Voltage, Current, and Resistance in A DC Circuit
Voltage, Current, and Resistance in A DC Circuit
Voltage, Current, and Resistance in A DC Circuit
Introduction
Outcomes
When you have finished the activities in this experiment, you will have:
a) measured the resistance of a resistor and a diode.
b) measured the DC current through each device as a function of the potential
across it and plotted the data to obtain the I-V characteristic curve.
c) become familiar with using a multimeter to measure voltages, currents,
and resistances.
In the following lab you will make similar measurements for an AC circuit.
Procedure
A. Resistance Measurements: DC
To use your multimeter to measure resistance, turn the function dial to Ω (or
ohms). Connect the resistor to the ohmmeter (multimeter set to measure resistance), this
Question 2: What is the nominal value of the resistance of the carbon resistor
and its tolerance as specified by its color code? Does your measured value and the
nominal value agree within the tolerance specified by the color code? See the table at the
end of the lab instructions to interpret color codes.
V Voltmeter A Ammeter A
V
Resistor Power Supply
or battery
Power Supply
Don’t turn on the power supply until everything is prepared. The power supply
has three separate output pairs; output A, output B, and a fixed 5-volt output. There is a
switch near the top of the power supply which lets you choose whether output A or B is
enabled (you can use either but not both simultaneously). These two are variable outputs,
the size of the voltage is controlled with the dials on the right-hand side of the power
Ammeter
The ammeter will have its positive connection connected to the power supply as
above. It should also have a connection between its ground socket (often labeled ‘GND’
or ‘COM’ or ‘–’) and the resistor. It is good technique to start with the ammeter on its
highest setting and later reducing the setting. This protects against problems like blown
fuses. Ultimately you want get a current reading on the most sensitive scale possible. This
is a DC circuit, do not use an AC ammeter or an AC setting on a multimeter.
Resistor
The ends of the resistor should already be connected, one to the power supply and
the other to the ammeter.
Voltmeter
The positive socket of the voltmeter (often labeled ‘V’ or ‘V-Ω’ or ‘+’) should be
connected to the resistor (right next to the connection from the ammeter). The ground
socket from the voltmeter should be connected to the resistor’s other end. Make sure the
meter is set to measure DC volts. An oscilloscope could be used as the voltmeter if
insufficient multimeters are available.
Resistors have power ratings, a typical value is ½-watt, this means it may
dissipate ½ watt or less for long periods of time. Higher powers may cause it to smoke
Question 3: Does your graph suggest that the resistor is a linear device?
Discuss. Draw a best-fit straight line through the data points (force the line to pass
through the origin since we know I=0 when V=0) and calculate the slope. Determine the
resistance from the slope. [Hint: I = (1 R)V ]
To study a semiconductor diode, connect the circuit shown here. The arrow or
band on the diode indicates the direction of easy current flow (low resistance), usually
called the “forward direction”.
V Voltmeter A Ammeter A
V
Diode
Resistor Power Supply
or battery
CAUTION: Obtain the maximum current rating of the diode from your
instructor and do not exceed it; to do so would damage the diode.
Collect six data points of I and V values for the diode, only collect data with the
diode forward-biased. Plot your data.
Question 4: Does the graph suggest that the diode is a linear device? Discuss.
Color Code
A common type of resistor used in electronic circuits is made of compressed car-
bon sealed in a ceramic coating. The resistance value in units of ohms is coded on the
resistor by bands of color.
The first two colored bands give the significant figures in the resistance (a value
from 1 to 99). The third band gives the multiplier for the figure determined using the first
two bands. The fourth band gives the tolerance or uncertainty, it indicates to what
precision the resistor has been manufactured.
Examples
Red - Yellow - Green = 24 × 105 Ω ± 20% = 2.4 MΩ ± 20%
Green - Black - Gold - Gold = 50 × 10-1 Ω ± 5% = 5 Ω ± 5%
Brown - White - Red - Silver = 19 × 102 Ω ± 10% = 1.9 kΩ ± 10%
Brown - Black - Red - Silver = 10 × 102 Ω ± 10% = 1000 Ω ± 10%