Laboratory 2: VOLTAGE AND CURRENT MEASUREMENT AND VERIFICATION OF

BASIC CIRCUIT PRINCIPLES

OBJECTIVES
To illustrate how voltages and currents are measured in direct current (DC) circuits and how
the voltage-current (v-i) characteristics of a resistor are calculated from voltage and current
measurements.
To verify fundamental circuit properties such as Ohms law and to illustrate series and
parallel DC resistive circuits.

INSTRUMENTS AND PARTS NEEDED

Power supply (PS): is used to power circuits.
Digital multimeter (DMM): is used to make measurements of current, voltage and resistance.
A Solderless Breadboard
A Switch
1 K (two), 2 K 10 K, 1 M Resistors

INTRODUCTION OF LAB EQUIPMENT

Multi-meter
We have more three types of multi-meters that we will use in class. In Lab 1, we have
briefly shown how to measure voltage with the multi-meter. Now, we would like to measure
the resistance of the resistors we will use. This is because resistors typically have some
variability. The best way to measure the resistance of a resistor is to plug the leads into the
breadboard and press the tips of the multi-meters probes into the same holes as the resistor
leads. The probe tips will not fit into the holes but they will fit just enough to help keep them
in place. The reason we do this instead of holding the resistor leads to the probes with our
fingers is because the resistance of the human body in the neighborhood of M and will act
as a parallel resistance. For fun, you could figure out an exact resistance by measuring a
known resistor and then holding it to the probe with your fingers.

For the resistor shown in Figure 1, we expect the resistor to be roughly 1 M, set the
dial on the multi-meter to 20 M. If you set the dial too low, the meter will display OL.
There are usually two or three settings that will display the resistance. You want to choose
the dial position that gives you the maximum decimal places.
 Figure 1: Resistance measurement of a 1.002 M resistor.

Next, we will measure the voltage across the resistors, which is also the PS voltage in
this case. Set the dial on the multi-meter to 20V and press the tips of the probe into the
same hole as either resistor or the green wire on the left and either resistor or green wire on
the right, Figure 2. You could turn the dial to the 200V position but then the meter would
read 5.0V instead of 5.01V. When you use the multi-meter as a voltmeter, the meter would
ideally have an infinite resistance, because it is also in parallel with the circuit we would
like for there to be minimal current flowing through it. Since this meter does not have an
infinite resistance, there may be some current draw, which would cause a loading error.
You will see this effect when you perform the resistive-capacitive circuit lab later in the
semester. You dont need to worry about this, just be aware of it.
 Figure 2 Voltage reading of the parallel resistors with a 5V voltage supply

Now we will measure current with the meter. When you measure current, you need to
put the meter in series with the circuit. If you put the meter in parallel you will blow a fuse.
BE CAREFUL NOT TO PUT THE METER IN PARALLEL WHEN IT IS IN CURRENT
MODE. From Kirchoffs current law we know that the current in the circuit is, i=i1+i2,
Figure 3.

Figure 3 Circuit diagram with branch currents.

Set the meter to 20mA/10A and move the green wire over a few columns so that the
circuit is no longer connected. The meter will connect the circuit when it is put in series,
Figure 4.
 Figure 4 Current measurement for i.

Now we want to measure i1. Remove the meter from the circuit and put the green wire
back where it was before the measurement. Now pull the leg of one of the resistors out of the
circuit and move it to another hole so that it is no longer in the circuit. The meter will
connect the resistor to the circuit again once it is in series with the resistor, Figure 5.

Figure 5 Technique used to measure i1 and a close-up of the technique.

There are two more uses for the multi-meter. The first one is the continuity tester. The
continuity tester lets you know if a lead or wire is free of resistance. Before building a circuit
it would be ideal if you test every wire and banana cable for continuity. This is done by
turning the meter dial to the three oclock position, shown in Figure 6. If a wire is free of
resistance, the meter will beep. Although the lab equipment has just been replaced, it is not
uncommon for things to break due to the high level of use in a semester.
 Figure 6 Continuity setting is boxed in red.

The second thing we will use the multi-meters for is measuring capacitance. Capacitance
is measured a little differently than the other things we use the multi-meter for. Begin by
shorting out the leads of the capacitor to resistor. Then plug each of the legs into one of
the two square holes, Figure 7, next the letters Cx on the meter. Set the dial to an
appropriate range, and you should see the capacitance.

Figure 7 Multi-meter used to measure the capacitance of a capacitor.

TESTING CIRCUIT CONNECTIONS
You will use an ohmmeter to test circuit connections. These tests are usually performed after
building the circuit. You will practice circuit connection testing on a single-pole, double-throw
switch (see Figure 8). The position of the switch determines which terminals are connected, A-B or
A-C. When two terminals of the switch are connected (terminals A-B in Figure 8), a short is
established between them, with virtually zero resistance. When two terminals of the switch are not
connected (terminals A-C in Figure 8), an open circuit exists between the terminals, with virtually
infinite resistance.

Getting familiar with the switch: Mark the terminals of the switch provided to you as A, B, and C.
Use an ohmmeter to verify that when terminal A is connected to terminal B, the resistance between
A-B is zero and the resistance between A-C is infinite (or very large).

B
A
C

Figure 8 A schematic of a switch.

EXPERIMENT 1: BASIC VOLTAGE AND CURCUIT MEASUREMENTS

VOLTAGE MEASUREMENT
The goal is to measure the voltage drop across a resistor. To do that, a voltmeter must be connected
across the resistor in parallel. You do not need to break the circuit connections when making voltage
measurements. The voltage between two points A and B is measured by connecting the two leads of
the voltmeter between A and B (refer to Figure 9). Note that the polarity in DC measurements is
important. If you want to measure the potential of point A with respect to point B, the red terminal of
the voltmeter should be connected to point A and the black terminal to point B.
Step 1: Set up the circuit shown on Figure 9 (without the voltmeter). You will be provided
with a power supply (which will be used as a power source), a switch, and a R=2 k resistor.
Keep the switch open (off) and the PS voltage is 3 Volts. Set the multimeter as a voltmeter
for direct current (DC) measurements (VDC mode). The voltage between two points A and B
is measured by connecting the two leads of the voltmeter between point A and point B as in
Figure 9.
Switch

PS
R V

Voltmeter
B

Figure 9 Voltage measurement.

 Step 2: Connect the voltmeter across the resistor as shown in Figure 9. Set the multimeter to an
appropriate measurement range. The maximum of the range should be higher than the voltage to be
measured. Measure the voltage across the resistor (the voltage of point A with respect to B), first
when the switch is open and then when the switch is closed. Repeat both measurements for the
voltage of point B with respect to point A. Relate the readings with the previous ones (i.e., relate
VAB to VBA).

CURRENT MEASUREMENT
The goal is to measure the current through the resistor. To do that, an ammeter (a current meter)
must be connected in series with the resistor. Note that to connect the ammeter in series in a circuit,
you need to break the connection in the circuit and connect the ammeter there. Also, for current
measurements in DC circuits, the direction of current is important. In order to measure a current in a
given reference direction, the ammeter must be connected such that the current enters the ammeter
through the red lead and exits through the black lead. When an ammeter is connected in a circuit, it
is (ideally) equivalent to a short circuit (wire), so it does not affect other elements in the circuit.

Step 3: Disconnect the multimeter from the circuit of Figure 9 and open the switch.
Set the multimeter as an ammeter for DC measurements (ADC).

Connect the ammeter in series between the switch and the resistor as shown in Figure 10 (a) and set
it to an appropriate measurement range.

Ammeter Ammeter
Switch A Switch A

R0 R0 i2
i1 i1 i2
PS PS
R R

(a) (b)
Figure 10: Current measurement (R0 = 1k).

Close the switch and record the measurement of i1.

Repeat the steps above and measure the current i2 in Figure 10 (b). Notice that only the reference
direction is different in this case. Compare the values of i1 and i2.
EXPEIRMENT 2: MEASURING RESISTANCE AND CALCULATING V-I CHARACTERISTICS
Resistors and Ohm's Law: Figure 11 shows the voltage v across an ideal resistor is
proportional to the current i through the resistor. The constant of proportionality is the
resistance R. The voltage and current are related by Ohm's Law:

The units of resistance are V/A, which are called ohms. Except for rather unusual situations, the
resistance R assumes positive values.

Figure 11: Voltage is proportional to current in an ideal resistor

The plot of current versus voltage for a circuit element is called the v-i characteristics. In this
experiment, the v-i characteristics of a resistor will be calculated. Use the oscilloscope as a voltmeter
and the multi-meter as an ammeter. You will also use a power supply instead of a battery.

Step 4: Connect the circuit of Figure 10 (a) with the power supply off and connect the oscilloscope
across the resistor R. Set the ammeter and the oscilloscope to appropriate measurement ranges.
Close the switch and turn the power supply on.

Step 5: Vary the voltage of the PS between -9 V and +9 V, according to the table (roughly in steps
of 2 or 3 V) and record the measurements of the current through the resistor and the voltage across it.
Note that to obtain a negative voltage; you need to reverse the + and terminals of the PS.

Step 6: Add another resistor R1=1k in parallel to the existing resistor R and repeat Step 5.

Plot the current i versus the voltage v and find the slope of the graph. Verify that the plot satisfies
Ohms law.

Disconnect the circuit and configure the multimeter as an ohmmeter. Connect the terminals of the
ohmmeter to the terminals of the resistor that you used above (the resistor should not be connected to
anything else). Measure and record the value of the resistance and compare its value with the ones
you obtained from the v-i plot.
 Name__________ Section____________ 3-digit ID_________

Prelab 2
Students must complete the Prelab in order to perform the experiment. Read Lab 2 and
answer all questions in the page. The page will be turned in at the beginning of your lab
as you walk in the door of RM 3108.

1. How to do the continuity tester with a multimeter?

2. When you measure current, what does happen if you put the meter in parallel the
resistor? Assume there is only one resistor in the circuit.

3. In Figure 10, if the values of PS and R are the same in both (a) and (b), what is
the difference between i1 and i2?

4. For the circuit shown in Figure 10b, another 1k resistor is added in series with
the existing resistor R = 3 K. Estimate the value of the current i2 that will be
measured with the ammeter, if PS = 10V.