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Lab Report

Circuits Lab

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2 views4 pages

Lab Report

Circuits Lab

Uploaded by

jeffreyjameswerdel
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
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Voltage Dividers and Thevenin Equivalents

Lab No. 2
Date Performed: September 9, 2024

Sections:

Introduction

Procedure and Results:


1. Voltage Dividers
2. Thevenin Equivalents

Conclusion
Introduction
This lab is split into two parts, part 1 introduces a voltage divider circuit as a way
to lower the value of a voltage source. Part 2 explores the Thevenin Equivalence as a
way to simplify complex circuits. By calculating the power consumption by load for
different resistors we can understand the relationship between 𝑅𝑠𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑐𝑒 and 𝑅𝐿𝑜𝑎𝑑. This
lab expands upon the base understanding of series and parallel equivalents and their
1 −1
equations. 𝑍𝑒𝑞,𝑠𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑠 = ∑ 𝑍𝑖 𝑍𝑒𝑞,𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑙 = (∑ 𝑍𝑖
)
𝑖 𝑖
Materials:
● Tektronix MDO 3024 Oscilloscope
● Tektronix DMM 4050 or handheld DMM
● Function Generator
● Solder-less Breadboard and connecting wires
● 4 banana-plug leads to at least 24 inches long
● 4 alligator clips
● Three 1 kΩ resistors
● One 510 resistors
● One 50 kΩ
● 4 BNC-to-Banana Adaptors
● Resistance Decade Box
● BNC-to-Banana Adaptors

Part 1: Voltage Dividers:


Part 1 starts by constructing a voltage divider circuit similar to figure 1. The
circuit consists of 𝑉𝑖𝑛 = 10 𝑉 𝑅1 = 10 𝑘Ω 𝑅2 = 1 𝑘Ω.
(Figure 1)
𝑍2
𝑉𝑜𝑢𝑡 = 𝑍1+𝑍2
𝑉𝑖𝑛 (1)

The circuit is supplied with 10 V, when measured the voltage across 𝑅2 was 0.889 V.
This number is expected since in the pre-lab using equation 1, the calculated 𝑉𝑜𝑢𝑡 was
0.91 V.

Part 2: Thevenin Equivalents:


In part 2 a circuit similar to figure 2 is constructed, in this circuit
𝑉𝑠 = 10𝑉 𝑅1 = 𝑅2 = 𝑅3 = 1𝑘Ω
(Figure 2)

𝑃 = 𝑉𝐼 (2)

four different load resistance (510Ω, 1𝑘Ω, 1. 51𝑘Ω, 50𝑘Ω) were used for 𝑅𝐿 and their
voltage across load resistor and current through load resistor was recorded. From
these measurements and using equation 2, power consumption by load was calculated.

(Table 1)
Load Resistance Voltage Across Current Through Power
Load Resistor Load Resistor Consumption by
Load

510 Ω 20.7 mV 1.5 mA 30.6 W

1 kΩ 41.2 mV 2.58 mA 106.29 W

1.51 kΩ 52.5 mV 3.05 mA 160.13 W

50 kΩ 24.2 mV 1.67 mA 40.41 W

In the pre-lab we calculated that our Thevenin Equivalent Source is 1.5 kΩ. From table
1, the load resistance of 1.51 kΩ results in the maximum amount of power consumption
by load. This is because of the relationship 𝑅𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 = 𝑅𝑠𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑐𝑒 will result in the maximum
power consumption.

Using a BNC adapter on the function generator along with banana cables, the decade
box and DMM are connected similar to figure 3, this circuit is used to measure the
Thevenin resistance of the function generator.

(Figure 3)

Starting at 10V, the impedance on the decade box is adjusted until half of the voltage
from the function generator is measured across the decade box. The Thevenin
resistance of the function generator was measured to be 1.5 kΩ.

Conclusion
From this lab we are able to understand how a build and calculate the 𝑉𝑜𝑢𝑡 for a
voltage divider circuit. If a measurement tool has an upper limit, a voltage divider is
useful in order to conform to this upper limit allowing us to take measurements.
Part 2 shows how useful the Thevenin Equivalence can be. The Thevenin
Equivalence can be used to simplify complex circuits by finding 𝑅𝐿, 𝑅𝑡ℎ, and 𝑉𝑡ℎ. This is
helpful when designing equipment because it makes circuit analysis easier. By making
circuit analysis easier, the load voltage or load current can be easily determined. When
designing equipment being able to quickly know the load voltage will save time in
understanding how a power supply will operate.

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