Technology of Electrical and Electronic

EEE3100

Semester 2
2015/2016

LAB 3
SERIES AND PARALLEL CIRCUIT RESISTANCES
3.1

Objectives
(a) To be able to apply Kirchhoffs Voltage Law and Kirchhoffs Current Law

for Series and Parallel Circuit Resistances

(b) To find the equivalent resistances for series, parallel and combinations of

two of them
(c) To measure and calculate the voltage and current of the resistances

3.2 Equipments and components

(a) DC Power Supply
(b) Digital Multimeter
(c) Resistors
(d) Breadboard
(e) Connecting wires and Probes

3.3 Introduction
3.3.1 Kirchhoffs Voltage Law (KVL)
Kirchhoffs voltage law states that the algebraic sum of voltage in a loop is equal to
zero. Mathematically, Kirchhoffs VoltageLaw 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 V4 V2 V3

Dr. Nashiren Farzilah Mailah

EEE Dept., FK, UPM

Technology of Electrical and Electronic

EEE3100

V4

V2

Semester 2
2015/2016

V3

V1

3.3.2 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 I 3 I 2 I 4 I 5
I3
I1

I5
I4
I2

Dr. Nashiren Farzilah Mailah

EEE Dept., FK, UPM

Technology of Electrical and Electronic

EEE3100

3.4

Semester 2
2015/2016

Procedures

3.4.1 Series and Parallel Circuit

Figure 3.4.1
1. Read and take note the values of the resistors.
2. Calculate theoretically the voltages V AB , V BC , VCD and current I T in Figure
3.4.1 if the given voltage is E = 6 V.
3. Show theoretically that Kirchoffs voltage law holds for both loops in the circuit
in Figure 3.4.1 by calculating the voltages across resistance R1 , R2 , R3 and

R4 .
4. Assemble the circuit in Figure 3.4.1 and set the voltage supply at 6V.
5. Using multimeter at suitable range, measure the voltages across resistance R1 ,

R2 , R3 , R4 and the voltage supply E. Also measure the current that flows
through resistance R1 , R2 , R3 , R4 . Note down your measurement in Table 3.1.
(Warning: Ensure that the multimeter polarity is correct while making
measurements)
6. Prove Kirchhoffs voltage law for both loops in Figure 3.2 from this experiment
by measuring voltage across R1 , R2 , R3 , R4 .
7. Repeat the theoretical calculations for different values of voltage supply E as
well as the measurement and note down answers in Table 3.1.
8. Discuss your observations gathered from this experiment.

Dr. Nashiren Farzilah Mailah

EEE Dept., FK, UPM

Technology of Electrical and Electronic

EEE3100

Semester 2
2015/2016

Table 3.1 Measurement data for proving Kirchhoffs voltage law

E=6V

E = 12 V

E = 15 V

calculation measurement calculation measurement calculation measurement

E
VR1
VR2
VR3
VR4
IR1
IR2
IR3
IR4

Dr. Nashiren Farzilah Mailah

EEE Dept., FK, UPM