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COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE

MCO #2 Date of Submission:

Name: Charito M. Omega Jr Instructor: Engr. Nickmar N. Balvez

Eugene S. Alboro
Liogie G. Domingo
RESISTOR EXPERIMENTS

Aim: To investigate the relationship between voltage, current and resistance in series, parallel and complex
circuits and verify the voltage divider rules and the current divider rules using the circuit simulation program,
Multisim and lab conditions as a means of validation.

Note: Attach the actual computation of the circuits below.

To complete circuit analysis the application of several rules and formulas may be required.
Ohms law describes the relationship between voltage (V), current (I) and resistance (R) [1] and states that:

V = IR [2]

Total Resistance (Rt) can be calculated using the appropriate formula.

For resistance in series the total resistance is equal to the sum of individual resistances (R1. R2 …Rn) and can be
expressed as:

Rt = R1 + R2 …. + Rn [3]

For resistors in parallel, the total resistance will decrease as more branches are added to the circuit due to current
having more paths to travel. The total resistance in parallel circuits can be expressed as:

1 1 1 1 [4]
= + +
…
Rt R1 R2 Rn
According to Kirchhoff’s Current Rule, the sum of all branch currents is equal to the total current of the
circuit. Kirchoff’s voltage law states that in any complete loop the sum of all voltages applied to the circuit
must equal the sum of voltages drops across the components of the loop. These rules can be satisfied through
circuit analysis and by using other laws, rules and formulas which confirm KVL and KCL to be true.[5]

Voltage Divider Rule

In a series circuit the current will remain the same as it passes through each resistor while the voltage will drop
as it travels the same path. The voltage divider rule can be applied to series circuits to solve the voltage
dissipation across each resistor.
The voltage divider rule states that the voltage across any resistor in a series connection will equal the ratio of
voltage multiplied by the value of the resistor divided by the total resistance of the circuit. This rule can be
expressed with the formula:

E. Rn
V 1=
∑R [6]

In this formula V1 equals the voltage drop across the nominated resistor Rn, E equals total voltage while

∑ R is the sum of all series connected resistances.

Current Divider Rule
In parallel circuits the current will divide into the parallel pathways (branches). The Current Divider Rule
states that when resistors are connected in a parallel circuit the current of any branch (In) will be a fraction of
the total current (IT). The amount of current passing through each branch is dependent on the amount of
resistance the

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current will experience as it travels along a branch with less resistance resulting in greater current. This rule can
be expressed with the formula:

Rn ∗Is [7]
¿=
R 1+ R 2

In this lab the circuit simulation program, Multisim is introduced. In the Multisim environment series parallel
and complex circuits can be built and values such as voltage resistance and current can be obtained from the
simulation.

Using both the simulated environment and the laboratory conditions analyse circuits and record values, calculate
total resistance and apply Ohm’s Law to verify the Voltage Divider Rule and the Current Divider Rule and
observe Kirchoff’s current and voltage laws. The lab provides opportunity to create circuits and observe the
discrepancies between simulated and measured circuits and calculated values.

Hypothesis Comparing results of the three forms of circuits will result in the measured values from the
simulation being the same as the calculated values while those gathered in the lab will be different values. The
Voltage Divider Rule and the Current Divider Rule will be validated by applying the equations of each rule to
obtain a similar value to that of the simulated and lab condition circuit.

Method
The supplies used during the experiment:

MULTISIM Circuit Simulator

Resistor Kit
Breadboard
Power Supply
Digital/Analog Multi Meter
BNC to Alligator Clips Cable
Resistors (List Resistor Values (3.3 kΩ, 10 kΩ, 2.2 kΩ, 1.2kΩ)

In this lab values were obtained via three (3) methods. Application of Laws, Rules and Equations, Multisim
circuit simulation and creation of circuits in lab conditions.

Part 1

Figure 1.0: Multisim Circuit

Figure 1.0 was reconstructed using MultiSim. Multimeters (XMM1, XMM2, XMM3, XMM4 and XMM5) were
set to ammeters and XMM6 was set to a voltmeter. The simulation ran and values from each multimeter was
recorded.

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Part 2.a

3.3 kΩ

12V
10 kΩ

2.2 kΩ

Figure 2.1: Circuit 1 – Series Configuration [9]

Part 2. The experiment aimed to verify the voltage divider rules by confirming calculated values with values
recorded from a breadboard circuit and in the Multisim environment.

Comment: Calculating for the potential differences of the given components was actually the easiest part of the
activity, while measuring was the confusing part but we somehow figured it out thanks to sir Nickmar’s guidance
and clarifications. The calculated values in contrast with the measured value was never always accurate, but it was
always almost close.

Part 2.b

R1

R2 R3

Figure 2.2: Circuit 2 – Parallel Configuration [10]

Part 2.a of the experiment aimed to verify the Current Divider Rules by confirming calculated values with
values recorded from a breadboard circuit and in the Multisim environment.

.
Comment: Multisim was a big help, it was our main reference for whenever we feel uncertain for the values
calculated and measured.

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Results

Part 1

Table 1. The readings obtained from Figure 1.0 during part 1 of the lab. This circuit was a complex circuit,
simulated in the Multisim environment. Meters XMM1, XMM2, XMM3, XMM4, XMM5 were all set to
ammeters to measure the current running through branches. Meter XMM6 was set to volts to measure the
voltage drop across Resistor R4.

Meter Measurement (mA) or (V)

XMM1 25.041Ma

XMM2 7.428mA

XMM3 15.86mA

XMM4 2.8mA

XMM5 2.8mA

XMM6 1.8V

Part 2

Table 2. Voltage readings of Circuit Figure 2.1. using Voltage Divider Rule, Lab Conditions and a Multisim
environment

Calculated voltage Measured Voltage Simulated Voltage

V1 1.17V 1.5V 1.17V

V2 5.325V 5.8V 5.325V

V3 2.50V 3.01V 2.50V

Voltage

Figure 3. The voltage drop across resistors in circuit Fig. 2.1. and the voltage dissipation observed around
the circuit measured in a multisim environment.

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Table 3. Current readings of figure 2.2. using Current Divider Rule, Lab Conditions and a Multisim
environment

Calculated Current Measured Current Simulated Current

It 16.8mA 16.9mA 16.65mA

I1 11.43mA 12.03mA 11.34mA

I2 5.37mA 5.20mA 5.33mA

Comment: The calculated and simulated values were mostly identical while the measured value is somewhat slightly
different, but it’s fine since if it’s all summed up its all equal.

Figure 4. Capture simulation of the circuit using Multism in Figure 1 with Group # and name
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Team Alboro

Figure 5. Capture simulation of the circuit using Multism in Figure 2.1 with Group # and name

Team Alboro

Figure 6. Capture simulation of the circuit using Multism in Figure 2.2 with Group # and name
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Figure 8. Actual documentation of Figure 2.1 Circuit Experiment

Figure 9. Actual documentation of Figure 2.2 Circuit Experiment

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Discussion
Making a circuit is kind of easy, but we should watch out for the calculations and the expected outcomes because
measuring values is not always accurate. This is the reason why we used three different methods to know the values and
potential differences of the circuits. This is also to compare the results of the different methods used. In addition, be
always sure that the jumper wire used for your circuit works well to avoid confusion and doubt.

Conclusion
In conclusion, it is always better to use more than one method to ensure the outcome of things or in this case, circuit
making.

Books
[2]-[4], [6][8]-[10] R. Raad, Laboratory WorkBook, 8th ed. Wollongong: University of Wollongong, 2021, pp.
13-19.
Internet Documents
[1]"Ohm's law", Oxford Reference, 2021. [Online]. Available:
https://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803100247443#:~:text=The%20ratio%20of
%20the%20potential,is%20the%20resistance%20in%20ohms. [Accessed: 11- Sep- 2021].
[5]"Kirchhoff's laws (article) | Circuits | Khan Academy", Khan Academy, 2021. [Online]. Available:
https://www.khanacademy.org/science/physics/circuits-topic/circuits-resistance/a/ee-kirchhoffs-laws. [Accessed:
14- Sep- 2021].
[7] [4]J. Fiore, "5.4: Series-Parallel Analysis - Engineering LibreTexts", Eng.libretexts.org, 2021. [Online].
Available: https://eng.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Electrical_Engineering/Electronics/
DC_Electrical_Circuit_Analysis_-
_A_Practical_Approach_(Fiore)/05%3A_Series-Parallel_Resistive_Circuits/5.4%3A_Series-Parallel_Analysis.
[Accessed: 10- Sep- 2021].
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