Republic of the Philippines

Technological University of the Philippines

Ayala Blvd. cor. San Marcelino St. Ermita, Manila
 PEE1L-M

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING - ELECTRICAL DEPARTMENT

LABORATORY

Name: John Patrick V. Sedantes Course, Yr. & Sec.BSEE-2B Subject:PEE1L

Group No. 2 Time: 1pm-4pm Days:Wednesday Rm: Date: 10/12/22
Professor/Instructor: Engr. Edwin C. Espinas Rating:

EXPERIMENT ONE
Introduction to Electrical Measurements & Resistor Color Coding

Below are the things to note on Experiment 1

 Due to pandemic, we will just conduct a simulation of the experiment. Hence, some of the
written objectives on Experiment 1 will not be achieved. Also, modification is needed since
some of materials and electrical instruments is not available like the real resistors,
potentiometer and multimeter. So, some part of the experiment will be omitted.

 Read all the contents especially the theory part.

IMPORTANT
 In item IV Procedures, Run 1, since you cannot buy resistors outside, just read the resistors
below and record your answer in Table 1.2. In the table, just leave the rows of measured
value and %difference blank since you do not have actual resistors to be measured by
ohmmeter.

RESISTOR COLOR CODING.

Write the value of the resistor on Table 1.2.

2. Green-Red-Gold-Silver 3. White-Violet-Black
1. Yellow-Violet-Orange-Gold

4. Brown-Green-Grey-Silver- 5. Brown-Black-Brown-Gold 6. Red-Red-Yellow-Gold

Red

 Also leave Table 1.3 blank.

 Complete Table 1.4.
 Submit your group preliminary report after you conducted the experiment and your
individual final report a week after you conducted the experiment.
 Every report must have cover page. Read rules in making experiment and preliminary report
to know what the cover page must contain.

Prepared by: Engr. Edwin C. Espinas, for TUP COE-EE Department

1
Republic of the Philippines
Technological University of the Philippines
Ayala Blvd. cor. San Marcelino St. Ermita, Manila
 PEE1L-M

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING - ELECTRICAL DEPARTMENT

LABORATORY

EXPERIMENT ONE
Introduction to Electrical Measurements & Resistor Color Coding

I. OBJECTIVES
1. To determine the value of resistors from their color code and compare them to ohmmeter
reading.
2. To measure the resistance across each combination of two of the three terminals of a
potentiometer and observe the range of resistance change as the shaft is varied throughout its
entire range.
3. To be familiar with the connection, use and operation of the DC voltmeter and ammeter.

II. THEORY
Resistance is the measure of the opposition to the flow of charge through a material. The unit of
resistance is OHM, given by the symbol, the Greek letter omega. For carbon resistors, the resistance
values are indicated by a standard color code adopted by manufacturers. This code involves the use of color
bands on the body of the resistor. This is used for 1/4, 1/2, 1-, 2-, and 3-watts resistors. A carbon resistor is
shown in Fig.1.1. Note the color bands. The first band tells the first significant figure. The second tells the
second significant figure. The third band is the multiplier, and the fourth band is the tolerance. The
absence of a fourth band in carbon resistor means a ± 20% tolerance. In the case of resistor whose value is
less than one ohm, the multiplier is silver (band or dot), while for resistor whose value is greater than one
but less than ten ohms, the multiplier is gold. Refer to Table 1.1.

FIGURE 1.1 RESISTOR COLOR CODE

Wire wound, high wattage resistor is usually not color coded but has its value and wattage rating
printed on its body. Wire wound resistors with brown color are insulated while those with black body color
are not insulated. In writing the values of resistors, the following designations are employed: K is a multiplier
which stands for 1,000 and M stands for 1,000,000.
In addition to fixed-value resistors, variable resistors are used extensively in electronics. There are
two types of variable resistors, the rheostat and the potentiometer. Volume controls used in radio and the
contrast and brightness controls of television receivers are typical examples of potentiometers.

Prepared by: Engr. Edwin C. Espinas, for TUP COE-EE Department

2
Republic of the Philippines
Technological University of the Philippines
Ayala Blvd. cor. San Marcelino St. Ermita, Manila
 PEE1L-M

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING - ELECTRICAL DEPARTMENT

LABORATORY
A rheostat is essentially a two-terminal device whose schematic symbol is shown in Figure 1.2. It has
a maximum value of resistance specified by the manufacturer and its minimum value is usually equal to zero.
The arrowhead in Figure 1.2 indicates a mechanical means of adjusting the rheostat so that the resistance,
measured between points A and B can be set to any intermediate value within the range of variation.
The schematic symbol for a potentiometer is shown in Figure 1.3. This is essentially a three-terminal
device. The resistance between points A & B is fixed and point C is the variable arm of the potentiometer.
The arm is a metal contactor which moves along the uninsulated surface of the resistance element, selecting
different lengths of resistive surface. Thus, the longer is the surface of the resistance between points A and
C, the greater is its resistance between points. Similarly, the resistance between points A and C varies as the
length of the element included between points A and C.

A potentiometer maybe used as a rheostat if the center arms and one of the end terminals are
connected into the circuit, and the other end terminal is left disconnected. Another method of converting a
potentiometer into a rheostat is to connect a piece of hook wire between the arm and one of the end
terminals, for example C connected to A. The points B and C now serve as the terminals of a rheostat.

MEASURING RESISTANCE
One of the functions of a VOM (Volt-ohmmeter-milliammeter) is to measure resistance. Each
manufacturer provides operating instructions for the use of this instrument. Hence, it will be necessary to
refer to the instruction manual before using any VOM. A student should be thoroughly familiar with the
operation of the ohmmeter function before he attempts to use it in this experiment.
To measure resistance, the function switch should be set to ohms. Next, the student should adjust to
their settings the ohm zero controls of the meter. He is now ready to measure resistance. If the meter
reading is zero, the points are said to be “short-circuited” while if the meter pointer does not move, the
points are said to be “open-circuited.”
Usually the ohm-scale is non-linear, that is, the arc distance between consecutive graduations is not
equal. Thus, the arc distance between 0 and 1 is much greater than the distance between 9 and 10, through
each arc represents in this case a change of 1 ohm. Note that the ohms scale becomes fairly crowded to the
right of the 100 ohms division. If a resistance greater than 100 ohms is to be measured with some degree of
accuracy, the meter range should be switched to x10, x100, x1K, or x10K depending on the actual resistance
to be measured. In the x10 range, any reading made on the basic scale must be multiplied by 10. In the x100
range, the reading must be multiplied by 100, and so on for the rest of the ranges.

Prepared by: Engr. Edwin C. Espinas, for TUP COE-EE Department

3
Republic of the Philippines
Technological University of the Philippines
Ayala Blvd. cor. San Marcelino St. Ermita, Manila
 PEE1L-M

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING - ELECTRICAL DEPARTMENT

LABORATORY

TABLE 1.1 RESISTOR COLOR CODE CHART

COLOR SIGNIFICANT MULTIPLIER TOLERANCE
FIGURE
BLACK 0 1 -
BROWN 1 10 -
RED 2 100 -
ORANGE 3 1000 -
YELLOW 4 10000 -
GREEN 5 100000 -
BLUE 6 1000000 -
VIOLET 7 10000000 -
GRAY 8 100000000 -
WHITE 9 1000000000 -
GOLD - 0.1 ±5%
SILVER - 0.01 ± 10 %
NO COLOR - - ± 20 %

DC VOLTAGE AND CURRENT MEASUREMENTS

Difference of potential or voltage is the work necessary to move a unit charge of electricity from one
point to the other of an electric circuit. The rate of flow of electric charge is called current. The mechanical
analogy of voltage and current in a hydraulic system are pressure and the rate of water flow, respectively.
Current will not flow if the potential difference is not existing, as water cannot flow if there is no pressure in
a hydraulic system. Voltage and current are ordinarily measured by a voltmeter and an ammeter,
respectively.
Direct Current instruments work on the principle of motor action. When a current carrying
conductor is placed in a magnetic field, force is developed on the conductor. The direction of force is
governed by the law of electromagnetic induction. Current flow in the moving coils through the spiral
springs. The permanent magnets produce the magnetic flux that caused force to be developed in the moving
coil when it rotates. The pointer is pivoted on jeweled bearings. The scales are calibrated to indicate voltage
or current. The zero adjusting screw adjusts the position of the pointer to exactly zero on the scale. The
antiparallax mirror enables one to read the meter accuracy. For correct reading, the pointer and its shadow
on the mirror should coincide.
Voltage is ordinarily measured by a voltmeter. In a voltmeter, a very high resistance is connected in
series with the moving coil to limit the current. Thus, when a voltmeter is connected across the lines or
devices, the current that it takes is very small and, in most cases, negligible compared to the current in the
circuit.
When measuring current in a line, an ammeter is used. The construction of the moving coil assembly
of an ammeter is similar to that of the voltmeter. Shunt resistors of very small values are connected across
the moving coil to bypass most of the current which should otherwise flow through the coil. The resistance
of an ammeter is therefore very small. Because of this, ammeters cannot be connected across a source of
voltage.
As a rule, a voltmeter must be connected across the lines or devices, while an ammeter must be
connected in series with the load. The polarity of the meters must be considered when taking DC
Prepared by: Engr. Edwin C. Espinas, for TUP COE-EE Department
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Republic of the Philippines
Technological University of the Philippines
Ayala Blvd. cor. San Marcelino St. Ermita, Manila
 PEE1L-M

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING - ELECTRICAL DEPARTMENT

LABORATORY
measurements. A wrong polarity will move the pointer backward and may cause the pointer to be bent. The
instruments must be handled with care since these are delicate. Rough handling may affect the accuracy of
the meter. If the quantities to be measured are not yet approximated, the meter must be set at its highest
range. The range of a voltmeter maybe extended by connecting an additional resistor in series with the
instrument. In the case of an ammeter, the range is extended by connecting resistors across the instruments.

III. MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT

1 Analog VOM
5 Assorted Color-Coded Carbon Resistor (1w)
1 10K Potentiometer
1 Breadboard
1 Variable DC Power Supply
Connecting Wires

IV. PROCEDURES

RUN I: THE COLOR-CODED CARBON RESISTOR

1. Determine the value of each resistor from their color codes. Fill in the information required for
Table 1.2.
2. Using the VOM, zero adjust the ohmmeter and measure the resistance of each resistor with the
ohmmeter. Record the readings in Table 1.2.
3. Compute the percentage difference between the color-coded value and the measured value and
record them in Table 1.2. They should agree within the tolerance range of the resistor.

RUN II: THE POTENTIOMETER

1. Examine the potentiometer. Orient it so that the rotatable shaft comes out toward you. Call the
terminals of the potentiometer A, B and C as in Fig 1.3. Measure and record in Table 1.3 the
total resistance between A and B (Rab). Vary the arm of the potentiometer while keeping the
ohmmeter connected across AB. Does the total resistance vary?
2. Connect the ohmmeter terminals across AC. Turn the potentiometer control completely
clockwise. Measure and record the resistance between AC (Rac) and between BC (rbc). Compute
and record the value of Rac + Rbc.
3. Now observe how the resistance Rac varies as the potentiometer is turned from its clockwise
position to complete counterclockwise position. How does Rbc varies over this range? Record
the clockwise and counterclockwise values for Rac and Rbc. Compute and record Rac + Rbc in
each case.
4. Set the control one quarter of the way clockwise. Measure and record Rac and Rbc in Table 1.3.
Compute and record Rac + Rbc.
5. Set the control three-quarters of the way clockwise. Measure and record Rac and Rbc in Table
1.3. Compute and record Rac + Rbc.

RUN III: CONNECTING THE VOLTMETER AND AMMETER

Prepared by: Engr. Edwin C. Espinas, for TUP COE-EE Department

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Republic of the Philippines
Technological University of the Philippines
Ayala Blvd. cor. San Marcelino St. Ermita, Manila
 PEE1L-M

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING - ELECTRICAL DEPARTMENT

LABORATORY
1. Connect the circuit shown in Figure 1.4. Choose an appropriate value of resistor.
2. Adjust the DC supply voltage to 20V. Measure and record the value of voltage and current in
Table 1.4 as indicated by the voltmeter and the ammeter.

3. Repeat step 2 for the other four remaining resistors.

Figure 1.4 EXPERIMENTAL CIRCUIT

V. DATA AND RESULTS

TABLE 1.2
RESISTOR

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

1st color Yellow Green White Brown Brown Red Orange Orange
4 5 9 1 1 2 3 3
2nd color Violet Red Violet Green Black Red White Orange
7 2 7 5 0 2 9 3
3rd color Orange Gold Black Gray Brown Yellow Brown Brown
1000 0.1 1 8 10 10K 10 10
4th color Gold Silver No color Red Gold Gold Silver Gold
100

tolerance 5% 10% 20% - 5% 5% 10% 5%

coded value 47k 5.2 ohms 97 ohms 15.8k 100 220k 390 330
ohms ohms ohms ohms ohms ohms
measured 350 296
values ohms ohms
% Difference 10.26% 10.57%

Prepared by: Engr. Edwin C. Espinas, for TUP COE-EE Department

6
Republic of the Philippines
Technological University of the Philippines
Ayala Blvd. cor. San Marcelino St. Ermita, Manila
 PEE1L-M

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING - ELECTRICAL DEPARTMENT

LABORATORY

TABLE 1.3
STEP POTENTIOMETER Rab Rbc Rca Rac + Rbc
SETTING Computed Value
1 vary over its range
2 Completely CCW 9.65k 9.72k 0.05k 9.77k ohms
ohms ohms ohms
3 CCW to CW 9.67k 0.02k 9.78k 9.80k ohms
ohms ohms ohms
4 ¼ CW 9.67k 9.45k 0.37k 9.82k ohms
ohms ohms ohms
5 ¾ CW 9.66k 6.37k 3.39k 13.05k ohms
ohms ohms ohms

TABLE 1.4
RESISTANCE
VOLTAGE
CURRENT

VI. COMPUTATIONS

VII. CONCLUSION

Prepared by: Engr. Edwin C. Espinas, for TUP COE-EE Department

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Republic of the Philippines
Technological University of the Philippines
Ayala Blvd. cor. San Marcelino St. Ermita, Manila
 PEE1L-M

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING - ELECTRICAL DEPARTMENT

LABORATORY

VIII. GUIDE QUESTIONS

1. Give the color code of the following carbon resistors.

a. 0.73-ohm c. 5.6 ohms
b. 490 ohms d. 62,000 ohms

2. An ammeter and a voltmeter of suitable ranges are to be used to measure the current and voltage of
an electric lamp. If mistakes were made and meters interchanged, what will happen?

3. An ammeter has a resistance of 0.0075 Ω reads up to 15 A. What resistance shunt is needed to make
a full-scale deflection of 150 A?

4. A 50-mV meter has a resistance of 10 Ω. A multiplier has been inserted to produce a voltmeter of
range 5 V. How can the multiplier be modified so that the new meter will have a range of 15 V?

5. How does a potentiometer differ from rheostat?

Prepared by: Engr. Edwin C. Espinas, for TUP COE-EE Department

8