AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY-BANGLADESH (AIUB)

Faculty of Engineering
EEE 1202 Electrical Circuit 1 (DC) Laboratory

Exp: 02
Name of the Experiment:
Verification of Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law (KVL) and Kirchhoff’s Current Law (KCL)

Objective:
There are two sections in this experiment. In the first circuit Kirchhoff s Voltage Law (KVL) will
be verified and in the second Kirchhoff’s Current Law (KCL) will be verified.

Theory:
Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law (KVL) in a DC circuit states that, “the algebraic sum of the Voltage drop
around any closed path is equal to the algebraic sum of the Voltage rises”. In other words, “the
algebraic sum of the Voltage rises and drops around any closed path is equal to zero”. A plus
(+) sign is assigned for the potential rises (to +) and minus sign (-) is assigned to a potential
drop (+ to -). In symbolic form, Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law (KVL) can be expressed as
∑cV=O, Where C is used for closed loop and V is used for the potential rises and drops.

Kirchhoff’s Current Law (KCL) in a DC circuit states that, “the algebraic sum of the currents
entering and leaving an area, system or junction is zero”. In other word, “the sum of the currents
entering an area, system or junction must be equal the sum of the currents leaving the area,
system or junction”. In equation form,

∑ I entering = I leaving

Equipment:
1. Trainer Board
2. Voltmeter
3. Ammeter
4. AVO meter or Multimeter
5. DC source

Components:

1. Resistor

Circuit Diagram:
 Experiment:
1. Connect the circuit as shown in the figure 1.
2. Measure the voltage across each elements of the circuit.
3. Fill the following table with necessary calculations.

Table: 1
No. R1 R2 R3 I V1 V2 V3 V1+V2+V3 %Error=%
of (mv-cv)/cv
obs C M C M C M C M
.

A A V V V V V V
5v 147 217 97 1.08 1.1 1.5 1.61 2.34 2.38 1.056 1.071 M→V=5 V 1.41%
8 7Ω 9 mA 2 9V 3V 8V 2V V V
Ω Ω mA C→5.072
10v 147 217 97 2.18 2.1 3.2 3.20 4.75 4.73 2014 2012 C→V=10.0 0.596%
8 7Ω 9 6 mA 3 3V 6V 9V V 0V 4V 6
Ω Ω mA
M→V=10V
15v 147 217 97 3.23 3.2 4.7 4.82 7.05 7.09 3.17 3.182 C→V=15V 0.609.5%
8 7 9 mA 1 8V V V V V V
Ω Ω Ω mA M→V=15.0
9

4. Connect the circuit as shown m the figure 2.

5. Measure the current across each branches of the circuit.
6. F111 the following table with necessary calculations.

Table: 2
No. R1 R2 R3 I I1 I2 I3 I1+I2+I3 %Error=%(mv-
of cv)/cv
obs. C M C M C M C M

A A V V V V V V
5v 1478 2177 979 10.78 10.72 3.38 3.42 2.30 2.34 5.10 5.13 C→Is=10.78 1.56%
Ω Ω Ω mA mA mA mA mA mA mA mA mA

M→Is=10.89
mA
10v 1478 2177 979 21.57 21.5 6.77 6.77 4.60 4.59 10.21 10.22 C→Is=21.58 0.003%
Ω Ω Ω mA mA mA mA mA mA mA mA mA

M→Is=21.5
mA
15v 1478 2177 979 32.36 32.06 10.1 10.25 6.89 6.9 15.32 15.32 C→Is=32.35 1.26%
Ω Ω Ω mA mA 4 mA mA mA mA mA mA mA

M→Is=32.06
mA

Report:
1. Theoretically calculate the voltages and currents for each element in the circuits and
compare them to the measured values.
2. Compute the percentage error in the two measurements and provide a brief
explanation for the error.
3. For the circuit shown in the figure, Verify Kirchhoff’s current law at node P.