FACULTY OF ENGINEERING AND QUANTITY SURVEYING (FEQS)

INTI INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY

ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS
(EGR2209)

LAB REPORT 1

KIRCHHOFF’S LAWS

Names : Abdulsalam ibn Yusuf Abdullah (I18016344)

Sarah Irbah Salsabila (I18016126)

Program : BCEGI

Course Code : EGR2209

Session : August 2021

Lecturer : Dr. Zuraidah binti Harith

 Table of Content

1.1 Aims / Objectives 4

1.2 Materials Required 4
1.3 Circuit Diagram 5
1.4 Observation / Results 5
1.5 Theoretical Calculation 6
1.6 Technical Discussion 10
1.7 Conclusion 13
1.8 References14

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1.1 Aims / Objectives
Section A: Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law
1. To prove Kirchhoff’s voltage law by experiment.
2. To show the application of Kirchhoff’s voltage law to series, parallel and combination
circuit.

Section A: Kirchhoff’s Current Law

1. To verify experimentally that the sum of the currents entering a junction is equal to
the current leaving the junction.
2. To identify previously learned current behaviour conforming to Kirchhoff’s law.

1.2 Materials Required

 Power supply: low-voltage, variable, regulated
 DMM
 Resistors, one each, 330, 470, 2200, 3300 and 4700 Ω

1.3 Circuit Diagram

Fig. 1.3.1 Experimental Circuit A

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 Fig. 1.3.2 Experimental Circuit B

Fig. 1.3.3 Experimental Circuit C

1.4 Observation / Results

Section A: Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law
Experimental Data of Circuit A
Measured source voltage = 25 V

Table 1.4.1 Experimental Results of Circuit A

Voltages across each resistor Resistors (Ω) Voltages (V)

VR1 330 1.96
VR2 470 2.80
VR3 1200 7.14
VR4 2200 13.10

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 VT = VR1 + VR2 + VR3 + VR4
= 1.96 + 2.80 + 7.14 + 13.10
= 25 V

Fig 1.4.1 Virtual Circuit A

Experimental Data of Circuit B

Measured source voltage = 25 V

Table 1.4.2 Experimental Results of Circuit B

Voltages across each resistor Resistors (Ω) Voltages (V)

VR1 330 1.72
VR2 // VR3 470 // 1200 1.76
VR4 2200 11.44
VR5 // VR6 3300 // 4700 10.08

VT = VR1 +( VR2 // VR3) + VR4 + (VR5 // VR6)

= 1.72 + 1.76 + 11.44 + 10.08
= 25 V

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 Fig. 1.4.2 Virtual Circuit B

Section B: Kirchhoff’s Current Law

Experimental Data of Circuit C
Measured voltage = 25 V

Table 1.4.3 Experimental Results of Circuit C

Measured IT at A I1 I2 IT at B I3 I4
current, mA
9.41 7.76 1.65 9.41 5.53 3.88

I1 + I2 = 7.76 + 1.65
= 9.41 mA

I3 + I4 = 5.53 + 3.88
= 9.41 mA

IT = 9.41 mA

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 Fig. 1.4.3 Virtual Circuit C

1.5 Theoretical Calculation

Section A: Experimental Circuit A

R1 = 330 Ω R3 = 1200 Ω
R2 = 470 Ω R4 = 2200 Ω

RT = R1 + R2+ R3+ R4
= 330 + 470 + 1200 + 2200
= 4200 Ω

Using the formula below to obtain voltage across a resistor,

Rx
Vx = × Vs
Rᴛ

330
VR1 = × 25 V = 1.96 V
4200
470
VR2 = × 25 V = 2.80 V
4200
1200
VR3 = × 25 V = 7.14 V
4200
2200
VR4 = × 25 V = 13.10 V
4200

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 VT = V1 + V2+ V3+ V4
= 1.96 + 2.80 + 7.14 + 13.10
= 25 V

|exp . Value−Theo . Value|

Percentage error (%) = ×100
Theo . Value
25−25
= ×100
25

=0%

Section A: Experimental Circuit B

R1 = 330 Ω R4 = 2200 Ω
R2 = 470 Ω R5 = 3300 Ω
R3 = 1200 Ω R6 = 4700 Ω

470 ×1200
R2 // R3 = = 337.73 Ω
470+1200
3300× 4700
R5 // R6 = = 1938.75 Ω
3300+ 4700

RT = R1 + R2+ R3+ R4
= 330 + 337.73 + 2200 + 1938.75
= 4806.48 Ω

Using the formula below to get voltage across a resistor,

Rx
Vx = × Vs
Rᴛ

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 330
VR1 = × 25 V = 1.716 V
4806.48
337.73
VR2 = VR3 = × 25 V = 1.756 V
4806.48
2200
VR4 = × 25 V = 11.443 V
4200
1938.75
VR5 = VR6 = ×25 V = 10.084 V
4200

VT = V1 + (V2 // V3) + V4+ (V5 // V6)

= 1.716 + 1.756 + 11.443 + 10.084
= 24.99 V

|exp . Value−Theo . Value|

Percentage error (%) = ×100
Theo . Value

24.99−25
= ×100
25

= 0.04 %

Section B: Kirchhoff’s Current Law

R1 = 330 Ω R4 = 3300 Ω
R2 = 470 Ω R5 = 4700 Ω
R3 = 2200 Ω

470 ×2200
R2 // R3 = = 387.26 Ω
470+2200
3300× 4700
R4 // R5 = = 1938.75 Ω
3300+ 4700

RT = R1 + (R2 // R3) + (V4 // V5)

= 330 + (387.26) + 1938.75

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 = 2656.01 Ω

Using the formula below to get the total current,

Vs
IT =
Rᴛ
25
=
2656.01
=0.0094 A

To get the value of current across a resistor, use the formula below,

Rᴛ
Ix = × IT
Rx

387.26
I1 = × 0.0094 A = 7.75 mA
470
387.26
I2 = × 0.0094 A = 1.66 mA
2200
1938.75
I3 = ×0.0094 A = 5.52 mA
3300
1938.75
I4 = ×0.0094 A = 3.88 mA
4700

IT at point A = 7.75 + 1.66 = 9.4 mA

IT at point B = 5.52 + 3.88 = 9.4 mA

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 |exp . Value−Theo . Value|
Percentage error (%) = ×100
Theo . Value

9.41−9.4
= ×100
9.4

= 0.11 %

1.6 Technical Discussion

Kirchhoff’s circuit laws are two equations first published by Gustav Kirchhoff in 1845.
Fundamentally the laws discuss about energy conservation and load inside the context of
electrical circuits. (Schuster, 2017)
In this lab report, theoretical and experimental values are obtained from three different
closed-loop electrical circuits. The results obtained from using theoretical formulas and
from experimental results where they are sufficiently resemblant. The differences of the
obtained values from this experiment are caused by the different decimal places and
rounding offs.

The situation occurred because of the experimental values were collected from a virtual
circuit. This results, in similar or almost zero difference outcomes. While in factual
condition, resistors and other electrical components mostly don’t have an exact value that
are built on it, due to a certain accuracy or tolerance, where it shall affect the obtaining
values. For example, a labelled 330 Ω resistor in real life situation can actually be less or
more than 330 based on the percentage of its tolerance.

Section A: Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law (Circuit A)

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 This circuit is a series circuit with the total of four resistors which has values of 330 Ω,
470 Ω, 1200 Ω, 2200 Ω connected in one path respectively. The circuit has a voltage
supply in a number of 25 V.

For the theoretical calculation, in order to obtain the individual voltages across each
Rx
resistor the formula of Vx = × Vs. While to get the total resistance, the formula of RT =
Rᴛ
R1 + R2 + R3 + R4 is used. After getting the individual voltage drops the total voltage (V T)
is equal to 25 V.

For the experimental values, the voltages value obtained individually are, VR1 = 1.96 V,
VR2 = 2.80 V, VR3 = 7.14 V and VR4 = 13.10 V. Where if all of the individual voltage
drops are summed, it also equals to 25 V.

From the statements above, both experimental and theoretical values are the same with
no error percentage occurred. It may be caused by decimal places rounding up and the
zero tolerance from the virtual circuit.

Section A: Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law (Circuit B)

Circuit B is a series-parallel type of circuit. This circuit also consist of six resistors in
total where R2 is parallel to R3 and R5 is parallel to R6. The values of each resistor
respectively are 330 Ω, 470 Ω, 1200 Ω, 2200 Ω, 3300 Ω and 4700 Ω.

Rx
For this circuit, the formulas used are the voltage divider rule, Vx = × Vs and RT = R1
Rᴛ
+ R2 + R3 + R4. Theoretical results obtained for the total resistance (RT) equals to 4806.48
Ω. While for the total voltage drops equals to 24.99 V.

In comparison, the experimental values of voltage drop sum from VT = V1 + (V2 // V3) +
V4+ (V5 // V6) = 1.72 + 1.76 + 11.44 + 10.08 = 25 V. With no error or tolerance occurs on
each resistor on the virtual circuit. The values for VR2 with VR3 and VR5 with VR6 are the
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 same is because voltage in parallel circuits will always be the same throughout the
parallel path.

For this circuit comparison between the experimental and theoretical values’ error
percentage was gained in a number of 0.04%. Just as the previous circuit’s case, the
reason between the difference and or the similarity is located at the rounding up of the
decimal places.

Section B: Kirchhoff’s Current Law (Circuit C)

Kirchhoff’s Current Law (KCL) has an understanding where the total amount of current
goes through a node is equal to the amount of current leaving the node (I IN = IOUT).
Kirchhoff’s Current Law applies to currents in multiple path or branches.

This circuit is a closed-loop series-parallel circuit with a total of five resistors and a 25 V
voltage supply. The values of the resistors installed in this circuits respectively are, 330
Ω, 470 Ω, 2200 Ω, 3300 Ω and 4700 Ω. The goal from this circuit is to find the total
current and individual current values across individual resistors.

In order to do that theoretically, the formulas needed are RT = R1 + (R2 // R3) + R4+ (R5 //
V Rᴛ
R6), the Ohm’s formula, I = and current divider rule formula, Ix = × IT. The value
R Rx
for RT = 2656.01 was obtained, with total current (I T) = 0.0094 A. While for the
individual current, obtained I1 = 7.75 mA, I2 = 1.65 mA, I3 = 5.52 mA and I4 = 3.88 mA.

To prove the Kirchhoff’s Current Law statement of I IN = IOUT, I1 + I2 must be equal to I3 +

I4. For I1 + I2 = 9.4 mA while for I 3 + I4 is also equals to 9.4 mA. This concludes that the
law is successfully applied at the circuit where the current entering the branch or node is
equal to the current leaving the node.

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 For the experimental value, IT = 9.41 mA. This difference occurring at both experimental
and theoretical values resulted an error percentage in a number of 0.11%.

Throughout the entire experiment on three closed-loop circuits, two out of three circuits
are found with percentage errors. To summarized, the error may be occurring due to
human error, since each and every experiment is conducted through a virtual circuit. The
wrong placement of the grounding, wire connection and resistor value inputs are the
greatest possibility of establishing the amount of error percentages.

1.7 Conclusion

In conclusion, the purpose of this experiment was to verify the extent of the relationship
of Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law, and Kirchhoff’s Current Law, two circuits in series and
parallel were used to understand the analyse the voltage law which states that the total
voltage coming into a circuit equals the total voltage leaving the circuit.

Rx
Vx = × Vs (1)
Rᴛ

This formula was used to analyse the total voltage (Vs), where VX is the voltage passing
through a single resister. Adding all the voltages across all the resistors we find that the
total voltage coming in = the total voltage within a circuit.

As for the second part of the experiment the Current law was to be analysed, which
states that the current coming into a nod must equal to the current leaving.

Rᴛ
Ix = × IT (2)
Rx

This formula was used to analyse the total current (I T), where IX is the current passing
through each resistor. Added together will give a total of the inputted current.

This experiment was considered a success as the percentage error for both parts of the
experiment were below 1%, which proves a success.

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1.8 References

Doc Schuster. 2017. Kirchhoff’s Rules. [ONLINE] Available at:

https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-physics/chapter/kirchhoffs-rules/.
[Accessed 30 August 2021].

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