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A typical series circuit is shown in Figure 2.1, this circuit having four resistors
and a power source
Figure 2.1
Rt = R1 + R2 + R3 + R4
This may be extended for n number of resistors. From Ohm’s Law, the total
current in the circuit may be calculated.
Vs = ItRt or It = Vs/Rt
Select the resistors 1k, 820 and 680, and use the DMM to measure their
values. Record your results in Table 2.1, which is to be drawn in your lab
book.
Table 2.1
Connect the resistors in series on your breadboard, and measure the total
resistance, Rtot (do not connect the DC power supply yet, and do the %
calculations outside lab time).
Table 2.2
Figure 2.2
Connect the variable DC power supply and, using the DMM in voltmeter
mode, adjust the output to about 15V. Measure and record the actual value
from the DMM into Table 2.2. It is essential that this voltage remains
unchanged at the recorded value for the entire series test. Figure 2.2 shows the
meter connections for measuring the voltage across R1. You will need to
reconnect the red and black wires to measure the voltages across the other
resistors.
The next part of the experiment is to measure the current at various points in
the circuit. Use the DMM set up in ammeter mode to measure milliamps at the
four points A, B, C and D. Note that it will be necessary to break your circuit
and remake it in order to insert the ammeter. Record your results in the
appropriate fields in Table 2.2 in your lab book.
Discuss the reasons for any differences in Table 2.1. Use Ohm’s Law to
calculate the current flowing in the circuit It and hence calculate the voltage
drop expected across each resistor (e.g. voltage drop across R1 is calculated as
VR1 = ItR1, etc). Use the values as indicated in the third column of Table 2.2.
Compare these theoretical values with the measured values and express them
as percentage differences using the following formula:
List the possible reasons for any differences. If any difference is greater than
5%, there could be a serious problem with either your calculations or tests, and
checks will be needed. Comment on the sum of the three measured resistor
voltages. Is this result consistent with expectations? Also comment on your
current measurements.
Figure 3.1
A typical parallel circuit is shown in Figure 3.1. Parallel circuits have more
than one path for current flow and there must be the identical voltage across
all parallel paths. Two such paths exist in the example circuit as shown. The
identical voltage appears across all the resistors in the circuit and the current
through each arm is inversely proportional to the circuit resistance (from
Ohm’s Law). The total current in the circuit is given by It = Ia + Ib (from
Kirchoff’s current law). Note the ‘break-then-remake’ method in order to
measure the current using an ammeter.
By Ohm’s Law:
Ia = Vs / RA
Ib = Vs / RB
It = Vs(1/RA + 1/RB)
= Vs((RA)-1 + (RB)-1)
= Vs(RARB)/[RA + RB])
The term RARB / (RA + RB) expresses the total value of resistance (Rt = Vs / It)
in the circuit. In practice the inverse form, (Rt)-1 = (RA)-1 + (RB)-1, is often
simpler to work with as a calculator’s inverse button (x-1) can be used thus
reducing the amount of resistance data inputting. In addition this inverse form
is directly extendable to any number of resistors.
Select the resistors R4, R5 and R6 as listed in Table 3.1. Use the DMM to
measure their values and record your results in Table 3.1.
Figure 3.2i
Connect the circuit as shown in Figure 3.2i with only R4 in the circuit. Use the
DMM’s voltmeter in order to ensure that the DC power supply is set to about
10V. It is essential that this voltage remains unchanged at the recorded value
for the entire parallel test.
Figure 3.2ii
b c d
+
Vs ≈ 10V R4 R5 R6
-
Figure 3.2iii
Add R6 to the circuit as shown in Figure 3.2iii. Use the DMM to measure the
total resistance, Rtotiii and record it in Table 3.1. Then, using the DMM
connected in the correct configuration, measure and record all the currents and
voltages associated with this circuit, recording your results in your lab books
in Table 3.4.
This is to be done outside lab time. Carry out the calculations to complete
Tables 3.1 to 3.4. Check your results in the event of any serious discrepancy
between theory and practice. Comment on the relation between your measured
V and I results and the voltage and current principles of the parallel
connection.
4.0 SERIES – PARALLEL CIRCUITS
4.1 THEORY FOR SERIES-PARALLEL CIRCUITS
Figure 4.1
Table 4.1
Table 4.2
Select the resistors R7, R8 and R9 listed in Table 4.1 and use the DMM to
measure their values, recording your results. Now connect the three resistors
in the series-parallel configuration shown in Figure 4.1 on your breadboard.
Measure their total value Rtot, and record this result (do not connect the DC
power supply yet).
4.3 TESTS FOR SERIES-PARALLEL CIRCUIT
Connect the power supply and using the DMM in voltmeter mode, adjust the
output so that Vs is about 10V. Record the DMM reading. As before, it is
essential that this voltage remains unchanged at the recorded value for the
entire test.
Change the DMM connections and thus measure and record the voltage drops
across each of the three resistors.
Based on your observations, why do you think that an ammeter must always
be connected in series with a resistor and never in parallel? You should
consider that the DMM has an internal resistance when thinking of an answer
to this question.
This is to be done outside of the lab time. Carry out the necessary calculations
to complete Tables 4.1 and 4.2. Check your results in the event of any serious
discrepancy between theory and practice. Comment on the relation between
your measured results and the voltage and current principles of the series and
parallel connections.
The first part is relatively straight forward, but it is the second and third parts
that are important as they help to develop your engineering competence. Some
suggestions have been made above, but you should extend these making
reference to series, parallel, Ohm’s Law and Kirchhoff’s Laws where
appropriate.