EEE1 Lab: Experiment 1

DC Measurements

Date:______________ Section:_____ Group:_____

Name Student Number Signature
1.
2.
3.

A. Instructions
 Perform the tasks enumerated in this experiment.
 Present the results of all tasks labelled as SPOT CHECK to your instructor.
 Answer the questions in the Required Discussion section in complete detail. You can use extra sheets or print outs. Do
not forget to cite your references.
 Submit this handout together with any other additional sheets you used on the day of the deadline.

B. Objectives
1. To learn the proper way of measuring current, voltage and resistance.
2. To learn various methods of obtaining measurements.
3. To be able to specify the degree of accuracy of any measurements made.

C. Materials and Equipment

1. Resistors (4) 4. Analog Multimeter (1)
2. Variable DC Power Supply (1) 5. 1mA Movement (1)
3. Breadboard (1) 6. Wires, connectors and clips

D. Resistance Measurement using the AMM

1. Set the AMM to measure resistance on the most sensitive scale (labeled Rx1). Short the two meter leads by touching
the metallic points together. Use the zero knob on the front of the meter to adjust the pointer so it is aligned with the
zero printed on the ohms scale. Switch the range to Rx100, Rx10000, etc. Observe and record whether or not the
needle can be zeroed for all settings (Use Table I).

Table I. AMM Calibration

Scale NEEDLE AT ZERO?

2. Determine the nominal value of the resistors issued to your group by reading the color code. Record this nominal
value in Table II.
3. [SPOT CHECK] Measure the resistance of these resistors using the Analog Multimeter (AMM). Set the AMM to a
reasonable resistance range when measuring each resistor. You will be able to accurately read the AMM to two
significant places. Record the measured value of the resistors in Table II. This will be used as the actual value.
4. Compute the %error. Record your computations in Table II.
𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 − 𝑛𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒
%𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = ( ) 𝑥100%
𝑛𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒

Table II. Resistance Measurement using AMM

Color Code Nominal Value Measured Value % Error

(indicate colors)
R1
R2
R3

E. Voltage Measurement using the AMM

1. Set the function switch of the AMM to DC voltage (V dc) and the range switch on the highest scale.
2. Turn on the power supply, set the current to 10 mA and turn the output voltage all the way up (fully clockwise).
3. To measure the voltage between two points, connect the terminals of the voltmeter to each of these two points.
Observe proper polarity pairing (See Figure 1). An ideal voltmeter will act like an open circuit. However, a practical
voltmeter has a finite resistance that causes the voltmeter to draw current. Select a scale that places the needle as
high as possible on the scale, without pegging the needle. Measure and record the maximum output voltage of the
supply.

Figure 1. Connection between Power Supply and AMM

4. Turn the output voltage all the way down (fully counter clockwise). Measure and record the minimum output voltage
of the supply.
5. Repeat steps 2 and 3 on another power supply. Record your results in Table III.

Table III. Power Supply Voltages

Minimum Voltage Maximum Voltage

PS1
PS2

F. Current Measurement using the AMM

1. Set up the circuit shown in Figure 2. Use the 1mA movement to measure current. Observe proper polarity.
2. [SPOT CHECK] To measure the current at a point in a circuit, break or open the circuit at this point (a and b) and then
insert the ammeter. An ideal ammeter will act as a short circuit. However, a practical ammeter has a small resistance
(less than 100Ω) that causes a voltage drop to be observed at the ammeter. As a precaution, power should be turned
ON only after inserting the ammeter. Record the measured current using the given 3 resistors. Complete Table IV.
Internal resistance of the ammeter = _________________
 R
a

Vs +– I

Figure 2. Simple Circuit I

Table IV. Current Measurements

Measured Current Theoretical Current % Error

R1
R2
R3

G. Measuring Resistance using Ohm’s Law

1. [SPOT CHECK] Set up the circuit shown in Figure 3. Obtain the current and voltage reading of the resistors. Record the
measured data in Table V.
2. Compute for the resistance values using Ohm’s Law. Calculate the % error using the values obtained using Ohm’s Law
as the actual value and the value based on the resistor color codes as the nominal value. Calculate the power
dissipated by each of the resistors.

Figure 3. Simple Circuit II

Table V. Measurements for Ohm's Law

Measured Measured Computed Power % Error

Current Voltage Resistance Dissipation
R1
R2
R3
H. Measuring Unknown Resistor
Alvin, an employee of the Rocky Mountain Ohm Company, put too much paint in the resistor-striping machine. As a
result, he produced thousands of different value resistors that were painted only one color. The company, not wanting
to throw away hundreds of dollars’ worth of resistors, offered them to any and all takers. Your university felt it could
test each resistor and thereby take advantage of Alvin’s error.
1. [SPOT CHECK] Obtain one of Alvin’s resistors from your instructor. Using the breadboard, use any method to obtain
the resistor value. Use a power supply of 10V. Tabulate your results in Table VI.
2. Assume the resistance measured using the ohmmeter is the actual value of the resistance. Compute the error
between the actual resistance and the value obtained using Ohm’s law (nominal value).
 Table VI. Alvin's Resistor Measurement

Color Code Resistance Measured Measured Resistance % Error

(indicate colors) (Multimeter) Voltage Current (Ohm’s Law)
R4

I. Required Discussion
1. At what range can’t the AMM be zeroed? Why?
2. How must the range be chosen in the AMM when measuring voltage, current and resistance?
3. What are the factors that may affect the accuracy of the results when using the AMM and 1mA movement?
4. What is the importance of the current knob in a power supply?
5. The 1mA movement can also be used as a voltmeter. Draw the circuit of this voltmeter that will be able to measure
up to 10V.
6. Compare the two methods used in measuring resistances in terms of simplicity, accuracy, etc.