UNIVERSITY OF THE EAST – CALOOCAN

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

INSTRUMENTS FOR MEASUREMENT OF ELECTRICAL

QUANTITIES AND OHM’S LAW
EXPERIMENT NO. 1
SUBMITTED TO: SUBMITTED BY:
ENGR. SINFOROSO CIMATU D. JR. CHRISTINE JOY B. GATACELO

DATE PERFORMED: JULY 12, 2019 20161136158

DATE SUMITTED: JULY 26, 2019 NEE 2102 – DC CIRCUITS LAB

DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

In this experiment, we studied and familiarized ourselves with the instruments

in measuring electrical quantities— resistances, voltages and currents. Also, Ohm’s
Law was applied and demonstrated to solve certain values:

𝑉 = 𝐼𝑅
𝑃 = 𝐼𝑉
The voltage drop is V in volts (V), the current is I which is passing through the load
in Amperes (A). the resistance of the load is R in ohms (Ω) and the power, P, in
watts (W). We also applied the formula in getting the total resistance of series
connected and parallel connected resistors:

𝑅𝑇 = 𝑅1 + 𝑅2 + 𝑅3 … + 𝑅𝑁 for series connected resistors

1 1 1 1 1
= + + …+ for parallel connected resistors
𝑅𝑇 𝑅1 𝑅2 𝑅3 𝑅𝑁

In the first run of the experiment, we measured the resistances of different

loading resistors, where the measure of the resistivity of one resistor is 1.21 kΩ. In
our collected data, it is visible that measured values and computed values were
almost equal. As you can see in the Figure 1.1, in every trial the resistive value
decreases. This is because of the given resistor arrangements for each trial. In trials
1 to 3, the resistors were connected in series, trial 4 is one resistor, and trials 5 to 10
were resistors connected in parallel. With this, we can conclude that the more
resistors are connected in parallel, the lower the resistance and the more resistors are
connected in series, the higher the resistance.

5
4.5
4
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Trial 4 Trial 5 Trial 6 Trial 7 Trial 8 Trial 9 Trial 10
Measured 4.7 3.7 2.3 1.1 0.8 0.7 0.5 0.3 0.3 0.2
Computed 4.84 3.63 2.42 1.21 0.91 0.81 0.61 0.48 0.4 0.3

Figure 1.1

The second run of the experiment involves a potentiometer or rheostat in

which we are tasked to measure its resistance. Rheostat is a variable resistor with
three
9000

8000

7000

6000

5000 Measured

4000 Ideal

3000

2000

1000

0
0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
terminals and a corresponding resistance, adjusted through a rotating or sliding shaft.
As seen in the Table 1.2, there are 5 trials with different position setting of the
potentiometer (%). The results show that as the shaft is rotated in different direction,
the resistance to be measured will also give different values. See Figure 1.2.

Figure 1.2

Next experiment, to measure the voltage-current relationship with fixed value

of resistance. As seen in the Table 1.3, as the given voltage increases, the measured

VOLTAGE-CURRENT RELATION
20
17.6
18
16 14.2
14
CURRENT (mA)

12 10.7
10
7.3
8
6
3.9
4
2
0
2 4 6 8 10
VOLTAGE (V)
current also increases. With that, we can assume that they are directly proportional
with each other. We can also see it in Figure 1.

Figure 1.3

Last experiments, testing the relationship of resistance and current with fixed
value of voltage. Resistances used were same as in the first part of the experiment.
If the results were graphed, we can see that current-resistance and power-resistance
have similar graphs. See Figure 1.4 and Figure 1.5. Also, by looking in Figure 1.6,
we can assume that in constant voltage, the power is directly proportional to the
current.

CURRENT-RESISTANCE RELATION
40

35

30
CURRENT (mA)

25

20

15

10

0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4
RESISTANCE (Ω)

Figure 1.4
 POWER-RESISTANCE RELATION
350

300

250
POWER (W)

200

150

100

50

0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6

RESISTANCE (Ω)

Figure 1.5

CURRENT-POWER RELATION
35

30

25
CURRENT (mA)

20

15

10

0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350
POWER (W)

Figure 1.6
 CONCLUSION

After the experiment, we were able to achieve the objectives:

This experiment helped us to be more familiar with the instruments used—

ohmmeter, voltmeter and ammeter. An ohmmeter measures electrical resistance
symbolized in ohms (Ω). A voltmeter measures electrical voltage and any potential
between any two points of either electric or electronic circuits. It is expressed in
Volts (V) and should be connected in parallel with the load. An ammeter measures
electric current, either direct of alternating. It uses Amperes (A) as its symbol and
should be connected in series with the load.

We also aimed the objective of measuring the different electrical quantities

with the use of proper instruments— ohmmeter, voltmeter and ammeter. Looking in
the tables and graphs we will see the consistency of the values.
 The experiment also developed our knowledge with the Ohm’s Law, which
states that the voltage drop of a load is equals to the product of the current through
the load and the resistance of the load (V = IR). With that, we could also state that
multiplying the current passing through the load and the voltage drop will give us
the electrical power of the load (P = IV).

REFERENCES

 Laboratory Manual in DC Circuits by Cimatu • Rebong

 https://www.tedss.com/rheostat
 https://circuitglobe.com/ohmmeter.html
 https://www.britannica.com/technology/ammeter
 https://www.techopedia.com/definition/15044/voltmeter
 EXERCISES

EXERCISE 1: Using the measured value of resistance for one resistor,

compute for the equivalent resistance for each loading resistor
connection shown in Table 1.1.
LOADING
MEASURED VALUE COMPUTED VALUE
TRIAL RESISTOR
IN kΩ IN kΩ
CONNECTION
FOUR RESISTORS
1 4.7 4.84
IN SERIES
THREE
2 RESISTORS IN 3.7 3.63
SERIES
TWO RESISTORS
3 2.3 2.42
IN SERIES
4 ONE RESISTOR 1.1 1.21
ONE RESISTOR
IN PARALLEL
5 0.8 0.90
WITH THREE IN
SERIES
ONE RESISTOR
IN PARALLEL
6 0.7 0.80
WITH TWO IN
SERIES
TWO RESISTORS
7 0.5 0.60
IN PARALLEL
TWO RESISTORS
8 IN PARALLEL IN 0.3 0.48
PARALLEL WITH
 2 RESISTORS IN
SERIES
THREE
9 RESISTORS IN 0.3 0.40
PARALLEL
FOUR RESISTORS
10 0.2 0.30
IN PARALLEL

Measured Value of Resistance of One Resistor = 1.21 kΩ

COMPUTATIONS:

1. 4 Resistors in Series
𝑅𝑇 = 4𝑅
𝑅𝑇 = 4(1.21 𝑘𝛺)
𝑹𝑻 = 𝟒. 𝟖𝟒 𝒌𝜴

2. 3 Resistors in Series
𝑅𝑇 = 3𝑅
𝑅𝑇 = 3(1.21 𝑘𝛺)
𝑹𝑻 = 𝟑. 𝟔𝟑 𝒌𝜴

3. 2 Resistors in Series
𝑅𝑇 = 2𝑅
𝑅𝑇 = 2(1.21 𝑘𝛺)
𝑹𝑻 = 𝟐. 𝟒𝟐 𝒌𝜴

4. 1 Resistor
𝑹𝑻 = 𝟏. 𝟐𝟏 𝒌𝜴

5. 1 Resistor in Parallel with 3 in Series

1 1 −1
𝑅𝑇 = ( + )
𝑅 3𝑅
−1
1 1
𝑅𝑇 = ( + )
1.21 𝑘𝛺 3.63 𝑘𝛺
 𝑹𝑻 = 𝟎. 𝟗𝟎 𝒌𝜴

6. 1 Resistor in Parallel with 2 in Series

1 1 −1
𝑅𝑇 = ( + )
𝑅 2𝑅
−1
1 1
𝑅𝑇 = ( + )
1.21 𝑘𝛺 2.42 𝑘𝛺
𝑹𝑻 = 𝟎. 𝟖𝟎 𝒌𝜴

7. 2 Resistor in Parallel
1 1 −1
𝑅𝑇 = ( + )
𝑅 𝑅
−1
1 1
𝑅𝑇 = ( + )
1.21 𝑘𝛺 1.21 𝑘𝛺
𝑹𝑻 = 𝟎. 𝟔𝟎 𝒌𝜴

8. 2 Resistor in Parallel in Parallel with 2 in

Series
1 1 1 −1
𝑅𝑇 = ( + + )
𝑅 𝑅 2𝑅
−1
1 1 1
𝑅𝑇 = ( + + )
1.21 𝑘𝛺 1.21 𝑘𝛺 2.42 𝑘𝛺
𝑹𝑻 = 𝟎. 𝟒𝟖 𝒌𝜴

9. 3 Resistor in Parallel
1 1 1 −1
𝑅𝑇 = ( + + )
𝑅 𝑅 𝑅
−1
1 1 1
𝑅𝑇 = ( + + )
1.21 𝑘𝛺 1.21 𝑘𝛺 1.21 𝑘𝛺
𝑹𝑻 = 𝟎. 𝟒𝟎 𝒌𝜴

10. 4 Resistor in Parallel

 1 1 1 1 −1
𝑅𝑇 = ( + + + )
𝑅 𝑅 𝑅 𝑅
−1
1 1 1 1
𝑅𝑇 = ( + + + )
1.21 𝑘𝛺 1.21 𝑘𝛺 1.21 𝑘𝛺 1.21 𝑘𝛺
𝑹𝑻 = 𝟎. 𝟑𝟎 𝒌𝜴

EXERCISE 2: With the Table 1.1 completely filled up. Show a graph comparing
the measured value / computed value of resistance against the loading resistor
connection. Use the loading resistor connection as the abscissa and the resistance
values as the ordinate.
 5
4.5
4
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Trial 4 Trial 5 Trial 6 Trial 7 Trial 8 Trial 9 Trial 10
Measured 4.7 3.7 2.3 1.1 0.8 0.7 0.5 0.3 0.3 0.2
Computed 4.84 3.63 2.42 1.21 0.91 0.81 0.61 0.48 0.4 0.3
EXERCISE 3: For Run 2A and Run 2B, compute for the power dissipated in the
resistor using the formula P = I X V -watts.
TABLE 1.3
TRIAL VOLTAGE (V) CURRENT (mA) POWER (W)
1 2 3.9 7.8
2 4 7.3 29.2
3 6 10.7 64.2
4 8 14.2 113.6
5 10 17.6 176

COMPUTATIONS:

1. Trial 1
𝐼 = 3.9 𝑚𝐴
𝑉 =2𝑉
𝑃 = (3.9 𝑚𝐴)(2 𝑉)
𝑷 = 𝟕. 𝟖 𝑾
4. Trial 4
2. Trial 2 𝐼 = 14.2 𝑚𝐴
𝐼 = 7.3 𝑚𝐴 𝑉 =8𝑉
𝑉 =4𝑉 𝑃 = (14.2 𝑚𝐴)(8 𝑉)
𝑃 = (7.3 𝑚𝐴)(4 𝑉) 𝑷 = 𝟏𝟏𝟑. 𝟔𝟐 𝑾
𝑷 = 𝟐𝟗. 𝟐 𝑾
5. Trial 5
3. Trial 3 𝐼 = 17.6 𝑚𝐴
𝐼 = 10.7 𝑚𝐴 𝑉 = 10 𝑉
𝑉 =6𝑉 𝑃 = (17.6 𝑚𝐴)(10 𝑉)
𝑃 = (10.7 𝑚𝐴)6 𝑷 = 𝟏𝟕𝟔 𝒎𝑾
𝑷 = 𝟔𝟒. 𝟐 𝑾
 TABLE 1.4

TRIAL RESISTANCE (Ω) CURRENT (mA) POWER (W)

1 3.7 2.7 27
2 2.94 3.4 34
3 2.04 4.9 49
4 1.09 9.2 92
5 0.83 12 120
6 0.75 13.4 134
7 0.57 17.6 176
8 0.46 21.8 218
9 0.39 25.9 259
10 0.29 34.1 341

COMPUTATIONS:

1. Trial 1
𝐼 = 2.7 𝑚𝐴
𝑃 = (2.7 𝑚𝐴)(10 𝑉)
𝑷 = 𝟐𝟕 𝑾

2. Trial 2
𝐼 = 3.4 𝑚𝐴
𝑃 = (3.4 𝑚𝐴)(10 𝑉)
𝑷 = 𝟑𝟒 𝑾

3. Trial 3
𝐼 = 4.9 𝑚𝐴
𝑃 = (4.9 𝑚𝐴)(10 𝑉)
 𝑷 = 𝟒𝟗 𝑾

4. Trial 4
𝐼 = 9.2 𝑚𝐴
𝑃 = (9.2 𝑚𝐴)(10 𝑉)
𝑷 = 𝟗𝟐 𝑾

5. Trial 5
𝐼 = 12 𝑚𝐴
𝑃 = (12 𝑚𝐴)(10 𝑉)
𝑷 = 𝟏𝟐𝟎 𝑾

6. Trial 6
𝐼 = 13.4 𝑚𝐴
𝑃 = (13.4 𝑚𝐴)(10 𝑉)
𝑷 = 𝟏𝟑𝟒 𝑾

7. Trial 7
𝐼 = 17.6 𝑚𝐴
𝑃 = (17.6 𝑚𝐴)(10 𝑉)
𝑷 = 𝟏𝟕𝟔 𝑾

8. Trial 8
𝐼 = 21.8 𝑚𝐴
𝑃 = (21.8 𝑚𝐴)(10 𝑉)
𝑷 = 𝟐𝟏𝟖 𝑾

9. Trial 9
𝐼 = 25.9 𝑚𝐴
𝑃 = (25.9 𝑚𝐴)(10 𝑉)
𝑷 = 𝟐𝟓𝟗 𝑾

10.Trial 10
𝐼 = 34.1 𝑚𝐴
 𝑃 = (34.1 𝑚𝐴)(10 𝑉)
𝑷 = 𝟑𝟒𝟏 𝑾

EXERCISE 4: Using the data from Table 1.3, plot the curve between voltage and
current with the voltage as the abscissa and the current as the ordinate.
TABLE 1.3
TRIAL VOLTAGE (V) CURRENT (mA) POWER (W)
1 2 3.9 7.8
2 4 7.3 29.2
3 6 10.7 64.2
4 8 14.2 113.6
5 10 17.6 176

PLOTTING POINTS:

VOLTAGE-CURRENT RELATION
20
17.6
18

16
14.2
14
CURRENT (mA)

12 10.7

10
7.3
8

6
3.9
4

0
2 4 6 8 10
VOLTAGE (V)
EXERCISE 5: Using the data from Table 1.4, plot the curve between resistance and
current with the resistance as the abscissa and the current as the ordinate.
TABLE 1.4

TRIAL RESISTANCE (Ω) CURRENT (mA) POWER (W)

1 3.7 2.7 27
2 2.94 3.4 34
3 2.04 4.9 49
4 1.09 9.2 92
5 0.83 12 120
6 0.75 13.4 134
7 0.57 17.6 176
8 0.46 21.8 218
9 0.39 25.9 259
10 0.29 34.1 341

PLOTTING POINTS:
 RESISTANCE-CURRENT RELATION
40

35

30
CURRENT (mA)

25

20

15

10

0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4
RESISTANCE (Ω)

QUESTIONS AND PROBLEMS

1. State the general rule in connecting ammeters and voltmeters in a circuit.

- The general rule for connecting these two measurement devices are
ammeters should be connected in series with the load; and voltmeters
should be connected in parallel with the load.

2. What will happen to the voltmeter and to the circuit if the voltmeter is
accidentally connected in series with the load? Explain.
- If a voltmeter is accidentally connected in series with the load, the
voltmeter will not be harmed or damaged and the circuit will not work.
This is due to the voltmeter’s immensely high resistance.

3. What will happen to the ammeter and to the circuit if the ammeter is
accidentally connected in parallel with the load? Explain.
 - If an ammeter is accidentally connected in parallel with a circuit, the
ammeter will overload and be damaged and the circuit will still work. This
is due to the ammeter’s very low resistance.

4. Why do voltmeters have immensely high resistance?

- Voltmeters have immensely high resistance in order for it to not allow any
current to pass through it. Remember that voltmeters should be connected
in parallel with the load, therefore due to its immensely high resistance;
current will not be able to pass through the voltmeter which will cause the
current not to branch.

5. Why do ammeters have very low resistance?

- Ammeters have very low resistance in order for it to allow the current to
pass through it. Remember that ammeters should be connected in series
with the load, therefore due to its very low resistance; current will just pass
through it and no voltage will be dissipated in the ammeter.

6. Calculate the amount of current that will flow through a resistor of 10

kΩ resistance if the potential difference across it is 10 volts. How much
power is dissipated in the resistor?
𝑅 = 10 𝑘𝛺
𝑉 = 10 𝑉
𝑉 10 𝑉
𝐼= =
𝑅 10 𝑘𝛺
𝐼 = 1 𝑚𝐴
𝑃 = 𝐼𝑉 = (1 𝑚𝐴)(10 𝑉)
𝑃 = 10 𝑚𝑊