Electrical Engineering Lab Experiment # 1

VERIFICATION OF KIRCHHOFF’S LAWS

1.1 Objective 1.2 Apparatus required 1.3 Theory 1.4 Procedure 1.5 Connection diagram
1.6 Observation table 1.7 Calculations 1.8 Result 1.9 Precautions 1.10 Pre-Requisite Questions
1.11 Post- Requisite Questions

1.1 OBJECTIVE: Verification of Kirchhoff’s laws.

1.2 APPARATUS REQUIRED:

S. No. Name of the Apparatus Range Quantity

1. Trainer kit for KVL and KCL - 01

2. D.C. Power Supply 0-30V, 2 A 01
3. Multimeter 01
4. Connecting Wires 1.5 mm As required

1.3 THEORY: Gustav Robert Kirchhoff, a German physicist, published the first systematic
description of the laws of the circuit analysis. These laws are known as Kirchhoff’s current law
(KCL) and Kirchhoff’s voltage law (KVL). These laws form the basis of all circuit analysis problems.

KCL: It states that the algebraic sum of currents meeting at a junction of conductors is zero. In
other words, the sum of the currents flowing away from a junction is equal to the sum of currents
flowing toward the junction. This law is illustrated in Figure 1.1 where three currents I1, I2 and I3
are meeting at a junction. Assuming the current entering into the junction as positive and currents
leaving the junction as negative, we can take the algebraic sum of all of these three currents and
equate it to zero ;
I1 – (I2 + I3) = 0 or I1 = I2 + I3 (1.1)
KVL: It states that at any instant of time the sum of voltages in a closed circuit is zero. In other
words, KVL states that in a closed loop, at any instant of time, the algebraic sum of all the
voltage sources acting around the loop is equal to the algebraic sum of the potential drops around
the loop. This law is illustrated in Figure 1.2 where, in 1st loop, a voltage source V is present and
voltage drops across R1, R2 and R3 are V1, V2 and V3 respectively. Assuming that the voltage
drop from the positive polarity to negative polarity is assigned a positive sign and the voltage
drop from the negative polarity to positive polarity is assigned a negative sign, the KVL equation
for the first loop may be written as:

-V + V1 + V2 = 0 or V1 + V2 = V (1.2)
Applying KVL in second loop yields:
-V2 + V3 = 0 or V2 = V3 (1.3)
Similarly, applying KVL in the outer loop yields:
-V + V1 + V3 = 0 or V1 + V3 = V (1.4)

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Electrical Engineering Lab Experiment # 1

1.4 PROCEDURE: Steps involved are enlisted below:

For KCL

Step 1: Connect the circuit as given in Figure 1.1.

Step 2: Switch – on the supply
Step 3: Note the readings of ammeter connected in each branch i.e. measure I1, I2 and I3
and the applied voltage.
Step 4: Verify KCL using equation 1.1.

For KVL

Step 1: Connect the circuit as given in Figure 1.2.

Step 2: Switch – on the supply
Step 3: Note the readings of voltmeters connected across each resistance i.e. measure V1,
V2 and V3 and the source voltage.
Step 4: Verify KVL in all the loops, using equation 1.2 to 1.4.

1.5 CONNECTION DIAGRAM:

Figure 1.1 Connection diagram for KCL

Figure 1.2 Connection diagram for KVL

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Electrical Engineering Lab Experiment # 1

1.6 OBSERVATION TABLE:

KCL
V, Source voltage (V) I1 (mA) I2 (mA) I3 (mA)

KVL
V, Source voltage (V) V1 (V) V2 (V) V3 (V)

1.7 CALCULATIONS: To verify KCL, calculations are done as per equation 1.1, i.e.
I1 – (I2 + I3) = 0 or I1 = I2 + I3

To verify KVL, calculations are done as per equations 1.2 to 1.4, i.e.
-V + V1 + V2 = 0 or V1 + V2 = V

-V2 + V3 = 0 or V2 = V3

-V + V1 + V3 = 0 or V1 + V3 = V

1.8 RESULT: Kirchhoff’s laws are verified, KVL with____% error & KCL with_____% error .

1.9 PRECAUTIONS:
1. All the connections should be tight.
2. Observe the readings carefully.
3. The direction of current and polarity of voltage should be taken properly.
4. Select the proper range of instruments.
1.10 PRE - REQUISITE QUESTIONS:
1. What is Ohm’s Law?
2. What is the law of conservation of energy?
3. What do you mean by node, loop and mesh in reference to electric circuits.
1.11 POST - REQUISITE QUESTIONS
1. Are the Kirchhoff’s laws applicable to A.C. circuits also? Justify your answer.
2. What is the relation between Kirchhoff’s laws & law of conservation of energy?

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