Digital Circuits I (EEE 8)

1st Semester AY 2011-2012

Group No. _____ Members: ______________________________ ______________________________ ______________________________ ______________________________

Date: ___________________ Section: _________________ Instructor: _______________ Grade: __________________

Experiment No.1 DC Measurements I - OBJECTIVE :

i) Learn to use the power supply, protoboard, and analog multimeter. ii) Learn to measure voltage, current and resistance in simple circuits.

II - MATERIALS :
4 pcs. resistors (to be given by the instructor) 1 dual power supply 1 analog multimeter (AMM) protoboard connectors and clips

III - PROCEDURE : A. Measuring Resistance

1. Set the AMM to measure resistance on the most sensitive scale, usually labeled Rx1. Short the two meter leads by touching the metallic points together. Use the zero knob on the front of the meter to adjust the pointer so it is aligned with the zero printed on the ohms scale. Switch the scale knob to Rx100, Rx10000, etc. Observe and record whether or not the needle stays zeroed. (3 pts) SCALE NEEDLE AT ZERO?

2.

Determine the nominal value of the three resistors issued to your group by reading the color code. Record this nominal value in the table below. Select a resistance range that, for this resistor, will place the needle somewhere in the middle of the scale. Zero the meter on this scale, then measure the resistor value. Remember to re-zero if you change scales. You will be able to accurately read the AMM to two significant places. Interpolate the third digit. Record the measured value of the resistor. (5 pts)

Color Code (indicate colors) R1 R2 R3

Resistance based on Color Code

Resistance based on AMM

B. Measuring Voltage and Current

1. 2. Set the function switch on the front of the AMM to DC voltage (VDC), and the range switch on the highest scale. Turn on the power supply and turn the output voltage all the way up. Be careful to observe the proper polarity, then touch the AMM leads to the output jacks on the power supply. If the needle deflects the wrong way, i.e. to the left instead of to the right, the meter lead positions need to be reversed. Select a scale that places the needle as high as possible on the scale, without pegging the needle. Measure and record the maximum output voltage of the supply.
variable power supply

AMM VOM

+ _ red + _

Figure 1

black

3. 4.

Turn the output voltage all the way down and measure and record the minimum voltage this power supply can produce. Repeat steps 2 and 3 to the other power supply. Record your results in the table below. (5 pts)
Minimum Voltage PS1 PS2 Maximum Voltage

C. Determining Resistance Using Voltage and Current Measurements

1. Set up the circuit shown below. Make sure that the voltage supply is turned off. Use R1 and R2 from A.2. Use 10 V for PS1.

2.

Set the function switch on the AMM to VDC, and the scale switch to the range appropriate for measuring 10 V. Turn on the power supply and then measure the voltage across the resistor R2. Take note of the voltage polarity before taking your measurement. If you dont get a reading, check your wires carefully. Record the actual voltage to three significant figures. What is the voltage across the resistor? (2 pts) __________ To measure the current through the resistor, set the function controls on the AMM to read DC amperes and set up the circuit shown below. Start with the scale switch set to the highest scale. One step at a time, change the range switch so that more sensitive current scales are selected. If the needle pegs at the upper end of the scale, quickly switch back to the next higher scale. Read the current indicated on the meter and record this value. (2 pts) ____________
R 1

3.

VOM
P 1 S R 2

Figure 2

VOM in 25mA DC range

4.

Using the measured values for the voltage across and the current through this resistor, compute the power dissipated by the resistor. Show your solution below. (3 pts)

D. Computing Resistance and Error

In previous sections of this exercise, you determined the value of the resistor by direct measurement using the ohmmeter and by reading the color code. In this section you will compute the apparent resistance using Ohms law, and compare the results of these three methods.

1.

Using the measured values of the voltage and current obtained in steps C.2 and C.3, solve for the resistance R using Ohms law. (3 pts)

2.

For the following error calculations, assume that the resistance value determined using the ohmmeter is the actual value of the resistor. Compute error between the measured and nominal (color code) value, using the equation (3 pts)

3.

Repeat these error calculations for the computed resistance of D.1 as the actual value. Record these calculations and the results. (3 pts)

4.

Explain the possible origins of any error in these resistance values. (4 pts)

E. Measure Alvins Resistor

Alvin, an employee of the Rocky Mountain Ohm Company, put too much paint in the resistorstriping machine. As a result, he produced thousands of different value resistors that were painted only one color. The company, not wanting to throw away hundreds of dollars worth of resistors, offered them to any and all takers. Your university felt it could test each resistor and thereby take advantage of Alvins error. 1. Obtain one of Alvins resistors from your instructor. Using the protoboard, connect the resistor to your power supply and measure the voltage across and current through it. Use Ohms law to compute the resistance. Record the data, calculations and results. (3 pts)

2.

As verification, measure Alvins resistor using the ohmmeter. Record the measured resistance. (2 pts)

3.

Assume the resistance measured using the ohmmeter is the actual value of the resistance. Compute the error between the actual resistance and the value obtained using Ohms law (nominal value). (2 pts)