Curtin University of Technology

School of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Electrical Systems 100 Laboratory




Expt No. 2 DC CIRCUITS




1. OBJECTIVE
To predict the performance of various electronic circuits and power networks requires
the engineer to be able to analyse the circuits and networks using a range analysis
techniques. A few of the fundamental analysis methods are investigated in this
laboratory. This experiment introduces the basic concepts of dc circuit analysis using
Thevenin's Theorem and Kirchhoffs Laws:

Thevenins Theorem
Maximum Power Transfer
Mesh Analysis
Nodal Analysis



2. APPARATUS

Dual DC Power Supply: GPC-3030
Digital Multimeter: 2 x Fluke 175
Resistance: 1 x 10 (W), 1 x 22 (W), 1 x 47 (W), 1 x 68 (W),
2 x 82 (W), 2 x 100, 1 x 120, 2 x 150, 1 x 220,
2 x 330, 1 x 470, 1 x 560, 1 x 820, 1 x 1k,
Bread Board.



3. PRELIMINARY:

NOTE: You may need to consult your text, research theory in the library, or the
internet before you can complete the preliminary. However by completing the
preliminary you will better understand the requirements of this laboratory and be
able to make judgments on the accuracy of measured results. The preliminary is
worth 25% of your laboratory mark for each experiment.


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3.1 Before coming to the laboratory neatly draw the circuits shown in Figure 2.1,
2.2, and 2.3 in your log book.

3.2 For the circuit shown in Figure 2.1 determine the Thevenin's Equivalent circuit
(Show all calculations in your log book). R
L
is the load resistor. Using the
Equivalent Circuit determine the load voltage, current and power for resistance
values of R
L
= 10, 47 , 68 , 82, 100, 120, 180, 220
330, 470, and 1 k. Tabulate the results on the table provided, so that a
comparison can be made between the theoretical and practical results.

3.3 Develop the matrix equations for the network shown in Figure 2.3 using
Kirchhoffs Law methods of both Maxwells Mesh Analysis and Nodal Voltage
Analysis. Find the voltage across each resistor, the current through each
resistor and the voltage at points 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 with respect to the nodal
voltage reference point (ground, labelled: GND). Verify that the results are the
same for both methods. Tabulate the results on the table provided, so that a
comparison can be made between the theoretical and practical results.

Show all equations and calculations for the analysis in the log book in a clear
and logical manner.



A logbook containing the answers to the preliminary questions will be marked by
the laboratory supervisor during the laboratory session and is worth 25% of the
overall laboratory mark.



4. LABORATORY:


4.1 After setting the DC power supply control to independent, adjust the current limit
for both supply Master & Slave to 300mA (as in Experiment 1). Do not
guess this procedure. If you are unsure, call the Supervisor for help.


NOTE THAT ALL THE FOLLOWING MEASUREMENTS MUST

BE
RECORDED AS A MAGNITUDE WITH ITS POLARITY (OR CURRENT
DIRECTION). This is best done by redrawing the circuit in your Logbook, and
adding + and signs, or current arrows.

4.2 Thevenins Equivalent Circuit

4.2.1 Connect the circuit as shown in Figure 2.1, using the dual power supply output
Master and Slave. Make sure you lay out the circuit on the bread board
so that the horizontal and vertical components have the SAME orientation as in
the circuit diagram.
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FIGURE 2.1

4.2.2 Using two DMMs and starting with load resistance R
L
= 100, measure and
record the load voltage and current. Your supervisor will demonstrate how to
leave the DMMs connected, and change only the load resistance for each
measurement.
4.2.2.1 Repeat the procedure of 4.2.2 using load resistances of R
L
= 10, 47 ,
68 , 82, 120, 180, 220 330, 470, and 1 k.
For low value resistors this should be performed quickly to prevent over
heating the load resistors.

FIGURE 2.2

4.2.3 Connect the Thevenins Equivalent Circuit as shown in Figure 2.2 using the
values calculated in your pre-laboratory.

4.2.4 Measure and record the load voltage and current for each of the previous load
conditions: R
L
= 10, 47, 68, 82, 100, 120, 180 220
330, 470, and 1 k.






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4.3 Mesh and Nodal Analysis

4.3.1 Connect the circuit, as shown in Figure 2.3, using the dual power supply
outputs Master & Slave. Let R
1
= 150 , R
2
= 820 ,
R
3
= 330 , R
4
= 560 , R
5
= 150 , R
6
= 100 , E
1
= 20 V and
E
2
= 16 V. Keep the component layout the same as the circuit diagram.

FIGURE 2.3

4.3.2 Using the Digital Multimeter measure and record:
4.3.2.1 The voltage across each resistor;
4.3.2.2 The current through each resistor;
4.3.2.3 The voltage at points 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 with reference to GND (the nodal voltage
refrerence point).


All answers to preliminary questions and recorded experimental results should
be recorded in a logbook for inspection at the end of semester



5. REPORT TO INCLUDE:

5.1 The answers to the following questions should be included in any laboratory
report discussion section.

Do not put the numbers and the questions in your report, simply write a
paragraph on giving the answer and include the question as if you had
initiated the comment.

5.2.1 Provide comparison tables of measured and theoretical results on a results
page.

5.2.2 Tabulate the calculated and measured results for the networks in Figure 2.1
and Figure 2.2. Ensure you also include the load power in your tables, so you
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can compare the power derived from the measured values with that calculated
in the pre-laboratory.

5.2.3 Compare in tabulated form the calculated results for the Thevenin's Equivalent
circuit with those measured in Figure 2.2

5.2.3.1 Plot Load Power Vs Normalised Resistance on a full sized sheet of A4
graph paper, for both the theoretical and practical results. Normalised
resistance should be on the horizontal axis (use a landscape style graph).
R
normalised
has a base of R
TH
, so that R
normalised
= R
L
/ R
TH
. Comment on the
point of maximum power transfer to the load.

5.2.4 Tabulate the theoretical voltages and currents for Figure 2.3, to allow
comparison with those measured during the laboratory.

5.2.5 Comment on the probable sources of error that may exist between calculated
and measured values in all circuits tested.

5.2.6 Give practical applications of Thevinins Theorem

5.2.7 Comment on both Mesh Analysis and Nodal Analysis results, and show in the
appendix that Kirchhoffs Laws hold.

5.2.8 In an appendix to the report show one calculation of each type used
constructing the report. (e.g. Power in load for equivalent circuit)
NOTE: These example calculations in the Appendix must ONLY use
MEASURED values.


A short form report in an A4 folder must be handed to the laboratory supervisor
for marking at your next laboratory session.



End of Experiment








DISK: CURTIN
DIR: ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS 100
FILE: LAB2-100_2012v9-1.D0C
AUTH: N.D.KAYE
DATE: January 2013
FOR SEMESTER 1 ONLY

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RESULTS

STUDENT NAME: ___________________________


NOTE: All results to be recored in PEN (Not Pencil)


THEVENINS EQUIVALENT CIRCUIT

E
TH
= ______________ R
TH
= ____________


LOAD
RESISTANCE
MEASURED
ORIGINAL
NETW0RK
MEASURED
THEVENINS
EQUIVALENT
CALCULATED
THEORY
R
L
V
RL
I
RL
V
RL
I
RL
V
RL
I
RL

10
47
68
82
100
120
180
220
330
470
1 k


MESH ANALYSIS

QUANTITY MEASURED CALCULATED
E
1


20.0 V
E
2


16.0 V
V
R1


V
R2


V
R3


V
R4


V
R5


V
R6


I
R1


I
R2


I
R3


I
R4


I
R5


I
R6


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NODAL ANALYSIS

QUANTITY MEASURED CALCULATED
E
1


20.0 V
E
2


16.0 V
V
1


V
2


V
3


V
4


V
5


I
R1


I
R2


I
R3


I
R4


I
R5


I
R6







These results should remain attached to the laboratory sheet and
submitted along with the laboratory sheets as part of your report.

Photocopy these results sheets and paste the copies into your
LOGBOOK. The results along with preliminary calculations then
form a record of your measurements and theoretical results.







STUDENT NAME: ___________________________

STUDENT NUMBER: ___________________________


SUPERVISORS SIGNATURE: ____________________

DATE (Semester 1, 2013): ____________________




Ensure your Name (On each result Page), Student Number and Date are
completed before having your RESULTS signed.