Taif University Basics of Electric Circuits

Faculty of Engineering 803224-3

Department of Electrical Engineering

EXPERIMENT 7
KIRCHHOFF'S CURRENT LAW
Objective:
The objective of this Experiment is to verify experimentally Kirchhoff's
Current Law (KCL). KCL states that : “At any node in an electric circuit, the
algebraic sum of the currents is zero”.
And KCL takes the following form:
Ʃ I =0
Where: I = current entering or leaving the considered node (A) .

Equipments:
a) Three resistors 𝑅1, 𝑅2 and 𝑅3. (1KΩ , 1.5KΩ , 2.2KΩ )
b) DC variable voltage source (0-10 V)
c) Three ammeters and three voltmeters.

Procedure:
a) Assemble the circuit as shown in Fig. 7.1.

b) Adjust the DC source at 2.5 V.

c) Measure currents (𝐼1, 𝐼2, and 𝐼𝑡𝑜𝑡 ).

𝐼1 = ………… A , 𝐼2 = ………… A , 𝐼𝑡𝑜𝑡 = .................. A

d) Does (𝐼1+ 𝐼2) equal to 𝐼𝑡𝑜𝑡 ?

e) Calculate 𝑅𝑒𝑞 for both 𝑅1 and 𝑅2.

𝑅𝑒𝑞
f) Does 𝐼 equal to 𝐼 , (i=1,2)?
𝑖 𝑅𝑖 𝑡𝑜𝑡

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 Taif University Basics of Electric Circuits
Faculty of Engineering 803224-3
Department of Electrical Engineering

g) Change the DC source to 10 V.

h) Repeat steps (c) and (f) and fill in table 7.1.

Tale 7.1: Measured and calculated data for KCL

E = 2.5 V E= 5V
Quantity calculated Measured % error calculated Measured % error
values values values values
0.78 0.8 1.911 1.572 1.60 1.75
𝐼1(mA)
0.535 0.54 0.791 1.071 1.08 0.83
𝐼2(mA)
1.321 1.34 1.418 2.643 2.68 1.38
𝐼𝑡𝑜𝑡(mA)

% error =100 * (calculated – measured)/measured

Fig. 7.1

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 Taif University Basics of Electric Circuits
Faculty of Engineering 803224-3
Department of Electrical Engineering

Comments:

For E=2.5V
(Im1 + Im2 )mes= 0.8+0.59=1.34 mA= Itotal

Req=

Itotal =

I1 =

I2 =

Max error (1.94%),min value(0.791%)

For E=5V
(Im1 + Im2 )mes= 1.6+1.08=2.68 mA= Itotal

Req=

Itotal =

I1 =

I2 =

Max error (1.75%),min value(0.833%)