Name of the Experiment: Measurement of equivalent resistance and verification of current division rule.

Objective: In any electrical network it may require to calculate the equivalent resistance between two
terminals. Sometimes it becomes cumbersome to calculate the equivalent resistance through theoretical
calculation. It is very simple to measure the equivalent resistance through experiment using Ammeter and
Voltmeter.

Equipment and Accessories:

1. Voltmeter, Ammeter.
2. DC Power Supply (0-30V DC).
3. Resistors.
4. Breadboard.
5. Wires.

Part-I:
Procedure:
1. Connect the circuit as shown in figure-1.
2. Take the readings of ammeter (I) and voltmeter (v).
V
3. Calculate the equivalent resistance using the equation: Req =
I

Circuit Diagram:

Figure-1
Experimental Calculation:
V
Req = here, v = 5v
I
 5
= I = 35mA
35000
= 142.8Ω
Part-II:
Procedure:
1. Connect the circuit as shown in figure-2.
2. Take the reading of ammeters (I, I1, I2).
3. Theoretically compute the currents I, I1 and I2.
4. Compare the experimental result with those of theoretical.

Circuit Diagrams:

Figure-2
Theoretical Calculation:
I R3 43 × 100
I1 = = = 13.6mA
R 2+ R 3 216+100

I R2 43 × 216
I2 = = =29.39mA
R 2+ R 3 216+100

Theoretical Calculation

Resistance Theoretical Calculation

 I 43.00mA

I1 13.60mA

I2 29.39mA

Experimental Calculation
Resistance Experimental Calculation

I 43.00mA

I1 11.00mA

I2 30.00mA

Result: The experimental calculation and theoretical calculation are nearly same.
Error Calculation:
13.6−11
For I1, error = ×100 = 19.1%
13.6
30−29.39
For I2, error = ×100 = 2.03%
30
Discussion:
1. While doing the experiment, utmost care was taken in order to take the readings very carefully. The
circuit was connected very carefully to prevent short circuit.
2. There is a very little difference between the calculated values and measured values, which we can
ignore. This difference has occurred for some instrument problem or may be due to parallax error while
taking readings.
3. We can say that doing the experiment, we have gained practical knowledge about how to work with
circuits.