ECEN 214 - 512 Lab 1

Introduction to Electrical Measurements

A. Procedure

a. In the beginning of the lab, we are given the Analog Discovery 2

(AD2), a 1.5 volt battery, and a plethora of resistors.

b. For the first task, we had to record measurements of the DC

voltage of the battery by connecting the battery with the AD2 using a
breadboard.

c. When making measurements, we had the option of using either a

multimeter, or the DAQ in the lab. We took many recordings to get an idea
on any amount of error that was in the system.

d. For the second task, it was much like the first, only that we now
must calculate the AC voltage. To calculate the AC voltage, we must use
the signal generator or the waveform generator. Using either option, we
have to set the peak-to-peak voltage, as well as the amount of Hz needed
to produce a sinusoid graph.

e. We initially used 3V as the peak-to-peak, and a 2kHz sinusoid. We

then change the peak-to-peak voltage to 2V to see the difference it would
make on the data. Not only that, we changed the sinusoid to a square
wave using the same data in the beginning.

f. For the third and final task, we want to measure the resistance of
the resistors. We will have two resistors on the breadboard, along with two
voltages. One of the resistors is of an unknown resistance, and we are
𝑅
given the equation 𝑉 2
= 𝑉𝑖𝑛 𝑅 1+𝑅
2
to find out the resistance of the
2

unknown resistance.
B. Data Tables

DC Voltage Readings:

Recording Voltage (V)

1 1.596

2 1.598

3 1.597

4 1.597

5 1.597

6 1.598

7 1.597

8 1.598

9 1.597

10 1.598
AC Voltage Readings:

Sinusoidal Wave, Peak-to-peak = 3V:

Recording Voltage (mV)

1 889

2 889

3 889

4 889

5 889

Peak-to-peak = 2V:

Recording Voltage (mV)

1 593

2 593

3 593

4 593

5 593
Square Wave, Peak-to-peak = 3V:

Recording Voltage (V)

1 1.140

2 1.140

3 1.139

4 1.138

5 1.138

Voltage readings:

Recording Voltage (V)

1 4.546

2 4.545

3 4.546
C. Sample Calculations

𝑅
𝑉 2
= 𝑉𝑖𝑛 𝑅 1+𝑅
2
=>𝑉 2(𝑅 1
+ 𝑅 2) = 𝑉𝑖𝑛𝑅 2
=>
2

𝑉 2𝑅 1
+ 𝑉 2𝑅 2
= 𝑉𝑖𝑛𝑅 2=>

𝑉 2𝑅
𝑉 2𝑅 1
= 𝑉𝑖𝑛𝑅 2-𝑉 2𝑅 2
=> 𝑉 2𝑅 1
= 𝑅 2(𝑉𝑖𝑛-𝑉 2)=> 𝑅 2
= 𝑉 −𝑉
1

𝑖𝑛 2

4.545(1)
𝑅 2
= 5−4.545
= 9. 99 𝑘Ω

4.546(1)
𝑅 2
= 5−4.546
= 10. 01 𝑘Ω

Task 1 Voltage:

Average: 1.5973 V
2
2 Σ(𝑥 𝑖−𝑥 )
𝑎𝑣𝑔 −4
Standard Deviation: 𝑠 = 𝑁−1
= 6. 75𝑥10
−4
DC Voltage:1. 60 ± 6. 75 * 10 𝑉

Task 2 Voltages:

Average (sinusoidal): 889 mV

Standard Deviation: 0
AC Voltage: 889 mV

Average (Peak-to-Peak = 2V): 598 mV

Standard Deviation: 0
AC Voltage: 598 mV

Average (Square): 1.139 V

Standard Deviation: .001
AC Voltage: 1. 139 ±. 001 𝑉

Task 3 Voltage:
 Average: 4.546 V
−4
Standard Deviation: 5. 77 * 10
−4
Voltage: 4. 546 ± 5. 77 * 10 𝑉

Task 3 Resistance:

Average: 10 𝑘Ω
Standard Deviation: .014
Resistance: 10 ±. 014 𝑘Ω

D. Discussion

In Task 1, we are meant to calculate the voltage coming from a AA battery rated for 1.5
−4
Volts. The voltmeter on the AD2 unit ended up reading a value of 1. 60 ± 6. 75 * 10
Volts. This indicates that the rated 1.5 Volts was off by .000675 Volts at the most,
assuming that a fresh battery will inherently have a voltage above 1.5 Volts.

In Task 2, the AC voltage is measured as the root mean square voltage. Because of this
being a sinusoidal voltage, the RMS value will not be the same as the peak to peak
voltage. In the case of the square wave, the RMS value should be roughly the same as
the amplitude of the initial wave, though the recorded voltage may be lower due to
internal resistance in the wave generator.

−4
In Task 3, the voltage across the resistor reads a value of 4. 546 ± 5. 77 * 10 𝑉.
Based on this, the average calculated resistance of 𝑅2 = 10Ω, with a standard deviation
of 0. 01Ω, so 𝑅2 = 10 ± 0. 01Ω. Possible sources of error include internal resistance on
the voltmeter, as well as the potential error of the resistor itself.

E. Conclusion

This lab allowed us to work with the Analog Discovery 2 unit and gain experience taking
electrical measurements. This prepares us for any future labs, which will inevitably
involve us taking measurements on the circuits we create. In addition, it allowed us to
apply the concept of propagated error to a real world lab setting, introducing us to the
reality of errors in the lab, and how to account for them. One problem we encountered in
the lab was that the square wave RMS voltage was not that close to the actual
amplitude of the square wave, which is contradictory to what we learned in class. Our
TA explained that this could have been due to internal resistance in the wave generator,
but this was not really explained in the lab instructions, so one improvement I would
suggest for this lab would be to include an explanation of this phenomenon. Outside of
this, the lab sufficiently gave us experience working with the AD2, setting us up for
success in the future.