Department of Computer Engineering

Circuit Analysis

Faculty Member: Dated:

Semester:

Session:

Group:

LAB-4 Characteristics of a parallel DC circuit

Reg. No. Report Assessment Total / 50

Name
Marks / 15 Rubrics
Marks / 35

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4.1 Objective
To investigate the characteristics of a series DC circuit.

4.2 Equipment
1. DMM
2. DC Supply (20V)
3. Resistors of (220, 330 & 470) Ω.
4.3 Theory

Figure 3-1 Circuit Diagram DC Series

In a series circuit, (Fig 3-1), the current is the same through all the circuit elements. The total
Resistance RT =R1 + R2 + R3. By Ohm’s Law, the Current “I” is

𝐸
I=
𝑅𝑇
Applying Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law around closed loop of Fig 3-1, We find

𝐸=𝑉+𝑉+𝑉

Where,

𝑉=𝐼𝑅, 𝑉=𝐼𝑅, 𝑉=𝐼𝑅

Note in Fig 3-1, that I is the same throughout the Circuit. The voltage divider rule states that the voltage across
an element or across a series combination of elements in a series circuit is equal to the resistance of the
element divided by total resistance of the series circuit and multiplied by the total voltage. For the elements
of Fig 3-1
𝑅𝐸 𝑅𝐸 𝑅𝐸
𝑉= ,𝑉 = ,𝑉 =
𝑅 𝑅 𝑅
4.4 Procedure

4.4.1 Breadboard/Circuit Board

Note: Use measured value of resistance for all calculations.

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 Figure 3-2 Circuit Diagram DC Series

1. Construct the circuit shown in Fig 3-2

2. Set the DC supply to 20V and verify it by using DMM.
3. Measure all resistances using DMM and record nominal & measured values in Table 3-1
4. Disconnect the power supply and measure total resistance R T across points A-B using DMM and
record the values under the Table 3-1
5. Now connect the power supply and measure voltage across each resistor with DMM and record
it in the Table 3-2
6. Measure current flowing through each resistor with DMM and record it in the Table 3-3
7. Measure current ITOTAL delivered by source and record the value under Table 3-3

Note: Follow proper procedure of current measurement otherwise fuse of Multimeter will blow.

8. Now Calculate, respective currents (using 𝐼 = ) and RT (using 𝑅 =𝑅+𝑅+⋯𝑅)

9. Calculate currents ITOTAL (using 𝐼 = )

10. Calculate V1, V2, V3 & V4 using voltage divider rule using measured resistance value
11. Create an open circuit by removing R3 & measure all voltages and current I
4.4.2 Multisim
1. Construct the circuit in Multisim as shown in Fig 3-2
2. Find the voltage and current of each resistor and fill the Table 3-2 & 3-3
4.5 Observations
Table 4-1 Resistor Table
Resistor Nominal Values (Ω) Measured Values (Ω)

R1
R2
R3
R4

RT (Calculated in Ω) _________ RT (Measured in Ω) ___________

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 Table 4-2 Voltage Table
Resistor Measured Value Multisim Value (V) Calculated Value Measure Value
(V) using VDR when R3 is Open
(V) circuit (V)
R1
R2
R3
R4

E (V) ___20___ E (Measured in V) ____________

Table 4-3 Current Table
Resistor Measure Value Multisim Value (A) Calculated Value Measure ‘I’ when
(A) using Ohm’s Law R3 is open Circuit
(A) (A)
R1
R2
R3
R4

ITOTAL (Calculated in A) ________ ITOTAL (Measured in A) __________

4.6

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4.7 Answer the following
1. What can you deduce about the characteristics of a series circuit from observation
Table 3-2 & 3-3?
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2. Viewing observation Table 3-2, comment on whether equal resistors in series have
equal voltage drops across them?
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3. Referring observation Table 3-1. Would you recommend using measured rather than
color coded nominal values in the future? Why?
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4. Referring to observation Tables 3-2 & 3-3 compare open circuit condition & normal
circuit with reference to current & voltage values.
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4.8 Student Learning Outcomes

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 Assessment Rubrics for: Circuit Analysis
Method:
Lab report evaluation and instructor observation during lab sessions. Outcomes Assessed:
a. Ability to conduct experiments as well as to analyze and interpret data.
b. Ability to function in a team and adhere to rules and guidelines.
c. Ability to use the techniques, skills and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.
Performance Exceeds expectation (5-4) Meets expectation (3-2) Does not meet expectation (1) Marks

Selects relevant equipment / Needs guidance to select Incapable of selecting relevant

Realization of parts to the experiment, relevant equipment / parts to equipment / parts to the
experiment (a) develops circuit diagrams of the experiment and to experiment and unable to
part connections or wiring develop setup diagrams develop setup diagrams
Actively engages and
Cooperates with other group Distracts or discourages other
cooperates with other group
Teamwork (b) members in a reasonable group members from conducting
members in an effective
manner the experiments
manner
Connects circuit components Connects circuit parts, sets
Conducting properly, sets input signals input states according to the Unable to connect circuits parts,
experiment (a, according to the requirement of requirement of experiment and perform the procedure of
c) experiment and examines the and examines the output experiment
output meticulously with minor error
Observes lab safety rules;
Laboratory
handles the equipment and Observes safety rules and
safety and Disregards lab safety and
components with care and disciplinary guidelines with
disciplinary disciplinary rules
adheres to the lab disciplinary minor deviations
rules (b)
guidelines aptly
Completes data collection from
the experiment setup by giving Completes data collection Fails at collecting data by giving
proper input signals and with minor error and enters proper inputs and observing
Data
observing the outputs, ensures data in lab manual with output states of experiment
collection (c) that the data is entered in the slight deviation from setup, unable to fill the lab
lab manual according to the guidelines manual properly
specified instructions
Analyzes the data obtained
Analyzes data with minor
from experiment thoroughly Unable to establish the
error and correlates it with
and accurately verifies it with relationship between practical
Data analysis theoretical values
theoretical understanding, and theoretical values and lacks
(a, c) reasonably. Attempts to
accounts for any discrepancy in the theoretical understanding to
account for any discrepancy
data from theory with sound explain any discrepancy in data
in data from theory
explanation
Operate the NI ELVIS II VI
Uses NI ELVIS II VI
interfaces of oscilloscope, Unable to launch and operate the
Computer use interfaces of digital
digital multimeter, power on-PC NI ELVIS II Vis with or
(c) instruments with guidance
supplies, VI analyzer, etc. with without assistance
from instructor
little to no help
Total

Lab Engineer:
Name: ___________________________
Signature: ________________________
Date: ____________________________

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