EXPERIMENT 1

VOLTAGE MEASUREMENT

To begin this experiment, participants are required to understand the

basic of the following subjects:
• DC and AC voltages.
• Measuring instrument accuracy.
• Measuring instrument sensitivity.
• Relative error.
• The procedures to use a voltmeter and how does it work.
• The RMS value, and the average value of AC magnitude.

1.1 DC VOLTAGE MEASUREMENT

Objective : To evaluate the voltmeter accuracy.

Introduction : Upon this experiment, we are going to measure a

voltage value using different types of voltmeter. The
reading on each voltmeter will be compare with each of
the voltmeter accuracy.

Equipment :
1. DC Power source
2. Voltmeter

Procedures :
1. Pay attention to the measuring instrument manual book, and
record its specifications on the following Table 1.1

Table 1.1 Specifications of Voltage Measuring Instrument

VM 1 VM 2
Brand and Types: BK Precision, 889B Brand and Types: BK Precision, 2709B

Analog/Digital: Analog/Digital:

DC volt. Measuring range: DC volt. Measuring range:

DC volt. Measuring accuracy:
AC volt. Measuring range:
AC volt. Frequency range:
AC volt. Measuring accuracy:
True RMS (yes/no):
DC volt. Measuring accuracy:
AC volt. Measuring range:
AC volt. Frequency range:
AC volt. Measuring accuracy:
True RMS (yes/no):

Additional notes: Additional notes:

 VM 3
Brand and Types: BK Precision, 2709B

Analog/Digital:

DC volt. Measuring range:

DC volt. Measuring accuracy:
AC volt. Measuring range:
AC volt. Frequency range:
AC volt. Measuring accuracy:
True RMS (yes/no):

Additional notes:

2. Pay attention to your module. Make sure that you are aware of the
voltage terminal positions of the voltmeter.
3. Make sure the SW1 and SW2 switches are in position 1, as
shown in figure 1. The SW3 works for determine what type of
voltmeter that we are going to use to measuring.

Figure 1

4. Record the voltage value accuracy of each voltmeter in Table 1.2

Table 1.2 Voltage Measuring Instrument Accuracy
Voltmeter Accuracy (%)
VM1
VM2
VM3

5. Adjust the PC power source output by referring to Table 1.3. The

output value of the DC power source is obtain by observing the
display of the DC power source. Record the observed value in
Table 1.3

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 Table 1.3 DC Voltage Measurement Records
Voltage VM1 Range VM2 Range VM3 Range
(V) (V) VM1 (V) (V) (V) VM3
5

10

NOTES:
1. If using a multi-range measuring device, start the procedure by setting the
range to the highest position. Then slowly decrease the range until the actual
deflection obtained.
2. To improve the measuring accuracy, use the range that will lead the closest
reading to the full scale.
3. Make sure the measuring instrument is at the correct setting and connected
to the correct terminal as well. (i.e. if measuring a DC voltage, then the
terminal must correctly connected at the DC measuring terminal, and etc.)

MODUL ASSIGNMENTS:
1. Calculate the accuracy of each measuring instruments (VM1,
VM2, and VM3), and record the results in Table 1.4

Table 1.4 DC Voltage Measurement Evaluations

Function Generator (V)
Parameters
5 10
Accuracy (± V)
VM1 (V)
VM1
Error (V)
Exceed the limit (Y / N)
Accuracy (± V)
VM2 (V)
VM2
Error (V)
Exceed the limit (Y / N)
Accuracy (± V)
VM3 (V)
VM3
Error (V)
Exceed the limit (Y / N)

2. Calculate the error from VM1, VM2, and VM3 in volts, and record
it in Table 1.4.

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Fakultas Teknologi Elektro dan Informatika Cerdas
 3. Determine whether the readings on VM1, VM2, and VM3 are
exceeding the accuracy limits of each voltmeter or not. Record it
in Table 1.4.
4. Write down your comments and draw a conclusion from this
experiment.

===============================

1.2 AC SINUSOIDAL VOLTAGE MEASUREMENT

Objective : To evaluate the effect of AC sinusoidal voltage

frequency to a voltmeter measurement.

Introduction : Every voltmeter has its own specifications regarding

the frequency limits of the measured voltage value.
Upon this experiment, we are going to measure the AC
voltage value on various frequency.

Equipment :
1. Function Generator
2. Voltmeter

Procedures :
1. The AC voltage value that are going to be measured coming from
the function generator which set to generating sinusoidal wave.
2. Adjust the function generator output to generate 4 VRMS at 50 Hz.
(We are going to assume that VM1 has a very wide frequency
spectrum and uses it as our reference).
3. Record the readings of VM2 and VM3 using various frequency.
Record it on Table 1.5.
Table 1.5 AC Voltage Measurement Records
Frequency VM1 VM2 VM3
(Hz) (V) (V) (V)
50
500
5k
50k

MODUL ASSIGNMENTS:
1. From the instrument brand and type, find the specifications that
related to the device’s frequency spectrum and error.
2. AC voltage values consist of different parameters (i.e. RMS
value, average value, maximum values, etc). In this experiment,
what are the exact parameters that you read from the voltmeter?

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Fakultas Teknologi Elektro dan Informatika Cerdas
 3. Write down your comments and draw a conclusion from this
experiment.

===============================

1.3 AC NON-SINUSOIDAL VOLTAGE MEASUREMENT

Objective : To evaluate the results of AC non-sinusoidal

measurements on
a voltmeter

Introduction : Regarding to the AC voltage measurement,

there are two methods commonly applied by the
measuring instrumentations. Which consist of AC
average rectified measurement, and true RMS
measurement.
In sinusoidal wave, the instrument measures the
average value of AC voltage and multiply it with
multiplying factor of the instrument. This method results
will come as an RMS value. Therefore, in non-
sinusoidal wave measurements, if the instruments
implementing this method, the instrument will show
inaccurate readings.
Upon this experiment, we are going to measure
the AC non-sinusoidal voltage value and compare the
results with the calculated RMS value.

Equipment :
1. Function Generator
2. Voltmeter

Procedures :
1. The AC voltage value that are going to be measured coming from
the function generator which set to generate triangle and square
wave.
2. Adjust the output of function generator to generate 4 VRMS
(measured using VM1) at 50 Hz.
3. Record the readings on VM1 and VM2 using various frequency
and record it on Table 1.6.

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Fakultas Teknologi Elektro dan Informatika Cerdas
 Table 1.6 AC Non-Sinusoidal Voltage Measurement Records
Function
VM1 VM2
Wave Generator
(V) (V)
(V)
10 Vpp
Triangle
5 rms
10 Vpp
Square
5 rms

MODUL ASSIGNMENTS:
1. VM1 uses in this experiment is a voltmeter with true RMS
specifications, where we are using it as our reference. For other
voltmeter, find its specifications related to how to measure the
voltage RMS value.
2. Upon this experiment, readings on every voltmeter might be
different. Write down your comments and draw a conclusion from
this experiment.

Ruang B204 dan AJ302, Departemen Teknik Elektro

Fakultas Teknologi Elektro dan Informatika Cerdas
Ruang B204 dan AJ302, Departemen Teknik Elektro
Fakultas Teknologi Elektro dan Informatika Cerdas