Experiment 4

Kirchhoff Voltage-Current Law and Potentiometer

I. Objectives
✓ To proof the Kirchhoff Voltage Law
✓ To proof the Kirchhoff Current Law
✓ To apply potentiometer in a circuit

II. Scope
A. Theory
1. Kirchhoff Current Law
Kirchoff Current Law expresses that the amount of current which get in to a
node is the same as the amount of current which get out from that node.
The relation of two or more components will result in branches (nodes) with the
direct graph drawn in the following figure:
I1 + I3 = I2 + I4 + I5 (eq.4.1)
I1 I3

I4

I2 I5

Figure 4.1
2. Kirchhoff Voltage Law
Kirchoff Voltage Law expresses the total of voltage in a close loop is zero. So
the voltage from the power supply will divided to each components propotional
to the component resistance to the total resistance of the circuit.
R1 R2 R3
+ V1 - + V2 - + V3 -
+
Vs1
-

Figure 4.2
-VS1 + V1 + V2 + V3 = 0 (eq.4.2)
To analyze the circuit, the polarity should be noticed.

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 3. Potentiometer
Potentiometer is a component which is functionately like a variable resistor that
resist current by its adjustable resistance. Potentiometer is the same as 2
resistors which are series connected and the resistive value of the potentiometer
can be adjusted. The resistive value of a resistor is on its body. Potentiometer
can be adjusted to change the resistive ratio of the two resistors. There are 2
kinds of potentiometer, logaritmic potentiometer and linier potentiometer. On
logaritmic potentiometer, the resistive change logaritmicly as it is turned per
degree. Whereas, on linier potentiometer, the resitive change constantly as it is
turned per degree. In this experiment, we will use the logaritmic one.

Figure 4.3 Typical of Potentiometer

USA and Japan Europe

Figure 4.4 Typical symbol of Potentiometer

Figure 4.5

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 B. Reference(s)
• Meade, 2003. “Foundations Of Electronics 4”. Thomson. US.
• Floyd, 2007. “Electric Circuit Fundamental 7”. Prentice Hall. US
• Floyd, 1999.” Principle of Electrical Circuit 5”. Prentice Hall. US
• Tony R Kuphaldt. 2006. “Lessons in Electric Circuit. Vol I. DC”. Design Science
License. US
• Tony R Kuphaldt. 2007. “Lessons in Electric Circuit. Vol II. AC”. Design Science
License. US
• http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/vol_6/chpt_3/6.html

III. Devices
• Digital Multimeter
• Variable Power Supply
• Potentiometer
• Breadboard
• Components: R = 120, 150,180,220,470, 1K, 2K, 4K7
LED, Potentiometer

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 IV. Instruction of Laboratory
A. Procedure
a. Kirchhoff Current Law
R1
+ _ 100
A
A B R4 E
+ 300 F
+ V PS C R3
R2
V
_ 5V D 1K 220
_ R5
220 G
X Y H

Figure 4.6

1. Design the circuit in Figure 4.4 into a breadboard.

2. Connect the power supply to the circuit.
3. Adjust the power supply to 5V.
4. Measure the current in the circuit according to table 4.1
Table 4.1
VPS (V) IAB ICD IEF IGH IXY
5V
10 V

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 b. Kirchhoff Voltage Law
R1 R2 R3
+ -
A
470 1K 2K
I
+ +
4K7 R4
V -

Figure 4.7
1. Design the circuit in Figure 4.5 into a breadboard.
2. Connect the power supply to the circuit.
3. Adjust the power supply to 10V.
4. Measure the current and voltage in the circuit according to table 4.2.

Table 4.2
VPS I VR1 VR2 VR3 VR4
5V
10 V

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 c. Voltage Divider Using Potentiometer

+
VAB
+ A -
+
VPS=10V VAC
-
-
B +
C VBC
-
1K
A

Figure 4.8

1. Design the components in Figure 4.6 into a breadboard.

2. Turn on the power supply and adjust the voltage to 10V (after the probe
connected to the circuit).
3. Turn the potentiometer CCW (Counter Clock Wise)
4. Write down the current and voltage according to table 4.3.
5. Look at the intensity of the LED.
6. Repeat the measurement by turning the potentiometer approximately in
the middle of the potentiometer and CW (Clock Wise).

Table 4.3
Potentiometer I VAB VBC VAC
CCW
Middle
CW

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 B. Final Reports requirement for minimum grade
Analyze each experiment that you have done. In the analysis, give the explanation
about:
1. Kirchoff Voltage Law and Kirchoff Current Law
2. The difference between potentiometer and resistor
3. Potentiometer and how it works
4. Proof of Kirchoff Voltage Law on Potentiometer, the equivalent equation.
Explain how potentiometer can functionate as DC voltage divider[6]
5. Analyze every circuit
6. Make the calculation of each experiment
7. Compare the result that you get from the practicum with the simulation and
the theory
Make the theory and your experiment data as the reference in making
analysis and give the conclusion (5) about the experiment.

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