Experiment # 03

Title:
Study and Implementation of Series DC Circuit
Objective:
1. To understand the characteristics of the resistor in the series dc circuit
2. To be able to determine the current, the total resistance and the voltage drop across in the
series dc circuit.
3. To appropriately apply Ohm’s law to troubleshoot the series dc circuit.

Theory:
A series circuit is formed when any number of resistors are Series Circuit connected end-to-end so that
there is only one path for current to flow. The resistors can be actual resistors or other devices that have
resistance. The following illustration shows four resistors connected end-to-end. The arrows points the
direction of current.

The values of resistance add in a series circuit. If a 4 Ωresistor is placed in series with a 6 Ω resistor, the
total value will be 10 Ω. This is true when other types of resistive devices are placed in series. The
mathematical formula for resistance in series is:
RT =R1 + R2 + R3 + R4 + R 5

Then,

RT =R1 + R2 + R3 + R4 + R 5

RT =11000+2000+ 2000+100+1000

RT =16100 Ω=16.1 k Ω
Current in a Series Circuit:
The equation for total resistance in a series circuit allows us to simplify a circuit. Using Ohm’s Law, the
value of current can be calculated. Current is the same anywhere it is measured in a series circuit.
E
I=
R
12
I= =1.2 Amps
10

Voltage in a Series Circuit:

Voltage can be measured across each of the resistors in a circuit. The voltage across a resistor is referred
to as a voltage drop. In the following illustration, four equal value resistors of 1.5 Ω each have been
placed in series with a 12 volt battery. Ohm’s Law can be applied to show that each resistor will “drop”
an equal amount of voltage.

Procedure:
1. Connect the circuit as shown in figure below.
 2. Referring to the circuit of fig 5, the total resistance (R T) in the series circuit is calculated from
RT= R1+ R2+R3. Then RT=_________ Ω.
3. Measure the total resistance from Digital Multimeter at points A and D, R T=______ Ω.
4. Calculate the percentage error of total resistance: Error=_________ %.
E
5. Calculate total current 9I) of the circuit by using Ohm’s law ( I T = R ¿, IT=______ mA.
T
6. Measure the total current (IT) and the current through R1, R2 and R3 by using Digital Multimeter
IT=______ mA.
I1=______ mA.
I2=______ mA.
I3=______ mA.
7. Calculate the percentage error of total current: Error=_________ %.
8. Use Ohm’s law to calculate voltage drop across the resistors (R 1, R2 and R3),
VR1= IR1*R1=__________ V,
VR2= IR2*R2=__________ V,
VR3= IR3*R3=__________ V
VR1+ VR2+VR3=__________ V
9. Measure the voltage drop across the resistors (R 1, R2 and R3) using Digital Multimeter.
10. Calculate the percentage error: Error=__________________________ %.

Tasks

From the resistive circuit of fig 6, determine the voltage drop across R2.

Refer to the circuit of fig 7, suppose that current through R1 is equal

to100mA, then determine the current through R2, R3 and R4.
IR2=______ mA.
IR3=______ mA.
IR4=______ mA.

From the series circuit below, compute the current (I).

Conclusion: