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EEE1 Lab: Experiment 2

DC Circuits

Date:______________ Section:_____ Group:_____

Name Student Number Signature
1.
2.
3.

A. Instructions
• Perform the tasks enumerated in this experiment.
• Present the results of all tasks labelled as SPOT CHECK to your instructor.
• Answer the questions in the Required Discussion section in complete detail. You can use extra sheets or print outs.
Do not forget to cite your references.
• Submit this handout together with any other additional sheets you used on the day of the deadline.

B. Objectives
1. To apply methods of obtaining measurements such as voltage, current and resistance
2. To compensate for measurement errors such as loading effect
3. To verify concepts on DC Circuit analysis such as KVL, KCL, Mesh Analysis and superposition.

C. Materials and Equipment

1. Resistors (4) 5. 1mA Movement (1)
2. Variable DC Power Supply (1) 6. Potentiometer Box (1)
3. Breadboard (1) 7. Wires, connectors and clips
4. Analog Multimeter (1)

D. Loading Effect in Voltage Measurement

1. [SPOT CHECK] Construct a voltmeter using the 1mA Movement (Figure 1a). Set the potentiometer to 12kΩ. Using
the constructed voltmeter measure the voltages across the resistors in a simple resistor circuit (Figure 1b).
Complete Table I.
Rs

20 kW
A
Ifs

(a) (b)
Figure 1. Resistor Circuit I

Table I. KVL Analysis

Measured Voltage Theoretical Voltage

Using KVL
R1
R2
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E. Kirchhoff’s Current Law
1. [SPOT CHECK] Construct the circuit in Figure 2. Complete Table II.

Figure 2. Resistor Circuit II

Table II. Current Values (KCL)

Current Based on Theoretical Current

Measured Voltage
Measured Voltages using KCL

F. Mesh Analysis
1. [SPOT CHECK] Implement the circuit in Figure 3. Measure the individual currents in the loops. Complete Table III.

Figure 3. Resistor Circuit III

Table III. Current Values (MESH)

Theoretical Current
Mesh Measured Current using Mesh
Analysis(H2)
1
2
3
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G. Superposition Principle
1. [SPOT CHECK] Implement the circuit in Figure 4. Complete Table IV.

Figure 4. Resistor Circuit IV

Table IV. Current Values (Superposition)

Theoretical
Measured Current Current from E Current value from F Sum of E and F Current using
Superposition
R3

H. Thevenin Equivalent
1. [SPOT CHECK] Derive and construct the Thevenin equivalent circuit seen by R3. Complete Table V.
Note: Obtain the solved thevenin resistor from your instructor.

Thevenin Equivalent Circuit (H3) Measured Current Across R3

I. Required Discussion
1. How must the voltmeter in part D be constructed to minimize loading effect? Discuss the trade-offs and
relationships involved. You may implement this newly devised voltmeter to verify your claims.
2. Determine the current in each of the loops using mesh analysis. Show your complete solutions.
3. Determine the current across R3 using Thevenin equivalent circuit. Show your complete solutions.
4. Are the measured results similar to your theoretical computations? What are the non-ideal situations that were
(not) taken into account in your analysis?
5. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using superposition principle and thevenin equivalent circuit
when measuring?