Electric Circuits ENGR 2790U

Laboratory 3 Voltage and current dividers, Wheatstone

bridge and basic circuit analysis
October 16, 2014
Raj Panchal - 100520916
Kevin Cordy - 100488529

Objective:
There were many objectives to complete throughout the duration of the laboratory. The
first was to gain hands on experience with voltage/current supplies, ammeters, voltmeter
functions, and variable resistors. Another objective was to study current and voltage dividers, as
well understanding and validating the function of a Wheatstone bridge. The last objective was to
experience the internal resistance of a multimeter and understand the effect on the results.

Components and Instruments:

The components and instruments used in the laboratory were as follows in Table 1:
Table 1 Components and Instruments Utilized

Procedure:
3.4.1 Voltage divider
1. Circuit as shown in Figure 3-1 was set up on the breadboard using +25V power supply
from Agilent power supply

2. A resistance of 10 kOhm was constantly used for R1 while for R2 1, 2, 3.3, 4.7, 5.6 and
10 kOhm resistors were used
3. The output voltages were recorded on table 3-5 along with the calculated values from
pre-lab calculations
4. Another resistor RL was added to the same circuit in parallel with R2
5. V1 was used with a value of 10V, R1 and R2 had values of 2 kOhm while for RL 1, 2,
3.3, 4.7, 5.6 and 10 kOhm resistors were used
6. Voltage values for each were measured

7. Voltage values were recorded on table 3-6 along with calculated values for the voltage
from pre-lab calculations
8. Two resistors, R1 and R2 with values of 10 MOhm each were obtained, and measured
using DMM
9. The circuit from figure 3-1 was built again on the breadboard with a power supply of 10V
10. Voltages were measured across R1 and R2, and were recorded on table 3-7
11. Remarks were made on the accuracy of nominal value vs. measured value and were
analysed by the %Error
3.4.2 Current divider
1. The circuit from figure 3-2 was constructed on the breadboard where resistor R1 had a
value of 4.7 kOhm and R2 had values of 1, 2, 3.3, 4.7, 5.6 and 10 kOhm

2.
3.
4.
5.

The Agilent power supply was used to supply a current of 5 mA

The voltage limit was set to 12V for safety purposes
The output currents across the circuit were measured and recorded in Table 3-8
Calculations from pre-lab were also recorded in table 3-8, these values were analysed
using %Error

3.4.3 Wheatstone bridge

1. The circuit in figure 3-3 was constructed on the breadboard using resistors of values 1,
2, and 3.3 kOhm for R1, R3, and R4 respectively with a supply voltage of 10V
2. Variable 1 kOhm resistor was used for R2
3. The values for R1, R3, and R4 were measured using DMM
4. The power source was attached to the circuit and R2 was adjusted to get 0 current
between A and B
5. The circuit was depowered and the resistance of R2 was recorded

6. R3 was replaced with a 4.7k resistor and steps 3-5 were repeated
7. Steps 1 4 were repeated with different values for R3
3.4.4 Basic Circuit Analysis Techniques
1. The circuit from figure 3-3 was built, the resistor values were measured and recorded

2. The voltages at each node were measured using the DMM

3. The values were recorded onto table 3-9 along with the calculations from pre-lab tasks,
these values were then analysed using %Error
4. The open circuit between A and B was replaced with DMM to measure the short circuit
current, this was repeated with the other voltages from previous table (Table 3-9)
5. A 1kOhm resistor was added in series with the ammeter in the central branch and the
voltage and current measurements were repeated, the values were recorded onto table 310
6. The values from the open and short circuit tests were compared to pre-lab task values
7. The lab experiment was concluded

Results:
Prelab Tasks:
The prelab tasks for the third laboratory were designed to ensure the objectives and topics
of the experiment were well understood. These tasks involved a review of current division,
voltage division, loaded resistors, as well as going over the function of a Wheatstone bridge.
The first section of the prelab tasks covered voltage division. The tasks associated with
voltage division were based off of Figure 3.1, which follows:

The gain and output voltage of the voltage divider with a fixed R1 value of 10k was
calculated and placed into Table 3.1. The voltage source was set at 10V. Simulated values were
obtained from a simulated circuit in Multisim.
Table 3.1: Calculated and Measured Values in a Voltage Divider Circuit
R2 Values (k)
1
2
3.3
Calculated output voltage (V)
0.909
1.667
2.481
Simulated output voltage (V)
0.909
1.667
2.481

4.7
3.20
3.197

5.6
3.59
3.59

10
5.0
5.0

% Error in output voltage

Calculated voltage gain
Simulated voltage gain
% Error in voltage gain

0%

0%

0%

0.09%

0%

0%

0.0909
0.0909
0%

0.1667
0.1667
0%

0.2481
0.2481
0%

0.320
0.3197
0.09%

0.359
0.359
0%

0.5
0.5
0%

Sample error calculation = |

The same error calculation format was used throughout the laboratory.

Sample calculated output voltage =

Sample calculated voltage gain = =
The percent errors displayed in Table 3.1 show that the calculations were done correctly, as well
as the construction of the circuit in Multisim. Possible causes for any error could be resistance
due to the simulated wires and/or the internal resistance of the simulated multimeter. If R2 was
replaced with an open circuit, there would be 10V across it. If there was an short circuit, 0V
would cross it.
The same circuit as in Figure 3.1 was used again, but this time a loaded resistor was
added. R1 and R2 were kept constant at 2k, and the voltage source was set to 10V. The output
voltage was calculated, as well as the voltage gain. Simulated values were obtained from a
simulated circuit in Multisim. Table 3.2 displays these values:
Table 3.2: Calculated and Measured Values in a Loaded Voltage Divider Circuit
RL Values (k)
Calculated output voltage (V)
Simulated output voltage (V)
% Error in output voltage
Calculated voltage gain
Simulated voltage gain
% Error in voltage gain

3.3

4.7

5.6

10

2.5
2.5

3.333
3.333

3.837
3.837

4.123
4.123

4.242
4.242

4.545
4.545

0%
0.25
0.25
0%

0%
0.3333
0.3333
0%

0%
0.3837
0.3837
0%

0%
0.4123
0.4123
0%

0%
0.4242
0.4242
0%

0%
0.4545
0.4545
0%

Sample calculated output voltage:

Sample calculated voltage gain:

The percent errors were all 0%, indicating the theoretical process directly matches the
experimental process.
Figure 3.2 is used for the current division section of the prelab. An input current of 50mA
was used, and R1 was fixed at 4.7k. The current gain and output current were computed and

placed into Table 3.3, along with the simulated values obtained from Multisim.

Table 3.3: Calculated and Measured Values in a Current Voltage Divider Circuit
R2 Values (k)
1
2
3.3

4.7

5.6

10

Calculated output current (mA)

41.228

35.075

29.375

25

22.816

15.986

Simulated output current (mA)

% Error in output current

41.223
0.01%

35.072
0.009%

29.374
0%

25.011
0.04%

22.808
0.04%

15.975
0.08%

Calculated current gain

Simulated current gain
% Error in current gain

0.8246
0.8247
0.01%

0.7015
0.7014
0.01%

0.5875
0.58748
0.003%

0.5
0.50022
0.04%

0.4563
0.45616
0.03%

0.3197
0.031946
0.08%

Sample calculated output current =

Sample calculated current gain =

From Table 3.3, the errors are considerably low. This indicates the experimental method matches
the theoretical method very well. The small error may be due to the simulated wire resistance in
Multisim, or the internal resistance of the virtual multimeter.
The Wheatstone bridge in Figure 3.3 was used as the model for all of the calculation in
Table 3.4. The current and voltage across each resistor were calculated and simulated (using
Multisim), and organized into Table 3.4. The calculations and simulations were done assuming
an open circuit, as well as a short circuit.

Table 3.4: Wheatstone Bridge Open and Short Circuit Data Calculated and Simulated
Variable
Calculated
Calculated
Simulated
Simulated
Open Circuit
Short Circuit
Open Circuit
Short Circuit
9.75
10.106
9.75
10.106
IV1 (mA)
6
5.053
6
5.053
IR1 (mA)
6
6.947
6
6.947
IR2 (mA)
3.75
5.053
3.75
5.053
IR3 (mA)
3.75
3.158
3.75
3.158
IR4 (mA)
1.895
0
1.895
0
IAB (mA)
6
5.053
6
5.053
VR1 (V)
6
6.947
6
6.947
VR2 (V)
3.75
5.053
3.75
5.053
VR3 (V)
8.25
6.947
8.25
6.947
VR4 (V)
2.25
0
2.25
0
VAB (V)

Lab Tasks:
3.4.1 Voltage Divider:
The circuit in Figure 3.1 was constructed. R1 was set to 10k and the source voltage was
10V. The output voltages were measured and placed in Table 3.5, along with the calculated value
from the prelab.
Table 3.5: Calculated and Measured Values in a Voltage Divider
R2 Values (k)

3.3

4.7

5.6

10

Calculated output voltage (V)

0.909

1.667

2.481

3.2

3.59

Measured output voltage (V)

0.91354

1.6595

1.8156

3.1915

3.5815

5.0127

% Error

0.497%

0.452%

36.650%

0.266%

0.237%

0.253%

Sample calculations are the same as the ones for Table 3.1.
All of the errors are low except one entry, in which the experimental error could have been
caused due to a faulty breadboard or incorrect circuit build. But, the other entries with relatively
low errors would have had sources of error such as unaccounted resistance in the wires and
multimeter. It can be said that the theoretical current division formula applies in the real world
very well because the experimental errors were low values.
The same circuit as above was used, but this time a loaded resistor was added. The output
voltages and voltage gains were simulated, and placed into Table 3.6. Calculated values were
form the prelab.
Table 3.6: Calculated and Measured Values in a Loaded Voltage Divider
RL Values (k)
Calculated output voltage (V)
Simulated output voltage (V)

1
2.5
2.5255

2
3.333
3.356

3.3
3.857
3.4735

4.7
4.123
4.1553

5.6
4.242
4.2762

10
4.545
4.5852

% Error
Calculated voltage gain

1.02%
0.25

0.69%
0.333

9.94%
0.3857

0.78%
0.4123

0.81%
0.4242

0.88%
0.4545

Simulated voltage gain

0.25255

0.333

0.34735

0.41553

0.42762

0.45852

1.02%

0%

9.94%

0.78%

0.81%

0.88%

% Error

Sample calculations are similar to those in Table 3.1.

Once again, the error was calculated and turned out to be relatively low. The theory matched the
real life circuit well.

The two 10M resistors had measured value of:

R1=9.8809 M
R2=9.8312 M
The circuit in Figure 3.1 was built using the resistors mention above, R1 and R2. The voltage
across each resistor was measured and placed into Table 3.7:
Table 3.7: Calculated and Simulated Values Comparison in a Voltage Divider
Resistor
Nominal
Measured
% Error
Value
Value
R1 (M)
10
9.8809
1.19%
R2 (M)
10
9.8312
1.69%
VR1 (V)
4.998
3.324
33.49 %
VR2 (V)
5.003
3.2797
34.45%

Remarks
Within Tolerance
Within Tolerance
High
High

The voltage measurements had an okay percent error (sub 35%) and the resistors were within the
tolerance indicated by their colour bands. The theoretical values for the voltages across R1 and
R2 should include the shunt resistance because the multimeter does not account for it. Thus, it
affects the values and should be considered. However, the shunt resistance is usually a very
small value and can often be negated when dealing with simple problems.
3.4.2 Current Divider:
The circuit in Figure 3.2 was made. R1 had a value of 4.7k, while R2 was variable. The
output current was measured, and also the source current. These values were placed into Table
3.8:
Table 3.8: Calculated and Simulated Values Comparison in a Current Divider
R2 Values
1 k
2k
3.3k
4.7k
Measured source (A)
4.7208 4.6889 4.6857 4.68441
Measured output (A)
3.8844 3.3099 3.1901
2.3377
Calculated output (A)
3.893 3.289
2.753
2.342
% Error
0.22% 0.63% 13.70%
0.18%

5.6k
4.6407
2.1226
2.118
0.22%

10k
3.7878
1.2055
1.211
0.46%

The sample calculations are similar to those from Table 3.3.

The % errors are, once again, low, which is expected. The current division formula is accurate
and correct when compared to real life circuits.

3.4.3 Wheatstone bridge:

Table 3.9: Calculated and Measured Values in open circuit conditions
Variable

Measured (V)

Calculated (V)

%Error

V1+

11.556

12

3.7%

VA

8.220

8.25

0.36%

VB

5.940

1.00%

Table 3.10: Calculated and Measured Values in short circuit conditions

Variable
V1+
VA
VB
IAB

Measured (V)
11.556
8.220
5.940
1.624

Calculated (V)
12
8.25
6

1.895

%Error
3.7%
0.36%
1.00%
14.40%%

Analysis Questions:
1. When the circuit became loaded, the output voltages were higher than when it was
unloaded. Thus, there was a higher voltage gain. The practical implication this would
have on a voltage divider could be a main power supply: the loaded voltage is variable to
how many devices are plugged into the main power. The more devices, the higher the
loaded resistance, and the higher the output voltage becomes.
2. When the 10M were used in the voltage divider, not much changed. The voltage was
relatively equal across each resistor, but the percent error was quite high at around 35%.
This means the effect of a large resistance makes the voltage divider formula not as
practical.
3. The measurements made with the current divider were very close to the calculated values
using a current division formula. Table 3.8 displays the values, including the errors: The
tolerances on the resistors are all 5%, meaning that five out of six of the measured
outputs would be within the tolerance. One of the outputs had an error above the 5%
tolerance, meaning a faulty resistor was used, or the breadboard malfunctioned, or the
circuit was not built correctly.
Table 3.8: Calculated and Simulated Values Comparison in a Current Divider
R2 Values
1 k
2k
3.3k
4.7k
Measured source (A)
4.7208 4.6889 4.6857 4.68441
Measured output (A)
3.8844 3.3099 3.1901
2.3377
Calculated output (A)
3.893 3.289
2.753
2.342
% Error
0.22% 0.63% 13.70%
0.18%

5.6k
4.6407
2.1226
2.118
0.22%

10k
3.7878
1.2055
1.211
0.46%

4. The Wheatstone bridge method is an accurate method for determining the voltage and
resistance values in a circuit. This can be seen by comparing the measured values from
table 3-9 and 3-10 to the calculated values. The percent error is very low which proves
that the Wheatstone bridge is an accurate method.
5. For the Basic Circuit Analysis Technique section, the following tables are re-computed
and re-simulated results using the measured resistance values in place of those computed
and simulated in the pre-lab.
Measured
Resistor Resistance
R1
0.9979k
R2
0.9896k
R3
0.9993k
R4
2.1963k
R5
0.9974k

Table 3-9 and 3-10 respectively, obtained from the Lab

Table 3.9: Calculated and Measured Values in open circuit conditions
Variable

Measured (V)

Calculated (V)

%Error

V1+

11.556

12

3.7%

VA

8.220

8.25

0.36%

VB

5.940

1.00%

Table 3.10: Calculated and Measured Values in short circuit conditions

Variable
V1+
VA
VB
IAB

Measured (V)
11.556
8.220
5.940
1.624

Calculated (V)
12
8.25
6

1.895

%Error
3.7%
0.36%
1.00%
14.40%%

Table 3-9 and 3-10 respectively re-calculated and re-simulated using actual measured
resistances
Table 3.9: Calculated and Measured Values in open circuit conditions
Variable

Measured (V)

Calculated (V)

%Error

V1+

11.956

12

0.37%

VA

8.247

8.25

0.036%

VB

5.963

0.62%

Table 3.10: Calculated and Measured Values in short circuit conditions

Variable
V1+
VA
VB
IAB

Measured (V)
11.956
8.220
5.963
1.624

Calculated (V)
12
8.25
6

%Error
0.37%
0.036%
0.62%
14.40%%

1.895
The changes in the resistance for each resistor caused changes in the voltage values as
well. However these changes were minimal. As the resistor was slightly lowered, the
current was increased due to Ohms law, since resistance and current are inversely
proportional.

6.
7.
a. The calculated value for the current in central branch agrees with the calculated
value of the current which is 1.895 mA. The calculation gives 0% error, therefore
this is an acceptable value.
b.

Branch 1:
R3I1 +R5I1 -R5I3 +R1I1 -R1I2=0
(R3+R5+R1)I1 -R1I2 -R5I3=0
2.9946I1 -0.9979I1 -0.9974I3=0
Branch 2:
12 +R1I2 -R1I1 +R2I2 -R2I3 = 0
-R1I1 + (R1+R2)I2 -R2(I3) = -12
-0.9979I1+ 1.9875I3 -0.9896I3 = - 12
Branch 3:
R5I3 -R5I1+ R4I3+ R2I3- R2I2=0
-R5I1 -R2I2+ (R5+R4+R2)I3=0
-0.9974I1 -0.9896I2 +4.19833I3= 0
The results for these I values are 4.96 mA, 9.89 mA, and 3.43 mA for I1, I2, and I3.
These values are within the acceptable error range, which is 5% error range.

Conclusion:
In this lab experiment multiple objectives were accomplished. These included hands on
experience with voltage/current supplies, ammeters, voltmeter functions, and variable resistors;
study of current and voltage dividers, as well understanding and validating the function of a
Wheatstone bridge; and to experience the internal resistance of a multi meter and understand the
effect on the results. In the conclusion of the experiment it was found that voltage divider and
Wheatstone bridge, both are accurate methods in application. It was found that voltage and
current dividers are used to provide a fraction of the supplied voltage from the source. The
Wheatstone circuit experiment was also done successfully utilizing the XK 150 kit. There were a
few difficulties faced during the experiment. Measuring the values of all of the resistors was one
of the major difficulties due to the minimal time provided to accomplish the lab, this was later
solved by making the process faster due to experience. Another difficulty faced during the
experiment was understanding the Wheatstone bridge component of the lab, however from the
assistance of the lab TA, the questions were answered. Overall, the lab experiment was
accomplished successfully.