North South University

Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering

LAB REPORT- 03

Course Code: EEE141

Course Title: Electrical Circuit I Lab
Section: 18
Lab Number: SAC508
Experiment Name:

KCL, Current Divider Rule with Parallel and Ladder

Circuit
Experiment Date: March 2, 2024
Date of Submission: March 9, 2024
Submitted by Group Number: 04
Group members:
Name ID Obtained Mark Obtained Mark
Simulation [5] Lab Report [15]

1. Faheem Hasnat 2211721642

2. Saif Sarwar 2121071642

3. Md. Shabzid Hasan 2222354042

4. Tawsif Ahmed 2321045642

Course Instructor: Hafiz Imtiaz (HAI)

Submitted To: Md. Anisur Rahman Asif
Objectives:

• Learn how to connect a parallel circuit on a breadboard.

• Validate the current divider rules.
• Verify Kirchhoff’s current law.
• Verify KCL and KVL in ladder circuit.

Apparatus:

• Trainer board
• Resistors (1K, 3.3 KΩ, 4.7 KΩ, 5.6K, 10K)
• Digital Multimeter (DMM)
• Connecting Wire

Theory:

Kirchhoff’s current law (KCL) states that the currents at any node algebraically sum
to zero. In other words, the sum of the currents entering a node equals the sum of
currents leaving the node.
Mathematically, for a node in a circuit, KCL can be expressed as:
∑ 𝑰in = ∑ 𝑰out

The current divider rule is used to determine the current flowing through a branch in
a parallel circuit. It states that the current through a branch is inversely proportional
to the resistance of that branch compared to the total resistance of all branches.
For two resistors in parallel, the current divider rule can be expressed as:
Ix = Isupply.(Req / Req + Rx)

Here,
Ix is the current through Rx.
Req is the total resistance of a circuit without considering Rx.

We know, the current remains same in the series.

Kirchhoff's Voltage Law (KVL) states that the sum of the voltages around any closed
loop in a circuit is equal to zero. In other words, the algebraic sum of the voltage drops
(or rises) in a closed loop is equal to the applied voltage or the electromotive force
within that loop.
Circuit Diagram:

Experimental Procedure:

1. At first, we identified the resistors by using color code, which was provided in our
first lab class. We labeled each band according their color code. Hence, tolerance
band’s color was gold therefore we use Resistance ± 5%.

2. Then, we measured each resistance using DMM and recorded them in Table 1.

3. After that, we calculate the percentage error using this formula,

𝑹𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍−𝑹𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒑𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍
Percentage error = | |× 100%
𝑹𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍

4. Also, we included the value of percentage error in Table 1.

5. We built the circuit 1 according to the circuit diagram was given in the lab manual.
Firstly, we supplied 10V from the voltage source. Then, we connected 1KΩ resistor in
the series connection with the source voltage. After that, we connected 3.3KΩ, 4.7KΩ
and 5.6KΩ resistor and they all are in parallel among themselves and, also parallel
with the source voltage.

6. In this step we used DMM to calculate the supply current Is . To measure the
supplied current, we set the DMM in mA mode and, also disconnected a wire where
the supply voltage and 1KΩ was connecting. Then, we attached the red probe of
DMM with the supply voltage wire and the black probe of DMM with the 1KΩ
resistor’s wire. We measured IR1 after disconnecting a wire between the 1KΩ resistor
and R1. Then set the DMM and measure the current. To measure IR2 and IR3 we also
followed this method. We recorded all the readings in Table 2.

7. We calculated sum of individual current (IR1 + IR2 + IR3) that we measured from the
circuit.

8. Here, we measured the total resistance (Req) of our circuit. Before measuring the
resistance, we disconnected the voltage source from the circuit and set the DMM dial
to resistance taster and connected the red probe with 1KΩ and connected red prove
with R1 resistor. Also, we filled Table 4.

9. According to circuit diagram 2 we constructed another circuit with 12volt supply

voltage.

10. To measure the potential differences across all the resistances, we simply used
DMM and made connections with each resistor parallelly and, note down the value
of voltage across individual resistances in Table 5.

11. On the other hand, to measure the current through all the resistance, we also used
DMM and set its dial to mA. In this step, whenever we connected the DMM with a
particular resistance in a series connection, we saw that the value of current passed
through that particular resistance. We followed a similar process to measure the
current through all the resistances individually and recorded them in Table 5.

Results:

During the lab experiment, we calculated the theoretical value by using some
formula and measured the practical value. Also we recorded these value in the given
table which was provided us.

Table 1:
we just calculated the value of resistances by using their color code and, these value
were theoretical value. Then we measured their value again with the help of DMM
and calculated percentage of error. For example, we got color code for a particular
resistance: band1 (yellow), band2 (purple), band3 (red), band4 (gold). Therefore,
resistance ± 5% KΩ = 4.7 ± 5% KΩ (theoretical). After that, when we measured the
resistance for this resistor using DMM we got the value 4.62 KΩ (practical).
4.7−4.62
So, % Error = | |× 100%
4.7
= 1.70%
Table 2:
Here, we calculated the theoretical value of supply current Is. To measure the current
we were using the given information which was attached with the circuit diagram 1.
𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
We had to find the value of Req. For circuit 1, Req = ( + + )-1 + 1 KΩ
𝑹𝟏 𝑹𝟐 𝑹𝟑
𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
=( + + )-1 + 1 KΩ
𝟑.𝟑 𝟒.𝟕 𝟓.𝟔
= 2.44 KΩ
We found the supply voltage from the circuit Vs = 10 V.
𝑽𝐬 𝟏𝟎
Therefore, Is = = = 4.098 mA.
𝑹𝐞𝐪 𝟐.𝟒𝟒
At this stage we found the practical value of Is = 4.15 mA. So, percentage of error for
4.098 − 4.15
total supply current Is = | |× 100%
4.098
= 1.27%
For calculating current through individual resistor we were using current divider
(𝑅2 ||𝑅3)
principle. For example, IR1(theoretical) = × Is
(𝑅2 ||𝑅3)+ 𝑅1
2.55
= × 4.098
2.55+3.3
= 1.78 mA
Also, we measured practical value for IR1 = 1.81 mA.
1.78−1.81
Therefore, % error = | |× 100 %
1.78
= 1.69%
We know, that current remains same in the series connection. For this reason, we
ignored 1 KΩ resistor while measured individual current through a particular
resistor.

Table 3:
From Table 2 we got the value of Is = 4.15 mA, IR1 = 1.81 mA, IR2 = 1.28 mA and IR3 =
1.06 mA. The sum of individual current, IR1 + IR2 + IR3 = (1.81 + 1.28 + 1.06) mA
= 4.15 mA
So, we can say that total current equal to the sum of individual current.

Table 4:
We measured the experimental Req = 2.42 KΩ. Also, we found the theoretical value
2.44 − 2.42
for Req = 2.44 KΩ from the earlier calculation. So that, % Error = | |× 100%
2.44
= 0.82%

Table 5:
Here, we measured voltage and current for each component individually which
attached with the circuit diagram 2. For example, to calculate the value of voltage
source E, we just connected the DMM parallelly with voltage source. We got the
value of voltage source, E = 12.07 V which was slightly higher than the theoretical
value of voltage source. On the other hand, for calculating the value of supply
current we connected the DMM in series with the circuit in an appropriate position.
We got the value of supply current 2.57 mA.
Reason of Errors:

● Tolerance of Resistors: The resistors used might have tolerances that deviate from
their nominal values, leading to discrepancies between theoretical and measured
values.
● Inaccuracies in Measurement: The Digital Multimeter (DMM) might introduce
measurement errors due to limitations in precision or calibration.
● Breadboard Connections: Poor connection or loose wires in the breadboard can
introduce additional resistance and affect the accuracy of measurements.

Tasks and Questions:

1. The current division rule is used to determine the current flowing through a
branch in a parallel circuit. It states that the current through a branch is inversely
proportional to the resistance of that branch compared to the total resistance of all
branches.

2. Kirchhoff’s current law (KCL) states that the currents at any node algebraically
sum to zero. In other words, the sum of the currents entering a node equals the sum
of currents leaving the node.

3. Verifying Kirchhoff’s voltage law in Circuit 1 within each independent closed loop
of the circuit –
For loop-1:
-10V + Is×0.99 KΩ + I1R1 = 0
⇒ 4.15 mA ×0.99 KΩ + 1.81 mA × 3.25 KΩ = 10V
⇒ 9.991 V ≈ 10 V
For loop-2:
-10V + Is×0.99 KΩ + I2R2 = 0
⇒ 4.15 mA ×0.99 KΩ + 1.28 mA × 4.62 KΩ = 10V
⇒ 10.0221 V ≈ 10 V
For loop-3:
-10V + Is×0.99 KΩ + I3R3 = 0
⇒ 4.15 mA ×0.99 KΩ + 1.06 mA × 5.59 KΩ = 10V
⇒ 10.0339 V ≈ 10 V

4. Verifying Kirchhoff’s current law at nodes a and b of circuit 2-

Current through Node a:
IR1 = IR2 + IR3
⇒ 2.57 mA = 0.95mA + 1.61mA
⇒ 2.57 mA ≈ 2.56mA
Current through Node b:
IR3 = IR4 + IR5 [Passing same current through R 5 and R6]
⇒ 1.61 mA = 0.62 mA + 1.00 mA
⇒ 1.61 mA ≈ 1.62 mA
5. We used current divider rule to calculate the theoretical value of current IR1, IR2
and IR3 in circuit 1 and recorded them in Table 2.
From the circuit 1, supply voltage, Vs = 10V.
𝑽𝐬
So, total supply current, Is =
𝑹𝐞𝐪

𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
Here, Req = ( + + )-1 + 1 KΩ
𝑹𝟏 𝑹𝟐 𝑹𝟑
𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 -1
=( + + ) + 1 KΩ
𝟑.𝟑 𝟒.𝟕 𝟓.𝟔
= 2.44 KΩ
Therefore,
10𝑉
Is = = 4.098 mA
2.44KΩ

(𝑅2 ||𝑅3)
IR1 = × Is
(𝑅2 ||𝑅3)+ 𝑅1
2.55
= × 4.098
2.55+3.3
= 1.78 mA

(𝑅1 ||𝑅3)
IR2 = × Is
(𝑅1 ||𝑅3)+ 𝑅2
2.08
= × 4.098
2.08+4.7
= 1.26 mA

(𝑅1 ||𝑅2)
IR3 = × Is
(𝑅1 ||𝑅2)+ 𝑅3
1.94
= × 4.098
1.94+5.6
= 1.05 mA

After comparing theoretical and experimental value we saw their values are almost
same.
So % Error of,
4.098 − 4.15
Is = | |× 100% = 1.27%
4.098
1.78−1.81
IR1 =| |× 100 % = 1.69%
1.78
1.26−1.28
IR2 =| |× 100 % = 1.59%
1.26
1.05−1.06
IR3 =| |× 100 % = 0.95%
1.05

For following the KCL, a circuit must follow ∑ 𝑰in = ∑ 𝑰out.

According to theoretical value,
Is = IR1 + IR2 + IR3
4.098 mA = 1.78 mA + 1.26 mA + 1.05 mA
4.098 mA ≈ 4.090 mA

According to experimental value,

Is = IR1 + IR2 + IR3
4.15 mA = 1.81 mA + 1.28 mA + 1.06 mA
4.15 mA = 4.15 mA
So, we can say that our circuit follows the KCL.

𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
6. Total theoretical resistance of circuit 1, Req = ( + + )-1 + 1 KΩ
𝑹𝟏 𝑹𝟐 𝑹𝟑
𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 -1
=( + + ) + 1 KΩ
𝟑.𝟑 𝟒.𝟕 𝟓.𝟔
= 2.44 KΩ
In this circuit R1, R2 and R3 are in parallel among themselves and they all are in series
connection with 1KΩ resistor.

We got total experimental resistance of circuit 1, Req = 2.42 KΩ

When, we compared the theoretical and experimental value for total resistance of
circuit 1 and we saw slightly difference between them but they were almost equal.
2.44 − 2.42
Therefore, % Error = | |× 100% = 0.82%
2.44

1 1
7. Total resistance for circuit 2, Req = R1 + (1/( + 1 ))
𝐑𝟐 𝐑𝟑+( 1 1 )
( + )
𝐑𝟒 𝐑𝟓+𝐑𝟔
= 4.73 KΩ
𝑬
Given, source voltage, E = 12V. Therefore, current through source voltage, Is =
𝑹𝐞𝐪
12
= mA
4.73
= 2.537mA

In circuit 2, R1 connected in series with source voltage. So IR1 = Is = 2.537mA

We had to use current divider rule for calculating IR2.
𝟓.𝟗𝟓
Therefore, IR2 = ×2.537 mA
𝟓.𝟗𝟓+𝟏𝟎
= 0.946 mA
So, IR3 = IR1 - IR2
= 2.537 mA – 0.946 mA
= 1.591 mA
Because IR3 was in series connection.
𝟐
To calculate IR4, we took IR3 as supply current. Therefore, IR4 = ×1.591 mA
𝟐+𝟑.𝟑
= 0.6 mA
So, IR5 = IR3 - IR4
= 1.591 mA – 0.6 mA
= 0.991 mA

Now voltage for circuit 2,

VE = Is× Req = 2.537 mA × 4.73 KΩ = 12 V

VR1 = IR1× R1 = 2.537 mA × 1 KΩ = 2.537 V
VR2 = IR2× R2 = 0.946 mA × 10 KΩ = 9.46 V
VR3 = IR3× R3 = 1.591 mA × 4.7 KΩ = 7.48 V
VR4 = IR4× R4 = 0.6 mA × 3.3 KΩ = 1.98 V
VR5 = IR5× R5 = 0.991 mA × 1 KΩ = 0.991 V
VR6 = IR6× R6 = 0.991 mA × 1 KΩ = 0.991 V
Discussions:

From this lab, we learned about current divider rule and the KCL and, also uses of
them. We also learned how to connect the parallel connection in the trainer board.
We built two different circuit diagram on that lab. From circuit diagram 1, we
measured total supplied current and individual current through all the resistances
using DMM (Digital Multimeter) and filled Table 2.
We also verified the Kirchhoff’s Current Law by an experiment.
Next, we measured total resistance from circuit 1 and calculated the theoretical value
from circuit 1. Then we compared them and found % Error to find our accuracy for
our experiment.
After completing all the experiment for circuit 1, we built circuit 2. From circuit 2 we
have learned how to use current divider rule properly to calculate current through
every resistance. By this experiment we ensured that, current remains same in the
series connection and current change in the parallel connection. We also measured
voltage for each component.

Main goal from this lab was how to calculate current by using current divider rule
and how to verify the KCL.

Multisim Simulation: