ACE 05L: Basic Electrical & Electronics Theory

Experiment Two
Voltage, Current and Resistance Measurements

Materials: Module EC1-B, 2 multimeters, regulated power supply, 300Ω resistor, 3

assorted resistors.

In working with most electrical circuits we are concerned with

resistance, voltage and currents. Multimeters are useful for such
measurements, but their accuracy is limited. In this experiment we first
consider meter accuracy before making circuit measurements.

Part A: Often we must use two or more multimeters at the same

time. How closely do their readings agree?

1: Identify Meter #1 and Meter #2 by recording their Serial Numbers

on the back of each meter. For the following steps, refer to the diagram
above.
2: Connect the meters for voltage measurements. Take sample
readings on the 4 V and 40 V volt ranges, record and compute the
percentage error: 100% x (Difference of readings) / ( average of readings).
3: Repeat for current readings on the 40 mA and 400 mA ranges
4: Repeat for resistance readings on the 400 and 4K ranges. For
resistance measurements, use only one meter at a time.

Part B: For a single multimeter, are the range settings consistent?

Refer again to the diagram above.

1: Maintain the power source at a constant voltage, as read by
Meter #1, and record the reading on Meter #2 on its 4 V and 40 V ranges,
and determine the percentage error.
2: Repeat for current readings on the 40 mA and 400 mA ranges of
Meter #2, while maintaining the current constant, as read by Meter #1.
3: With Meter #2, measure the same resistor on the 400 and
4K ranges, and compute percentage error.
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 Part C: Is the condition of the circuit
changed when we touch the meter leads to
different parts of the circuit ?
1: Input resistance on voltage ranges: Set
meters as shown in [A]. Record the input
resistance of Meter #2 for all voltage ranges.
2: Input resistance on current ranges: Set
meters as in [B] . For the 40 mA and 400 mA
ranges on Meter #2 record the voltage across its
terminals, and from Ohm’s law compute the
meter input resistance.
3: Output voltage on resistance ranges: To
measure resistance, the meter applies a voltage
to the unknown resistor, measures the current,
and calculates the resistance. Set meters as in
[A], and for each resistance range of Meter #1,
record its output voltage on Meter #2.

Part D: Series Circuits

In a series branch the same current flows through each resistor. First measure the
resistance of each resistor, then connect the circuit as shown above. For each
resistor, compute the current through it by Ohm’s law and compare with the
measured current In the light of the accuracy measurements in Parts A, B and C,
are your results reasonable?

Part E: Parallel Circuits

Resistors R1 and R2 are in parallel and R3 is in series with this combination. Measure
each resistor, connect the circuit as shown above and compute the current through
each resistor. How accurate is the expression for I3, shown above?

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 ACE 05L: Basic Electrical & Electronics Theory

Experiment # 2
Voltage, Current and Resistance Measurements
Name:_____________________________
Date:______

Serial Numbers: Meter #1___________ Meter #2 ________

Part A:
Meter Range Meter #1 Meter #2 % Error
Voltage 4 V
Voltage 40 V
Current 40 mA
Current 400 mA
Resistance 400 
Resistance 4 k
Part B:
Meter #1 #2 4 V range #2 40 V range % Error

Meter #1 #2 40 mA range #2 400 mA range % Error

Meter #1 #2 400  range #2 4 k range % Error

Range Resistance Range Voltage

400 mV 400 
4V 4 k
40 V 40 k
400 V 400 k
40 mA 4 M
400 mA 40 M

Part C: #1 & #2 #3

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 Experiment #2 Data Sheet (cont.)

Voltage, Current and Resistance Measurements

Part D: Series Circuits

Resistance Voltage V/R Measured Current
R1
R2
R3

Part E: Parallel Circuits

Resistance Voltage V/R Measured Current

R1
R2
R3