Queensland University of Technology

EGB120: Foundations of Electrical Engineering

Practical Lab 1
Weeks 2 and 3 - S919

1 Introduction
Electrical Engineering is a quantitative science. Electrical engineers design and
build electrical circuits for a wide range of applications. Some examples include
computers, mobile phones, robotics and appliances.
Measuring and analysing physical properties of circuits is important because its
performance and operating characteristics can be accurately described. Moreover,
the e↵ective measurement and analysis of circuits is key to identifying problems
in the event of a malfunction.
Laboratory sessions over the semester will give you practical experience in
designing, measuring and building electrical circuits.

2 Learning Objectives
In this lab, you will be learning to:

1. Set up a single sided power supply.

2. Build pre-designed simple circuits.

3. Measure voltage, current and resistance with digital multimeters.

4. Verify Ohm’s Law experimentally.

5. Understand DC power supply and power dissipation.

6. Design and build your own simple circuits that use voltage and current di-
viders.

3 Apparatus
• 1 ⇥ Power supply

• 2 ⇥ Digital multimeters

• 1 ⇥ Breadboard

• 4 ⇥ Banana to alligator electrical leads

• Resistors from the mobile trolley

• Prototyping wires

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4 Getting to know the equipment
The main equipment used in this lab are the power supply (see Appendix A), the
digital multimeters (see Appendix B) and the breadboard (see Appendix C).
Read through these appendices before the practical commences and refer to
them as necessary as you wire up your circuit.

5 Investigation of Ohm’s Law

Ohm’s law states that the voltage, v (V), across a resistor is proportional to the
current, i (A), through the resistor. The proportionality constant R (⌦), is the
resistance. In equation form, it is written as,

v = iR. (1)

This section of the lab requires you to investigate Ohm’s law by taking voltage
and current measurements, and then using these to determine the resistance of
a resistor of unknown value. Proceed to build the circuit shown in Fig. 1. The
battery symbol represents the power supply.

+
R1

Figure 1: Simple resistor circuit

Fig. 2 illustrates how the multimeter should be connected to measure the volt-
age across and the current through the resistor. The polarities of the multimeter
are important, and have been marked on the diagram.

+
A
+
+ +
R1 V R1

measuring voltage measuring current

Figure 2: How to connect the multimeter to measure voltage and current.

You are to vary the voltage supplied to the resistor from the power supply in
2 V increments between 4 V and 8 V. Measure the voltage across, and current
through the resistor for each increment. You should use both multimeters to
simultaneously measure the voltage and current. Record your measured results in
Table 1. Plot the measured current against the measured voltage in Fig. 3.

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 Voltage (V) Current (A)

Table 1: Measured voltages and currents.

Current (A)

Voltage (V)

Figure 3: Plot the measured current against the measured voltage.

Calculate the gradient. How does this relate to Ohm’s law (1)? Hence, calculate
the value of the resistor.
Answer:

Use the Ohmmeter function of the digital multimeter to verify that you have
calculated this value correctly. Have a lab demonstrator verify your work, and
return the resistor back into its appropriate box.

6 Voltage Divider Circuit

When a voltage is applied to a series combination of resistances, a fraction of
the voltage appears accross each of the resistances. Consider the circuit shown in
Figure 4. The equivalent resistance seen by the voltage source is

Req = R1 + R2 + R3 .

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 i ! R1
+ v1
+ +
vtotal v2 R2

+ v3
R3

Figure 4: Simple voltage divider circuit

The current is the total voltage divided by the equivalent resistance

vtotal vtotal
i= =
Req R1 + R2 + R3
Furthermore, the voltage v1 accross R1 is
R1
v 1 = R1 i = vtotal
R1 + R2 + R3
and v2 and v3 can be calculated in a similar way
R2
v 2 = R2 i = vtotal
R1 + R2 + R3
R3
v 3 = R3 i = vtotal
R1 + R2 + R3
Of the total voltage the fraction that appears accross a given resistance in a
series circuit is the ratio of the given resistance to the total series resistance. This
is known as the voltage division pricipal and applies for any number of resistances
as long as they are in series, such that
Rj
vj = vtotal (2)
Req
You are to build the following circuit using the two provided resistors.

+
v1 1k⌦
+
5V
+
v2 R2

Figure 5: Voltage divider to build

Measure the voltages v1 and v2 accross each of the resistors and record your
results below. Using the voltage divider formula (2) calculate the value of the
resistor R2 .
Answer:

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 Confirm your calculated resistance using the Multimeter to measure R2 . Are
the values the same? Why/Why not?
Answer:

7 Current Divider Circuit

The total current flowing into a parallel combination of resistances divides, and
a fraction of the total current flows through each resistance. Consider the circuit
shown in Figure 6.

i1 i2 i3
+
itotal v
R1 R2 R3

Figure 6: Simple current divider circuit

The equivalent resistance is given by

1
Req = R1 ||R2 ||R3 = 1 1 1
R1
+ R2
+ R3

The voltage accross the resistances is given by

v = itotal Req

Therefore the current in each resistance is:

v Req
ij = = itotal (3)
Rj Rj

You are to build the following circuit using the two provided resistors.

100⌦ i
s

i1 i2

5V +
R1 R2

Figure 7: Current divider to build

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 Measure the currents i1 and i2 and record your results below.

Answer:

Using KCL, calculate the value of the source current is and then measure the
source current to confirm your results.

Answer:

8 Design Challenge
Consider a simple voltage divider circuit with a 3V source as shown in Figure 8.

+
v1 R1
+
3V
+
v2 R2

Figure 8: Simple voltage divider

Using your knowledge of voltage dividers calculate and choose two resistor
values such that v1 = 1V and v2 = 2V and your current is limited to 10mA.
Measure the two voltages to verify your calculations.

Answer:

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Appendix A The Power Supply
The power supply is a source of electrical power to energize an electrical load.
Fig. 9 shows the power supply that you will be using in S919 during the semester.

Figure 9: The power supply.

The voltage and maximum current at the output of the power supply terminals
are controlled by turning the knob. There are three pairs of output terminals on
the power supply: Output 1, Output 2, and 5 V. Outputs 1 and 2 can be controlled
separately when the power supply is in Independent mode, and controlled together
when set on Track mode.
This lab requires you to set up a single sided power supply with output voltage
of 10 V and a maximum loop current of 0.3 A. You may use either Output 1 or
Output 2, but the remainder of the lab assumes the use of Output 1.
• Switch on the power supply unit.
• Select the corresponding output channel (Output 1).
• Set the display to the limit mode - Press the [Display Limit] button to set the
display to the limit mode. The LIMIT annunciator turns on. The display
will show the voltage and current limit values for the selected output.
• Adjust for the desired output voltage - Press the [Voltage/Current] button
if necessary until the V annunciator blinks. While the V annunciator is
blinking, turn the knob to adjust for the desired output voltage value. Set
the value to 10V.
• Adjust for the desired current limit - Press the [Voltage/Current] button
if necessary until the A annunciator blinks. While the A annunciator is
blinking, turn the knob to adjust for the desired current limit value. Set the
value to 0.3 A.
• Return to the meter mode - Press the [Display Limit] button to return to
the meter mode.
• Enable the output - Press the [Output 1 On/O↵] button to enable the output.
Verify that the power supply is in the constant voltage mode. Ensure that the
constant voltage (CV) annunciator is on. If the constant current (CC) annunciator
is on instead, choose a higher current limit.

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Appendix B The Digital Multimeter
The digital multimeter is an instrument that can be used to measure the voltage
(voltmeter), current (ammeter) and resistance (ohmmeter). You will be working
with two di↵erent digital multimeter models during the semester. These are the
True RMS Digital Multimeter DM-441B, and the Agilent 34450A 5 1/2 Digit
Multimeter. Subsection B.0.1 and B.0.2 explains their operation in more detail.

B.0.1 True RMS Digital Multimeter DM-441B

A picture of the True RMS Digital Multimeter DM-441B is shown in Fig. 10.
There are three main sections to this device; the LED display; the FUNCTION
and RANGE push buttons; and the socket terminals.

Figure 10: True RMS Digital Multimeter DM-441B.

The LED display outputs the numerical values of the measurements.

The push buttons on the bottom allows you to select what you want to measure,
as well as the corresponding measurement precision. Notice that this multimeter is
able to measure Direct Current (DC) voltage, Alternating Current (AC) voltage,
DC current, AC current, resistance and frequency. It is good practice to select
the largest range settings and then work down to more sensitive (smaller) ranges
if you are unsure about the magnitude of the voltage or current you are about to
measure.
The DM441B features 4 socket terminals. The COM (common) port as labelled
should be connected to the negative test lead. The three other positive terminals
are labelled; DC/AC voltage, Resistance, and frequency; 10A DC or AC current;
and low AC and DC current. Be sure to have your test leads inserted in the
appropriate sockets commensurate with what you are trying to measure.
IMPORTANT: Always disconnect the digital multimeter from your
circuit BEFORE changing the settings with the FUNCTION push but-
tons. Otherwise, you risk damaging the multimeter.

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B.0.2 Agilent 34450A 5 1/2 Digit Multimeter
Fig. 11 shows a picture of the the Agilent 34450A 5 1/2 Digit Multimeter. The
three main sections of this device are the OLED display, the FUNCTION and
RANGE push buttons, and the socket terminals.

Figure 11: Agilent 34450A 5 1/2 Digit Multimeter.

The OLED display outputs the numerical values of the measurements.

This multimeter allows 11 measurement functions; DC and AC voltage, DC and
AC current, 2- and 4-wire resistance, frequency, continuity, diode test, capacitance
and temperature. Regarding measurement precision, you can let the multimeter
automatically select the range using autoranging, or you can select a fixed range
using manual ranging. Autoranging is convenient when the magnitude of the
measurement is unknown before it is made. However, selecting a fixed range
(manual ranging) allows for faster response, since the multimeter does not have
to determine which range to use for each measurement. As previously mentioned,
when manual ranging is used it is good practice to select the largest range settings
and then work down to more sensitive (smaller) ranges if you are unsure about
size of the voltage or current you are about to measure.
There are 6 socket terminals on this digital multimeter. The main input termi-
nals (HI and LO, right) are used for voltage, resistance, capacitance, and diode test
measurements. The LO port as labelled should be connected to the negative test
lead. The sense terminals (HI and LO, left) are used only for four-wire resistance
measurements. Finally, the current terminals allow to measure up to 100mA/10A
DC or AC current. Always choose the appropriate sockets commensurate with
what you are trying to measure.
IMPORTANT: Always disconnect the digital multimeter from your
circuit BEFORE changing the settings with the FUNCTION push but-
tons. Otherwise, you risk damaging the multimeter.

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Appendix C The Breadboard
The breadboard is a prototyping base which allows you to build circuits without
having to solder components together. Fig. 12 shows a picture of a breadboard.
The holes in the breadboard provide a means to easily connect electrical compo-
nents together. Each row of holes is labelled with a letter. The rows are divided
into 4 main sections.
1. The top rows, labelled + and .
2. The bottom rows, labelled + and .
3. The rows A, B, C, D, and E.
4. The rows F, G, H, I and J.
The internal wiring of the breadboard is highlighted in Fig. 13.
• The holes in the top rows are connected together, with one break in the
center, to form 2 groups.
• The holes in the bottom rows are connected together in the same configura-
tion as the top rows.
• Holes on a single column across rows A, B, C, D and E are connected together.
• Holes on a single column across rows F, G, H, I and J are connected together.
You will be prototyping simple circuits using the breadboard throughout the
semester. In order to connect the breadboard to the power supply unit:
• Connect top row + to the positive output terminal of the power supply using
a banana to alligator electrical lead and a prototyping wire.
• Connect bottom row to the negative output terminal of the power supply
using a banana to alligator electrical lead and a prototyping wire.

Figure 12: Breadboard (front)

Figure 13: Breadboard (back)

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