KCL1

PH124-L
Lab Report # 4
KIRCHOFF’S CURRENT LAW and

CURRENT DIVIDING RULE
Group Members Muhammad Bin Imran ( FA23-BCS-062 )

Muhammad Siraj ( FA23-BCS-077 )
Muhammad Saqlain ( FA23-BCS-075 )
M. Rayyan Taimoor ( FA23-BCS-072 )
Department Computer Science
Section BCS – 1B
Submitted to Sir Bilal
Date of submission October 9, 2023

Objectives :
1. To study about Kirchoff’s Current Rule in a circuit with 3 Resistances
2. To calculate the current across each resistor in the circuit
3. To compare the values of measured current to the theoretical current values
Materials Required :
• Variable DC supply
• Digital Multimeters
• Resistances
• Connecting Wires
• Bread-Board
Introduction :
A. Kirchoff Current Law :
According to kirchoff’s Current Law : “ The total current within the circuit is equal to the
current divided across each resistor . Thus, algebraic sum of all currents in circuit is zero.”
No current is created or lost in the circuit . Current coming from battery Is equal to the
current leaving from circuit . This law is based on law of conservation of charge . KCL is applied
only at nodes in an electrical circuit .
Node : A node is a point in a circuit where two or more circuit elements are connected . It can be
a junction between two or more wires , a connection between components , or a point where
current splits or merges . It is mostly observed in parallelly connected circuits .
Formula :
I (Total) = I1 + I2 + I3
Σ I =0
B. Parallel Circuit Connection :
In order to prove KCL , the circuit needs to be connected in parallel . Because in parallel
connection , voltage across the whole circuit and across each resistor is equal to each other i.e
V(total) = V1 = V2 = V3
And the current across each resistor is equal to the total current . According to KCL :
I(total) = I1 + I2 + I3
In parallel circuit , equivalence resistance is found by the sum of inverse of each resistor’s
resistance. i.e 1/R(eq) = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + 1/R3
The total current in the circuit can be found theoretically by putting the value of equivalence
resistance in ohm’s law formula i.e I = V/R(eq)
And the current across each resistor is found by putting value of equivalent resistance in formula
i.e I1 = V / R1
I2 = V / R2
I3 = V / R3
Circuit Diagram :
Experimental Procedure :
➢ Set up the circuit as shown in diagram on the breadboard .
➢ Measure the values of resistance of each resistor using either color code or DMM .
➢ Measure the voltage across each resistor as well after turning on battery . It must be
equal.
➢ Measure the total current across the circuit by breaking the circuit , and then measure
values of current across each resistor .
➢ Calculate theoretical values of current using ohm’s law i.e
I = V/R(eq) for total current ; I = V/R1 for current in resistor 1
I = V/R2 for current in resistor 2 ; I = V/R3 for current in resistor 3
➢ Put different values of current and values of voltage and resistances in data sheet .
Observations and Calculations :

The above found values of current , voltage and resistances are put in a data sheet as
described below :
Resistors Voltage (V) Current Calculated Measured Total
(Volt) across Current Current Measured
Resistors ( mA ) ( mA ) Current
( mA )
R1 160 4.9 I1 28.5 29.3
(Ω)
R2 220 4.9 I2 20.7 21.8 101.2 mA
(Ω)
R3 100 4.9 I3 49.4 51.2
(Ω)
➢ The equivalent resistance of these 3 resistors come out to be around 48.08 Ohm
➢ When we put this value of R(eq) in ohm’s law , we get total value of current in the circuit
i.e I = V/R(eq) I = 4.9 / 48.08 I (total) = 101.9 mA
Percentage Error :
The percentage error in calculated values and measured values of current is as follows :
• Percentage error in value of current across resistance R1 = 2.7 %

• Percentage error in value of current across resistance R2 = 5 %
• Percentage error in value of current across resistance R3 = 3.5 %
➢ The value of measured total current from the battery was found to be
According to Kirchoff Current Rule
Σ I=0
Σ I = I (total) – ( I1 + I2 + I3 )
Σ I=0
Hence proved that , algebraic sum of all values of current in a circuit is zero .
Conclusion :
From the data table , its shown that sum of individual current is equal to the total
current in the circuit and the algebraic sum of all current is zero which is also the statement of
kirchoff’s current law thus proving and verifying Kirchoff’s Current Law and also proving law of
conservation of charge . Since the circuit was connected in parallel , the value of voltage drop
across whole circuit was found to be constant and equal .

KCL1

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

KCL1

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

KCL1

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

PH124-L

KIRCHOFF’S CURRENT LAW and

Group Members Muhammad Bin Imran ( FA23-BCS-062 )

Department Computer Science

Submitted to Sir Bilal

Date of submission October 9, 2023

Observations and Calculations :

• Percentage error in value of current across resistance R1 = 2.7 %

You might also like