Lab Experiment 3

KIRCHOFF’S VOLYAGE LAW, AND VOLTAGE DIVIDER RULE

Name :_____________________________________________ Roll no: ____________________

Score:_______________ Signature of Lab Tutor:___________________ Date:_________________

ILLUSTRATION OF KIRCHHOFF’S VOLTAGE LAW AND VOLTAGE DIVIDER RULE

APPLIED TO A GIVEN CIRCUIT

PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVE:

Upon successful completion of this experiment, the student will be able to:

> Develop unknown current of the circuit using the Kirchhoff’s voltage laws
> Reproduce and validate a circuit for voltage divider rule.

EQUIPMENT:

 Three resistors or resistance box (range, 50-1000 Ω)

 DC voltmeter (range, 0-10 V)
 DC power supply
 Multimeter with resistance scale

NOTE:

▪ Take care of the equipment. They can be damaged by misuse.

▪ Before switch on your circuit please get it checked by your teacher.

DISCUSSTION:

KIRCHOFF’S VOLTAGE LAW

This law states that: “In any closed circuit, the algebraic sum of the products of the current and
resistance of each part of the circuit is equal to the resultant e.m.f in the current”

𝑉𝑠 = I1 R1 + I2 R2 + I3 R3

0 = I1 R1 + I2 R2 + I3 R3 - 𝑉𝑠

In general, ∑V=0

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 KVL CIRCUIT DIAGRAM

U1 U3 U4
+ - + - + -
0.000 V 0.000 V 0.000 V

R1 R2 R3

1kΩ 500Ω 100Ω

+ U2
0.000 V 0 - 25V
-

Figure 3.1

VOLTAGE DIVIDER RULE

The voltage division rule states that: The voltage divided between two series resistors is in direct
proportion to their resistance. Also, your circuit can have more than 2 resistors.

Voltage Divider Rule Formula:

𝑉𝑛 = 𝑉𝑠 (Rn / Rtotal)
The voltage divider, also known as the Potential Divider, is a very common simple circuit which is used
to change a large voltage into a small voltage.
 Passive Linear Circuit produces output voltage that is a fraction of its input voltage.
 It scales down input voltage to a smaller voltage based on the ratio of the 2 resistors through
distributing input voltage among components of the divider.
 Often used to supply a voltage different from an available battery or power supply.
 The output voltage of voltage divider is dependent on the resistance of the incoming load.

+
R1

Vin +

R2
Vo

- -
Figure 3.2

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 A voltage divider circuit will normally look like this in a circuit with a series of 2 resistors.
R1 = Resistor closest to the input voltage (Vin)
R2 = Resistor closest to ground
Vin= Input Voltage
Vo = Output voltage across R2 which is the divided voltage (1/4 of input voltage)

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE:

1. Make the connections as shown in Figure 3.1.

2. Set the DC voltmeter to its 20 V range.
3. Set DC multimeter to 20mA range.
4. Set the resistance of decade resistance box as given in Table 3.1.
5. Switch on the power supply and adjust the DC power supply to obtain a 10V reading on the
voltmeter.

Table 3.1: OBSERVATION TABLE OF KVL

SNO Vs V1 V2 V3 VT=V1+V2+V3

Table 3.2: OBSERVATION TABLE OF VOLTAGE DIVIDER RULE

Supply voltage Vs Vn = Vs x ( Rx / RT)

Sr. No VR1 VR2 VR3
(V) Calculated
VR1 =

1. 5 VR2 =
VR3 =

VR1 =

2. 10 VR2 =
VR3 =

VR1 =

3. 15 VR2 =
VR3 =

10
 VR1 =

4. 20 VR2 =
VR3 =

VR1 =

5. 25 VR2 =
VR3 =

REVIEW QUESTIONS:

1 What is the difference between open circuit and short circuit?

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2 Define the terms voltage rise, and voltage drop?

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3 What is the equivalent resistance of the circuit of Figure 3.1?

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FINAL CHECK LIST:

1. Check your equipment/materials and workbenches before you leave.

2. Return all equipment and materials to their proper storage area.
3. Submit your answers to questions, together with your data, calculations and results before the next
laboratory.

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