Circuit Laboratory - I Dr.

Mohammed Alkrunz

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Lab 2
Resistance Measurements
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Part A: Familiarization
Objective:
- To measure and calculate resistors by several methods.

Methods of calculating and measuring resistance:

I- By using OHM’s Law:
Experiment procedure:
a- Connect the circuit as shown in figure (1)
b- Set the power supply output voltage to 10v.
c- Record the value of I (mA) for R = 2.4K, R = 3.9K, and R = 8.2K in table (1)
d- Compute the values of R(KΩ) using OHM Law, and compute the percentage of
error for the values of R, where the percentage of error can be computed as:

| 𝑡𝑣𝑢𝑒 𝑣𝑣𝑙𝑢𝑒 – 𝑚𝑒𝑣𝑠𝑢𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝑣𝑣𝑙𝑢𝑒 |

%𝐸𝑣𝑣𝑜𝑣 = ∗ 100
𝑡𝑣𝑢𝑒 𝑣𝑣𝑙𝑢𝑒

10V R
1K ohm V

Figure (1)

R(KΩ) V (v) I (mA) R (KΩ) % Error

2.4K
3.9K
8.2K
Table (1)

II- By using ohmmeter:

1- Connect the circuit as shown in figure (2).
2- Measure the value of R (KΩ) directly by connecting the digital multimeter in
parallel with the resistor and using it as an ohmmeter.
3- Record the value of R (KΩ) in table (2) and compute the percentage of error.

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Circuit Laboratory - I Dr. Mohammed Alkrunz

Figure (2)

R (KΩ) R (KΩ) measure % Error

2.4K
3.9K
8.2K

Table (2)

III- By using Wheatstone Bridge:

Theory:
Ohm’s law method can’t be used to measure low values of resistors, because it causes
a high current to pass through the resistor from the power supply and these resistors
can’t bear a high current. In contrast, the Wheatstone-Bridge method is used to
measure high and medium values of resistances.
In the Wheatstone-Bridge method, the current is divided between the two branches.
This is why this method is preferable in measuring low values of resistances.

Wheatstone-Bridge:

𝑅1 𝑅2 (𝑣𝑣𝑣)
Voltmeter
𝑉𝑠
𝑉𝐴𝐴

𝑅3 𝑅4 (𝑢𝑢𝑢)

Figure (3)

Let R4 is unknown resistance. If resistors R1, R2, and R3 are arranged in such a way
as to produce zero deflection of the voltmeter which is connected between the
points B and A, the voltage drops across R1 and R2 are equal and the voltage drops
across R3 and R4 are also equal.

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Circuit Laboratory - I Dr. Mohammed Alkrunz

𝑉𝑅1 + 𝑉𝑅3 = 𝑉𝑅2 + 𝑉𝑅4 = 𝑉𝑠 (1)

Since 𝑉𝐴𝐴 = 0, then 𝑉𝑅3 = 𝑉𝑅4 or 𝐼3 𝑅3 = 𝐼4 𝑅4
Related to Eq. (1) and since 𝑉𝑅3 = 𝑉𝑅4 , then 𝑉𝑅1 = 𝑉𝑅2
Therefore, 𝐼1 𝑅1 = 𝐼2 𝑅2 (2)
But, 𝐼1 = 𝐼3 and 𝐼2 = 𝐼4
So, 𝐼1 𝑅3 = 𝐼2 𝑅4 (3)
By dividing Eq. (3) by Eq. (2), then
𝑅4 𝑅3 𝑅𝑢𝑛𝑘 𝑅3
= or =
𝑅2 𝑅1 𝑅𝑣𝑎𝑟 𝑅1
𝑹
Then, 𝑹𝒖𝒏𝒌 = 𝑹𝒗𝒂𝒓 × 𝑹𝟑
𝟏

Experimental procedures:

I1 I2

Rvar
R1
10V
A V B
I3 I4
R4(unk)
R3

Figure (4)

1- Connect the circuit as shown in figure (4)

2- Let R1=R3=2.4 KΩ, R4=8.2KΩ (to be proved), R2 variable is of the rang 10 KΩ.
3- Vary R2 until V=0, then measure R2 var and use this value to compute Runk. From the
relation
𝑅3
𝑅𝑢𝑢𝑢 = 𝑅𝑣𝑣𝑣 ∗
𝑅1
4- Compute the percentage of error.
5- Repeat the previous four steps if :
- R1= 2.4 KΩ, R3=3.9 KΩ, R4(unk) = 5.6 KΩ (to be proved), R2 variable of the range
10KΩ.
- R1= 3.9 KΩ, R3=2.4 KΩ, R4(unk) = 6.2 KΩ (to be proved), R2 variable of the range
10KΩ.

Runk. computed
R1(KΩ) R3(KΩ) Runk. (KΩ) Rvar. (KΩ) % Error
2.4 2.4 8.2
2.4 3.9 5.6
3.9 2.4 6.2
Table (3)