EXPERIMENT S

OBJECTIVES
To examine the relationship between combination of voltage drops and resistance values in a
series circuit and to measure voltage with respect to a common reference point at various points
in a series circuit. To develop a general rule for calculating the voltage across each resistor in an
unloaded fixed resistive voltage divider.
To apply the “voltage divider rule” in a series circuit. To design a voltage divider, given desired
output voltages with respect to
“common” or “ground” point in a series circuit.
REQUIRED
Meter
Digital multimeter (DMM)
Power Supply: DC Power Supply
Resistors: Any five different valued resistors
Miscellaneous: Breadboard
THE VOLTAGE DIVIDER RULE
The voltage across any resistor in a serios-connected divider is as follows:
First calculate the total resistance,
R t = R1 + R2 + R3
Next solve for the current in the circuit.
I=V/R
Knowing I, find the voltage drop across R, using Ohm’s law.
V1 = IR1 , V2 = IR2 + R3 , V3 = IR3
The above is somewhat a longer method for determining the voltage across a resistor. The same
can be done in an easier way i.e., by using Voltage Divider Rule
The voltage divider rule states that: “The voltage across an element for across a series
combination of elements, in a series circuit.). is equal to the resistance of the element divided by
the total resistance of the series circuit and multiplied by the total impressed voltage”
For the circuit shown in Fig. 1, we can find the voltages Vi. V and V
V1=V source [R1/R total ]
V2=V source [R2/R Total]
V3=V source [R3/R Total]
We have thus come across a formula for finding the voltage across any resistor .In a series
circuit. This formula may be applied to a series circuit containing number of resistors.
Conversely, the value of a resistor can be determined given the total resistance Source voltage
and desired voltage drop:
Using the above, we can design a voltage divider to supply various voltages respect to
“common”, given that we have a source voltage, a group of and the values of desired voltages.
PRACTICAL NOTES
In any given series circuit, the current that flows through each circuit ele (resistors and voltage
source) is the same. If fixed resistors (not variable resistors) are used, then the voltage drops will
be fixed and will be directly proportional to the ratio of the resistor values to the total circuit
resistance
It is reference point, called “common” or “ground” is established, it is possible to measure the
voltage at all other points in the circuit, with t this “common” point. If the “common point is then
relocated to another point the circuit, the voltage (measured with respect to the common point) of
a other point will be different. This symbol for this “common” point is shown b and sometimes
called “ground”
PROCEDURE:

1. VERIFY BY MEASUREMENT, THE VOLTAGES BETWEEN VARIOUS POINTS

IN A SERIES CIRCUIT:

1. Connect the circuit in Fig. 3(V source =10V)

2. Measure and record below the voltage drop
across each resistor When the voltmeter probe
should be connected to point a and the common
lead to point b. This would be expressed as V ab
Note that in the subscript “ab”, the first letter “a ”
is the point to which the probe is connected and
second letter “b” is the point to which the
the common lead is connected. Therefore, the expression
V ab means the voltage at point “a” with respect to
Point b.

VR1= VAB = ________

VR2= VBC= ________
VR3= VCD= ________
VR4= VDE= ________
3 Properly label these measured voltage drops on each resistor in Fig. 3. Mark the polarity (use +
and to indicate polarity) of the voltage drop of each resistor.
4. Measure the voltage, V C*C1 between point ‘e’ and point ‘e’. When measuring, the voltmeter
probe should be connected to point ‘e’ and the common lead to point ‘e’. This would be
expressed as V CE Note that in the subscript “ce”, the first letter “o” is the point to which the
probe is connected and the second letter “e” is the point to which the common lead is connected.
Therefore, the expression Ve the voltage at point “c” with respect to point “e”. Record this
voltage.
V CE = ________
Does the given expression hold: V CD +V DE =V CE ?
Write down the values along with your conclusion.

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5. In a like manner, measure and record the following:
VAC= ________ VCA= ________ (note opposite polarity)
VDE= ________ VEA=________ VBE=_________ VCE=_________
6. Noting the relationship between the voltages measured between two p and the indicated
individual voltage drops labeled on each resistor
V CE = _________
Explain how the voltage between two points could be predicted prior to
Measuring with the DMM.

2. MEASURING VOLTAGE WITH RESPECT TO “GROUND”

Connect the circuit in Figure 4A. (V=15V)
Measure and record below the voltage drop
across each resistor. Recall that the probe is
connected to the first subscripted node, and the
common is connected to the second subscripted w
Node.
VAB=VR1= _________
VBC=VR2= _________
VCD=VR3= _________
VDE=VR4= _________

Properly label these measured voltage drops on each resistor in Figure 4A. the polarity (use and
to indicate polarity) of the voltage drop across each res
3,Connect the common lead of the DMM to the point with the symbol, which represent point E.
With the DMM probe, measure and record the voltage at each of points A, B, C, R. E A voltage
with a single subscripted variable means voltage is measured with respect to ground
VA = ________ VB = ________ VC = ________ VD = ________
VE = ________
Note:
According to give Jove voltage law VB =VDE+VCD+VBD=VBE . Verify whether your measured
values from step 2 and 3 show that VB=VDE+VCD+V BC

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4. Refer to circuit 13 below, will the ground or common

Terminal being connected at point D. Measure the
voltage at all points C, D, E with respect to this
new reference point, Record the measured voltage at
each point on circuit diagram
VA= ________ VB= ________
VC= ________ VD= ________
VE= ________
Repeat step 4 above for three times of figure 4C,
4D and 4E be sure to move the reference(group)
to agree with the schematic in each case.

Record the results of Figures 4C,4D and 4E .

 3. USE OF VOLTAGE DIVIDER RULE (VDR)
1. Next, we’ll be using the voltage divider rule for the previous circuit.
2. For the circuit in figure 4B, find the voltage with respect to ground (com each point A,
B, C, D and E using the VDR Write the values below also the calculations:
VA = ________
VB= _________
VC= _________
VD= _________
VE= _________
2. Repeat the above for the circuits of figure 4C, 4D and 4E

VA= VA= VA=

VB= VB= VB=

VC= VC= VC=

VD= VD= VD=

VE= VE= VE=

4.Designing A Voltage Divider:
1. Refer to the circuit of figure 5 R1,R2,R3 and R4 are1.2 kohm ,5.6k ohm ,3.3k omh and 9.1 km
resistors, but not in that order using the VDR in the form that solves for resistance R( and not for
the voltage) solve for the necessary resistor placement (or location) that will result in the
voltages as shown record below the resistor value you determined for:
R1 = _______ R2 = ________ R3 = _______ R4 = ________
R5 = ________

2.Connectsistors in the progression

developed and step 1.
3.You measure the voltage at A,B,C and
D and record.
VA= ________
VB= ________
VC= ________
VD= ________
3.Explain how to determine the location of
5.6 km resistor in the voltage divider of
Figure 5.
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3.Explain how to determine the resistance size required in any voltage divider when you are
given the data in the same manner presented above.
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