i

ii

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTES . . . ii
INTRODUCTION . . . iii

LABORATORY ACTIVITY NO. 1 . . . 1

ELECTRIC CIRCUIT FUNDAMENTALS

LABORATORY ACTIVITY NO. 2 . . . 8

SERIES AND PARALLEL CIRCUITS: VOLTAGE DIVIDER AND
CURRENT DIVIDER

LABORATORY ACTIVITY NO. 3 . . . 13

KIRCHHOFF’S LAWS

LABORATORY ACTIVITY NO. 4 . . . 16

THEVENIN’S THEOREM AND MAXIMUM POWER TRANSFER

LABORATORY ACTIVITY NO. 5 . . . 21

INDUCTORS AND CAPACITORS COMBINATION

LABORATORY ACTIVITY NO. 6 . . . 27

TRANSIENTS OF FIRST-ORDER CIRCUIT
 iii

Introduction

This laboratory manual provides learning opportunities for students to relate and
reinforce the theoretical concepts about electrical circuits principles taught in the lecture.
This gives the students insights on design, simulation and hardware implementation of
circuits. The main aim is to provide hands-on experience to the students so that they are
able to put theoretical concepts to practice.

Each of the laboratory activities consists of two parts, the simulation and
hardwired. Computer simulation is stressed upon as it is a key analysis tool of engineering
design. “Multisim” software is used for simulation of electric circuits. Students will also
carry out a design experiment in addition to the six experiments provided in this laboratory
manual. Students will be given a specific design problem, which after completion they will
verify using the simulation software.

Notes:

All laboratory activities, including figures and tables, were adapted from “EE201
Electric Circuits Laboratory Manual” by Dr. A. H. Abdur-Rahim Noman Tasadduq,
Department of Electrical Engineering, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals,
August 2003.

Figures 1 and 2 of Laboratory Activity No. 5 were adapted from Fundamentals of

Electric Circuits, 6th edition, by C.K. Alexander and M.N.O. Sadiku, 2017, New York,
McGraw-Hill Education Copyright (2017)
 1

INTRODUCTION

This experiment has two parts. Each part will have to be carried out using the
Multisim software. The experiments will then be repeated with hardwired laboratory
equipment. The experiments involve measurement of voltage and current in a dc circuit
and verification of Ohm’s law.

Part 1: Voltage and Current in a DC Circuit

OBJECTIVES:

1. Investigate how to use a voltmeter to measure voltage across a circuit

component.
2. Investigate how to use an ammeter to measure current flow in a circuit
component.
3. Investigate what happens if the rated value of a component is exceeded (only
simulation will be used to investigate this step).
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Circuit Diagram:

MATERIALS
• One dc power supply
• One dc 0-20 V voltmeter
• One dc 0-100 mA ammeter
• One Multimeter
• One 5 V, 1-W lamp

PROCEDURES:

Simulation

1. Construct the circuit shown in figure 1 on the Multisim software. Use 5 V, 1 W

lamp for simulation. (In the Components Toolbar, select the Indicator icon; now find
Voltmeter, Ammeter, and Lamp in this window.)

2. Set the dc supply voltage to 3 V and click the Simulate Switch and verify that
the battery voltage is 3 V as measured by the voltmeter. Record the voltage across the
 3

lamp terminals “V” and the current “I” flowing through it in Table 1. Calculate the power
dissipation in the lamp using the relationship P = VI and note it down.

3. Change the dc supply voltage to 5 V. Run the analysis again. Record voltage
and current in Table 1 and calculate the power dissipation in the lamp.

4. Change the dc supply voltage to 7 V. Run the analysis and see the effect on the
intensity of light. Record voltage and current in Table 1 and calculate the power
dissipation.

5. Change the dc supply voltage to 8 V. Run the analysis and observe the value of
current, also observe the glow of the lamp. What happened? Explain.

Question:
Why is the lamp damaged when the voltage across it goes to 7 V? Explain bu
comparing the power dissipation with the rated value.

Hardwired Experiment

6. Build the circuit of figure 1 with hardwired laboratory components. Before

switching on the dc power supply, set its voltage to 0 V.
 4

7. Turn the power supply on. Increase the supply voltage to 3V. Enter the voltage
and current in Table 2.

8. Increase the supply voltage to 5 V and repeat step 7.

Note: Do not raise the battery voltage beyond 5 V as it will burn the lamp.

Question:
Compare the Multisim results with the hardwired laboratory results. Comment on
the results.

Part 2: Ohm’s Law – Resistance

OBJECTIVES

1. Learn how to use multimeter to measure resistance

2. Verify Ohm’s law
3. Determine the relationship between voltage and current for constant resistance.
4. Determine the value of resistance from the slope of I-V characteristic curve.

MATERIALS

• One dc variable voltage power supply

• One multimeter
• One 0-100 mA ammeter
• Resistor, 100 Ω
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Circuit Diagrams:

Fig. 2 Resistance measurement Fig. 3 Verifying Ohm’s law

PROCEDURE:

Simulation

1. Build the circuit of figure 2 using Multisim. Connect a multimeter between the
terminals of resistor and set it to read resistance. Select R1 = 100 Ω. Click the Simulation
Switch to run analysis. Record the value of resistance R1 in Table 3.

2. Build the circuit given in figure 3. Set Vs = 10 V and R1 = 100 Ω. Click Simulation
Switch to run analysis. Record voltage “V1” across resistor R1 by connecting a multimeter
in parallel to it. Record the value of current “I” flowing through R1 by connecting another
multimeter in series to R1. Note down the values in Table 3. From the voltage current
readings, verify Oh’s law V1 = R1 I. Considering multimeter reading as the reference,
calculate the % error.
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3. Vary the dc supply voltage Vs in steps of 2 V amd record current in each case.
Enter your result in Table 4.

4. Plot “I” vs. “V” in the graph of Table 5.

5. Calculate the value of resistor based on the slope of the V-I characteristic curve
plotted in step 4.

Hardwired Experiment

6. Repeat steps 1-5 with the laboratory hardwired components.

Note: Use different color pen to plot the experimental results in Table 5.
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Resistance Measurement from V-I Slope, R = ____________.

Questions:

1. Compare the values of resistance obtained with ohmmeter, Ohm’s law, and slope of
the V-I plot. Comment on your results.

2. How could you tell if the resistance are linear or not?

Any other observations or comments:

 8

INTRODUCTION

There are two basic ways in which to connect more than two circuit components:
series and parallel.

Fig. 1 Series Circuit Fig. 2 Parallel circuit

For a series circuit shown in figure 1, the voltage across resistors R 1, R2, and R3
can be written as
𝑅1
𝑉1 = 𝑉
𝑅1 + 𝑅2 + 𝑅3 𝑠

𝑅2
𝑉2 = 𝑉
𝑅1 + 𝑅2 + 𝑅3 𝑠

𝑅3
𝑉3 = 𝑉
𝑅1 + 𝑅2 + 𝑅3 𝑠
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This is the voltage divider rule (VDR).

For parallel circuit given in figure 2, the branch currents can be written in terms of
the total current as
𝑅2
𝐼1 = 𝐼
𝑅1 + 𝑅2 𝑠

𝑅1
𝐼2 = 𝐼
𝑅1 + 𝑅2 𝑠

This is termed as the current divider rule (CDR).

OBJECTIVES

1. To study the voltage current relationships of series and parallel circuits.

2. To verify the voltage divider and current divider rules.

MATERIALS
• One dc power supply
• One multimeter
• Assorted resistors

Circuit Diagrams
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PROCEDURES:

Simulation

1. Build the circuit given in figure 3 on Multisim.

2. Connect voltmeters, ammeters (or multimeters) at appropriate positions to

measure voltages and currents shown in Table 1.

3. Disconnect the voltage source. Connect a multimeter and measure the total
resistance and record the value in Table 1. (Remember resistance is always measured
without any source connected to the circuit.)

4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 for the circuit given in figure 4 and record the values in
Table 2.

Hardwired Experiment

5. Build the circuit of figure 3 with the hardwired components. Take the voltage and
current measurements and Req and record in Table 1. Considering the Multisim results
as the base value, compute the percentage errors.

6. Build the circuit of figure 4 with the hardwired components. Take the voltage and
current measurements and Req and record in Table 2. Considering the Multisim results
as the base value, compute the percentage errors.
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Questions:

Refer to figure 3 and the results obtained in Table 1 and answer the following
questions:

1. Are R4 and R6 in parallel or in series? Why? Refer to voltage current

measurements for your answer to justify.

2. Are R3 and R4 in parallel or in series? Why? Justify.

3. Are Vs and R3 in parallel or in series? Why? Justify.

4. Are Vs and R6 in series or in parallel? Why? Justify.

5. Are Vs and Req in parallel or in series? Why? Justify.

6. Is VDR applicable for R3 and R4? Why? Justify your answer on the basis of
theory given in the introduction.

7. Is CDR applicable for R4 and R6? Why? Justify your answer on the basis of
theory given in the introduction.

8. Is the parallel combination of R4 and R6 in series or in parallel with R2? Why?

Justify.
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Refer to figure 4 and the results obtained in Table 2 and answer the following
questions:

9. Are R4 and R6 in parallel or in series? Why? Refer to voltage current

measurements for your answer to justify.

10. Are R3 and R4 in parallel or in series? Why? Justify.

11. Are Vs and R3 in parallel or in series? Why? Justify.

12. Are Vs and R6 in series or in parallel? Why? Justify.

13. Are Vs and Req in parallel or in series? Why? Justify.

14. Is VDR applicable for R3 and R4? Why? Justify your answer on the basis of
theory given in the introduction.

15. Is CDR applicable for R4 and R6? Why? Justify your answer on the basis of
theory given in the introduction.

16. Is the parallel combination of R4 and R6 in series or in parallel with R2? Why?
Justify.

Any other observations or comments:

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INTRODUCTION

Kirchhoff’s voltage law (KVL) states that the algebraic sum of all voltages around
any closed path equals zero. The Kirchhoff’s current law (KCL) states that the algebraic
sum of all the currents at a node is zero (current entering a node has opposite sign to the
current leaving the node). This experiment studies these two laws using Multisim.

OBJECTIVES:

1. Voltage and current measurements in a dc circuit.

2. Verification of Kirchhoff’s voltage and current laws.

Circuit Diagram:
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MATERIALS:
• One dc power supply
• One multimeter
• Assorted carbon resistors

PROCEDURE:

1. Construct the circuit shown in figure 1 using Multisim.

2. Measure the voltages VAB, VBC, VAD, VDC, VBD, and VAC. Enter the values in Table
1. Note the polarities of the voltages.

3. Measure the currents IAB, ICB, IAD, ICD, and IFA and enter the values in Table 2.
Note the polarity (sign) of the currents.

4. Calculate the voltages around the following loops and record them in Table 4:
ABCEFA, ABDA, BDCB, ABCDA.

5. Verify KCL by adding the currents at nodes A, B, C, D. Enter your results in

Table 3.

6. Construct the circuit in figure 1 with hardwire components. Repeat steps 2 – 5.

Enter your results in Tables 1 – 4. Considering the Multisim results as the base value,
compute the percentage errors.
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Questions:
1. Do the experimental and theoretical values of voltages and currents agree?

2. Give possible reasons for any discrepancies.

3. Are KVL and KCL verified?

4. Give reasons for any discrepancies.

Any other observations or comments

 16

INTRODUCTION

A two terminal resistive network can be replaced by a voltage source in series with
an equivalent resistor. The value of the source voltage equals the open circuit voltage of
the two terminals under consideration. The value of the equivalent resistors equals the
resistance measured between the open terminals when all the sources of the circuit are
deactivated (voltage source shorted and current source opened). This is termed as the
Thevenin’s theorem. The voltage source is called Thevenin’s voltage (Eth) and the
equivalent resistor, the Thevenin’s resistance (Rth).

The maximum power output to a variable output resistance occurs when the value
of the output resistance equals the Thevenin’s resistance.

The value of the maximum output power or transferred power is given as

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(𝐸𝑡ℎ )2
𝑃𝑚𝑎𝑥 =
4𝑅𝑡ℎ

OBJECTIVES:

1. To construct Thevenin’s equivalent circuit using Multisim.

2. To determine the maximum power transfer condition experimentally.

MATERIALS:
• Two dc power sources
• One multimeter
• Assorted resistors
• One variable resistor

Circuit Diagram:

PROCEDURE:

Simulation

1. Construct the circuit given in figure 2 on Multisim.

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2. Remove the load resistor RL and connect a multimeter (or voltmeter) to read the
open circuit voltage between A and B. Simulate and record the voltage. This is E th for this
circuit between A and B.

3. Remove the 10 V source. Replace it by a short circuit.

4. Remove the 5 V source. Replace it by a short circuit.

5. Connect a multimeter in the resistance measurement mode (ohmmeter)

between A and B. Run the simulation and record the value of the resistor. This is R th in
figure 1.

Hardwired Experiment

6. Build circuit of figure 2 with hardwired components in the laboratory

7. Repeat steps 2 – 5 and find the values of Eth and Rth experimentally. Considering
the Multisim results as the base value, compute the percentage errors.

Question:
Compare the values obtained with Multisim with that carried out using hardwired
components. Comment on the accuracy of the methods.

8. In the circuit of figure 2, connect a variable resistor (RL) between A and B.

9. Vary RL between 2.5 kΩ to 10.5 kΩ in steps of 1 kΩ. Measure the voltage

between A and B (VL) in each case. Enter your results in Table 2.
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10. Plot RL vs. PL.

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Questions:
1. At what value of RL the maximum value of PL occurs in the graph?

2. How does this value of RL compare with Rth you obtained experimentally or
through Multisim?

3. If not, how much is the error in either case (take Multisim result as the base)?

4. Draw the Norton’s equivalent circuit of figure 1.

5. Suppose you did not know the Thevenin’s equivalent circuit, what procedure
would you follow in the laboratory to get the Norton’s equivalent?

Any other observations or comments:

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INTRODUCTION
This experiment has two parts, capacitor combinations and inductor combinations.
Each part will have to be carried out using the Multisim software. The experiments will
then be repeated with hardwired laboratory equipment. The experiments involve
measurement of capacitance and inductance.

Part 1: Capacitor combinations

A capacitor stores electrical energy in an electrostatic field. A capacitor’s ability to

store energy is measured by its capacitance, C, which is measured in farads. Capacitors
are widely used to filter or remove AC signals from a variety of circuits. Also, because
capacitors take a predictable time to charge and discharge, they can be used in a variety
of time-delay circuits.

Capacitor in Series

Electric current I is the amount of charge that flows per unit time; that is, I = Q/t.
Thus, the total charge that flows through a circuit (or capacitor) is Q = It. So, if two
capacitors are connected in series and a voltage is applied across the pair, the same
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current, and therefore the same charge, must flow through both capacitors, and the total
voltage VT must be divided across both capacitors:

𝑄 𝑄 1 1 𝑄
𝑉𝑇 = 𝑉1 + 𝑉2 = + =𝑄 ( + )=
𝐶1 𝐶2 𝐶1 𝐶2 𝐶𝑇

where V1 and V2 are the voltages across the capacitors with capacitance C1 and C2. Thus,
CT, The total capacitance of capacitors in series is found by

1 1 1 𝐶1 𝐶2
= + 𝑜𝑟 𝐶𝑇 =
𝐶𝑇 𝐶1 𝐶2 𝐶1 + 𝐶2

Capacitors in Parallel

Connecting capacitors in parallel is effectively the same as making a single

capacitor’s plates larger, and therefore able to hold more charge for a given applied
voltage. This simple view is borne out if one analyse the flow of charge through a parallel
array of capacitors connected to a voltage source. The result of such analysis is that
capacitances in parallel add directly:

𝐶𝑇 = 𝐶1 + 𝐶2 + 𝐶3 + ⋯

OBJECTIVES

1. Capacitance measurements in Multisim

2. Verify the formula for total capacitance through simulation

MATERIALS
• Assorted capacitors
 23

Circuit Diagram

Fig. 1 Combinations of capacitors

PROCEDURE

Simulation

1. Construct the circuit given in figure 1 on Multisim.

2. Connect a multimeter in the inductance measurement mode (capacitance-

meter) between A and B. Run the simulation and record the value of the inductor. This is
CT in figure 1.

Hardwired Experiment

3. Build circuit of figure 1 with hardwired components in the laboratory

4. Repeat step 2 and find the value of CT experimentally. Considering the Multisim
results as the base value, compute the percentage errors.
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Table 1. Total capacitance for circuit in figure 1

Total Capacitance (Theoretical) Total Capacitance (Experimental)

Using nominal Using measured Hardwired Multisim

values values

Part 2: Inductor Combinations

An inductor stores energy in a magnetic field created by the current that passes
through it. Its ability to store energy is measured by its inductance, L, which is measured
in Henries. Like capacitors, inductors are widely used to filter or remove AC signals from
a variety of circuits.

Inductors in Series

When inductors are connected in series, the total inductance is the sum of the
individual inductors. This is similar to the way the resistors in series add.
𝐿𝑇 = 𝐿1 + 𝐿2 + 𝐿3 + ⋯

Inductors in Parallel

When inductors are connected in parallel, the inductances add in the same way
that parallel resistors add.
1 1 1 1
= + + +⋯
𝐿𝑇 𝐿1 𝐿2 𝐿3

However, an additional effect can appear in inductance circuits that is not present
with resistors. This effect is called mutual inductance and is caused by the interaction of
the magnetic fields of neighboring inductors. Mutual inductance can either increase or
decrease the total inductance, depending on the orientation of the interacting inductors.
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OBJECTIVES

1. Inductance measurements in Multisim

2. Verify the formula for total inductance through simulation

MATERIALS
• Assorted inductors

Circuit Diagram

Figure 2 Combinations of inductors

PROCEDURE

Simulation

1. Construct the circuit given in figure 2 on Multisim.

2. Connect a multimeter in the inductance measurement mode (inductance-meter)

between A and B. Run the simulation and record the value of the inductor. This is L T in
figure 2.

Hardwired Experiment

3. Build circuit of figure 2 with hardwired components in the laboratory

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4. Repeat step 2 and find the value of LT experimentally. Considering the Multisim
results as the base value, compute the percentage errors.

Table 2. Total inductance for circuit in figure 2

Total Inductance (Theoretical) Total inductance (Experimental)

Using nominal Using measured Hardwired Multisim

values values
 27

INTRODUCTION

The capacitor in the circuit of figure 1 is assumed to have no initial voltage.

When the switch is closed, the capacitor begins to charge. The voltage Vc(t) across
the capacitor for t = 0 is given as
𝑡
𝑉𝑐 (𝑡) = 𝐸 (1 − 𝑒 −𝑅𝐶 )

The current through the capacitor is expressed as

𝐸 −𝑡
𝐼𝑐 = 𝑒 𝑅𝐶
𝑅
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OBJECTIVES:

1. To perform a transient analysis of the circuit using Multisim

2. To verify the simulation results with laboratory hardwired components.

MATERIALS
• One dc power source
• One multimeter
• Capacitor, 3.3 mF, 80 V dc
• Resistor, 6.8 kΩ
• One switch & one stopwatch

Circuit Diagram
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PROCEDURE

Simulation

1. Build the circuit on Multisim. Note the node numbers.

2. Run the Transient Analysis. The procedure is given as:

a. Select Simulate on Main Menu

b. Select Analysis
c. Select Transient Analysis
d. Select Analysis Parameters
● Initial Conditions → Set to zero
● Start time: 0s
● End time: 120 s
●
e. Select Output Variables
● Select node 2 (left box, this is the node for capacitor voltage, you
might have different node number for capacitor voltage)
● Select plot during simulation (right box)

f. Select Simulate

3. Observe the wave shape. If you have access to a printer, print your results.
Using the cursor tool record the results and enter the results into Table 1 at the given time
instants.
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4. Plot Vc vs. time (in the event that you could not get a print).

Hardwired Experiment

5. Build the circuit given in figure 3 with laboratory hardwired components. Note
that this circuit is the same as in figure 2 except the switch.

6. Turn switch on and measure the voltage across the capacitor using multimeter.
Keep counts of time using a stopwatch. Follow the time schedule as given in Table 1.

7. Repeat the measurements three times and find the average for each time steps.
Enter the average value in Table 1. Before repeating the measurements, place a short
 31

circuit across the capacitor to make sure that capacitor has no voltage initially. (Use a
small resistance in series to discharge the capacitor.)

8. Plot the voltage response on the same graph paper as simulation plot.

Questions:
1. Compare the results of the simulation with hardwired experiment. Discuss the
results.

2. Calculate the time constant from both curves (simulation and hardwired).
Compare them with the theoretical value. Comment on your results.

3. Draw the circuit diagram of a first order network that has more than one
capacitor.
Any other observations or comments: