Exercise 1: Current-Voltage Characteristic and Ohm’s

Law
Purpose
To apply Ohm’s law.
To use the correct measurement method.
To get an understanding of linearity.

Preparation
If you want to simultaneously measure the current and voltage of a component, such as a
resistor, there are to methods.

A A
R R

V V
The two methods are called “true voltage” and “true current”

1. What is the resistance of an ideal voltmeter? What is the resistance of an ideal ammeter?
2. Which method is “true voltage” and which one is “true current”?
Is there any advantage or disadvantage with any of the two?
3. One of the methods is best when measuring small resistors. Which one?

You need to apply 2.5 W to a 40 ´s resistor.

4. What is the required voltage?

Lab work
You must measure both the current and the voltage for the following:

 A 12  resistor
 A bulb, 1,25 V og 250 mA.
 A diode, 1N4148
 To different colored LEDs

These measurements will be used to make a characteristic of the components. Be thorough since
they will be used in the next exercise.
1. Use the datasheet to find the maximum values for current and voltage for the resistor and
diodes.
2. Make a test setup where you either use “true voltage” or “true current”. In order to regulate
the current place a potentiometer in series with the supply.
3. Write down your results and plot them in MATLAB.
4. What does the IV-characteristic tell you about the resistance of the incandescent light bulb?

Next step is to make a destructive test of the 40  resistor which can dissipate 0.25 W.
Warning: the resistor will get very hot so don’t touch it.

5. Measure the resistance before the test.

6. Now apply 2.5 W for 20 s.
7. Describe what happens to the resistor during test and measure the resistance after.
8. Comment.