Scribd
Upload
12 views5 pages

Series and Parallel

The document outlines a lab experiment focused on understanding series and parallel circuits, including the measurement of current and potential difference. It provides detailed procedures for measuring resistance, voltage, and current in both types of circuits, along with formulas for calculating equivalent resistance and power dissipation. The lab aims to verify theoretical calculations through practical measurements using a digital multimeter and a variable voltage supply.

Uploaded by

yooges.acm
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
12 views5 pages

Series and Parallel

The document outlines a lab experiment focused on understanding series and parallel circuits, including the measurement of current and potential difference. It provides detailed procedures for measuring resistance, voltage, and current in both types of circuits, along with formulas for calculating equivalent resistance and power dissipation. The lab aims to verify theoretical calculations through practical measurements using a digital multimeter and a variable voltage supply.

Uploaded by

yooges.acm
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 5

Lab #30

Series and Parallel Circuits

Introduction:
An electrical circuit is a continuous path or array of paths through which an
electrical current can flow. The two different ways in which components of a
circuit can be connected are called "series" and "parallel". In a series
connection, components are connected one after another; therefore, the same
current flows through all of them. In a parallel connection, the circuit components
are connected side by side. That is, the positive and negative sides of each
component are respectively connected together; therefore, each has the same
potential drop across. In this lab, we will explore measurements of current and
potential difference in simple circuits. Also, we will attempt to verify the textbook
expressions for the equivalent resistance of components connected in series and
in parallel, and for the power dissipation in a resistive load. For instance, for a
circuit consisting of any three resistance values R1, R2, R3, the equivalent
resistance in series Rs and in parallel Rp are,

RS = R1 + R2 + R3 + … + RN (1)
and
1/ RP = 1/ R1 + 1/ R2 + 1/ R3 + … + 1/ RN, (2)
respectively.

Apparatus:
A connection board ("breadboard", see figures 1 & 2) with 3 resistor sockets, a
multimeter with ammeter and voltmeter, and a variable voltage supply set for 10
Volts output.

Procedure:
When you are building a circuit, be sure the power supply is turned off the whole
time, until you are ready to take measurements. Use only the plug-in connecting
wires supplied. If you need more wires, ask your instructor.
When connecting the digital multi-meters (DMM), start out by setting the
instruments to their least sensitive scale. You may switch to a more sensitive
(smaller value) scale to get a more precise reading. For example, suppose you
have found a voltage to be around 5 Volts after measuring it with the DMM set on
a 200 Volt scale. To get a more precise reading, do not switch to a 2 Volt scale
on the meter since you know the value is greater than 2 Volts. Try a 10 Volt scale
(if available), and if the reading on the display turns out to be slightly less than 5
volts, try a 5 Volt scale (if available). The smallest scale possible on the meter
will give you the value with the most significant figures attainable with that
instrument, therefore, making your measurements more accurate.
Figure 1

CAUTION: If you connect a circuit with zero resistance (only wires between +
and - on the supply) the fuse on your power supply will be damaged and it will
need to be replaced. Don't do this.
NOTE: To measure current, the current must flow through the ammeter.
Therefore, the ammeter must be connected in series with the current to be
measured. It must be placed so that the current to be measured has no
alternative but to flow through the ammeter. A voltmeter on the other hand need
only be connected in parallel with the voltage to be measured.

Measurements on Series Circuit:


1. Use a DMM set to measure resistance in Ohms (Ohms function switch
setting) to obtain the individual resistance values for your three resistors R1, R2
and R3. Write your results on a data table. Use the example provided at the end
of this document on how to read manufacturer color coded resistance values,
and the Resistor Color Coding Chart in the classroom, to determine the
manufacturer specified resistance values of your resistors. Compare to your
results.
2. Assemble your series circuit following the circuit diagram in Figure 1(b).
Directly measure the equivalent resistance (RS) of the resistors R1, R2 and R3
connected in series using a DMM. Then, assemble a parallel circuit following the
diagram in Figure 1(a) and directly measure the equivalent resistance (RP) of the
resistors R1, R2 and R3 connected in parallel. It is important that you take your
resistance measurements only when the power supply is not connected to the
rest of your electrical circuit. Write down your results and use formulas 1 and 2
above to calculate the theoretical values of your equivalent resistances RS and
RP using the measured values for R1, R2 and R3.
3. Connect the power supply to your circuit as shown on the diagram in Figure 2.
Set the power supply to 5V and measure the voltage drop across each resistor,
the total voltage across all the resistors connected together, the current in the
circuit and the current through each resistor. Write down your results.
Figure 3 Figure 2

You will need to change the voltmeter and ammeter connections accordingly to
make all these measurements. When measuring the voltage across a resistor
while also measuring current, connect the voltmeter only across the resistor, not
across the resistor and ammeter.
4. Calculate the voltage for each resistor and enter it in your data table.
Calculate the total Voltage of the three resistors by adding your measured values
(VS = V1 + V2 + V3 + ...).
5. Compare the results from the preceding two items and account for any
differences. Calculate % Difference.
6. Calculate the power dissipated in each resistor by using the formula P=IV,
and enter this in your data table.

Measurements on Parallel Circuit:


1. Reconnect the three resistors in parallel.
Now, follow the diagram as shown in figure 3, and connect the three resistors to
the power supply. Arrows show direction of current flow. Set the power supply to
5V and measure the voltage drop across each resistor, the total voltage drop
across the positive and negative sides of the circuit, the current in the circuit and
the current through each resistor. Write down your results.
You will need to change the voltmeter and ammeter connections accordingly to
make all these measurements. When measuring the voltage across a resistor
while also measuring current, connect the voltmeter only across the resistor, not
across the resistor and ammeter.
2. Calculate the current for each resistor and enter it in your data table.
Calculate the total current of the three resistors by adding your measured values
(IP = I1 + I2 + I3 + ...). Calculate the predicted current (I*) by substituting your
measured values for the voltages and resistances of each resistor into the
formula I*=V/R.
3. Compare the results from the preceding two items and account for any
differences. Calculate % Difference.
Measured Resistance Values

R1 = _____________ R2 = _____________ R3 = ______________

Measured RS = ____________ Measured RP = ______________

Note: Use the digital multimeter to directly measure ALL the values above.
Resistance measurements are taken with the power supply disconnected.

Theoretical Series Resistance RS = R1 + R2 + R3 = ________________

Theoretical Parallel Resistance RP = [1/ R1 + 1/ R2 + 1/ R3]-1 = ________

Measurements in Series

Applied Voltage (Vemf): ____________ (5.00V)

Measured I: ______________

Theoretical IT = Vemf/ RS = ___________ (Use your measured RS value)

Measured Measured Theoretical Power


Voltage Current Voltage (V=IR)
R1
R2
R3

Total Measured Voltage = ______________

Total Theoretical Voltage = _____________

Measurements in Parallel

Applied Voltage (Vemf): ____________ (5.00V)

Measured Measured Predicted


Voltage Current Current (I*=V/R)
R1
R2
R3

Total Measured Current (IP = I1 + I2 + I3) = _______________

Total Predicted Current (IP* = I1* + I2* + I3*) = _______________


READING COLOR CODED RESISTANCE VALUES

Example: For a 1000  color coded resistor,

Fig. 3

1st color band = brown = 1


2nd color band = black = 0
3rd color band, multiplier = red = exponent 2
last band, tolerance color band = gold
To calculate the resistance value: 1 0 x 10^2 = 10 x 100 = 1000 
The 1 and 0 are the first two digits in the 1000  value.

The 1 and the 0 don’t multiply or add. They are simply digits.

You might also like

pFad - Phonifier reborn

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.

Note: This service is not intended for secure transactions such as banking, social media, email, or purchasing. Use at your own risk. We assume no liability whatsoever for broken pages.


Alternative Proxies:

Alternative Proxy

pFad Proxy

pFad v3 Proxy

pFad v4 Proxy