Electrical Principles Lab Manual

ELECTRICAL PRINCIPLES LABORATORY

EEPW-2150
BASIC SAFETY PRACTICES

Wear your lab coat inside the laboratory.

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Maintain discipline in labs switch off mobile phones.
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by a teacher or technician.
Select the proper range to measure ion multi meter equipments.
Switch off the multi meter and equipments.
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foils.
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Push the Red button in case of
EMERGENCY.
IF UNSURE ASK.
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Electrical Principles Lab Manual

List of Experiments

Sl.
No

Experiment Name

Pages

Power in DC circuits

Kirchhoffs Voltage Law (KVL) &

Kirchhoffs Current Law (KCL)

14

Thevenins theorem

19

Nortons Theorem

24

Superposition Theorem

29

Maximum Power Transfer Theorem

32

Study of Capacitors

37

Study of inductors

41

Transformers

43

10

RLC Circuit

48

11

Study of CRO

55

Engineering Department
Principles

Electrical

Electrical Principles Lab Manual

Experiment : 1

Electrical Principles Lab Manual

Electrical Principles Lab Manual

1.7 Result:
The Resultant values of Resistances are calculated for different values of the Currents.
Fig 1.3 shows the relationship between the Voltage (X-axis) and the Current I (Y-axis).The value of
the resultant resistance is equal to the inverse of the slope of the straight line drawn.

1.8 Conclusion:

Electrical Principles Lab Manual

1.3 The Resistor Colour Codes:The value of the resistors used in electronic applications is coded with the colors printed on the
component:
Fig 1.1shows how color codes are used to measure the resistance of resistors

1 stripe: first (left hand)

Digit for a reading
2 stripe: second digit
3 stripe:
number
of
zeroes which are added
to the two digits
4 stripe: tolerance (as a
percentage)
Fig 1.1 Resistance measurement using color codes

Table 1.1 Table showing the colors and corresponding digits

Color

Digit 1st and

2nd stripe

Multiplier
3rd stripe

Accuracy %
4rth stripe

Black
Brown
Red

0
1
2

-1%
2%

Orange
Yellow
Green
Blue
Violet
Grey
White
Gold
Silver
None

3
4
5
6
7
8
9
-

1 or 100
10 or 101
100 or 102
1000 or 103
104
105
106
107
10
10
0.1 10-1
0.01 10-2
-

-------5%
10%
20%

Electrical Principles Lab Manual

1. Write the value of Resistance for following Colors

Brown Black Red

Red Orange

Gold

Silver

Brown Green Brown Gold

Engineering Dept

Electrical principles
EXPERIMENT No 2

Title: -

KIRCHHOFFS LAWS
(KCL AND KVL)

Kirchhoffs current law states that the algebraic sum of the currents at a junction is equal
to Zero. The Kirchhoffs Voltage law states that the sum of the voltages drops in closed loop
Equal to zero.
3.1 Objectives
1. To verify the Kirchhoffs laws
2. To test the Result by theoretical calculations

3.2 EQUIPMENT REQUIRED

1. D C Trainer Kit
2. Multimeter
3.3 Checking Kirchhoffs Law for Currents
Connect the jumpers J25, J27, J28, J29, insert the mA Ammeter between the points 29-30,
and the voltmeter between the points 31-32 to obtain the circuit of the Fig 3.1

Fig 3.1

measure the voltage V and the current I produced by the power supply
connect the ammeter in the place of the jumpers J25 (points 33-34) and J27 (points 35-36)
according to the diagram of Fig 3.2, and measure the currents IA1 and IA2
insert J24.

Fig. 3.2

with the help of the ammeter's polarity, the voltages across the resistances R12, R13
and the power supply voltage, define the cur- rents I, IA1, IA2 for the node A:
Note the currents I, IA1, IA2 and their directions, for node A (Currents into the node are positive;
Those out of the node are negative)
With these data we say that Kirchhoff's principle: IA1+IA2+I=0 applied to the node A is proved

(allowing for small errors)

IA1 =
IA2 =

I A1 + I A2 = I

3.4 Readings and Calculations

3.5 Experimental Verification of Kirchhoffs Voltage Law

Connect the jumpers J31, J34, the ammeter between 45-46 and the voltmeter between 4748 as in the Fig 3.3 given below

Fig 3.3
measure the voltage, V and current, I produced by the power supply
then move the voltmeter to measure the voltage across the terminals of the each of the
resistors R15, R17, R18. Record the voltage across the terminals of each resistor in the
following table
calculate, using the measured value of I (VI=RI I), the voltage across each resistor, and
record these values in the same table, also
add the different values of Vi obtained
Table 3.4 showing the Currents and the Voltages for Kirchhoffs Laws
VR 15 (V)

VR 17 (V)

VR 18(V)

Vi

V (V)

Measured
Value

Calculated
Value

The results obtained verified the Kirchhoffs voltage law: V=VR15+VR17+VR18

I(mA)

3.6

Calculations:

3.7

Result:

3.8

Conclusion :-

The Results shows that the algebraic sum of the currents at a junction is equal to zero and the
Algebraic sum of the voltage drops in a closed loop is equal to zeros. Which verifies the Kirchhoffs
laws .

Engineering Dept

Electrical principles

Experiment 3.
TITLE: - THEVENINS THEOREM
The Thevenins theorem states the current in any branch of the network is that which would result if
an emf equal to the potential difference across a break made in the branch, were introduced in the
branch, all other e.m.fs being removed and represented by the internal resistances of the source.
4.1 Objectives:1. To verify the Thevenins Theorem
2. To calculate the current in a branch using Thevenins theorem

To calculate the equivalent Thevenins resistance Rth

4.2 EQUIPMENT REQUIRED
1. D C Trainer Kit
2. Multimeter
4.3 Measuring the Resistance and the Voltage across the Terminals of a Series-Parallel Circuit.
Connect jumpers J38, J40, J43 and the voltmeter between 52-53, to produce the circuit of
figure 4.1.

Fig 4.1
measure the voltage present across points 52-53
disconnect the jumper J38 and connect jumper J39 (replace the supply with a short circuit)
set the multimeter to the ohmmeter function, and measure the resistance between 52 and 53

Calculations

4.4 Calculation of the Equivalent voltage Vthe and the Series Resistance Rthe of the
PreviousCircuit
VTh and RTh result:
V Th =

R Th =

Measured Value:
---------

Rth
Vth ____

4.5 Calculations

R20
----------------- V
R19 + R 20
R21 +

R20 x R19
----------------R19 + R 20

4.6 Experimental Testing of Thevenins Theorem

Connect a load resistance (R22) to the circuit examined earlier. Then: disconnect jumper J39;
connect J38; connect the ammeter between points 52-53; disconnect J43 and replace it with
a voltmeter (points54-55) in order to produce the circuit of Fig 4.2
measure the voltage VR22 and the current IR22
construct the Thevenins equivalent circuit (figure 4 . 2 b) as follows:
disconnect jumper J40
adjust RV6 to obtain a resistance equal to RTh calculated previously
(With the ohmmeter, measure across the trimmer terminals)
check that the voltage Vcc available on the point 51 has a value equal to the VTh
calculated before
connect jumper J41
measure the voltage VR22 and the current IR22, once again

Fig. 4.2

4.7 Result

4.8 Conclusion :The results show that the Thevenins theorem is verified, since the measured and the calculated
values are matching.

Engineering Dept

Electrical principles

Experiment No 4
:Title :- NORT0NS THEOREM

2. Calculate the
Current through a
Load resistance using
Nortons theorem.

5.1 Objectives: 1. Veriify the Nortons Theorem.

5.2 EQUIPMENT REQUIRED

1. D C Trainer Kit
2. Multimeter
5.3 THEORY
The theorem states that a circuit seen from two points A and B can be replaced by an
equivalent circuit consisting of an equivalent current generator IN , in parallel with an
equivalent resistance RN (figure E08.1).
IN and RN is calculated as follows:
the equivalent current generator is the short-circuit current IN t h a t flows between points A
and B
the equivalent resistance RN is defined in the same way as RTh of
Thevenin's theorem.
3. You can switch from the Thevenins to the Norton's equivalent circuit, and vice versa, using the
following relations:
RN = RTh

IN = VTh/RTh

fig.5.1

Calculations

5.2 Resistance and Current Measurement in a Series-parallel Circuit

Connect jumpers J38, J40, J43 and the ammeter between 52-53, to produce the circuit of
Fig 5.2

Ifig 5.2
measure the current
disconnect jumper J38 and connect jumper J39
using an ohmmeter, measure the equivalent resistance of the circuit seen from points 52-53

5.3 Calculation of the Equivalent Current IN and the Parallel Resistance RN

Applying Norton's theorem, calculate the equivalent current IN and the parallel resistance RN of
the previous circuit. Compare the results with the measured values.
5.3 Experimental Test of Nortons Theorem
prearrange the ammeter between 52-53, insert J38, and disconnect the jumpers J39 and
J43, insert the voltmeter between the points 54-55 to obtain the diagram shown in the Fig5.3

a)

b)
Fig 5.3

using the Norton equivalent circuit, calculate the voltage VR22 and the current IR22
measure the voltage VR22 and the current IR22

Calculations:

Result:

Experiment No 5
TITLE: -

SUPERPOSITION PRINCIPLE

2. To Test the Superposition theorem

experimentally

OBJECTIVES
1. To apply superposition Theorem

EQUIPMENT REQUIRED
1.

DC Trainer Kit

2.

Multimeters

6.1

Experimental Verification of the Superposition Principle

Fig 6.1
6.2 Procedure:Produce the circuit of F i g 6 . 1 , connecting the jumpers J30, J32, J34, J35, J36, the
voltmeter between 47-48 and adjust RV5 to obtain a voltage of 5 V on the voltmeter
measure the total current I across the points 45-46, and the current
IR15 by inserting the ammeter in place of J34
measure the voltage VR16 across R16
adjust RV5 to obtain a voltage of3V, repeat the previous measurements, recording the
data obtained in the following table.
5. Complete the table with the values of IR16 and VR18
Suppose that RV5 has been adjusted so that the voltage indicated

add the values calculated for the voltages of .5 and 3V and record the results on the third line of
the table
verify the superposition principle, calculating: I, VR//, V18, IR15 and
IR16 for a voltage value equal to 8 V.
6.3 Table showing the different currents and the voltages using the Superposition theorem
Req

IR 15

IR 16

VR //

VR 18

V= 5 V
V = 3V
Sum of the
effect
V= 8 V

sum the results of the first 2 lines: this is the total effect of the two voltages acting
separately
adjust RV5 to obtain a voltage of 8 V
measure again I, IR15, IR16, VR15, VR18

6.4 Calculations

6.5 Result

Experiment No 6

: Title :-

MAXIMUM POWER TRANSFER

OBJECTIVE
the T o f i n d t h e conditions for the maximum power transfer between a
generator and its load
EQUIPMENT REQUIRED
DC Trainer Kit
Multimeter

E7.1 BASIC THEORY

A power supply source cannot be considered a perfect voltage generator, as it has a resistance called "generator internal resistance" (Rs).
Taking Rs into account, the generator can be represented as in figure
E12.1.

fig.7.1

If:

E = open circuit e.g. supplied by the generator

Rs = generator internal resistance
RL = load resistance (user)
VRL = voltage across RL

7.2 Circuit diagram: - the circuit to be analyzed is given below

The circuit to be analyzed is shown in figure E12.2, where the +12V produced by the
power supply c a n be considered as the open circuit e.g. of the generator, the resistance
R10 its internal resistance, RV3 in parallel to R11 as the load. As the internal resistance
of the power supply is much less than R10, the internal resistance (Rs) of the source seen
between terminals A and B can be considered the same as R10.

Fig 7.3

connect jumpers J21, J23 (this is to obtain the parallel of RV3 andR11)
adjust the potentiometer RV3 to obtain a total resistance of 100 ohms
across RV3//R11
connect the ammeter between points 23-26, to produce the circuit of
fig.E12.2
in these conditions, measure: the current IL supplied by the generator

(It is the same as the load current) and the voltage VRL across the load (points A and B of figure)
points 27-28
repeat these measurements for the values of the load resistance given in the following
table

7.3 Table showing the values of the current and the load resistances

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900 1000

IL (mA)
VRL (V)
VRS (V)
PRL (mW)
PRs (mW)
Record the readings for the Maximum power transfer theorem in the tabular column

Calculate for each load value:

the voltage present across the terminals of the internal resistance
Rs (=R10)
the powers dissipated by the load resistance RL and by the
internal resistance Rs
Plot the graphs of:
"load current IL against load resistance RL"
"load voltage VRL against load resistance RL" and "voltage
VRs across the internal resistance Rs of the generator against
load resistance RL
"power PRL in the load RL against load RL" and power PRs in
the internal resistance Rs against load RL"
analyze these curves, and particularly the behaviour of PRL as
the ratio RL/Rs varies

Fig. 7.4

Experiment No 7
Title : STUDY OF CAPACITORS AND INDUCTORS

Objectives

to experimentally test the operation of a capacitor as a dc blocking

device
to use a capacitor as an energy store

Equipment required
: DC power supply, Capacitors, AC Trainer kit

8.1 THEORY
A capacitor consists of two parallel conducting layers, separated by an
insulator. When charged, each has an equal charge, but of opposite sign.
The t w o c o n d u c t o r s a r e sometimes called the plates, while the
insulator between them is called the dielectric.
In a capacitor, the amount of charge stored is directly proportional to the
dc voltage applied across the plates. The relationship between the
voltage V, applied across the capacitor, and the quantity of stored charge
Q, is:
Q = CV
A capacitor of one Farad is very large, and in practice submultiples are
used:
MF = milliFarad = 1 / 1000 F = 10 -3 F
F = microfarad = 1 / 1000 mF = 10 -6 F
NF = nanoFarad = 1 / 1000 F = 10 -9 F
PF = Pico Farad = 1 / 1000 NF = 10 -12 F

Functioning of a capacitor

Set the multimeter for ac

connect jumpers J1, J4, J7, J11, the voltmeter between points 1-2 and
the ammeter between points 3-4 to produce the circuit of figure E13.1

Fig. 8.1

measure the voltage V across the capacitor and the current I flowing

disconnect the jumpers and set the instruments for D.C.

measurements
set the dc. Voltage supply VCC to 25 V
connect jumpers J2, J4, J6, J12 and repeat the previous
measurements, from the moment the dc is connected.

8.2 Table showing the voltage and currents in AC and DC

Voltage
Ac

DC

Current

The capacitor as an energy storing device:

Adjust Vcc (variable power supply) to + 12V. Connect jumpers J3,

J5, J8, J12 and the voltmeter between points 1-2, to produce the
circuit of figure E13.2

Fig. 8.2

check that the voltage across the terminals of the capacitor is equal
to 12 V
disconnect the jumper J12 and then immediately connect J13
observe the behavior of LED 1

EXPERIMENT NO -8

TITLE :

INDUCTANCES and INDUCTORS

Objectives

to define the inductance of a coil

to measure the resistance of a coil using dc current

Introduction:9.1 THEORY
When an electrical current flows in an inductor, it creates a magnetic field.
A conductor inserted into a variable magnetic field has an induced
electromotive force across it, according to Lenz's law.
A conductor wound into a circular coil is called a solenoid. If a variable
current passes through the solenoid it generates a variable magnetic field
around the coil.
The unit of inductance is the Henry. It is the inductance of a circuit in
which a 1A variation of the current causes a variation of the self-linked
magnetic flux of 1 Weber.
Its submultiples are:
mH = milliHenry = 1 / 1000 H = 10-3 H
H = micro Henry = 1 / 1000 mH = 10-6 H
The inductance of a coil reflects the effect of the self-induced voltage.
Generally, we can say that an inductor will oppose any change in the
current through it, by producing a voltage across its terminals in
opposition to the change.

9.2 Measurement of the dc resistance of a coil

Connect jumpers J19, J20, J23, J16, the voltmeter between points 5-6
and the ammeter between points 7-8 to produce the circuit of figure
E14.1

Fig. 9.1

insert J15 briefly. Measure the current I through the inductor and the
voltage V across it. Disconnect J15 to avoid overheating of the coil
calculate the coil resistance

Experiment No: 9

Title: -

The TRANSFORMER

Objectives

To carry out no-load tests on a transformer and measurement of the

transformation ratio
To use a transformer as an autotransformer

Equipment required
(power supply modules .PSU/EV, support for modules modules .MU/EV),
Experiment module MCM2/EV
multimeter

Introduction:The transformer is a static Device w h o s e operation is based on the

principle of mutual induction.
It consists of a core of ferromagnetic material on which two coils (or
Windings) are wound. The coils may have different numbers of turns
If an a.c. current flows through the first coil (the primary winding), the
magnetic field generated will be variable, and so there will be a flux
variation in the secondary winding. This will then induce an a.c. voltage
across the secondary. If the secondary is connected to a load, e.g. a
resistive load, an a.c. current will flow through it.
For an ideal transformer (with windings resistance of zero and no
magnetic losses between primary and secondary), the electrical power in
the primary will be equal to that in the secondary:
V1 I1 = V2 I2
For an ideal transformer we also have the following relationship:
Vp Np
Vs Ns n

Where

Vp and Vs are the rms values of voltages across primary and

secondary
Np and Ns are the number of turns for each winding
n is the transformation ratio
A similar relation is true also for the currents:
Is Np
Ip Ns n
in which Ip and Is are now the rms values of the currents.
As a transformer enables the voltage / current ratio to be varied, it is possible
to use it for impedance matching.
In fact, if the secondary is connected to an impedance Zs, the impedance seen
by the primary, Zp, will be related to Zs by:
Zp = n Zs
In some applications a particular type of transformer, known as an
autotransformer is used. The autotransformer is a device which has a single
winding, with a suitable intermediate tap or connection point. From the
electrical point of view, the operation of this device is similar to that of an
ordinary transformer.
The advantages of the autotransformer are the reduced size, weight, and a
higher efficiency. A disadvantage of the device, however, is the fact that the
2 windings are not electrically separated, or isolated.

Measurement of the transformation ratio

Connect jumpers J41, J42 to produce the circuit of figure E20.1

fig.11.1

connect the voltmeter across first, the primary (points 17-18), and
then the secondary (points 19-21)
measure the voltages and record in the following table

V17-18

V19-21

V20-21

V19-20

Next move the voltmeter across the two secondary windings (points
20-21 and 19-20), measure the secondary voltages of the transformer and
enter the results into the table
calculate the transformation ratio, n, for each winding
Disconnect jumpers J41, J42 and connect jumpers J44 and J45, to produce
the circuit of figure E20.2

fig 11.2

The Autotransformer:An auto transformer is a transformer having only one winding

and the secondary, the autotransformer is used for step
variation of the out put voltages .

Connect only jumpers J44 and J45, to produce the circuit of figure
E20.4. Connect the voltmeter between points 19-21

Fig11.3

calculate the transformation ratio from the ratio between the

measured voltage and the power supply voltage (24 Vrms)
knowing that the secondary of the transformer is divided into 2 equal
windings, calculate the theoretical transformation ratio (the ratio of the
number of turns between points 20-21 and between points 19-21)

Calculations:

Result:

Experiment no 10

RLC CIRCUIT

Engineering Department

Experiment no :11

Electrical Principles

Cathode Ray Oscilloscope (CRO) Operation

Aim:

1)

Explain the operation or effect of each control on a simple oscilloscope.

2)

Display an unknown sinusoidal electrical signal on an oscilloscope and measure its

amplitude and frequency.

3)

Display a non-sinusoidal periodic electrical signal on an oscilloscope and sketch its

time dependence.

NOTE: 1 millisecond = 1 ms = 1 x 10-3 sec

1 s = 1 x 10microsecond = 1 -6 sec
1 millivolt = 1 mV = 1 x 10-3 volts
1 V = 1 x 10microvolt = 1 -6 volts
PROCEDURE:
1. Returning the CS 4125A Oscilloscope to Mid-Range or Nominal Conditions.
a) First disconnect all input cables to your oscilloscope except the rear power cable.
b) Find the following controls and set their nominal values:
(In the following, LCD refers to the Liquid Crystal Display screen to the right of the main
screen.)

Control
INPUTS
POWER
INTENS(ITY)
FOCUS
ILLUM(INATION)
MODE
SOURCE
VERT MODE
SLOPE
TRIGGER LEVEL
CH1 (Y); CH2 (X)
POSITION
VARIABLE
VOLTS/DIV
AC-GND-DC
HORIZONTAL
POSITION
VARIABLE
SWEEP TIME/DIV
X 10 MAG

Setting
DISCONNECTED
ON
MID-RANGE
MID-RANGE
OFF
AUTO
VERT
CH1 (CH2: OFF)
+
12 OCLOCK
12 OCLOCK
CAL
5 V/DIV
GND
12 OCLOCK
CAL
0.2ms/DIV
OFF

Notes
(switch in, LCD light on)

(knob fully anti clockwise)

Mid-range

(knob fully clockwise)

Mid-range
(knob fully clockwise)

c) Next after checking the power source voltage ratings, switch the POWER control on. The
pilot lamp will light up, and a trace will appear in 10 to 15 sec. Check to see that rotating the
INTEN controls to the right increases trace brightness, and rotating it to the left decreases
brightness
2. Adjustments
a) Adjust the FOCUS and INTENSITY controls for a sharp and reasonably bright line.
b) Rotate the Y POSITION knob associated with the A-Channel (top knob) and move the
horizontal line up and down on the screen. Set the line in the middle of the screen.
c) Set the display to both Channel A and B simultaneously: "A" and "B" indicated on the LCD.
d) Rotate the X & Y POSITION knobs for both channels A and B. Notice that the signal moves
up and down on the screen and note the independence of the two controls. Reset both to
the center of the screen and then set the display for Channel A only.
e) Plug the probe into the INPUT jacks of each channel. Set the AC-GND-DC control at DC and
the VERT MODE control at CH1.Plug the CH1 probe to the CAL terminal and set the
VOLTS/DIV control at 20mV/DIV. Adjust the POSITION control so that all of the waveform
can be seen.
3. View the input signal from the signal generator (set to 60Hz)
The Signal Generator produces a "Signal" which is simply an electrical voltage which varies over
time. We will be using sine-wave signals in this lab, i.e., the voltage varies in time like a sine
wave, oscillating between a positive and a negative voltage with some frequency. The "output"
signal from the generator becomes the "input" signal to the oscilloscope when the cable is
connected.
a) Attach the output of the SIGNAL GENERATOR to the channel A input of the oscilloscope
using the probe.
b) Turn the SIGNAL GENERATOR on using the switch on the back of the unit. Set it to Hz and
increase frequency to 60 using the FREQUENCY knob. Adjust the signal amplitude to an easy to
measure size by changing the VOLTS/DIV control setting of the oscilloscope. Next, adjust the
horizontal SWEEP TIME/DIV control to attain an easy to measure display. Leave the VARIABLE
control to CAL. Set the AC-GND-DC to AC.
c) Sketch below the signal you see on the screen. Label what both the horizontal and vertical
axis represents.
(On the oscilloscope screen, each little box is 1 cm on each side.)

d) Rotate the X POS control and observe its effects. Position the 60 Hz signal so that the left
most edge of the trace begins at the left edge of the screen.
Q:

What is the effect of the HORIZONTAL POSITION control on the trace?

4. Peak-to-Peak Voltage Measurement (Turn the digital memory back on)

a) Adjust the amplitude of the input signal from the signal generator, using the AMPLITUDE
knob at lower left of the signal generator, until the trace is 4 cm from top to bottom.
b) Work the (up-down) POSITION control so that one of the points to be measured falls on the
horizontal graduation lines.
c) Work the (left-right) POSITION control so that the point falls on the vertical scale at the
center of the CRT screen.
d) Measure the vertical distance between the two points (peak-to-peak) and multiply that value
by the VOLTS/DIV setting. When using a probe, also multiply the value by the probes
attenuation rate.
VP-P = Vertical distance (div) x VOLTS/DIV setting x probe attenuation rate.
VP-P = _________ x _______________ x ___________ =

_________ Volts

e) Using the sensitivity adjustment, you can change the height of the trace on the screen
without changing the actual input voltage. Change the volts/div sensitivity of the oscilloscope
screen by raising or lowering the VOLTS/DIV knob. Notice the change in the height of the
signal. You can estimate the height of the signal both before and after the change by
counting the little boxes which are each 1 cm square.

Q: What is the result of changing the sensitivity of the meter from the 1V/division setting to the
2V/division setting?
Change in the height of the signal = _____________________
New Vpp reading from the cursors = _____________V
Q: Did the peak-to-peak voltage change when you changed the oscilloscope from the 1V setting
to the 2V setting?

Q: What would you have to do to change the input voltage?

Q: When you use this instrument to measure an unknown voltage, how would you decide which
setting (for voltage and time base) to use? How could you optimize the setting of the
oscilloscope to obtain the most accurate measurement? (Hint: Compare the error in the voltage
readings in the present and previous sensitivity settings.)

5. Frequency Measurement:
Next, we wish to determine how rapidly the signal is varying in time. Time is measured as a
horizontal distance on the screen. The sine-wave signal is cyclic: it repeats itself. The time it
takes to make one cycle is called the period of the signal. It has units of seconds. The inverse
of this quantity is the frequency. Whereas the period is the number of seconds per cycle, the

frequency is the number of cycles per second (units of 1/seconds). The unit of frequency is Hertz
(Hz). One Hertz equals one cycle per second.
Frequency (Hz) = 1/Period (sec.)
a) To measure time we need the HORIZONTAL frame of the scope. Time is displayed as the xaxis on the screen, so a constant time is marked by counting the divisions along vertical line,
for example, on two adjacent peaks or two adjacent valleys. The frequency can be calculated
by getting first the PERIOD, where period is the time needed to complete a cycle and can be
expressed in ms and s. Then using equation above frequency can be calculated.
PERIOD = (SWEEP TIME/DIV) x HORIZONTAL DISTANCE (DIV)

List down the values observed at the oscilloscope.

Period = ____________ x _____________ = _____________ sec
Frequency = ________________ hertz

b) You can change the time sensitivity of the oscilloscope by rotating knob labeled SWEEP
TIME/DIV. Record, then change, the time base; readjust POSITION if needed to observe
one cyclic process.
Old Time Base: _______________ New Time Base: ________________
Frequency = ___________________
Period = ______________________
Q: What is changed when the Time Base is put on a different setting?

Q: Does changing the Time Base setting change the Period of the signal?

7. Measurement of Signal Generator Signals:

Obtain a sinusoidal signal from the signal generator and display it on the scope. Set the
frequency of the signal to the first value given in the table below. Calculate the frequency and
the peak-to-peak voltage for each signal, using the oscilloscope. The results that you obtain on
the scope may be more accurate since this is the actual signal that is being produced rather than
the signal that we hope is being produced. Compare your results with the dial setting on the

generator. Complete the measurements for the four frequencies in the table and comment on
your results.

Frequency on Dial
Vpp
Period
Measured Frequency
(Hz)
(Volts)
(Sec.)
(Hz)
75
2000
8000
25000
Q:
What is the percent difference in the set and measured output frequency of the signal
generator for the selected frequencies of 25,000 Hz and 75 Hz? Show your calculations.

% for 25,000 Hz = __________%

% for 75 Hz = ______________%

Conclusion:

Result: