Introduction to Electrical Circuits Lab

LAB REPORT ON

Verification of Kirchoff’s Voltage Law (KVL) and Kirchoff’s Current Law (KCL)
Title of the Experiment: Verification of Kirchoff’s Voltage Law (KVL) and Kirchoff’s Current
Law (KCL).

Introduction:

Kirchhoff's circuit laws are two approximate equalities that deal with the current and potential
difference 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. In this experiment,
we have developed the Kirchoff’s Voltage Law (KVL) and Kirchoff’s Current Law (KCL)
practically. And finally, we have measured values which are being 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 drop
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 drops around any closed path is equal to zero”. A plus (+)
sign is assigned for the potential rises (- to +) and minus sign (-) is assigned to 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.

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,

 𝐸
𝐼= 𝑅1+𝑅2+𝑅3
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=0

Kirchoff’s Current Law (KCL):

Kirchoff’s Current Law (KCL) in a DC circuit states that," the algebraic sum of the currents
entering and leaving an area, system or junction is zero”. In other word, "the sum of the currents
entering an area, system or junction must be equal the sum of the currents leaving the area,
system or junction”. In equation form,

I Entering = I leaving

Analysis of KCL circuit:

For doing a complete analysis of KVL, with the given values of circuit parameters we have
followed the below steps-
Step 1. Calculate the value of equivalent resistance of circuit,

𝑅𝑒𝑞 = (1 + 1 + 1)−1
𝑅1 𝑅2 𝑅3

Step 2. Calculate supply current I, 𝑅 = 𝐸

𝑅𝑒𝑞

Step 3. Calculate current through different branches,

 𝐸
𝐼1 = 𝑅1
𝐸
𝐼2 = 𝑅2
𝐸
𝐼3 =
𝑅3

Step 4. Use KCL to verify,

I Entering = I leaving or I= I1 + I2 + I3

Apparatus:

1. Resistors
2. Connecting wire
3. Trainer Board
4. AVO meter or Multimeter
5. DC source

Precautions:

Connection of the circuit was done carefully. And before connecting supply with the circuit the
whole connection diagram was checked.

Experimental Procedure:

1. We have connected the circuit as shown in the figure 1.

2. Then the voltage across each element of the circuit was measured

3. After that, we have filled the following table with necessary calculations.
 Table 1

No. R1 R2 R3 V V1 V2 V3 v=v1+v2+v3 % Error =

of %(mv-cv)/cv
obs. Ω KΩ KΩ
K C M C M C M C M C M

V V V V V V V V V V
1 1K 2K 3K 5V 5V 0.833 0.833 1.66 1.667 2.499 2.5V 4.992V 0.167%
V 4mV V V V 5.00033
4V
2 1K 2K 3K 10V 10V 1.667 1.667 3.334 3.33 5.001 5V 10.002 9.997V 0.0499%
V V V V V V

3 1K 2K 3K 15V 15V 2.5V 2.5V 5V 5V 7.5V 7.5V 15 15V 0%

4. Then we have connected the circuit as shown in the figure 2.

5. After that, the current across each branch of the circuit was measured
6. Finally, the following table was filled with necessary calculations.

Table 2

No. R1 R2 R3 I I1 I2 I3 I=I1+I2+I3 % Error =

%(mv-cv)/cv
 of KQ KQ KQ C M C M C M C M C M
obs.
A A A A A A A A A A
1 1K 2K 3K 18.33 18.33 10m 10m 5mA 5mA 3.33 3.333 18.33m 18.333 0.0164%
mA 3mA A A mA mA A mA
2 1K 2K 3K 27.49 27.5 15m 15m 7.5m 7.5m 5mA 5mA 27.5m 27.5mA 0%
9mA mA A A A A A
3 1K 2K 3K 36.66 36.66 20m 20m 10m 10m 6.67 6.667 36.67m 36.667 0.0818%
mA 7mA A A A A mA mA A mA

Simulation and Measurement:

For KVL (Table-1):

When the V=5V, the multimeter reading for V1, V2 and V3 are-

When the V=10V, the multimeter reading for V1, V2 and V3 are-
When the V=15V, the multimeter reading for V1, V2 and V3 are-

For KCL (Table-2):

When E=10V, the multimeter reading for Total Current I is-

When E=15V, the multimeter reading for Total Current I is-

When E=20V, the multimeter reading for Total Current I is-

When E=10V, the multimeter reading for V1, V2 and V3 are-

When E=15V, the multimeter reading for V1, V2 and V3 are-

when E=20V, the multimeter reading for V1, V2 and V3 are-

Result and Calculation:

1. Table~1 and Table~2 has been completed taking the theoretical calculated values and
the multimeter readings respectively.

2. Theoretical Calculation for voltages and currents for each element in the circuits and
comparison with the measured values is given below-

Theoretical Calculation:
3. Computation of the percentage error in the two measurements are given below-

Error Calculation:
Discussion and Conclusion:
Reference:

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

The End