TITLE : Series and Parallel Circuit Resistances

OBJECTIVES:
1. To be able to apply Kirchhoffs Voltage Law and Kirchhoffs Current Law for
Series and Parallel Circuit Resistances .
2. To find the equivalent resistances for series, parallel and combinations of two
of them.
3. To measure and calculate the voltage and current of the resistances.
INTRODUCTION:
Kirchhoffs Voltage Law (KVL)
Kirchhoffs voltage law states that the algebraic sum of voltage in a loop is equal to
zero. Mathematically, Kirchhoffs Voltage Law can be states as:
Vloop = 0
Figure below shows a closed loop circuit of an electrical network. Using Kirchhoffs
voltage law in clockwise direction, it is determined that V2 and V3 are positive (due to
the arrow entering positive point) while V1 and V4 are negative (due to the arrow
entering negative point). The relationship between V1 , V2 , V3 and V4 can be written
as
V1 + V 4 = V 2 + V 3

Kirchhoffs Current Law (KCL)

Kirchhoffs current law states that the algebraic sum of current at a node is equal to
zero. Mathematically, Kirchhoffs current law can be states as
Inode = 0
Figure below shows a node in an electric circuit. Current I1 and I3 enter a node while
current I2, I4 and I5 exit the node. Using equation (2.1), we could write the
relationship between I1, I2, I3, I4, and I5 as
I1 + I3 = I2 + I4 +I5
PROCEDURES:
Series and Parallel Circuit

1. The values of the resistors were read and recorded.

2. Theoretically the voltages VAB , VBC, VCD and current IT in the figure were
calculated if the given voltage is E = 6V.
3. The Kirchoffs voltage law holds for both loops in the circuit in Figure was
showed theoretically by calculating the voltages across resistances R1, R2, R3
and R4.
4. The circuit in Figure was assembled and the voltage supply at 6V was set.
5. The voltages across resistance R1, R2. R3, R4 and the voltage supply E were
measured using multimeter at suitable range. The current that flows through
resistance R1, R2, R3, R4. The measurements were recorded in the Table.
6. Kirchoffs volatage law for both loops in figure was proved from this experiment
by measuring voltage across R1, R2, R3, R4.
7. The theoretical calculations for different values of voltage supply E as well as
the measurement were repeated and recorded in Table.
8. The observations gathered were discussed from this experiment.
RESULTS:
E = 6V E = 12V E = 15V
calculation measurement calculation measurement calculation measurement
E 6.00 6.01 12.00 12.03 15.00 15.00
VR1 4.23 4.23 8.46 8.48 10.58 10.56
VR2 0.84 0.85 1.68 1.70 2.10 2.12
VR3 0.84 0.85 1.68 1.70 2.10 2.12
VR4 0.93 0.93 1.86 1.85 2.33 2.32
IR1 4.23 mA 4.22 mA 8.46 mA 8.61 mA 10.58 mA 10.72 mA
IR2 3.82 mA 3.84 mA 7.64 mA 7.73 mA 9.55 mA 9.60 mA
IR3 0.42 mA 0.43 mA 0.84 mA 0.86 mA 1.05 mA 1.07 mA
IR4 4.23 mA 4.28 mA 8.46 mA 8.62 mA 10.58 mA 10.70 mA

DISCUSSION:
For E = 6V.
Based on the theoretical calculation,
Total voltage flowing through the circuit = VAB + VBC + VCD
= 4.23 + 0.84 + 0.93
= 6.000 V.
Based on the experimental result,
E = 6.00V.
Total voltage flowing through the circuit
= VAB + VBC + VCD
= VR1 + (VR2 + VR3)/2 + VR4
= 4.23 + 0.85 + 0.93
= 6.01V
For E = 12V.
Based on the theoretical calculation,
Total voltage flowing through the circuit
= VAB + VBC + VCD
= 8.46 + 1.68 + 1.86
= 12.00 V.
Based on the experimental result,
E = 12.00V.
Total voltage flowing through the circuit
= VAB + VBC + VCD
= VR1 + (VR2 + VR3)/2 + VR4
= 8.48 + 1.70 + 1.85
= 12.03V
For E = 15V.
Based on the theoretical calculation,
Total voltage flowing through the circuit
= VAB + VBC + VCD
= 10.58 + 2.10 + 2.33
= 15 V.

Based on the experimental result,

E = 15.00V.
Total voltage flowing through the circuit
= VAB + VBC + VCD
= VR1 + (VR2 + VR3)/2 + VR4
= 10.56 + 2.12 + 2.32
= 15.00V
Based on the calculations, we can see that there are differences between most of the
theoretical values and the experimental values. The errors are unavoidable since the
range of the readings of the multimeter is rather big. Thus, we couldnt get the exact
value, but just a reading around the accurate value, so this gives rise to the error
percentages shown in the table. Besides that, there is also internal resistance in the
multimeter itself, which relates to the formula E = V + Ir, where r is the internal
resistance. We then get V = E Ir, which shows the actual voltage flowing through the
circuit, V to be slightly less than the E value. However, we can see that all the values
obtained from the experiment are almost the same with the theoretical values.
Therefore the overall experimental result is acceptable and is compatible with the
theory.
CONCLUSION:
From this experiment, we can observe that all the voltage values obtained are almost
the same as the values obtained from the theoretical calculation. The algebraic sum
of all the voltages flowing through the components is around the same value as the
theoretical value of the overall voltage in the circuit as well. Thus, it is proven that
Kirchoffs voltage law is correct by saying that the algebraic sum of voltage drop is
equal to the algebraic sum of voltage rise around a closed loop circuit at any particular
time.
 EEE 3100: TECHNOLOGY OF
ELECTRIC AND ELECTRONIC
SEMESTER 1 (2017/2018)

LAB REPORT
Lecturer: Dr Hafiz Rashidi Bin Ramli

Lab Title: Series and Parallel Circuit Resistances

Name: Mohamad Halif Bin Hussin
Matrix Number: 178954
Partner: Izzaty Natasya Bt Mohd Fauzi 180470

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC

ENGINEERING
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA