeter.

A multimeter is an electronic measuring instrument that combines several measurement

functions in one unit. A typical multimeter may measure:

o currents and voltages at stationary regime (DC=direct current), or alternating currents (AC).
o resistances
o capacitances
o electric continuity
o hybrid parameters of transistors

2.2.1 How to measure with a digital multimeter (DMM).

Measuring Voltage:

1. Set the DMM selection dial to read DC volts (V). Insert one wire into the socket labeled
'V mA A ' and a second wire into the socket labeled 'COM'.
2. Connect the two wires from the DMM to the two points between which you want to
measure the voltage, as shown below.

To measure voltage, the DMM must be placed in the circuit so that the potential difference
across the circuit element you want to measure is the same as the one across the DMM.

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Measuring Current:

1. If the current to be measured is smaller than 500 mA, insert one

wire into the socket labeled 'V mA A ' and a second wire into
the socket labeled 'COM'. For larger currents, use the socket
labeled '10 A'.

2. Attach the DMM into the circuit as shown below:

To measure current, the DMM must be placed in the circuit so that

all the current you want to measure goes through the DMM.

Figure 1. Digital multimeter with autoscaling

2.3 Oscilloscope.

An oscilloscope (shown in figure 2) is used to graphically observe circuit behavior by displaying

waveforms on a screen. It is a basic tool used in the study of time varying electrical signals. In
general, the Y-axis represents voltage, while the X-axis represents time. The oscilloscope can also
measure DC signals.
After connecting the oscilloscope to the electric power supply and switch it on, it is necessary to
become familiar with the front panel. Seek the advice of the instructor.

2.3.1 General comments.

Generally, all oscilloscopes have three basic sectors, Vertical, Horizontal and Trigger (time),
BNC connectors, which connect the measurement probes, and input channels, typically labeled
as I and II (CH1 and CH2). The existence of two channels allows us to make the comparison
between signals in a more simple way.

Recommended steps in the basic setting of the oscilloscope:

o Connect the signal to be measured to one of the channels, typically CH1.

o Press the autoset button in the menu below the screen.
o Turn off the measurement channel that is not being used. (to turn off a channel, press the
CH1 or CH2 key twice).
o Center the signal on the screen using the Position wheels.
o Select the most appropriate voltage and time scales in each case. The scales will be displayed
in the lower left corner of the screen.
o If the signals move in the X axis, stop the signal using the run/stop button or configure the
trigger.

A Quick guide to measuring with the PEAKTECH 1403 oscilloscope can be found at the end
of this guide.

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Measuring and Estimating Process Performance

- Measure frequency and amplitude of a periodic signal.

A periodic sinusoidal voltage signal, will appear in the oscilloscope screen similar to the next
figure. The voltage can be described by the following equation:

V(t)  V0sen ωt

Where V0 is the amplitude of the signal and ω is its frequency.

B

V0

V0

VPP
V(t)

-V0

    
t (s)

VPP
VPP is the peak to peak voltage: V0  , and T is the signal period.
2
2π
T .
ω
2π
Where: ω  2πf  ,
T
and f is the frequency of the signal.

- Study of information.

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 Figure 2. Oscilloscope

- Voltage measurement.

VPP  VPP  V  14.6  0.2 V

where
 volt 
2 
volt  div 
𝑉PP = 6.6(div) × 2 = 13.2 V, VPP   0.2 V
div 2  5div
And a div corresponds to a picture, which is divided into five parts in both the vertical and
the horizontal axis respectively.

2 volt
2/5 =0.4 volt

- Period measurement.

T  T s  13.0  0.2ms  13.0  0.2103 s

 ms 
2 
 ms 
Where: T  6.5div   2   13 ms, T   div 
 0.2ms
 div  2  5div
VPP and T are the precision uncertainties of the oscilloscope on the vertical and the
horizontal axis respectively. As the measurement is analogical, this is half of the smallest division
that is being measured.

- Phase shift measurement.

Usually, the horizontal section controls the time base or “sweep” of the instrument. The
primary control is the Seconds-per-Division (Sec/Div) selector switch. But it is also included a
horizontal input for plotting dual X-Y axis signals.

Most modern oscilloscopes have several inputs for voltages, and thus can be used to plot one
varying voltage versus another. This is especially useful for graphing I-V curves (current versus

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voltage characteristics) for components such as diodes, as well as for visualizing Lissajous
patterns.

The period of a signal corresponds to a phase of 360 º (2). The phase shift indicates the angle
of delay or advancement which has a signal with respect to another (taken as reference).

One method to measure the phase shift is to use the XY mode. This involves placing a signal
in the vertical channel (usually channel I) and the other in the horizontal channel (II) (this
method only works correctly if both signals are sinusoidal). The resulting waveform on the screen
is called Lissajous figure in honor of the French mathematician Jules Antoine Lissajous 1822-
1880). Lissajous figures are an example of how an oscilloscope can be used to track phase
differences between multiple input signals. This is very frequently used in broadcast engineering
to plot the left and right stereophonic channels, to ensure that the stereo generator is calibrated
properly. Historically, stable Lissajous figures were used to show that two sine waves had a
relatively simple frequency relationship, a numerically-small ratio. They also indicated phase
difference between two sine waves of the same frequency.

Table 1. Lissajous figures

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2.4 Relationship between the quantities measured with the oscilloscope
(instantaneous values) and measured with a multimeter (RMS).

RMS value (Irms) in a time-varying current, I (t) is the mean square value of this magnitude
(rms: root mean square.)

1
 t 2 I (t ) 2 dt  2

Ief   i1 
 t 
 

In the event that the time dependence is sinusoidal is obtained a relationship between Irms and
Io given by the form:

Io I
Ief   PP
2 2 2

In the case of a voltage signal with a sinusoidal dependence can also write equivalent expressions:

Vo V
Vef   PP
2 2 2

3 Learn more...

 TIPLER, PA & MOSCA, G. “Physics” Volume 2. 6th edition Ed. W.H. Freeman/Worth
Publishers 2007 Cap. 25 Pags 750-751.

 KEITHELY, “Low Level Measurements”, 5ª edition, Section 2 (2.1-2.5). Pags 2-3 a 2-41.

In internet.

http://www.hameg.es/osc/osc_5.htm

http://ibiblio.org/e-notes/Lis/Lissa.htm

http://www.physics.orst.edu/~rubin/nacphy/CPapplets/lissajous/Fig2p.html

http://www.sc.ehu.es/sbweb/fisica/oscilaciones/lissajous/lissajous.htm

http://www.univ-lemans.fr/enseignements/physique/02/electro/lissajou.html

http://www2.siit.tu.ac.th/prapun/ecs204/

http://www.art-sci.udel.edu/ghw/phys245/05S/lab/meters.html

http://www.wisc-online.com/objects/ViewObject.aspx?ID=ACE3803

http://www.facstaff.bucknell.edu/mastascu/eLabs/Scope/Scope1.html

http://www2.siit.tu.ac.th/prapun/ecs204/

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4. Equipment.

1. Digital multimeter.
2. Oscilloscope.
3. Transformer.
4. 4.5 V battery.
5. Breadboard (Protoboard).
6. Connectors
7. Frequency generator.

Figure 3. Experimental setup

5. Experimental
procedure.

5.1 Use of multimeter as a voltmeter and ohmmeter.

5.1.1 Measure, using the multimeter as a voltmeter, the DC voltage at the terminals of the
battery. Compare the results with the one indicated by the manufacturer.

5.1.2 Measure, using the multimeter as an ohmmeter, the value of the two resistors, R 1 and R2.
Compare these results with the value reported by the manufacturer using the color code.

5.2 Using the multimeter as an ammeter and voltmeter.

5.2.1 Assemble, using the breadboard, the circuit shown below:

8
 V

4.5V

Figure 4. Measure of the current and voltage drop though a resistor.

5.2.2 Indirect measurement of resistance: measure the voltage drop across the resistor R1 and
the current flowing through the circuit. Using Ohm's law, find the resistance value R1 and compare
it with previous findings (see 5.1.2).

5.2.3 Indirect measurement of Current: measure the voltage drop across resistor R2 and the
current flowing through the circuit. Knowing the value of R2 obtained in 5.1.2, calculate the current
value using Ohm's law, and compare it with that obtained from direct measurement on the ammeter.

5.3 Using the oscilloscope to measure amplitude and period of time-varying signals.

Figure 5. Measurement of the amplitude and period of a signal V(t)

5.3.1 Measure, using the oscilloscope, the voltage value on the battery and compare this result
with that obtained in paragraph 5.1.1.

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 5.3.2 Using the different transformer outputs, measure the amplitude and frequency for each
one of them. Check that the output signals of the secondary are described by the equation
V(t)  V0sen ωt

(Remember V0 is calculated from VPP voltage peak to peak and  from T.)

5.3.3 Discuss the frequency values obtained and give a value for the frequency of the network.
Is it expected? Why?

5.3.4 Measure, using the multimeter as a voltmeter, the voltage at AC in at least three of the
outputs of the transformer. Compare RMS voltage with the amplitude value for these
outputs V0 obtained in the previous section.

5.4 Obtain Lissajous patterns.

5.4.1 To obtain the Lissajous figures, you must follow the following steps:

o Connect the output of the frequency generator to channel II (CH2) of the oscilloscope and
configure it so that the signal observed on the oscilloscope is sinusoidal with a frequency of
50 Hz. Connect one of the outputs of the transformer to channel I (CH1) of the oscilloscope.

o Press the Autoset button located below the screen. Check that both channels are active (lit).
If not, press the CH1 or CH2 buttons to activate them.

o Press the Position button to center the signal on the screen.

o In the Trigger panel, press Menu. A menu of options will appear on the right side of the
screen. Select the ALT value for the Type parameter using the corresponding blue button.

o Press the Acquire button in the Function panel below the screen. Activate the X-Y function,
in the panel displayed on the screen, by pressing the blue “X-Y Mode” button.

o The screen should show a Lissajous figure (if necessary, fine-tune the generator frequency
to around 50 Hz). If the figure is not centered, press the Position buttons for each channel.

o If the figure moves in the X axis, stop the signal using the run/stop button or configure the
trigger.

Figure 6. Obtention of Lissajous figures

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5.4.2 Increase the generator frequency to 100, 150 and 200 Hz and observe the Lissajous patterns
corresponding to 1:2, 1:3 and 1:4. Examples are shown below.

5.4.3 Discuss your observations. Can you deduce the frequency of the signal coming from the
transformer?

Figure 7. Frequency relationship 1:1; phase shift = /2

Figure 8. Frequency relationship 1:2; phase shift = /2

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Figure 9. Frequency relationship 1:2; phase shift = 5/8

Figure 10. Frequency relationship 1:4; phase shift = /4

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QUICK GUIDE TO MEASURING WITH THE PEAKTECH 1403 OSCILLOSCOPE

1. Disconnect any probes or cables connected to channels CH1 and CH2.

2. Press the power button (left side corner, below the display) and wait
about 15 seconds for the oscilloscope to start up.

3. Connect the cables or probes with the signals to be measured to

channels CH1 and/or CH2.

4. Press the button "Autoset" in the menu "Function", that is located below the
display. The signal(s) should be shown on the display.

5. Selection of the channel(s) for measurement: when the channel

is activated, the buttons "CH1" or "CH2" are illuminated. To
deactivate them, press the button "CH1" or "CH2" twice and the
button goes out. You can reactivate them by pressing the
corresponding button again.
Press the button "position" to centre the signal on the screen.

6. If the signal(s) is(are) continuously shifted on the time axis (X-axis), then the
trigger must be configured. Press the Menu (1) on the Trigger panel,
which displays the TriggerMode (2) in the screen. Select the value
"ALT" for the parameter "Type" using the blue button (3)on the side of the display.

(2)
(3)

(1)
 ÁNGEL DE ANDREn

Physics Department
Electricity and Magnetism Laboratory
Practices Students who made the practice Stamp control
Group
Session Date Julia Díaz Campo

20 02 2025 GRACIA De La TORRIENTE LOPEZ-BREA

Deadline Date Cecilia Martinez Pérez
27 02 2025

ELECTRICAL MEASUREMENTS

Note:

• Include in the tables the units and the uncertainty of the measurements.

5.1 Use of multimeter as a voltmeter and ohmmeter.

5.1.1 Measure, using the multimeter as a voltmeter, the DC voltage at the

terminals of the battery. Compare with the value indicated by the
manufacturer.

V= 3 , 900
± (
00 ) , Manufacturer : 4 5V
.

5.1.2 Measure, using the multimeter as an ohmmeter, the value of the two
resistors, R1 and R2.

R1 = 148 , 9 ± 0 1 , ( 2 )

R2 = 99 ,
6
± 0 1
,
(R)

Compare these results with the value reported by the manufacturer using
the color code.

R1 = 150 .
0 ± 7 5, (-)

R2 =
4000 0 , ± 5 0
,
(R)

Comments and conclusions on the correspondence between experimental

measurements and values reported by the manufacturer:

a) Battery:

b) Resistors:

1
5.2. Using the multimeter as an ammeter.

5.2.1 Measure the voltage drop through the resistance R1 connected in the
circuit.

V= 3 ,
600
± 01 ,
( v )

5.2.2 Measure the current drop through the resistance R1 (experimental value)

I = 26 30 ± 0 01
, .
( mA )

5.2.2 b) Calculate R1 using Ohm's law (theoretical value).Compare it with the

value obtained in 5.1.2.

R =
1 R1 = 133 10 (
± . 02 , )
I

5.2.3 Measure the voltage drop through the resistance R2 connected in the
circuit.

V = 3 420
± (
00
, ) ,

Measure the DC current flowing through the resistance (experimental value).

I= 36 58 , ± 0 . 01 ( mA )

Calculate the current using Ohm´s law and compare it with the value obtained
using the ammeter.

I= ± ( )

Comment experimental and theory values from resistor R1 and current (use the
resistor R2).

a) Resistor R1

b) Current I using R2

2
5.3. Using the oscilloscope to measure amplitude and period of
time-varying signals.

5.3.1 Measure, using the oscilloscope, the voltage value on the battery and
compare this result with that obtained in paragraph 5.1.1.

V= ± ( )

5.3.1 Using the different transformer secondary outputs, measure the

amplitude and frequency of each signal. Check that the output signals of
the secondary are described by the equation. V(t) = V0sen ωt

VPP T V0 f
1

5.3.3

5.3.1 a) Discuss the frequency values obtained.

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b) Can you give a value for the network frequency? Why?

5.3.4 Measure, using the multimeter as a voltmeter, the voltage at AC in at

least three of the outputs of the transformer. Compare RMS voltage with the
amplitude value for these outputs V0 obtained in the previous section.

Vef V0
1

4
Comparison and conclusion of the values of V0 obtained from the RMS values
and those obtained from the VPP.

5.4. Obtain Lissajous patterns.

5.4.1 In this section is IMPORTANT to follow precisely the steps in the script,
if you cannot display Lissajous figures, please seek help from the
instructor before touching the controls of the oscilloscope without due
knowledge.

Once you display the Lissajous patterns corresponding to Figure 6 of the

screenplay (almost a circle when the phase shift between the signal at the
output of the transformer and the signal generator is π / 2), use the table 1 of
the script to find the value of the frequency at the transformer secondary
output. Does this value coincide with the one measured in section 5.3.2?