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EXPERIMENT 2
RESISTORS IN SERIES AND PARALLEL
1.0 INTRODUCTION
An electric circuit is a complete path from the positive terminal to the negative
terminal of a power source. If the elements of the circuit are arranged in such a way
that only one path exists for current flow (i.e. the current is identical for all elements),
then the circuit is a series one. If an identical voltage exists across a number of
alternative current paths then the circuit is a parallel one. Most practical circuits
involve various combinations of series and parallel components. Of course
components can be connected so that they are neither in series or parallel. Answer the
following questions in your lab books:
1. If voltages are identical, then how are the components connected?
2. If currents are identical, then how are the components connected?
Figure 2.1
The total resistance Rt in the circuit may be calculated by a simple summation
of the individual resistors:
Rt = R1 + R2 + R3 + R4
This may be extended for n number of resistors. From Ohms Law, the total
current in the circuit may be calculated.
Vs = ItRt or It = Vs/Rt
An important requirement of a series circuit is that the current is identical
throughout the circuit. This feature will be observed in this experiment.
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Measured Resistance
% Difference
Table 2.1
Connect the resistors in series on your breadboard, and measure the total
resistance, Rtot (do not connect the DC power supply yet, and do the %
calculations outside lab time).
2.3 VOLTAGE TESTS
Draw Table 2.2 in your lab book.
Quantity
% Difference
Vs
Rtot
VR1
VR2
VR3
IA
IB
IC
ID
Table 2.2
Figure 2.2
Connect the variable DC power supply and, using the DMM in voltmeter
mode, adjust the output to about 15V. Measure and record the actual value
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from the DMM into Table 2.2. It is essential that this voltage remains
unchanged at the recorded value for the entire series test. Figure 2.2 shows the
meter connections for measuring the voltage across R1. You will need to
reconnect the red and black wires to measure the voltages across the other
resistors.
2.4 CURRENT TESTS
The next part of the experiment is to measure the current at various points in
the circuit. Use the DMM set up in ammeter mode to measure milliamps at the
four points A, B, C and D. Note that it will be necessary to break your circuit
and remake it in order to insert the ammeter. Record your results in the
appropriate fields in Table 2.2 in your lab book.
2.5 COMMENTS AND CONCLUSIONS
Discuss the reasons for any differences in Table 2.1. Use Ohms Law to
calculate the current flowing in the circuit It and hence calculate the voltage
drop expected across each resistor (e.g. voltage drop across R1 is calculated as
VR1 = ItR1, etc). Use the values as indicated in the third column of Table 2.2.
Compare these theoretical values with the measured values and express them
as percentage differences using the following formula:
(Measured value Theoretical value)/Theoretical value 100
List the possible reasons for any differences. If any difference is greater than
5%, there could be a serious problem with either your calculations or tests, and
checks will be needed. Comment on the sum of the three measured resistor
voltages. Is this result consistent with expectations? Also comment on your
current measurements.
Figure 3.1
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A typical parallel circuit is shown in Figure 3.1. Parallel circuits have more
than one path for current flow and there must be the identical voltage across
all parallel paths. Two such paths exist in the example circuit as shown. The
identical voltage appears across all the resistors in the circuit and the current
through each arm is inversely proportional to the circuit resistance (from
Ohms Law). The total current in the circuit is given by It = Ia + Ib (from
Kirchoffs current law). Note the break-then-remake method in order to
measure the current using an ammeter.
By Ohms Law:
Ia = V s / R A
Ib = V s / R B
These can be substituted into Kirchoffs Current Law equation to give:
It = Vs(1/RA + 1/RB)
= Vs((RA)-1 + (RB)-1)
= Vs(RARB)/[RA + RB])
The term RARB / (RA + RB) expresses the total value of resistance (Rt = Vs / It) in
the circuit. In practice the inverse form, (Rt)-1 = (RA)-1 + (RB)-1, is often simpler
to work with as a calculators inverse button (x-1) can be used thus reducing
the amount of resistance data inputting. In addition this inverse form is
directly extendable to any number of resistors.
3.2 REQUIREMENTS FOR PARALLEL TESTS
The following tables are to be drawn into your lab books.
Nominal Resistance
R4 = 1.5k
R5 = 1.5k
R6 = 2.7k
Rtoti
Rtotii
Rtotiii
Measured Resistance
Calculated Values
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Quantity
Vs
VR4
VR5
Ia
Ib
Ic
Calculated Values
Calculated Values
Figure 3.2i
Connect the circuit as shown in Figure 3.2i with only R4 in the circuit. Use the
DMMs voltmeter in order to ensure that the DC power supply is set to about
10V. It is essential that this voltage remains unchanged at the recorded value
for the entire parallel test.
Disconnect the DMM and reset it as an ammeter. Use the break-then-make
method (Figure 3.1) to measure and record the currents flowing at points a and
b. Then use the DMM to measure and record the voltage across R4. Enter your
results in your lab book in Table 3.2.
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Figure 3.2ii
3.5 TESTS ON THREE RESISTORS IN PARALLEL
Figure 3.2iii
Add R6 to the circuit as shown in Figure 3.2iii. Use the DMM to measure the
total resistance, Rtotiii and record it in Table 3.1. Then, using the DMM
connected in the correct configuration, measure and record all the currents and
voltages associated with this circuit, recording your results in your lab books
in Table 3.4.
3.6 COMMENTS AND CONCLUSIONS
This is to be done outside lab time. Carry out the calculations to complete
Tables 3.1 to 3.4. Check your results in the event of any serious discrepancy
between theory and practice. Comment on the relation between your measured
V and I results and the voltage and current principles of the parallel
connection.
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Figure 4.1
The total resistance in this case is a combination of series and parallel
principles.
4.2 REQUIREMENTS FOR TESTS
Draw the following tables into your lab books.
Nominal Resistance
R7 = 820
R8 = 680
R9 = 680
Rtot
Resistance
DMM
Measured
by
Table 4.1
Quantity
Vs
V7
V8
V9
IA
I7
I8
I9
DMM Measurement
Calculated Values
% Difference
Table 4.2
Select the resistors R7, R8 and R9 listed in Table 4.1 and use the DMM to
measure their values, recording your results. Now connect the three resistors
in the series-parallel configuration shown in Figure 4.1 on your breadboard.
Measure their total value Rtot, and record this result (do not connect the DC
power supply yet).
Dr. Daniel Nankoo
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