Experiment 2

Title: Resistance Measurement, Ohm's law, Series&Parallel resistance and dc circuits

Resistor color code

Objective:
To determine the value of resistors from their Electronic Industries Association (E/A)
color code.
Determine the total resistance of a series and parallel network using multimeter.
Correctly measure the voltages of a series and parallel dc circuit.
Become increasingly familiar with the use of the multimeter and breadboard.
Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the session, the students should be able to measure and determine the value of
the resistor, to determine the total resistance of a series and parallel network using multimeter
and correctly measure the voltages of a series and parallel dc circuit.
Apparatus:
DC supplies
Digital multimeter.
Resistors: 100, 220, 330, 680, 470, 1k, 2.2k, 68k, 100k, 330k, 1M and
1.2M.
Background:
Color code
The ohm is the unit of resistance, and it is represented by the symbol (Greek letter omega).
Resistance value are indicated by a standard color code that manufacturers have adopted.
This code uses color band on the body of resistor. The colors and their numerical values are
given in the resistor color chart. Table 2.o. This code is used for 1/8W, 1/4W, 1/2W, 2W, and
3W resistors. (W stands for watt, and this rating is the power dissipation ability of the
resistor).
The basic resistor is shown in figure 2.0. The standard color code marking consists of four
bands around the body of the resistor. The color of the first band indicates the first significant
figure of the resistance value. The second band indicates the second significant figure. The
color of the third band indicates the number of zeros that follow the first two significant
figures:
A gold band means t he resistance is 1/10 the value of the first two significant
figures.
A silver band means that the resistance is 1/100 the value of the first two significant
figures.
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The fourth band indicates the percent tolerance of the resistance. Percent tolerance in the
amount the resistance may vary from the value indicated by the color code. Because resistors
are mass produced, variations in materials will affect their actual resistance. Many circuits
can still operate as designed even if the resistor in the circuit does not have the precise value
specified. Tolerances are usually given as plus or minus the nominal, or color code value. The
color code on each resistor defines the central or nominal value about which the actual value
ranges, the 'width' of the range is defined by the tolerance. The nominal value is that central
value of resistance that the resistor would have if its tolerance were 0 percent. i.e.
[the nominal value - %tolerance*the nominal value/100] < the acual value < [the nominal
value + %tollerance*the nominal value/100]
Wirewound, high-wattage resistors usually are not color coded but have the resistance
value and wattage rating printed on the body of resistor. To avoid having to write all the zeros
for high value resistors the metric abbreviations of k (for 1000) and M for (1000000) are
used. For example:
33,000 can be written as 33k. (pronounce 33 kay, or 33 kilohms)
1,200,000 can be written as 1.2M. (pronounced 1.2 meg, or 1.2 megohms).
Table 2.0:Resistor color code.

Figure 2.0: resistor color code

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School of Engineering
ID

:______________________________________

)ame : _____________________________________
Batch : _____________________________________

MARKS

Lab Title
: Circuit Theory 1 / Circuit Analysis 1
Experiment 2 : Resistance Measurement, Ohm's law, Series&Parallel dc circuits

Objectives:
To determine the value of resistors from their Electronic Industries Association (E/A)
color code.
Determine the total resistance of a series and parallel network using multimeter.
Correctly measure the voltages of a series and parallel dc circuit.
Become increasingly familiar with the use of the multimeter and breadboard
Experiment Outcome:
At the end of the session, the students should be able to measure and determine the value of
the resistor, to determine the total resistance of a series and parallel network using multimeter
and correctly measure the voltages of a series and parallel dc circuit.
Equipment/Apparatus:
DC supplies
Digital multimeter.
Resistors: 100, 220, 330, 680, 470, 1k, 2.2k, 68k, 100k, 330k, 1M and
1.2M.
Safety Measures:

Part 1

Resistor color code

1. Use the color code to determine the nominal value in each case and record them
(smallest value first) in Table 2.1.
2. Record the tolerance and the resulting theoretical maximum and minimum values for
each resistor.
3. Measure and record the actual value of the resistance, and check to see whether or not
this value falls between the calculated limits in step 2.
Table 2.1
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Part 2

BAND COLOR
2
3

NOMINAL
RESISTANCE ()

TOLERENCE
%

- METER
READING

Setting the Output Voltage of a dc Power Supply with a Digital

Multimeter (DMM)

a) For the DMM, always start with the higher ranges of setting and work down to the
operating level to avoid damaging the instrument.
b) Turn on the power supply and set to the voltage levels, E = 0 V.
c) Connect the DMM to the dc power supply as shown in Figure 2.1

Figure 2.1
d) Record the measured value of V(DMM) in Table 2.2.
e) Repeat the measurement for voltage levels, E at 1 V, 2V, 3V, 4V and 5V. Record all
results in Table 2.2.
f) Make sure to remove the DMM from the dc supply each time the voltage levels, E is
set.

Table 2.2

V (DMM)

1V
2V
3V
4V
5V

Part 3

Two Series Resistors

a) Measure the resistance level using DMM and record the value in the space provided
in Figure 2.2.

Figure 2.2

R1 (measured)

R2 (measured)

b) Construct the circuit of Figure 2.2.

c) Calculate the total resistance, RT using the measured resistor values. Show all work!
Apply units to all results.

Total resistance, RT (calculated)

d) Measure the total resistance, RT using the DMM.

Total resistance, RT (measured)

Part 4

Basic Measurements of Series DC Circuits

a) Measure all the resistance level using DMM and record the value in the space
provided in Figure 2.3.

5V

Figure 2.3
R1 (measured) =

R2 (measured) =

R3 (measured) =
b) Construct the circuit of Figure 2.3.
c) Set the dc supply, E = 5V.
d) Measure the voltage across the supply and across each resistor with the DMM,
making sure to note the polarity of the voltage across each element. Record the
voltages below.
E (measured) =

V1 (measured) =

V2 (measured) =

V3(measured) =

e) Now calculate the current, I using Ohms law. Show all work!

I (calculated) =
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Part 5

Two Parallel Resistors

a) Measure all the resistance level using DMM and record the value in the space
provided in Figure 2.4.

Figure 2.4

R1 (measured) =

R2 (measured) =

b) Construct the circuit of Figure 2.4.

c) Using the measured resistor values, calculate the total resistance, RT. Show all work!
Apply units to the result.

Total resistance, RT (calculated)

d) Using the DMM, measure the total resistance of the network of Figure 2.4
Total resistance, RT (measured)

=
8

Part 6

Basic Measurements of Parallel DC Circuits

a) Measure all the resistance level using DMM and record the value in the space
provided in Figure 2.5.

5V

Figure 2.5
R1 (measured) =

R2 (measured) =

b) Construct the circuit of Figure 2.5 and set the dc supply, E = 5V.
c) Measure the voltage across the supply and across each resistor with the DMM,
making sure to note the polarity of the voltage across each element. Record the
voltages below.
E (measured) =
VR2 (measured) =
e) Now calculate the current I, I1 and

I (calculated) = ..

VR3 (measured) =

I2 using Ohms law. Show all work!

I1 (calculated) = ..

I2 (calculated) = ..
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Discussion:

Conclusion:

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