Circuit Laboratory - I Dr.

Mohammed Alkrunz

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Lab 1
Laboratory Instruments and Measurements
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Objectives:

 To learn how to make basic electrical measurements of current, voltage, and resistance
using multi-meters.
 To be familiar with the laboratory instruments and their working principles.
 To be familiar with the breadboard.

Theoretical Background:

Definitions:

a- Electric current (i or I) is the flow of electric charge from one point to another, and it
is defined as the rate of movement of charge past a point along a conduction path
through a circuit, or i = dq/dt. The unit for current is the ampere (A). One ampere =
one coulomb per second.

b. Electric voltage (v or V) is the "potential difference" between two points, and it is

defined as the work, or energy required to move a charge of one coulomb from one
point to another. The unit for voltage is the volt (V). One volt = one joule per
coulomb.

c. Resistance (R) is the "constant of proportionality" when the voltage across a circuit
element is a linear function of the current through the circuit element, or v = Ri. A
circuit element which results in this linear response is called a resistor. The unit for
resistance is the Ohm (Ω). One Ohm = one volt per ampere. The relationship v = Ri is
called Ohm's Law.

Typical standard resistor values are 1.0, 1.2, 1.5, 1.8, 2.2, 2.7, 3.3, 3.9, 4.7, 5.6, 6.8, 7.5,
8.2, and 9.1 multiplied by a power of 10

d. Electric power (p or P) is dissipated in a resistor in the form of heat. The amount of

power is determined by p = Vi, p = i2R, or p = v2/R. The latter two equations are
derived by using Ohms Law (v = Ri) and making substitutions into the first equation.
The unit for power is the watt (W). One watt = one joule per second.

Instruments and equipments that will be used in this lab:

1- Multimeter:

Meters are used to make measurements of the various physical variables in an electrical
circuit. These meters may be designed to measure only one variable such as a voltmeter
or an ammeter. Other meters called multimeters are designed to measure several

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variables, typically voltage, current and resistance. These multimeters have the
capability of measuring a wide range of values for each of these variables. Some
multimeters operate on battery power and are therefore easily portable, but need battery
replacement. Others operate on AC power.

The read-out, or display, of value being measured on the multimeter may be of the
digital type or the analog type. The digital type displays the measurement in an easy to
read form. The analog type has a pointer which moves in front of a marked scale and
must be read by visually interpolating between the scale markings.

In this lab we will use a digital multimeter which is as shown in figure 1.

Figure (1): The Multimeter device

It consists of:

- Ammeter which is used to measure AC or DC current passing in a branch and is

connected in series with the circuit’s elements.

- Voltmeter for measuring the AC or DC voltage drop a cross any two point in the
circuit, and is connected in parallel.

- Ohmmeter for measuring the resistance, and is connected across the resistant.

2- Oscilloscope:

An oscilloscope (abbreviated sometimes as 'scope or O-scope) is a type of electronic

test instrument that allows signal voltages to be viewed, usually as a two-
dimensional graph which a potential differences plotted as a function of time.

Although an oscilloscope displays voltage on its vertical axis, any other quantity that
can be converted to a voltage can be displayed as well.

Oscilloscopes are commonly used when it is desired to observe the exact wave shape
of an electrical signal. In addition to the amplitude of the signal, an oscilloscope can

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show distortion and measure frequency, time between two events (such as pulse
width or pulse rise time), and relative timing of two related signals.

Figure (2): Oscilloscope

3- Wattmeter

The wattmeter is an instrument for measuring the electric power in watts of any
given circuit. The traditional analog wattmeter is an electrodynamics instrument. The
device consists of a pair of fixed coils, known as current coils, and a movable coil
known as the potential coil.

The current coils connected in series with the circuit, while the potential coil is
connected in parallel.

A current flowing through the current coil generates an electromagnetic field around
the coil. The strength of this field is proportional to the line current and in phase with
it. The potential coil has, as a general rule, a high-value resistor connected in series
with it to reduce the current that flows through it.

The result of this arrangement is that on a DC circuit, thus conforming to the

equation W=VA or P=VI.

Figure (3): Wattmeter

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4- DC Power Supply

A power supply is an electrical device that supplies electric power to an electrical

load. The primary function of a power supply is to convert electric current from a
source to the correct voltage, current, and frequency to power the load. As a result,
power supplies are sometimes referred to as electric power converters. Some power
supplies are separate standalone pieces of equipment, while others are built into the
load appliances that they power.

All power supplies have a power input connection, which receives energy in the form
of electric current from a source, and one or more power output connections that
deliver current to the load. The source power may come from the electric power grid,
such as an electrical outlet, energy storage devices such as batteries or fuel
cells, generators or alternators, solar power converters, or another power supply.

Power supplies are categorized in various ways, including by functional features. For
example, a regulated power supply is one that maintains constant output voltage or
current despite variations in load current or input voltage. Conversely, the output of
an unregulated power supply can change significantly when its input voltage or load
current changes. Adjustable power supplies allow the output voltage or current to be
programmed by mechanical controls (e.g., knobs on the power supply front panel),
or by means of a control input, or both. An adjustable regulated power supply is one
that is both adjustable and regulated. An isolated power supply has a power output
that is electrically independent of its power input; this is in contrast to other power
supplies that share a common connection between power input and output.

Figure (4): DC Power Supply

5- Function Generator

A function generator is usually a piece of electronic test equipment or software used

to generate different types of electrical waveforms over a wide range of frequencies.
Some of the most common waveforms produced by the function generator are the
sine, square, triangular and saw-tooth shapes. These waveforms can be either

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repetitive or single-shot (which requires an internal or external trigger source).

Integrated circuits used to generate waveforms may also be described as function
generator ICs.

In addition to producing sine waves, function generators may typically produce

other repetitive waveforms including saw-tooth and triangular waveforms, square
waves, and pulses. Another feature included on many function generators is the
ability to add a DC offset.

Function generators are used in the development, test and repair of electronic
equipment. For example, they may be used as a signal source to test amplifiers or to
introduce an error signal into a control loop. Function generators are primarily used
for working with analog circuits, related pulse generators are primarily used for
working with digital circuits.

Figure (5): Function Generator

6- Breadboard:

A breadboard is used to make up temporary circuits for testing or to try out an idea.
No soldering is required, so it is easy to change connections and replace components.
Parts will not be damaged so they will be available to re-use afterwards.

This is in contrast to strip board and similar prototyping printed circuit boards,
which are used to build more permanent soldered prototypes, and cannot easily be
reused. A typical small bread board is shown in figure below, which is suitable for
testing a small circuit.

Figure (6): The breadboard

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Connections on Breadboard

Breadboards have many tiny sockets (called 'holes') arranged on a 0.1" grid. The leads of
most components can be pushed straight into the holes. ICs are inserted across the
central gap with their notch or dot to the left.

Wire links can be made with single-core plastic-coated wire of 0.6mm diameter (the
standard size). Stranded wire is not suitable because it will crumple when pushed into a
hole and it may damage the board if strands break off.

The diagram shows how the breadboard holes are connected:

The top and bottom rows are linked horizontally all the way across as shown in figure
(7), it is suggested to use the horizontal holes ; one for the positive power supply and the
other for ground, also the lower horizontal holes may be used for a negative power
supply.

The other holes are linked vertically in blocks of 5 with no link across the center. Notice
how there is separate blocks of connections to each pin of ICs.

Figure (7): Bread Board Connections

On larger breadboards there may be a break halfway along the top and bottom power
supply rows. It is a good idea to link across the gap before you start to build a circuit,
otherwise you may forget and part of your circuit will have no power!

7- Multisim (Simulation Software):

Multisim is a simulation program produced by National Instruments (NI). It is an

industry-standard, best-in-class SPICE simulation environment. It is the cornerstone of
the NI circuits teaching solution to build expertise through practical application in
designing, prototyping, and testing electrical circuits. The Multisim design approach

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helps you save prototype iterations and optimize printed circuit board (PCB) designs
earlier in the process.

Figure (8): Multisim Program

You can download the program from the official page of National Instruments (NI). You
can use this link directly.

http://www.ni.com/gate/gb/GB_ACADEMICEVALMULTISIM/US

Lab Work:

Building a Circuit on Breadboard

1. Connect the circuit shown in figure (6) on the bread board.

2. Set the power supply output voltage to 10v.
3. Find the value of the current passing through the circuit and the voltage across the
resistor using multi-meter.
4. Record the value that you got in the table 1.

10V 1k V

Figure (9): Simple Electrical Circuit

V(volt) I (mA)

Table (1)