Holcombe Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Clemson University

Lab Report
Experiment 5: Network Theorems I

ECE 2110
Electrical Engineering Lab I
Fall 2024

submitted by: Michael Ni

GTA: Mr. Rajan Ratnakumar
Instructor: Dr. William R. Harrell
1) Abstract
Experiment 5 involved the application of the theorems used for calculating and analyzing most
DC circuits. The lab instructs to read and learn Kirchoff’s Voltage Law and Kirchoff’s Current Law so
that we are able to use it to predict the values that will be measured in the experiment. While the circuits
themselves are not difficult to build, knowing how to solve for the circuits with the KVL and KCL
requires effort to master. It is crucially important for a student of circuits to understand how to calculate
values in a circuit. Taking measurements, was used to verify the calculations and confirm the student’s
understanding of the circuit theorems.
In this lab experiment, our lab team performed experiments to discover and verify the resistance
and voltage with our voltmeter, and ammeter. The measured values came very close to the calculated
voltages, the difference in value can be attributed to a source voltage of less than 5 volts and power loss in
the form of heat and added resistance from the age of the wire connectors.

2) Introduction
Learning and understanding Kirchoff’s fundamental circuit laws is essential for electrical engineers. This
lab reinforces the Kirchoff Circuit Laws for voltage, current and resistance to help master circuit analysis
for DC circuits.

i. ) List of Components
a. Breadboard
b. Resistors 75 ohm, 150 ohm, 330 ohm, 470 ohm 820 ohm, 1k ohm, 1.5k ohm, 2.2k ohm and
resistance substitution box.

ii. ) List of Instruments

a. Digital Multimeter
b. Analog Discovery 2

3) Theory and Procedure

Part 1 – Determining Parallel Equivalent Resistance

a. Theory and Procedure

Part 1 of the lab involved calculating the values of each resistor using KVL and KCL theorems

and then verifying the results with a physical build of the circuit. The data for those calculations
are listed below. Please refer to the scanned pages for the recorded results and comparison to the

measurements taken from the physical circuit in the tables.

b. Hand Calculations
Table 5.1
Vsource, V330ohm, V1.5kohm V2.2kohm = 5 volts, all parallel branches share same node with source
voltage, thus they are all 5 volts.
Ohm’s law
I1=V/R = 5V/330ohm = 0.01515A I2=V/R = 5V/1500ohm = 0.0033A
I3=V/R = 5V/2200ohm = 0.00227A

Part 2 – Effect of R on the Component Voltages

a.) Theory and Procedure

Part 2 of the lab involved applying the theorem of voltage division. We calculated by hand the

voltage of each element and recorded it into table 5.2. Then, we setup the circuit on our

breadboard and measured the voltage values using our Digital Multimeter (DMM). Below is the

calculated results and the measured values. Please refer to the scanned pages for the recorded

results and comparison to the measurements taken from the physical circuit in the tables.

b.) Hand Calculations

Table 5.2
Voltage Division
V820=Vsource*(820/820+R-Box)=5V*(820/(820+510)) = 3.083V
V510=Vsource*(R-Box/820+R-Box)=5V*(510/(820+510)) = 3.083V
V820=Vsource*(820/820+R-Box)=5V*(820/(820+1000)) = 2.25V
V1000=Vsource*(R-Box/820+R-Box)=5V*(1000/(820+1000)) = 2.747V
V820=Vsource*(820/820+R-Box)=5V*(820/(820+2000)) = 1.454V
V2000=Vsource*(R-Box/820+R-Box)=5V*(2000/(820+2000)) = 3.546V
V820=Vsource*(820/820+R-Box)=5V*(820/(820+3000)) = 1.073V
V3000=Vsource*(R-Box/820+R-Box)=5V*(3000/(820+3000)) = 3.927V
V820=Vsource*(820/820+R-Box)=5V*(820/(820+4300)) = 0.8007V
V3000=Vsource*(R-Box/820+R-Box)=5V*(3000/(820+3000)) = 4.1993V
V820=Vsource*(820/820+R-Box)=5V*(820/(820+5100)) = 0.6925V
V5100=Vsource*(R-Box/820+R-Box)=5V*(5100/(820+5100)) = 4.3074V

Part 3 – Sum of Currents at a Node

a.) Theory and Procedure

Part 3 of the lab teaches how to apply the theorem of current division. We hand calculated all of

the values for the circuit in figure 5.3. Then, we built the circuit on our breadboard and measure

the values and recorded them into our table. Below is the table of measured values. Please refer

to the scanned pages for the recorded results and comparison to the measurements taken from the

physical circuit in the tables.

b.) Hand Calculations

Table 5.3
R150||R510 = (150*510)/150+510) = 115.91
I1=5/(75+115.91) = 0.02619
I2 = I1*(510/(150+510)) = 0.0202377
I3 = I1*(150/(150+510) = 0.005952
R150||R1000 = (150*1000)/150+1000) = 130.435
I1=5/(75+130.435) = 0.024338
I2 = I1*(1000/(150+1000)) = 0.02116
I3 = I1*(150/(150+1000) = 0.0031745
R150||R2000 = (150*2000)/150+2000) = 139.53488
I1=5/(75+139.535) = 0.023306
I2 = I1*(2000/(150+2000)) = 0.0215744
I3 = I1*(150/(150+2000) = 0.0015125
R150||R3000 = (150*3000)/150+3000) = 142.865
I1=5/(75+217.865) = 0.023306
I2 = I1*(3000/(150+3000)) = 0.02185
I3 = I1*(150/(150+3000) = 0.001093
R150||R4300 = (150*4300)/150+4300) = 144.9438
I1=5/(75+144.944) = 0.02273
I2 = I1*(4300/(150+4300)) = 0.021964
I3 = I1*(150/(150+4300) = 0.000766
R150||R5100 = (150*5100)/150+5100) = 145.714
I1=5/(75+145.714) = 0.02265
I2 = I1*(5100/(150+5100)) = 0.02200
I3 = I1*(150/(150+5100) = 0.000647

c.) Discussion of Results

After reviewing the data, it is evident from the results that Kirchhoff’s Current Law was

supported for the measurements. We were able to observe relatively consistent measurement for

the 1.0kΩ, 3.0kΩ, or 4.3kΩ resistors. However, some lack of precise matching may be due to rounding

error when taking the measurements.

Part 4 – Sum of Voltages around a Loop

a.) Theory and Procedure

Part 4 of the lab required the application of Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law. The values for the circuit

in figure 5.4 had to be calculated. Then, we built the circuit on the breadboard and measured the

values and recorded them into table 5.4. Please refer to the scanned pages for the recorded

results and comparison to the measurements taken from the physical circuit in the tables.
b.) Hand Calculations

Table 5.4
I=5V/(330+1000+470)=0.00278
V330=IR=0.00278*330=0.9167
V1000=IR=0.00278*1000=2.78
V470=IR=0.00278*470=1.3066
0.917+2.78+1.3066 = 5.0036V

c.) Discussion of Results

Comparison of the data shows the calculations agree with Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law. However,
the measurements for the voltage sum does not equal the voltage source. This result is partially
due to a rounding error in measurement as well as normal environmental issues related to a
physical circuit.

Part 5 – Sum of Voltages around Different Loops

a.) Theory and Procedure

In the final part 5 of the lab we applied a more complex usage of Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law. The

voltage values were calculated for all the loops in figure 5.4. Due to the number of variables, a

matrix calculation had to be employed to obtain the current calculated values. The circuit loops

were then built on the breadboard and we measured the values and recorded them into our table.

Please refer to the scanned pages for the recorded results and comparison to the measurements

taken from the physical circuit in the tables.

b.) Hand Calculations

Table 5.5
0=-Vsrc+I1(330)+(1000)(I1-I2)
0=I2(470)+I2(2200)+(1000)(I2-I1)
0=-Vsrc+I3(330)+I3(470)+I3(2200)
1330 -1000 0 [5]
-1000 3670 0 [0]
0 0 3000 [ 5]
I1=0.004728
I2=0.001288
I3=0.001667
V330 = 330*.004728 = 1.56024
V1000 = 1000*(0.004728-0.001288)=3.44
V470=470*I2 = 470 * 0.001288=0.60536
V2200=2200*I2 = 2200*.001288=2.8336
c.) Discussion of Results

Minor differences in voltage are likely due to rounding error when taking measurements. If the
difference is thus explained, we can assume that the voltage sums are 0. Employing this theory
allows us to make the assumption that the measurement calculations agree with Kirchhoff’s
Voltage Law.

5) Conclusions
The purpose of lab 5 was to gain a better understanding of the different theorems available for

calculating voltages, currents, and resistance. We applied the use of Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law,

Kirchhoff’s Current Law, voltage division, current division, and equivalent resistance. Upon the

completion of this lab, I believe the group became more proficient with the use of the different

methods of calculating voltage, current and resistance.

Probing Further Questions:

Q1. In part 2, what would the value of R have to be so that the voltage across R is 4/5 of the

source voltage? Your answer should be quantitative (i.e. a number).

 V source∗R R−Box
V R−Box =
820+ R R− Box

Since we’re wanting V R−Box to equal 4/5 of the 5V source we can set that to 4V in our equation.

Now, we need to solve for R R−Box .

V∗R R −Box
4 V =5
820+ R R−Box

Using our calculator to solve for R R−Box we know that for V R−Box to equal 4V R R−Box must be

3280Ω.

Q2. In part 3, what would the value of R3 have to be so that the current through R3 is 10 times

the current through R2? Your answer should be quantitative.

i total∗R 150Ω
I 3=
R 150Ω + R R −Box

i total∗R R −Box
I 2=
R 150Ω + R R− Box

i total∗R 150Ω 10∗i total∗R 150Ω

=
R 150Ω + R R −Box R 150Ω + R R− Box

R150 Ω=10 R R−Box

R 150Ω 150
=R R −Box= =15 Ω
10 10

So, for the current flowing through R3 to be 10 times the current flowing through R2 the resistor R3 must

be 15Ω.