Experiment 2 Student’s Manual

American International University- Bangladesh

Faculty of Engineering (EEE)
EEE1202: Electrical Circuit 1 Laboratory

Title: Study of Series Circuit and Verification of Kirchoff’s Voltage Law (KVL)

Introduction: The series networks are networks that contain both series circuit configurations.
The series circuit can be solved using the Kirchoff’s voltage law (KVL) and Voltage divider rule
(VDR).
Kirchhoff's circuit law deals with the potential difference (commonly known as voltage) in
electrical circuits. They were first described in 1845 by Gustav Kirchhoff. This generalized the
work of Georg Ohm and preceded the work of Maxwell. Widely used in electrical engineering,
they are also called Kirchhoff's rules or simply Kirchhoff's laws. The purpose of this experiment
is:
• Analyze the basic laws of series circuits.
• To develop an understanding of Kirchoff’s Voltage Law (KVL) practically.
• And finally measured values are going to be verified with calculated values.

Theory and Methodology:

Kirchoff’s Voltage Law (KVL):
Kirchoff’s Voltage Law (KVL) in a DC circuit states that, "the algebraic sum of the voltage drops
around any closed path is equal to the algebraic sum of the voltage rises”. In other words, "the
algebraic sum of the voltage rises and voltage drops around any closed path is equal to zero”. A
plus (+) sign is assigned to represent a potential rise (- to +) and minus sign (-) is assigned to
represent a potential drop (+ to -). In symbolic form, Kirchoff’s Voltage Law (KVL) can be
expressed as
CV=0, Where C is used for closed loop and V is used for the potential rises and drops.

Figure-1
Analysis of KVL circuit

For doing a complete analysis of KVL, with the given values of circuit parameters follow the
following steps:

Step 1: Calculate the value of supply current I:

I = E / (R1+R2+R3) where E is the supply voltage

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 Experiment 2 Student’s Manual

Step 2: Calculate V1, V2, and V3:

V1= I×R1

V2= I×R2

V3= I×R3

Step 3. Use KVL to verify: CV=0

or E = V1+V2+V3
or E-V1-V2 -V3 = 0
Analysis of Series Circuit:

A circuit consists of any number of elements joined at terminal points, providing at least one closed
path through which charge can flow.

Two elements are in series if

a) They have only one terminal in common (i.e., one lead of one is connected to only one lead of
the other). b) The common point between the two elements is not connected to another current-
carrying element.

The current is the same through series elements. The total resistance of a series circuit is the sum
of the resistance levels. In general, to find the total resistance of N resistors in series, the following
equation is applied:
RT = R1+R2+R3+...........+RN (Ohms)
I=E/RT (Amperes)

The voltage across each resistor (Figure 1) using Ohm’s law; that is,
V1= IR1, V2= IR2, V3= IR3,........., VN= IRN (Volts)
Using KVL, E = V1 + V2

The voltage divider rule states that the voltage across a resistor in a series circuit is equal to the
value of that resistor times the total impressed voltage across the series elements divided by the
total resistance of the series elements. The following VDR equation is applied:

Vx=RxE/RT Similarly, V1=R1E/RT , V2=R2E/RT

Where, Vx is the voltage across Rx, E is the impressed voltage across the series elements, and RT
is the total resistance of the series circuit.

Pre-Lab Homework:

Read about the KVL circuit from “Introductory Circuit Analysis’’ by Robert L Boylestad. Try to
analyze different circuits from text book and compare those with your experimental circuit.

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 Experiment 2 Student’s Manual

Apparatus:
1. Resistors
2. Connecting wires
3. Trainer Board or Breadboard
4. AVO meter or Multimeter
5. DC source

Precautions:

Connection of circuit should be done carefully. And before connecting supply with the circuit, the whole
connection diagram should be checked by the instructor.

Experimental Procedure:

Figure :2 Measuring voltage across each resistor in a series circuit

Figure :3 Measuring current across each resistor in a series circuit

1. Connect the circuit as shown in the figure 1.

2. Measure the voltage across each elements of the circuit.
3. Fill the following table with necessary calculations.
Table 1

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 Experiment 2 Student’s Manual

No. R1 R2 R3 V V1 V2 V3 V=V1+V2+V3 % Error =

of %(mv-cv)/cv
obs.

C M C M C M C M C M

KΩ KΩ KΩ

V V V V V V V V V V

1
2
3

4. Connect the circuit as shown in the figure 3.

5. Measure the total supply current of the circuit.
Simulation and Measurement:

Compare the simulation results with your experimental data and finally calculate percentage of
error(if any). Simulated circuit diagram for KVL is given below and simulated results are placed
in table as measured value.

Result and Calculation:

1. Complete Table~1 .
2. Theoretically calculate the voltages and currents for each element in the circuits and
compare those with the measured values.
3. Compute the percentage error in the two measurements and provide a brief explanation
for the error.

Discussion and Conclusion:

Interpret the data/findings and determine the extent to which the experiment was successful in
complying with the goal that was initially set. Discuss any mistake you might have made while
conducting the investigation and describe ways the study could have been improved.

Reference:

[1] Robert L. Boylestad, “Introductory Circuit Analysis”, 10th Edition.

© Dept. of EEE, Faculty of Engineering, American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB) 4