Experiment

Experiment 4 3

Ohm’s
Series Law
DC Circuits

Objectives:
To examine of basic series DC circuits with resistors.
A key element is Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law (KVL),
which states that the sum of voltage rises around a
loop must equal the sum of the voltage drops.

 Theory Overview
A series circuit is a single loop in which all components arranged in daisy chain.
The current is the same at all points in the loop and may found by dividing the total
voltage source by the total resistance. The voltage drops across any resistor may
found by multiplying that current by the resistor value.

Figure 4.1: Single ciucit loop.

Since the two resistors, R1 and R2 are wired together in a series connection; they are
both part of the same loop so the same current must flow through each resistor. Thus the
voltage drop across resistor (1), VR1 = I×R1 and the voltage drop across resistor (2),
VR2 = I×R2 giving by KVL:
Vs + (-I×R1) + (-I×R2)= 0
Vs = (I×R1) + (I×R2)
Vs =I×(R1+R2)
Vs =I×(RT) since RT is the total resistance= R1+R2.

Example 1:
Three resistors of values: 10 Ω, 20 Ω and 30 Ω, respectively are connected in series
across a 12 volt battery supply. Calculate:
a) The total resistance.
b) The circuit current.
c) The current through each resistor.
d) The voltage drop across each resistor.

Solutions:
a) Total Resistance  RT = R1 + R2 + R3 = 10Ω + 20Ω + 30Ω = 60Ω.

Then the total circuit resistance RT is equal to 60Ω.

b) Circuit Current (I)

12/60= 0.2 A or 200 mA.

c) The resistors are wired together in series, they are all part of the same loop and
therefore each experience the same amount of current. Thus:

IR1 = IR2 = IR3 = ISERIES = 0.2 A.

d) VR1 = I x R1 = 0.2 x 10 = 2 volts.

VR2 = I x R2 = 0.2 x 20 = 4 volts.

VR3 = I x R3 = 0.2 x 30 = 6 volts.

e) Verify KVL

∑V=0

12+(-2)+(-4)+(-6)=0
 Schematics
Follow the steps to build the DC series circuit and testing it.
1. Connect three resistors in series in the breadboard as shown in Figure 4.2.
2. Connect the battery as shown in Figure 4.3.

Figure 4.2: Connecting the resistors in series using the breadboard.

Figure 4.3: Connecting the battery to the series circuit.

3. Set the DMM to read DC current and insert it in the circuit. Remember, ammeters
go in-line and require the circuit to be opened for proper measurement. The red
lead should be placed closer to the positive source terminal as shown in Figure
4.4.
 Figure 4.4: The procedure for testing the current in DC series circuit.
4. Set the DMM to measure DC voltage. Remember, unlike current, voltage is
measured across components. Place the DMM probes across R1 and measure its
voltage. Again, red lead should be placed closer to the positive source terminal.
As shown in Figure 4.5. Repeat this process for the voltages across R2 and R3.

Figure 4.5: The procedure for testing the voltage in the DC series circuit.
 Faculty of Aviation Sciences
Electrical Fundamentals Lab (1)

Post lab (4)

Experiment (4)
Series DC Circuits

Student name:
Student ID:
Exercise 1:

Using the circuit of Figure 4.6 with R1 = Green- brown-black- silver, R2 = Green-
brown-orange- gold, R3 = Brown-black-green- silver and R4= Brown-black-green- gold,
and V = 3 volts. Find:
1. Determine the theoretical current and record it in Table 5.1.
2. Using the theoretical current found in Step 1, apply Ohm law to determine the
expected voltage drops across R1, R2, R3 and R4. Record these values in the
Theory column of Table 5.2.
3. Set the DMM to read DC current and insert it in the circuit at point A. Remember,
ammeters go in-line and require the circuit to be opened for proper measurement.
The red lead should be placed closer to the positive source terminal.
4. Set the DMM to measure DC voltage. Remember, unlike current, voltage is
measured across components. Place the DMM probes across R1, R2, R3 and R4.
Measure its voltage. Again, red lead should be placed closer to the positive source
terminal.

Figure 4.6: DC series circuit with four resistors.

 Table 5.1: Exercise 1.
Values Theory Measured Deviation

R1

R2

R3

R4

VAB

VBC

VCD

VDE

ITotal

Exercise 1: Simulation

Build the circuit of Figure 4.6 in a simulator. Using the virtual DMM as a
voltmeter determine the voltages at nodes a, b, c, d and e, and compare these to the
theoretical and measured values recorded in Table 5.1.

Don’t stop until you are proud.