Title: Study of Parallel Circuit and Verification of Kirchhoff’s Current Law (KCL).

Abstract: In this experiment, Kirchhoff current law (KCL) will be verified.

Introduction: Kirchhoff’s circuit law has two variations; one is Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law and
other one is Kirchhoff’s Current Law. For this experiment, we will work with Kirchhoff’s
Current Law (KCL). It is known that in series circuit current is constant an in parallel circuit,
voltage is constant. So KVL and VDR can be used in series circuit and KCL and CDR can be
used in parallel circuit.

The aspect of this experiment is:

1. To develop an understanding of parallel circuit and Kirchhoff’s Current Law (KCL).

2. Build up the circuit in breadboard and also in multisim software.
3. Verify the calculated value with respect to measured value.
4. Find the reason for error in experiment.

Methodology:

Parallel Circuit:

Two elements, branches or networks are in parallel if they have two points in common. In
genera; if we have three resistors in common, we can write following equation:

RT = (R1-1 + R2-1 + R3-1) -1

Where, R1, R2 and R3 is our resistor.

As voltage across whole circuit is same for every branch, we apply CDR for measuring current.
In equation form,

𝑅𝑇 𝐼
In =
𝑅𝑛

Here, In is current through Rn resistor.

KCl (Kirchhoff current law):

Kirchhoff current law (KCL) in a DC circuit state that “the algebraic sum of currents entering
and leaving an area, system or a junction is zero.”

Page 1 of 12
In equation form we can write,

∑ I entering = ∑ I leaving

Analysis of a KCL circuit:

For a doing a complete analysis of KCL given values of the circuits follow the following

Step – 1:

Calculating the value of equation resistance of circuit:

RT = (R1-1 + R2-1+ R3-1) -1

Step – 2:

Calculating suppled current:

𝐸
Is = 𝑅
𝑇

Step – 3:

Calculating current through different branch:

𝐸 𝐸 𝐸
I1 = 𝑅 , I2 = 𝑅 , I3 = 𝑅
1 2 3

Step – 4:

Using KCL to verify:

∑ I entering = ∑ I leaving

Page 2 of 12
 or, I = I1 + I2-+ I3

Apparatus:
a. Trainer Board
b. Voltmeter
c. Ammeter
d. AVO meter or Multimeter
e. DC source
f. Resistors
g. Connecting Wires

Precaution:

i. The circuit was constructed carefully.

ii. Before connecting power supply to the circuit, the whole connection was checked.
iii. Multimeter was used carefully.

Experimental procedure:

a) The circuit was connected as shown in simulation.

b) The current across each branch of the circuit was measured thoroughly.
c) The following data table was filled with necessary calculation.

Page 3 of 12
Simulation & Measurement:

Figure – 01

Figure - 02

Page 4 of 12
 Figure - 03

Data Table

No. I I1 I2 I3 I=I1+I2+I3
R1 R2 R3 % Error
of C M C M C M C M C M = %(mv-
KΩ KΩ KΩ cv)/cv
obs. A A A A A A A A A A

3.17 3.14 4.83 4.85 5.84 4.77 13.84 12.76

1 3.15 2.07 1.71 0.013 0.012 - 0.07%
mA mA mA mA mA mA mA mA

5.84 6.88 4.83 4.70 5.84 4.77 16.51 16.35

2 1.471 2.07 1.71 0.017 0.018 -0.009%
mA mA mA mA mA mA mA mA

1.81 1.81 4.83 4.8 5.84 4.77 12.48 11.38

3 5.51 2.07 1.71 0.012 0.015 -0.09%
mA mA mA mA mA mA mA mA

Page 5 of 12
Calculation:

For experimental data – 1:

R1= 3.15 KΩ = 3.15× 103 Ω

R2 = 2.07 KΩ = 2.07 × 103Ω

R3 = 1.71 KΩ = 1.71 × 103 Ω

V= 10 V

RT = (3.15 -1 + 2.07 -1 +1.71 -1) -1

= 0.72 KΩ

= 0.72 × 103Ω

We know,

V=IRT

𝑉
I=𝑅

10
=
0.72 × 103

= 13.85 × 10-3 A

= 13.85 mA

𝑉
I1 = 𝑅
1

10
=
3.15 × 103

= 3.17mA

𝑉
I2 =
𝑅2

10
=
2.07 × 103

Page 6 of 12
 = 4.83 mA

𝑉
I3 = 𝑅
3

10
=
1.71 × 103

= 5.84 mA

For experimental data – 2:

R1= 1.471KΩ = 1.471× 103 Ω

R2 =2.07 KΩ = 2.07 × 103Ω

R3 = 1.71 KΩ = 1.71 × 103 Ω

V= 10 V

RT = (1.471-1 + 2.07 -1 +1.71 -1) -1

= 0.57 KΩ

= 0.57 × 103Ω

We know,

V=IRT

𝑉
I=𝑅

10
=
0.57 × 103

= 17.54 × 10-3 A

= 17.54 mA

Page 7 of 12
 𝑉
I1 = 𝑅
1

10
=
1.471 × 103

= 6.79 mA

𝑉
I2 = 𝑅
2

10
=
2.07 × 103

= 4.83 mA

𝑉
I3 =
𝑅3

10
=
1.71 × 103

= 5.84 mA

For experimental data – 3:

R1= 5.51KΩ = 5.51× 103 Ω

R2 =2.07 KΩ = 2.07 × 103Ω

R3 = 1.71 KΩ = 1.71 × 103 Ω

V= 10 V

RT = (5.51-1 + 2.07 -1 +1.71 -1) -1

= 0.8 KΩ

= 0.8 × 103Ω

We know,

Page 8 of 12
 V=IRT

𝑉
I=𝑅

10
=
0.8 × 103

= 12.5 × 10-3 A

= 12.5 mA

𝑉
I1 = 𝑅
1

10
=
5.51 × 103

= 1.81 mA

𝑉
I2 = 𝑅
2

10
=
2.07 × 103

= 4.83 mA

𝑉
I3= 𝑅
3

10
=
1.71 × 103

= 5.84 mA

Page 9 of 12
Answer of the Question:

i. Verify Kirchhoff’s Current Law (KCL) by analyzing practical data and support them
by comparing the results with the theoretical values by proper circuit solution.
Ans: For experiment – 1:

Theorical data:

I1 = 3.17mA

I2= 4.83 mA

I3= 5.84 mA

Practical data:

I1 = 3.14mA

I2= 4.85 mA

I3= 4.77 mA

So, experiment data are nearly similar to the theorical dat. So KCl proved for experiment -1.

For experiment – 2:

Theorical data:

I1 = 5.84 mA

I2= 4.83 mA

I3= 5.84 mA

Practical data:

I1 = 6.88 mA

I2= 4.85 mA

I3= 4.77 mA

So, experiment data are nearly similar to the theorical dat. So KCl proved for experiment - 2.

Page 10 of 12
For experiment – 3:

Theorical data:

I1 = 1.81mA

I2= 4.83 mA

I3= 5.84 mA

Practical data:

I1 = 1.81 mA

I2= 4.8 mA

I3= 4.77 mA

So, experiment data are nearly similar to the theorical dat. So KCl proved for experiment -3.

ii. Verify the measured value of total circuit current with calculated value. Show necessary
calculation.
Ans: Calculation part is shown above.

iii. Comment on the result as a whole.

Ans: For experiment – 1:
Theorical total current = 13.84 mA
Measured total current = 12.76mA
Error percentage = - 0.07%

For experiment – 2:
Theorical total current = 16.51 mA
Measured total current = 16.35mA
Error percentage = - 0.009%

Page 11 of 12
 For experiment – 3:
Theorical total current = 12.48mA
Measured total current = 11.38 mA
Error percentage = - 0.09%

It can be found that in experiment error percentage is - 0.07%, - 0.009%, - 0.09%. This error
occurred mainly because of problem in data collection, defect in apparatus or mistake in voltage
level. But error percentage is not that much so it can be said experiment is successful.

Discussion:
a) The data were interpreted and determined to the extent to the experiment was
successful in complying.
b) There were some errors in final data.
c) The way of study could have been improved, investigated and described.
d) The experiment was done firmly to get accurate date.

References
a) allaboutcircuits. (n.d.). Retrieved from Kirchhoff’s Current Law (KCL:
https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/textbook/direct-current/chpt-6/kirchhoffs-current-law-
kcl/

b) Elctronics Tutorials. (n.d.). Retrieved from Kirchhoff’s Current Law: https://www.electronics-

tutorials.ws/dccircuits/kirchhoffs-current-law.html

Page 12 of 12