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EEE 1 Lab: Experiment 1

DC Measurements

Date:______________ Section:_____ Group:_____

Name Student Number Signature
1.
2.
3.

A. Instructions
• Perform the tasks enumerated in this experiment.
• Present the results of all tasks labelled as SPOT CHECK to your instructor.
• Answer the questions in the Required Discussion section in complete detail. You can use extra sheets or print outs.
Do not forget to cite your references.
• Submit this handout together with any other additional sheets you used on the day of the experiment.

B. Objectives
1. To learn the proper way of measuring current, voltage and resistance.
2. To learn various methods of obtaining measurements.
3. To be able to specify the degree of accuracy of any measurements made.

C. Materials and Equipment

1. Resistors (3) 4. Analog Multimeter (1)
2. Variable DC Power Supply (1) 5. Wires, connectors and clips
3. Breadboard (1)

D. Resistance Measurement using the Analog Multimeter

1. Before using the Analog Multimeter (AMM) in measuring resistances, it must first be calibrated. To calibrate the
AMM, set the AMM function switch to measure resistance and short the meter leads by touching the metallic
points together. Use the zero knob on the front of the meter to adjust the pointer so it is aligned with the zero
printed on the ohms scale. For the different resistance ranges (ie. Rx100, Rx10000, etc), observe whether the
needle can be zeroed (calibrated). Record your data on Table I.

Table I. AMM Calibration

Scale NEEDLE CAN BE ZEROED?

2. Determine the nominal value of the resistors issued to your group by reading the color code. Record this nominal
value in Table II.
3. Measure the resistance of these resistors using the Analog Multimeter (AMM). Set the AMM to the closest higher
resistance range when measuring each resistor. You will be able to accurately read the AMM to two significant
places. Record the measured value of the resistors in Table II. This will be used as the actual value. [SPOT CHECK]
4. Compute the %error. Record your computations in Table II.
𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 − 𝑛𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒
%𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = ( ) 𝑥100%
𝑛𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒
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Table II. Resistance Measurement using AMM

Color Code Nominal Value Measured Value % Error

R1 Orange, Blue, Brown
R2 Brown, Black, Red
R3 Violet, Green, Orange

E. Voltage Measurement using the Analog Multimeter

1. Set the function switch of the AMM to DC voltage (Vdc) and the range switch on the highest scale.
2. Turn on the power supply, set the output voltage to its highest possible value (30 V).
3. To measure the voltage, connect the terminals of the voltmeter to each of the two output ports of the power
supply. Observe proper polarity pairing (See Figure 1). An ideal voltmeter will act like an open circuit. However, a
practical voltmeter has a finite resistance that causes the voltmeter to draw current. Select a scale that places the
needle as high as possible on the scale, without pegging the needle. Measure and record the maximum output
voltage of the supply.

Figure 1. Connection between Power Supply and AMM

4. Set the output voltage to its lowest possible value (0 V). Measure and record the output voltage of the supply.
5. Repeat steps 2 to 4 on the other power supplies. Record your results in Table III. [SPOT CHECK]

Table III. Power Supply Voltages

Minimum Voltage Maximum Voltage

CH 1
CH 2
CH 3

F. Current Measurement using the Analog Multimeter

1. Set up the circuit shown in Figure 2. Set the AMM to measure current. Observe proper polarity.
2. To measure the current at a point in a circuit, the ammeter must be placed in series with the component where
the current is to be measured. An ideal ammeter will act as a short circuit. However, a practical ammeter has a
small resistance (less than 100Ω) that causes a voltage drop to be observed at the ammeter. Record the measured
current using the given 3 resistors. Complete Table IV. [SPOT CHECK]

Figure 2. Simple Circuit I

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Table IV. Current Measurements

Measured Current Theoretical Current % Error

R1
R2
R3

G. Measuring Resistance using Ohm’s Law

1. Set up the circuit shown in Figure 3. Obtain the current and voltage reading of the resistors. Record the measured
data in Table V. [SPOT CHECK]
2. Compute for the resistance values using Ohm’s Law. Calculate the % error using the values obtained using Ohm’s
Law as the actual value and the value based on the resistor color codes as the nominal value. Calculate the power
dissipated by each of the resistors.

Figure 3. Simple Circuit II

Table V. Measurements for Ohm's Law

Measured Measured Computed Power % Error

Current Voltage Resistance Dissipation
R1
R2
R3

H. Required Discussion
1. How must the range be chosen in the AMM when measuring voltage, current and resistance?
2. What are the factors that may affect the accuracy of the results when using the AMM?
3. What is the importance of the current settings in a power supply?
4. Compare the two methods (using AMM and using Ohm’s Law) used in measuring resistances in terms of
simplicity, accuracy, etc.