Experiment No.

Objective:
To understand Ohms Law, Kirchhoff’s law, Volts and Current divider law.
EQUIPMENT REQUIRED:
 Digital Multimeter
 Power supply
 Oscilloscope
 Resistors
 Breadboard

THEORY:
The theoretical analysis of the circuits under study is based on Ohm’s Law and
KIRCHHOFF’S Current & Volts Laws. The main equation relating the electrical parameters
using these laws are presented next.

1. OHM’S LAW:
The Volts V (in volts) across a resistor in a linear time invariant circuit is directly proportional
to the current I (in amperes) flowing through it. The constant of proportionality is the resistance
R (in ohms). Mathematically ohm’s law can be formulated as in equation 6.1.
V=IR (4.1)
2. RESISTORS IN SERIES:
See Figure 6.1 for the series combination of N resistors. The current through N elements in
series combination is the same for all of them.
IS = I1 = I2 = ∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙ = IN (4.2)
The sum of the Voltss across each element is equal to the Volts applied to the entire series
combination.
VS = V1 + V2 + ∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙ + VN (4.3)
Equation 6.3 is formulated from KIRCHHOFF’S VOLTS LAW.
The equivalent resistance of the series combination is the sum of the individual resistances.
Req = R1 + R2 + ∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙ + RN (4.4)

3. RESISTORS IN PARALLEL:
See Figure 6.2 for the parallel combination of N resistors. The Volts across N elements is
parallel combination is the same for all of them.
VS = V1= V2 =∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙ = VN (4.5)
The sum of the currents through each element is equal to the current provided to the entire
parallel combination.
IS = I1 + I2 +∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙∙ + IN (4.6)
Equation 2.6 is formulated from KIRCHHOFF’S CURRENT LAW.

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The reciprocal of the equivalent resistance of the parallel combination is the sum of the
reciprocal of the individual resistances. 1
1
1 = + +--------+ 1 (4.7)
Req R1 R2 RN
4. SERIES – PARALLEL COMBINATION:
An example of a series-parallel combination circuit is shown in Figure 6.3. the analysis of this
type of circuit is accomplished by substituting the series (or parallel) combinations by their
equivalent resistances, such that the circuit is transformed into pure parallel (or series) circuit.
Once the electrical parameters (Volts and/or current) have been determined for the equivalent
resistances, the Voltss and/or currents for the individual resistors in the series or parallel
combinations can be obtained by using the parameters VS and IS for the circuit.
5. VOLTS DIVIDER:
From Equation 6.3, a series circuit with two resistors will divide the applied Volts VS into two
Voltss V1 and V2across each resistor. See Figure 6.4 for s series circuit of two resistors. The
proportion in which the input Volts VS is dived is given by equation 6.7a and 6.7b.
R1
V1= × 𝑉𝑠 (4.7a)
R1+R2
R2
& V2= × 𝑉𝑠 (4.7b)
6. CURRENT DIVIDER: R1+R2

From Equation 6.6a, a parallel circuit with two resistors will divide the applied current I S into
two circuits I1 and I2 through each resistor. See Figure 6.5 for a parallel combination of two
resistors connected to a current source I S. The proportion in which the input current (I S) is
divided is given by equations 6.8a &
R2
6.8b.
I1= × 𝐼𝑠 (4.8a)
R1+R2
R1
& I2= × 𝐼𝑠 (4.8b)
R1+R2

PROCEDURE:

i) PREPARATION:
 In the circuits of Figure 6.3, 6.4, 6.5 and 6.6 select available values for all resistors in the
range above 100Ω and below 1MΩ. You can choose any value but the selected resistor
values should be comparable. For any circuit, resistors with the same label can have the
same value, but resistors with different names should not have the same value in that circuit.
 In the circuit of Figure 6.4 calculate V 1, V2, and IS for VS= 9V. Verify the Volts divider rule
and KVL (by verifying that V 1 + V2 = 9V). Record your theoretical values in the relevant
column of table 6.1.
 In the circuit of Figure 6.5 calculate I 1, I2 for IS= 100mA. Verify the current divider rule
and KCL (by verifying that I 1 + I2 = IS ). You have to choose R 1, R2 and precautionary
resistor RS carefully for constant current operation of the DC power supply practically.
Record your theoretical values in the relevant column of table 6.2.
 For the circuit (Series-Parallel combination) shown in Figure 6.3, complete the entries in
the relevant column of table 6.3 corresponding to the theoretical values.
 In the circuit of Figure 6.6, calculate the equivalent resistance between points A & B and
also between points C & D (you can use ∆-Y transformation to calculate the equivalent
 resistance at points AB). Complete the entries in the relevant column of table 6.4
corresponding to the theoretical values.
 The DVM has an internal resistance of 10 MΩ typically. Assume that in the circuit of
Figure 6.4.a DVM is used to measure the Volts across resistance R 2. Calculate the reading
if:
 R1 = R2 (Any value between 1KΩ and 10 KΩ).
 R1 = R2 (Any value above 1MΩ).
 Complete the entries in the relevant column of table 6.5 corresponding to the theoretical
values.
ii) SIMULATION:
 Use your simulation software to verify the theoretical results you have found in the
preparation part.
 Complete the entries corresponding to the simulation results in the relevant columns of
tables 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4 and 6.5 respectively.
iii) EXPERIMENT:
 The purpose of the experiment is to experimentally verify the theoretical results calculated
in the preparation.
 Use the same resistor values as in the preparation part for each circuit. Use the DMM as an
ohmmeter and measure the values of all resistors to be used for each circuit and record the
practical value for each resistor in the corresponding tables. Note: When taking a resistance
measurement do not touch both resistor terminals. The resistance of your body can alter the
reading.
 Connect the circuit shown in Figure 6.4. Measure V1 and V2 by setting VS + 9V. Record
your different experimental results in the relevant column of table 6.1.
 Connect the circuit shown in Figure 6.5. Measure I 1, I2 by setting IS = 100mA. Record your
experimental results in the relevant column of table 6.2
 Connect the circuit (Series-Parallel combination) shown in Figure 6.6. Measure different
experimental results as required in the relevant column of table 6.3 and thus complete the
table.
 Connect the circuit shown in Figure 6.6. Measure the resistance between points A & B and
also between points C & D. Complete the entries in the relevant column of table 6.4
corresponding to the experimental results.
 Connect the circuit shown in Figure 6.4. Use DVM to measure the Volts across resistance
R2. Measure the reading if:
 R1 = R2 (Value (between 1KΩ and 10 KΩ) used in the preparation part).
 R1 = R2 (Any value above 1MΩ).
Complete the entries in table 6.5 corresponding to the experimental results.

REPORT:
In your report compare all the theoretical and experimental values and make comments
on any discrepancies. Write all conclusions.
 F igure 4.1: A series circuit for N resistors

Figure 4.2: A parallel circuit for N resistors

F igure 4.3: A series circuit with 2 resistors (Volts divider circuit).

Figure 4.4: A parallel circuit with 2 resistors (current divider circuit).

 PARAMETER THEORETICAL SIMULATION PRACTICAL REMARKS
VALUES RESULTS RESULTS
R1 2kΩ 2kΩ 1.9kΩ Ohm
R2 4kΩ 4kΩ 3.9kΩ Ohm
R3 6kΩ 6kΩ 5.9kΩ Ohm
Req 12kΩ 12kΩ 11.7kΩ Ohm
VS 9V 9V 9V Volts
V1 1.5V 1.5V 1.49V Volts
V2 3.0V 3.0V 2.99V Volts
V3 4.5V 4.5V 4.49V Volts
V1+V2+V3 9V 9V 8.97V Volts
IS 0.75µA 0.75µA 0.75µA Ampere

T able 4.1: Series Circuit KIRCHHOFF’S Volts Law and Volts Dividing Rule

PARAMETER THEORETICAL SIMULATION PRACTICAL REMARKS

VALUES RESULTS RESULTS
R1 5kΩ 5kΩ 4.9kΩ Ohm
R2 10kΩ 10kΩ 9.9kΩ Ohm
R3 15kΩ 15kΩ 14.9kΩ Ohm
Req 2.78kΩ 2.78kΩ 2.7kΩ Ohm
VS 9V 9V 9V Volts
I1 1.80mA 1.80mA 1.79mA Ampere
I2 0.90mA 0.90mA 0.89mA Ampere
I3 0.60mA 0.60mA 0.59mA Ampere
I1+I2+I3 3.30mA 3.30mA 3.27mA Ampere
VS 9V 9V 9V Volts

T able 4.2 Parallel Circuit, KIRCHHOFF’S Current Law and Current Dividing
Rule

PARAMETER Theoretical Simulation Practical Remarks

Values Results Results
R1 5kΩ 5kΩ 4.9kΩ Ohm
R2 10kΩ 10kΩ 9.9kΩ Ohm
Req 15kΩ 15kΩ 14.8kΩ Ohm
VS 9V 9V 9V Volts
V1 3.0V 3.0V 2.9V Volts
V2 6.0V 6.0V 5.9V Volts
V1 + V2 9.0V 9.0V 8.9V Volts
Is 0.60mA 0.60mA 0.59mA Ampere
Vout 6V 6V 5.9V Volts
T able 4.3: Series-Parallel Circuit

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 PARAMETER THEORETICAL SIMULATION PRACTICAL REMARKS
VALUES RESULTS RESULTS
R1 5kΩ 5kΩ 4.9kΩ Ohm
R2 10kΩ 10kΩ 9.9kΩ Ohm
R3 15kΩ 15kΩ 14.9kΩ Ohm
Req 7.5kΩ 7.5kΩ 7.4kΩ Ohm
VS 9V 9V 9V Volts
VR1 4.09V 4.09V 4.08V Volts
VR2 4.91V 4.91V 4.89V Volts
VR3 4.91V 4.91V 4.90V Volts
VR1+VR2+VR3 13.91V 13.91V 13.88V Volts
IR1 0.82mA 0.82mA 0.81mA Ampere
IR2 0.49mA 0.49mA 0.48mA Ampere
IR3 0.33mA 0.33mA 0.32mA Ampere
IS= IR1+ IR2+ 1.64mA 1.64mA 1.61mA Ampere
IR3

T able 4.4: Equivalent Resistance

Conclusion
This manual is very helpful in making the concepts clear that how to solve the resistor
place in series, parallel or both. Current divider rule and Voltage divider rule is also
very useful in solving the circuits.

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