EXPERIMENT MEASUREMENTS OF DC VOLTAGE OBJECTIVES L To measure de voltage across a circuit 2. To operate a de power supply 3, Tomeasure the range of output voltages ofthe power supply BASIC INFORMATION In Experiment 1 you became familiar with the switches, controls, and features of a de variable voltage-regulated ‘power supply. You also investigated the capabilities and fea ‘ures of a de voltmeter. In Experiment 2 you were introduced soresistors and resistance. In this experiment you combine the resistors to form a simple circuit. You power the circuit with ‘ade power supply and measure voltages across the circuit Voltage Measurement Recall from Experiment 1 that the two types of volimeters are analog meters and digital meters. Both are used in this experiment. The analog meter will be an electronic transistorized mul tipurpose type. Measuring voltage is one function of this meter. The meter, known as a volt-ohm-milliammeter or VOM, can measure de and ac voltage, de and ac current, and resistance. (Most commercial electromechanical VOMs can- ‘not measure ac current.) The digital meter will also be a multipurpose instrument called adigital multimeter or DMM. The DMM can measure the same quantities as the VOM though often with greater ranges. Many DMMs can also test transistors and diodes. ‘Because of their low power requirement, light weight, and compact design, electronic VOMs and digital multimeters are esigned for portable, battery-operated use. Older vacuum- tube meters use 120 V ac as well as heavier battery supplies. ‘Some solid-state meters can operate on either ac or de. Meter Controls. Analog meters use movable pointers (also called needles) and calibrated scales to indicate the measured quantities. The meter controls and switches are located on the front panel of the meter just below orto one side of the hous: ing containing the pointer, calibrated scale, and meter ‘movement. The controls include an on-off switch, a function switch, and a range switch. In many cases the on-off switch is incorporated in the function switch, which may be a rotary selector switch, The range switch is also commonly a rotary selector switch, often spanning different types of ranges, depending on the setting of the function switch. For exam- ple, a particular setting of the range switch may be labeled 10 V/10 mA/R X 10 k. If the function switch is set to resis tance (often marked simply R, ©, of OHMS), then the range setting stands for R X 10 k.On the other hand, ifthe function switch is set for voltage, then the same range setting would indicate a 10-V range. Some analog meters also have a reverse polarity switch, which can keep the pointer on scale in case the polarity of the voltage being measured is not connected to the correct positive and negative terminals of the meter, There are usually two output terminals on elec- tronic meters. In most instruments, test leads with banana plugs are used with the jacks of the instrument. Digital meters usually have controls and functions similar to those on analog meters. The digital meters, however, use numerical displays that provide direct reading of measure- ‘ments. Many DMMs have autoranging, which eliminates the need for a separate range switch (though most DMMSs have one, despite having autoranging capabilities) Another feature unique to digital meters is automatic polar- ity. Ifthe positive lead happens to be connected toa ne voltage, a negative sign (or some other similar sign) will be displayed, indicating a reverse voltage. Digital meters are usually specified by the number of digits they display accu- rately. Thus a3Y-digit meter displays four digits, but the lead digit is never greater than 1. For example, the maximum display of the 3/-digit meter is 1999. If a reading exceeds 1999, the display will either blank out or continue blinking, 1999. Ifthe value just exceeds 19.99 (if itis, for example, 20) the display will show only three digits (not 20.00), with the lead digit blank. When the value being measured exceeds the ‘maximum value of the range, the display will either blank out, blink 1999, or simply display a lead 1. The display itself usually is made up of seven-segment LEDs or LCDs. Al- though LCD displays cannot be read in the dark or in very dim light, their circuitry requires much less power. For that reason most newer digital displays use LCDs. Calibrated Scales. The use of calibrated scales on analog ‘meters requires a good working knowledge of scale reading. Figure 3-1 (p. 20) shows a typical calibrated scale of a VOM. ‘Copyright © 1992 by Glencoe Division of Macmilan-McGraw-Hi. Aight reserved, 19Figure 3-1. The calibrated scales of a typical volt-ohm-miliam- meter. This meter can measure do and ac voltage, de courent, and resistance. In this set of scales, each of the four arcs represents a dif ferent quantity. The outermost arc, unlike other arcs, is num- bered 0 through »» (infinity) from right (0) to left (ce). This is the ohmic scale, used to measure resistance. The next in- ner arc is marked DC. Note that all the small divisions on this scale are the same width, Such a scale is called a linear scale, ‘The next two ares are marked AC with the smallest scale marked 6 V AC. These four scales are sufficient for all the functions and ranges that this meter is capable of measuring, ‘The resistance scale is obvious. Ifthe function switch is set, tomeasure resistance, and the range switch is seton any value, short circuit would cause the pointerto swing to therightand stop at the 0 mark. An open circuit would cause the pointer to remain at rest, pointing to «. In the case of de voltage measurements, a set of numbers, next fo each major line division is associated with the range switch. This meterhas maximum de voltage ranges of 1200 V/ 600 V; 300 V, 60 V, 15 V, and 3 V. Notice that there is no 300 V mark at the end of the scale though there are marks for 1200, 60, 15, and 3 V. If the range switch were on 300 V and the voltage were 175 V, the pointer would simultaneously indicate 700 on the 1200-V scale, 35 on the 60-V scale, 8.75, fon the 15-V scale, and 1.75 on the 3-V scale. By using multipliers /s, 5, 20, and 100, respectively, the actual voltage can easily be determined. If the function switch were on the 60-q.A de current range ‘and the current were 25 WA, the pointer would simultaneous- ly indicate 500 on the 1200 scale, 25 on the 60 scale, 6.25 on the 15 scale, and 1.25 on the 3 scale. Again, the current can easily be determined by using multipliers ‘fo, 1, 4, and 20, respectively Similarly. voltages can be read on the ac scales using the ‘same multipliers, with the exception of the 6-V scale, from ‘which measurements are read directly Direct Current Power Supply A variable voltage-regulated de power supply is used in this experiment. The power supply has a low voltage range (0 to 15 V). A description of a typical supply follows; the one you will use may differ in some details. 20 Experiment 3 ‘The front panel controls include an on-off switch (often with a pilot light), a rotary dial used to adjust the output voltage, and two or three output jacks. If two jacks are provided, one is marked +, the other -. More often three out- Put jacks are provided: +, -, and GND. The output voltage is provided across the + and — terminals, whereas GND is the equipment ground. Normally there is no voltage between GND and + or -. Some power supplies have separate + and ~ output controls. Such supplies will provide the + output between the + and GND jacks and the ~ output across the ~ and GND jacks. The total output voltage is available across the + and — jacks. Such power supplies may be specified as having +15-V outputs. ‘Another control found on some supplies is labeled current. ‘The current control is usually a rotary dial, This control sets a limit on the current output of the power supply. Although the power supply may havea I-A rated output, the current control can limit the current to 0.5 A or any amount between 0 and 1 A. Such a control can be useful in preventing excessive currents from entering an experimental circuit. Laboratory power supplies are usually equipped with a voltmeter on their front panel. The meter indicates the voltage atthe terminals of the supply. Laboratory power supplies are line-operated equipment and are supplied with acord and plug for 120-V operation. Solid-state power supplies do not require warmup periods. ‘When connecting a de power supply to a circuit, you must note and follow the polarity requirements of the circuit (if any). Never make circuit changes while the power supply is connected tothe circuit, If many and frequent circuit changes are necessary, as when performing the different steps in an experiment, use an external switch to disconnect the circuit from the supply. In most cases itis preferable to bring the supply up to the required voltage level slowly rather than connect the entire voltage immediately. By bringing the voltage up slowly, any problems with the ci can be detected early and pos- sible damage to components and meters avoided. SUMMARY 1. Analog meters, whether electronic or electromechanical, use a pointer and a calibrated scale. 2. Calibrated scales are divided into small divisions. The divisions of the scale used to measure de values are uniform. The scale is said to be linear. 3. The same set of divisions on a scale may be used to measure different quantities (for example, voltage and current) within different ranges (for example, 300 V, 60 V, 15 V, 3 V, 60 pA, 3 mA, 30 mA, 300 mA). By using the proper multipliers, the exact measurement can be obtained from any scale indication of the pointer. 4. Digital meters are often autoranging, so the range switch (if ‘one is provided) need not be set before taking a measurement, (Copyright © 1992 by Glencoe Dwvision of Macmitan-McGraw Hil. Al rights reserved.Analogmeters sometimes contain reverse polarity switches, to read the measurements on scale in case the incorrect polarity has been connected to the meter. Digital meters fen have an automatic polarity feature that displays a negative sign when the meter is connected in reverse polarity 5. Power supplies are rated according to their maximum voltage and current capacities. 6 A voltage-regulated power supply will maintain a set va- lue of voltage even when the load current varies or the line voltage fluctuates, within specified limits 7. Some supplies can produce separate + and — output volt- ages. Supplies of this type have three-jack outputs, +, ~, and GND. The total voltage of + toGGND and - to GND is available across the + and ~ terminals. & Some supplies have a current control. This control is used to prevent excessive currents from being drawn by the circuit. PROCEDURE = ‘Power supply controls and features differ from one manu- ‘facturer to another. Familiarize yourself with the supply you will be using by carefully studying the operating manual with the power supply available in front of you. Do not turn the power supply on until instructed todo soin the procedure. A. Voltage Measurements AL. With the power supply switch off, plug the supply into 120-V ac source (if it is not already connected). Tun the voltage control completely counterclockwise (this should be the 0-V position). If the supply has a current control, tum this to the O-A position also. Connect the VOM across the power-supply output ter- minals. Connect the + terminal of the meter to the + terminal of the supply and the — terminal of the meter (often labeled COM) to the ~ terminal of the power supply. Set the VOM to the highest voltage range. A3. Tum on the power supply. Slowly increase the voltage ntl the powersupply voltmeter measures 15 V. Maintain ‘Copyright © 1992 by Glencoe Division of Macmilan-MeGraw-Hll Al sights reserved MATERIALS REQUIRED Power Supply: Variable 0-15 V de, regulated Instruments Digital multimeter (DMM) 1 Volt-ohm-milliammeter (VOM) (analog; electronic) Resistors: m2 220-0,2.W Miscellaneous: 2 SPST switches this voltage throughout part A. Check the power-supply voltage periodically and adjust if necessary. Record the VOM voltage range setting and the voltage measured by the VOM in Table 3-1 (p. 23). If the pointer does not indicate a measurable quantity, mark the space in Table 341 “no indication.” Ad, Set the voltage range control to the next lower voltage range provided itis equal to or greater than 15 V. Re- cord the range and the voltage measured by the VOM in Table 3-1. Again, if no readable indication is given by the pointer, mark “no indication’ in the table, Set the voltage range control to the next lower voltage range provided itis equal to or higher than 15 V. Record the range and VOM measurement in Table 3-1 as in previous steps. AG. Continue to set the voltage range control to the other ranges for all ranges equal to or greater than 15 V. Turn ‘off the power supply. Set the voltage output contol 1000 V. AT. Connect a DMM across the power supply output and repeat steps A3 to A6. Record all values in Table 3-1 AS. Measurements of DC Voltage 24B. Variable Voltage-Regulated Power Supply Operation BI. With the power supply off and switches S, and S, open, connect the circuit of Figure 3-2. B2. Tum on the power supply and adjust the output voltage to 15 V as measured by the VOM. If the power supply has acurrent control, set itto its maximum value. Record the VOM voltage in Table 3-2 (p. 23) in the first row. B3. CloseS,.. Donor adjustany controls on the power supply. Record the VOM voltage in Table 3~2 in the second row. B4, With S, closed, close S,. Do not adjust any controls on the power supply. Record the VOM voltage in row 3 of Table 3-2. BS. WithS, and S, closed, decrease the power supply voltage to 10 V as measured by the VOM. Record this value in row 4 of Table 3-2. BG, Open, and S,._Do notadjust any controls on the power supply. Record the VOM voltage in row 5 of Table 3-2. B7. With S, and S, open, reduce the output voltage of the power Supply o 1 V. Record the VOM voltage in row 6 of Table 3-2. BB. Close S, and S,, Do not adjust any controls on the power supply. Record the VOM voltage in row 7 of Table 3-2. oo 22 Experiment 3 +] power supply— . variable 0:15 V de Ma regulated = 2202 2200 2W 2 a *Use VOM as a voltmeter. Figure 3-2. Circult for procedure step 81 ‘After this step has been completed, open S, and S,, turn Off the power supply, and disconnect the VOM. B9, Connect a DMM in place of the VOM and repeat steps B2 through BB. At the conclusion of the last step, open Sand S,, turn off the power supply, and disconnect the circuit. Copyright © 1992 by Glencoe Division of Macman-MeCraw- Hil Al rights reserved