Experiment 1

Basic Circuits
Equipmentinthelab 1 2 3 4 Lowvoltagepowersupply 2lightbulbsw/attachedwires Digital multimeter Assorted wire leads

123L Lab Manual 8/06

Experiment #1

Basic Circuits

Laboratory Objectives: To understand series and parallel circuit connections and how to connect meters for reading current and voltage. Introduction: In a series circuit there is only one path for the flow of charge, or current, as it leaves the power supply and travels through the circuit. Therefore all of the current from the power supply travels through each circuit component (lamps, carbon resistors, etc.). In a parallel circuit there are two (or more) paths for the flow of charge. When the current reaches the branch in the circuit, it splits. Some current travels through one branch and the remaining travels through the other branch. An ammeter is used to measure the amount of current (in amps or milliamps) flowing in a circuit at the point of insertion of the meter. An ammeter is always connected in series with the circuit component you are measuring. A voltmeter is used to measure potential energy difference, voltage (in volts or millivolts) across a circuit component. A voltmeter is always connected in parallel with the circuit component you are measuring. Procedure: As you change circuits throughout this experiment, physically follow your connections to verify the current direction is correct. Part of the purpose of this lab is learning to check circuits. If the bulbs dont light up or the meter doesnt display a non-zero value, visually follow the circuit path. Try to determine what could be plugged into the circuit incorrectly.

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Experiment #1

Basic Circuits

PART A. SERIES CIRCUIT

Schematic diagram Real circuit

There are 3 types of ends on the leads you will be using this quarter to connect circuits:

This is called a banana end. Use this type to plug into meters, power supplies, etc.

This is called an alligator end. Use this type to clamp onto a post or wire end.

This is called a spade end. Use this type to clamp under a binding post on power supplies, etc.

1. Using 2 bulbs, the power supply, and 3 leads, connect a series circuit. Connect the leads going into the power supply to the bottom DC terminals (NOT the AC). Turn on the power supply and turn the voltage adjust knob until the lights glow. Draw both a schematic diagram and a real circuit sketch.

2. Unscrew one of the bulbs from the socket.

QUESTION: What happens?

3. Reconnect the bulb and turn off the power supply.

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Experiment #1

Basic Circuits

CONNECTING AN AMMETER An ammeter is always connected in series with the circuit component you are measuring. Schematic diagram Real circuit

Notice how the leads are connected into the ammeter the negative side of the circuit ALWAYS into common [COM] and the positive side this time into 10A. The units will be amps, A, in this connection.

4. To prepare it for reading current--the rotary switch is moved to the setting for DC current.

5. Connect an ammeter into your circuit before both resistors to determine the current through the bulb. Turn on the power supply.

6. Record the 3 current values (before the resistors, between the resistors, and after the resistors) obtained by the ammeter. (never forget units). QUESTION: Does it matter which bulb you measure?

7. Turn off the power supply, remove the ammeter and reconnect the circuit so the bulbs glow again when the power is on.

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Experiment #1

Basic Circuits

CONNECTING AN VOLTMETER A voltmeter is always connected in parallel with the circuit component you are measuring. (2 leads may be connected at the same point in a circuit, as shown with the voltmeter in the sketch below.) Schematic diagram Real circuit

Notice how the voltmeter leads are connected to the meter (again, the negative side of the circuit ALWAYS into COM, the positive side into V, voltage, for this measurement).

8. The rotary switch is moved to the setting for DC voltage.

9. Connect a voltmeter across your circuit to read the voltage drop across one of the bulbs. Record this voltage.

10. Connect the voltmeter and record the voltage across the other bulb.

11. Connect the voltmeter across both bulbs as shown. Record the voltage. (As always include units.)

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Experiment #1 12. Turn off the power supply and dismantle your circuit.

Basic Circuits

QUESTION: How does this voltage drop across both bulbs relate to the voltage across each? (Be specific)

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Experiment #1

Basic Circuits

PART B. PARALLEL CIRCUITS

In a parallel circuit there is more than one path for the current to take. The current splits, part going one path, part going through the other path. Schematic diagram Real circuit

Leads can be stacked to allow several leads to connect to the same point within a circuit:

1. Using 2 bulbs, the power supply, and 4 leads, connect a parallel circuit. Connect the leads going into the power supply to the bottom DC terminals (NOT the AC).

2.

Turn on the power supply and turn the voltage knob until the lights glow.

3.

Unscrew one of the bulbs from the socket.

QUESTION: What happens?

(For the following instructions turn off the power supply each time before you reconnect the circuit.) 4. Connect an ammeter in series between the power supply and one of the bulbs to read the current flowing into that bulb. (Again take care in how the leads are connected to the ammeter and the setting on the meter to prepare it for reading current.) Record the current through the first bulb. Real circuit

5.

Draw a schematic diagram for the circuit to the right.

Real circuit
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Experiment #1 6. Reconnect the ammeter so that it reads the current through only the other bulb. Check your circuit for accuracy before turning on the power supply. Record the current through the second bulb.

Basic Circuits

7. Reconnect the ammeter so that it reads the current going into BOTH bulbs. Record the current through both bulbs. QUESTION: How does the current through both bulbs compare to the current through only one bulb (be specific)?

8.

Draw a schematic diagram for the circuit where the current is going into BOTH bulbs.

9. Turn off the power supply, remove the ammeter and reconnect the circuit so the bulbs glow again when the power is on.

10. Connect a voltmeter across the combination of the two bulbs. (Again notice how the voltmeter leads are connected to the meter and the appropriate setting on the meter.) Record the voltage drop across both bulbs.

Real circuit

11. Draw a schematic diagram for the circuit to the right.

12. Connect the voltmeter across just one bulb. Record the voltage drop across one bulb.

13. Draw a schematic diagram for voltmeter across just one bulb. QUESTION: How does the voltage drop across the 2 bulbs in parallel compare to the voltage drop across only one (be specific)?

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Experiment #1 14. Dismantle your circuit.

Basic Circuits

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