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Alexandria University

Faculty of Engineering

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Circuits (1) Laboratory

First Year first semester year 2012

Introduction
In order to work with electricity and/or electronics you have to use
what is called measuring devices. The two main measuring devices
are the multi-meter and the oscilloscope. We are going to use the
multi-meter first.
The multi-meter is a device that can measure the voltage, the
current, the ohmic resistance and test diodes. Also there are multimeters that measure the capacitance as well.
Voltmeter usage
The following figure shows how to set a multi-meter (AVO) as a
voltmeter to measure either a DC or an AC voltage. In the case of
measuring a DC voltage, the red probe is connected to the positive
point and the black probe is connected to the negative (or the
reference) point otherwise you get a negative value (why?) In the
case of measuring an AC voltage, there is no polarity, (why?)

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Ohmmeter usage
The following figure shows how to set a multi-meter (AVO) as an
Ohmmeter.

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Ammeter usage
The following figure shows how to set the multi-meter (AVO) as an
Ammeter. Again the polarity in DC is important and in AC has no
significance.

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Electrical Board
The electrical board (or breadboard) is used to connect and
test a temporary circuit. The circuit must generate low values of
current. If the current has a large value a fire might be happened
(Why?)
The following figure shows how to connect three resistors in series
on a board. Notice the construction of the board.

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Experiment (1)
Ohm's Law
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Multi-meter use.
Use of Ohm's Law to determine the value of an unknown
resistance.
SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM

ILLUSTRATION

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INSTRUCTIONS

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1. Select a resistor from the assortment, and measure its

resistance with your multi-meter set to the appropriate
resistance range. Be sure not to hold the resistor terminals
when measuring resistance, or else your hand-to-hand body
resistance will influence the measurement! Record this
resistance value for the future use.
2. Build a one-battery (2v), one-resistor circuit.
3. Set your multi-meter to the appropriate voltage range and
measure voltage across the resistor as it is being powered by
the battery.
4. Record this voltage value along with the resistance value
previously measured.
5. Set your multi-meter to the highest current range available.
Break the circuit and connect the ammeter within that break,
so it becomes a part of the circuit, in series with the battery
and resistor. Select the best current range: whichever one
gives the most accurate meter indication without over-ranging
the meter. If your multi-meter is auto ranging, of course, you
need not bother with setting ranges.
6. Record this current value along with the resistance and
voltage values previously recorded.
7. Repeat steps (3, 4, 5, and 6) with applied voltage 4V, 6V, 8V
and 10Vv.
8. Plot a graph of I against V. The horizontal axis. Compare the
slope of the graph with the resistance measured value.

Results
V(v)

I(amp)

10

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Ohmmeter Reading =

Slope of the graph =

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Software Application
Use a software package such as a PSPICE or Electronic Work Bench
(EWB) to simulate the above circuit. Use the computer's capabilities
to verify Ohm's law. Add a copy of the simulated circuit and the
result to this report.
Comment

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Experiment (2)
Part1: Kirchhoff's Laws
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
To verify Kirchhoff's laws experimentally
SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM

ILLUSTRATION

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INSTRUCTIONS

1. Connect the circuit.

2. Adjust the output voltage of the supply to be 10V.
3. Measure the voltage across R1. Repeat the measurement for
each resistor and record the result in table. i.e. V1, V2, V3, V4
and V5 across R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 respectively.
4. Set your multi-meter to the highest current range available.
Break the circuit by removing wire (1) then connect the
ammeter within that break, so it becomes a part of the circuit.
In other words, insert the ammeter in series within wire (1).
Select the best current range to measure I1 passes through
R1.
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5. Remove the ammeter and reconnect wire (1).

6. Break the circuit by removing wire (2) then connect the
ammeter within that break, select the best current range to
measure I3 passes through R3.
7. Remove the ammeter and reconnect wire (2).
8. Break the circuit by removing wire (3) then connect the
ammeter within that break, select the best current range to
measure I5 passes through R5.
Results
Voltage

V1

V2

V3

V4

V5

I1

I2

I3

I4

I5

Value(v)
Current
Value (A)
9. apply KVL in ACDBA, CEFDC and ACEFDBA loops
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---------------------------------------------------------------------------10.
Apply KCL at nodes C and D.
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Software Application
Use a software package to simulate the above circuit. Use the
computer's capabilities to verify Kirchhoff's laws. Add a copy of the
simulated circuit and the result to this report.
Comment

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Part 2: series and parallel connections of

resistors
Resistors in series
SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM

ILLUSTRATION

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Resistors can be connected in series; that is, the current flows

through them one after another. The circuit in the Figure shows
three resistors connected in series.
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Measure R1, R2, R3.
2. Connect the circuit.
3. Measure V1, V2, and V3 across R1, R2, and R3 respectively.
4. Measure the supply current.
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Results
Resistance

R1

R2

R3

V1

V2

V3

Value(ohm)
Voltage
Value(v)
Supply current (A)
R1 + R 2 + R3 =

R eq u iv alen t =

Vsu p p ly
Isu p p ly

Comment
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Voltage divider Rule

V1 = Isu p p ly (R1)
and Isu p p ly =

Vsu p p ly

R1 + R 2 + R3
Vsu p p ly
(R1)
V1 =
R1 + R 2 + R3
similar
Vsu p p ly

V2 =
V3 =

R1 + R 2 + R3
Vsu p p ly
R1 + R 2 + R3

(R 2)
(R3)

Results
Voltage
V1

Analytical
Measured
Analytical

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V2
V3

Measured

Analytical

Measured

Comment
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Resistors in parallel
SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM

ILLUSTRATION

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Results

R1

R2

I1

I2

Value(ohm)
Currents

R1,R2

R3

Resistance

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INSTRUCTIONS
1. Measure R1,R2,R3
2. Connect the circuit.
3. Measure the currents I1,I2 and I3 that pass through
and R3 respectively
4. Measure the supply current

I3

Value(amp)
Supply current (A)
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1
=
1
1
1
+
+
R1 R 2 R3
V
R eq u iv alen t = su p p ly =
I su p p ly
Comment
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Experiment (3)
Part 1: Thvenin's theorem
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
To show that a DC activated network can be
represented by a voltage source with a single series resistor under
steady-state.
INSTRUCTIONS

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1. Connect the circuit as shown in the figure (1).

2. Adjust the input voltage to 10V.
3. Measure the current IL in RL using ammeter and record its
value.
4. Remove RL from the circuit and measure the open circuit
voltage between points x and y, as shown in figure (2), call
this value Vth.
5. With the terminals x and y opened and by removing the
voltage source and replacing it by short-circuit, as shown in
figure (3), measure the equivalent resistance between points
x and y using ohmmeter. Call this value Rth.
Vth
6. calculate the current Ith from the formula Ith =
as
R th + R L
shown in figure(4)

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Figure (1)

Figure (2)

6
Figure (3)

Figure (4)

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Results
RL
IL
Vth
Rth
Ith
Assignment
1.

Does the measured value IL correspond with the calculated

value of Ith?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2.

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Does the value of the Vth or Rth depend upon the

resistance RL?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3.

If RL is replaced by a resistor of 330 without changing the

circuit between x and y, how much current will the resistor
draw?
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---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4.

Use a computer to verify Thvenin's theorem. Use the

circuit given in this experiment and apply the same steps
using a computer and record the results. From the recorded
results verify the theorem. Add the simulated results to this
report.
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Part 2: Maximum power transfer

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
To investigate the concept of electrical power,
and power transfer.
INSTRUCTIONS

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1. Connect the circuit as shown in figure (5).

2. Adjust input voltage to be 10V, let Rth=500 ohms.
3. Set RL value to less than Rth (say 200 ohms).
4. Record the value of the load current IL.
5. Record the value of the voltage across RL.
6. Repeat steps (4, 5) for RL equal to 300, 400, 500, 600, 700
and 800 ohm.
7. Tabulate your results and calculate the load power from the
relation PL=VL.IL.
8. Plot a graph for the power against RL, and find the maximum
power transferred to the load and the value of R L at which
maximum power transfer occurs.
9. Calculate the analytical value of the maximum available
power and compare it by the value obtained from the graph.

Results
RL()
IL(A)

PL(w)

VL(v)

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Figure (5)

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P max (analytical)

= ---------------------------------------------------

P max (from graph) = --------------------------------------------------

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RL (at the maximum power) = ----------------------------------------Software Application

Use a software package to verify the principle of the maximum
power transfer. Add a copy of the simulated circuit and the result to
this report.

Comment
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Experiment (4)
Superposition Theorem
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
To investigate the relation between the resultant
current in a branch of a network containing more than one voltage
source and the individual currents in this branch when each source
is considered separately.
INSTRUCTIONS

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1. Connect the circuit as shown in figure (1).

2. Measure I1, I2 and I3 due to the two sources.
3. Connect the circuit as shown in figure (2). You notice that
only one source is connected now (20V). Measure I1', I2', I3'
due to this source only.
4. Connect the circuit as shown in figure (3). With the other
source 15V only. Measure I1'', I2'', I3'' due to the other
source only.
5. The total current in the circuit due to the two sources is the
algebraic sum of the individual currents due to each source
acting alone. i.e.
I1=I1' - I1''
I2=I2'' I2'
I3=I3' + I3''
6. Make a table for all results and check the equations above.

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Figure (1)

6
Figure (2)
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Figure (3)
Results
I1=

I2=

I3=

I1'=

I2'=

I3'=

I1''=

I2''=

I3''=

I1'-I1''=

I2''-I2'=

I3'+I3''=

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Software Application
Use a software package to simulate the above circuit. Use the
computer's capabilities to verify superposition principle. Add a copy
of the simulated circuit and the result to this report.
Comment
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Assignment
1.
Can we apply superposition for voltage? Why?
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2.
Can we apply superposition for power? Why?
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PART 2: AC CIRCUITS
INTRODUCTION
Oscilloscope
Oscilloscope, Cathode ray tube (CRT) or cathode
ray oscilloscope (CRO) is a measuring device that can measure two
different input voltages at the same time (Dual property). Each
signal is an input to a channel (CH). There are two channels in most
oscilloscopes, CH1 and CH2. Most of the oscilloscopes have one
common point (named COM) to both channels. This means that the
two channels are NOT electrically isolated. Few oscilloscopes
(named special scopes) have two electrically isolated channels. Each
channel has its own common point. Measuring power voltages
requires isolated scopes for safety. You still can use non-isolated
scope to measure power voltage but you have to be very carefully
where you are connecting the COM point. You might end with a fire
work.
Schematic diagram

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The volatge per division

selected from Volt/
Div(5v)

2ms

Vertical position of wave

Time/Div

Measured
signal

Horizontal position of
wave

The time per division

selected from Time/
Div(2ms)

AC
DC
GND

Ground

Screen

Volt/Div

*If CH1 the screen shows the input of

channel1
*If CH2 the screen shows the input of
channel2
*If Dual the screen shows the input of
channel1,2 together but each signal has
its own Volt/Div

Ch2

COM

COM

Ch1
Input is Sine wave
12.5v peak(25v peak-peak)
50Hz

To display the GND signal on the

screen which can be adjusted in
the middle of the screen by
Vertical/Horizontal positions

CH2

Volt/Div

Turn on or off the OCR

To display AC component of the measured wave

To display all components of the measured wave

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CH1 5v

Power

CH1
CH2
Dual

AC
DC
GND

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Function Generator
It is a controllable source that we can choose the
shape, Amplitude and frequency of its output voltage.
All function generators produce a sinusoidal, a square and a
triangular voltage waveform. The function generator can add a DC
offset to the wave to change its average.
Schematic Diagram
To select the shape of
the output voltage

To select suitable
frequency range

Power

1Hz

10

100

1kHz 10 kHz ------

1
x
0.5

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0.2

Amp

To adjust the frequency of the output voltage

frequency = selected x* frequency range

To adjust the amplitude

of the output voltage
Line

Ac output voltage

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COM

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Experiment (5)
Part 1: The R-L Circuit
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
To investigate the R-L circuit and determine the
relations govern the amplitude and the phase shift of the voltage
across the RL and the current flowing through it.
INSTRUCTIONS
1.

Connect the circuit as shown in the following figure

I
CH1(Vin)
L
From function
generator

CH2(I)
R
Com

Record the values of the resistor and the inductor.

Set the CRO as follows:
Connect CH1 to point A; this will measure the voltage
across the RL branch.
Connect CH2 to point B; this will measure the voltage
across the resistor.
The current in Amps = (voltage across the resistor R) /
(the value of the resistor R)
Note: Point Com is a common point for both channels CH1 and CH2.
4. Observe the voltage and the current waveforms on the
CRO.
5. Determine the current amplitude.
6. Determine the phase shift between the voltage and the
current signals.
d
Phase shift = .360 0
x

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2.
3.

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Vin

d
X
Results
R=

Current amplitude=

L=

Phase shift=
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Verify (check) that

The current magnitude is equal to I =

V
=
Z

.
R + (L) 2
L
2fL
= tan 1
.
The phase shift is equal to = tan 1
R
R
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8.

Connect a resistance box (0-10k) instead of the fixed

resistance.
Record the current amplitude and the phase shift for
different values of resistance (0, 1k, 2k, .., 10k)

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Results

Resistor's
value

Current
amplitude (A)

Phase shift

tan-(L /R)

0 k
1 k
2 k
3 k

5 k
6 k
7 k

9 k

8 k

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4 k

10 k

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Software Application
Use a software package to simulate the above circuit. Add a copy of
the simulated circuit and the result to this report.
Comment
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Assignment
Draw the phase diagram showing the input voltage, voltage across
the inductor, the voltage across the resistor and the circuit current.

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Part 2: The R-C Circuit

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
To investigate the R-C circuit and determine the
relations govern the amplitude and the phase shift of the voltage
across the RC and the current flowing through it.
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Connect the circuit as shown in the following figure
I

CH1(Vin)
C

From function
generator

CH2(I)
R
Com

Record the values of the resistor and the capacitor.

Set the CRO as follows:
Connect CH1 to point A; this will measure the voltage
across the RC branch.
Connect CH2 to point B; this will measure the voltage
across the resistor.
The current in Amps = (voltage across the resistor R) /
(the value of the resistor R)
Note: Point Com is a common point for both channels CH1 and CH2.
4. Observe the voltage and the current waveforms on the
CRO.
5. Determine the current amplitude.
6. Determine the phase shift between the voltage and the
current signals.
d
Phase shift = .360 0
x
2.
3.

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I

Vin

X
Results

R=

Current amplitude=

C=

Phase shift=

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Verify (check) that

The current magnitude is equal to I =

V
=
Z

.
1 2
R +(
)
C
1
1
= tan 1
The phase shift is equal to = tan 1
.
RC
2fRC
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8.

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Connect a resistance box (0-10k) instead of the fixed

resistance.
Record the current amplitude and the phase shift for
different values of resistance (0, 1k, 2k, 10k).

Results

Resistor's
value

Current
amplitude (A)

Phase shift

tan-(1/ C R)

0 k
1 k
2 k
4 k
5 k
6 k
7 k
9 k

10 k

8 k

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3 k

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Software Application
Use a software package to simulate the above circuit. Add a copy of
the simulated circuit and the result to this report.
Comment
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Assignment
Draw the phasor diagram showing the input voltage, the voltage
across the capacitor, the voltage across the resistor and the circuit
current.

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Experiment (6)
Series resonance
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
It is required to investigate the effect of the
source's frequency on the behavior of a series circuit.
Resonance in electric circuits is defined as a steady state sinusoidal
condition that exists in circuits containing capacitance and
inductance (two energy storage elements) when the current is in
phase with the driving voltage and the driving frequency is greater
than 0Hz.
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Set the circuit as shown in figure.
R

Function
Generator

C
AVO(Vrms)

A
AVO(Irms)

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2.
3.
4.

5.
6.
7.

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8.

Record the value of the resistor, the inductor and the

capacitor.
1
Calculate the resonance frequency fr =
.
2 LC
Adjust the input voltage to be 5V (R.M.S.) and make sure it
is kept constant during the experiment (this is checked by
the voltmeter at each reading.)
Adjust the frequency of the supply to be lower than fr.
Measure the current using an ammeter.
Repeat step 6 for frequencies up to 10fr including the
resonance frequency.
Tabulate your results. Make sure that the power supply
voltage is kept constant at 5V at each reading.

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Results
Frequency (f)

Current (I)

Input impedance(Zin=Vin/I)

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Software Application
Use a software package to simulate the above circuit. Add a copy of
the simulated circuit and the result to this report.
Comment
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