Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB)
School of Engineering, Technology & Sciences
Department of Computer Science & Engineering
CSE 104L – Electrical Circuit Analysis Lab
Experiment No: 03
Experiment Name: Series DC Circuit
Objective:
1. The focus of this exercise is an examination of basic series DC circuits with resistors. A
key element is Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law which states that the sum of voltage rises around
a loop must equal the sum of the voltage drops.
2. The voltage divider rule will also be investigated.
3. Building a circuit on breadboard to measure current & voltages through the resistors to
validate Kirchhoff’s voltage law.
Theory Overview:
A series circuit is defined by a single loop in which all components are arranged in daisy-chain
fashion. The current is the same at all points in the loop and may be found by dividing the total
voltage source by the total resistance. The voltage drops across any resistor may then be found
by multiplying that current by the resistor value. Consequently, the voltage drops in a series
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circuit are directly proportional to the resistance. An alternate technique to find the voltage is the
voltage divider rule. This states that the voltage across any resistor (or combination of resistors)
is equal to the total voltage source times the ratio of the resistance of interest to the total
resistance.
𝐸 − 𝑉1 − 𝑉2 = 0
𝑅1
𝑉1 = 𝐸 ∗ ( 𝑅 )
1 +𝑅2
Equipment:
• Adjustable DC Power Supply
• Digital Multi-meter
• 200 Ω Resistor
• 2 kΩ Resistor
• 4.2 kΩ Resistor
• 7.8 kΩ Resistor
Schematic:
Figure 1.1 Figure 2.2
Procedure:
1. Using the circuit of Figure 1.1 with R1 = 200 Ω, R2 = 2 k, R3 = 4.2 k, and E = 12 volts,
determine the theoretical current and record it in Table 1.1. Construct the circuit. 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. Record this current in Table 1.1. Repeat
the current measurements at points B, C and D.
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2. Using the theoretical current found in Step 1, apply Ohm’s law to determine the expected
voltage drops across R1, R2, and R3. Record these values in the Theory column of Table
1.2.
3. 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. Record this value in Table
1.2. Repeat this process for the voltages across R2 and R3. Determine the percent
deviation between theoretical and measured for each of the three resistor voltages and
record these in the final column of Table 1.2.
4. Consider the circuit of Figure 1.2 with R1 = 200 Ω, R2 = 2 k, R3 = 4.2 k, R4 = 12.8 k and
E = 20 volts. Using the voltage divider rule, determine the voltage drops across each of
the four resistors and record the values in Table 1.3 under the Theory column. Note that
the larger the resistor, the greater the voltage should be. Also determine the potentials
𝑉𝐴𝐶 and 𝑉𝐵 , again using the voltage divider rule.
5. Construct the circuit of Figure 1.2 with R1 = 200 Ω, R2 = 2 k, R3 = 4.2 k, R4 = 12.8 k k
and E = 20 volts. Set the DMM to measure DC voltage. Place the DMM probes across R1
and measure its voltage. Record this value in Table 1.3. Also determine the deviation.
Repeat this process for the remaining three resistors.
6. To find 𝑉𝐴𝐶 , place the red probe on point A and the black probe on point C. Similarly, to
find 𝑉𝐵 , place the red probe on point B and the black probe on ground. Record these
values in Table 1.3 with deviations
Data Tables:
Current at point D
Current (theoretical) Current at point A Current at point B Current at point C
Table 1.1
For Voltage, V (volts)
Resistors Theoretical Measured Deviation
R1
R2
R3
Table 1.2
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Voltage, V (volts) Theoretical Measured Deviation
R1
R2
R3
R4
𝑉𝐴𝐶
𝑉𝐵
Table 1.3
Questions:
1. For the circuit of Figure 1.1, what is the expected current measurement at point D?
2. For the circuit of Figure 1.2, what are the expected current and voltage measurements at
point D?
3. In Figure 1.2, R4 is approximately thrice the size of R3 and about six times the size of
R2. Would the voltages exhibit the same ratios? Why/why not? What about the currents
through the resistors?
4. If a fifth resistor of 10 kΩ was added below R4 in Figure 1.2, how would this alter 𝑉𝐴𝐶
and 𝑉𝐵 ? Show work.
5. Is KVL satisfied in Tables 1.2 and 1.3?
Important safety Notice:
• Don’t ever put your finger on a resistor ‘to see if it’s hot’. If it is hot, you’ll burn
yourself. Note: resistors never look hot, so just don’t touch one when it’s in a circuit.
• Don’t touch any part of the circuit while the current is flowing or when the DC power
supply is on. You may think it’s safe and you know what you’re doing. Assume it’s not
safe and you could have made a mistake. Turn the power off first.
• Items such as books and jackets should not be left on top of the test equipment as it could
cause overheating.
• When the multi-meter is in ammeter mode, it goes in series, not parallel. You can ruin the
ammeter if you put it in parallel.
• Don’t walk around the lab bare-footed or while executing the experiment.
Disciplinary steps:
• No food or drink is allowed in the lab at any time. Liquids are of particular danger as they
are ordinarily conductive.
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• Your work area and common areas must be clean before you leave the lab.
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