Exercise no.

1
KIRCHHOFF’S VOLTAGE LAW: 3-ELEMENT SERIES

I. OBJECTIVE
To verify Kirchhoff’s voltage law by calculating the voltage and individual voltage drops by
using a 3-element series circuit. Verify results with a multimeter.

II. BASIC CONCEPTS

1. Individual voltage drops can be summed to determine the voltage source of a series
circuit.
2. Ohm’s law can be used to determine the resistance of any element when the voltage
across the element and the current through the element is known. R = E/I
3. Kirchhoff’s voltage law can be used on a series circuit to determine an unknown voltage
when all other voltages are known.
4. Kirchhoff’s voltage law and Ohm’s law can be used to analyze a series circuit.

III. TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT

If LAB VOLT is available:
(1) DC NETWORK THEOREMS circuit board (1) F.A.C.E.T. base unit
(1) 1242 Laboratory Instrument (3) Two-Post connector, 1 cm
(1) Digital Multimeter

Alternative equipment:
(1) Digital Multimeter (DMM) (1) Breadboard
(1) R1 Brw-Blk-Red (1) set connecting wires
(2) R2, R3 Brn-Grn-Red (1) Variable DC power supply

IV. PROCEDURE
1. Can you use Kirchhoff’s voltage law for any number of elements in a series circuit?
a. Yes b. No

2. Set up the circuit of Figure 1. Measure the resistance of R1, R2, and R3.
R1 = 0.222kΩ R2 = 0.504kΩ R3 = 0.740kΩ

3. Measure the actual voltage source

VDC = 14.92 Vdc

4. Measure the individual voltage drop across R1, R2, and R3.
VR1 = 2.34Vdc VR2 = 5.13Vdc VR3 = 7.55Vdc

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 +
R1
VR1
1k
-
Vdc
15 V +
R2 VR2
2.2k -

R3 +
3.3k VR3
-

Figure 1
5. Comparing the voltage drops and the source voltage, do your results prove that the sum
of the voltage drops about equals the source voltage?
a. Yes
b. No

6. Do your results indicate that Ohm’s law and Kirchhoff’s voltage law can be applied for a
circuit solution?
a. Yes
b. No

7. Based on the equation of Kirchhoff’s voltage law, which formula can you use to calculate
the value of R2? VS is your supplied voltage VDC
a. VR2 = VS – VR1 – VR2
b. VR2 = VS – (VR1 + VR3)
c. Either of the above

8. With the use of multimeter (DC ammeter), measure the input current (if the reading is
unstable, use the formula I = V1/R1 to obtain the input current).
IDC = 10mAdc

9. Based on the supplied current (IDC), calculate the voltage drops on R1, R2, and R3 by
using Ohm’s law.
VR1 = 2.22 Vdc
VR2 = 5.04Vdc
VR3 = 7.4 Vdc

10. Based on the calculated (STEP 9) and measured voltage drops (STEP 4), do your
measured values agree with your calculated results within tolerance?
a. Yes
b. No

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 11. Turn off power. Return all materials and equipment to the custodian.

V. QUESTIONS & PROBLEMS to PONDER

1. Define the following:
a. KIRCHHOFF’S VOLTAGE LAW
Kirchoff's Voltage law states that the total voltage in a closed loop is equal to the total of
the voltage drops.
b. CLOSED LOOP
A closed loop is a path that allows current to flow from a starting node or source and back
with no breaks in the circuit.

2. When you change the value of R3, the sum of the voltage drops does not change because
the source voltage
a. increases
b. does not change
c. decreases
d. none of the above

3. Based on Kirchhoff’s voltage law, the sum of the voltage drops

a. is greater than the source voltage
b. does not change because the source voltage does not change
c. is less than the source voltage
d. can no longer be determined

4. The polarity of the voltage source in your circuit

a. should be the same as that of the voltage drops
b. cannot be determined
c. should be opposite to that of the voltage drops
d. is not needed for an algebraic summation

VI. CONCLUSION
1. State in your own words Kirchhoff’s voltage law.
KVL states that the voltage drops in any closed loop is equal to the total voltage of the loop.

2. Define what is meant by series aiding voltage sources

Series aiding voltage sources occur when a terminal of a voltage source faces a terminal of the
opposite polarity, resulting in the net voltage being the sum of the two sources.

3. Define what is meant by series opposing voltage sources

Series opposing voltage sources occur when a terminal of a voltage source is facing a terminal
of the same polarity, resulting in the net voltage being the difference of the
two sources

VII.
NOTES/REFERENCES:
Ron Walls and West Johnstone. DC/AC Principles: Analysis and Troubleshooting, 1992.
West Publishing Company, USA

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