Electric Circuit lab

Experiment 4: To verify current divider rule and voltage divider rule

Student learn
 To apply the current divider rule in a parallel circuit.
 To design the current divider rule. Given desired output currents with respect to a common
point in a parallel circuit.
 To apply voltage divider rule in a series circuit.

Pre-Lab Assignment
Write down the general formula for the current divider rule and voltage divider rule.

Apparatus
 Breadboard
 Digital Multimeter
 Power supply
 Resistors

Theory
Part –A: Current divider rule

The current divider rule (CDR) is useful in determining the current flow through one branch of a parallel
circuit. The general form of the CDR for any current Ix states that

Ix = I*Req/Rx

I.e the current through any of the resistor is eqaul to the current times the ration of the equivalent
resistance to the resistance of that particular branch where , req is the total resistance of the paralle
branches under examinatio. And I is the total current of the circuit under consideration.

Laboratory tasks
1. Connect the circuit as shown in figure 2 below.
2. With the DMM measure the current in branch A, B and C by inserting ammeter in series with the
respective branches?

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Record the current below :

Ia =

Ib =

Ic =

3. Now using current divider rule , calculate the currents in branch A , B and C. show all the
calculations below.

Ia =

Ib =

Ic =

4. Compare the measured and calculated valyes of current shown is step 2 and 3 .

What connection do you made ?

Part B: Designing the current divider circuit

Laboratory Tasks
1. Consider the circuit as shown in fig 3 below.

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2. Refer to the circuit R1 , R2 ,R3 and R4 are 1.2Kohm , 5k6ohm ,3k3ohm and 10kohm
resistors (but not in that order). Using the CDR in the form that solves for resistance (R)
rather then the voltage V solve the necessary resistor locations that will result in the
current as shown in figure3.

Record below the resistor value you determined.

R1 =

R2 =

R3 =

R4 =

RT =

3. Now connect the circuit as shown above with the resistors found in step 2.
4. With DMM , measure the total current and also the current in branches A , B , C and D
record

Ia =

Ib =

Ic =

Id =

It =

5. Explain how to determine the location of 5k6ohm resistor in CDR of fig 3.

Part C : Series parallel circuits

Laboratory tasks
1) Connect the circuit as shown in figure 4 below. When writing the circuit , allow for convenient
means for measuring each current and voltages drops.

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2) With the current meter in series with the enrtire circuit , set the supply voltage , so that the
ammeter reads exanctly 6 mA. Measure the source voltage and current and record.

Vcd =

3) Using the DMM , measure each resistor’s voltage drop. Record in tbale below.

Table : 1

Resistor R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7
Voltage
current

4) Using the DMM , measure the current throguh each resistor. Record in the table shows above.
5) Disconnect the circuit from dc source terminals. Measure
Rt =
6) Using the same value of source voltage measured in step 2. Calculate the voltage and current
through each of seven 1.2 kilo ohm resistors. Record the calculated values in the table below :

Table 2:

Resistor R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7
Voltage
current

7) Compare the measured voltages and currents from table 1 with the calculated voltages and
current from table 2. Are they in close agreement ?

Series-Parallel circuit Analysis

I. In branch C , how are R5 R6 amd R7 related to eachother ?

II. How are their currents related in branch C ?

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III. How are the voltages drops In branch C related to the voltage drops in branch A and B ?

IV. In Branch B, how are R3 and R7 related to eachother?

V. How are voltage drops in branch B related to the voltage drops in branch A and C ?

VI. What is the relationship between the sum of branches A , B and C to the current through R1

VII. Why ?

VIII. Make a statement that compares the amount of current through each branch A, B and C with
amount of resistance in branches A , B and C.

IX. Branches Band C are in parallel, correct ?

X. Voltage across parallel branches are the same, correct ?

Part D : (Analysis by KVL AND KCL)

a. Reconnec the circuit of fig 4 to the source voltage. Make sure that the voltage source is set to
the same value as in step 2 of part c.
b. Write the KVL loop equation that will give the voltage at point A with respect to point B. Show
this value below and then calculaate this voltage (VAB)
c. Using DMM , measure the voltage at point A with respect to point B. make sure that the red
probs is at A and the common of the meter is at B. Record
Vab =
d. Using the measured current through R1 branch A and Branch B , write a KCL equation through
branch C. show the equation below and then calculate I for Branch C.
e. Using the DMM, measure the current through branch C.
I branch C =
f. Obtain a resistor equal to the total resistance measured in step 5 (part c). connect this resistor in
the circuit of fig 5. Set the source voltage to the same value measured in step 2 part (C).label
these values on the circuits of fig 5.

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 Calculate the current

I = V/R
 Measure the current

I=


Compare the measured and calculated values of current. What conclusion do you made
?
G. Connect the circuit as shown in figure 6. Adjust the value of Dc power suplly as in the circuit.

H. Measuere the voltage drops and currents through each resistor and record in table 3 below.

Resistor R1 R2 R3
Voltage
current

I. Using VDR calculate the voltage across each resistor and then find the current through it.
Table 4

Resistor R1 R2 R3
Voltage
current
J. Change R2 to a value of 2k2 ohms. Again measure the voltage and current through each resistor
and record in table below.

Resistor R1 R2 R3
Voltage
current

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Laboratory Report
Q : compare the result of the table 3 with table 5. Notice that R2 has been increased. Explain why all of
the current and voltages have changed ?