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Name: _____________ Date: _______

Yr. & Sec. ____________

Laboratory Experiment No. 2


DC Power Source & DC Instruments

OBJECTIVE:

1. To become familiar with basic D.C. power sources and D.C. meters.

2. To gain experience in properly connecting D.C. meters in an electric circuit,


and in correctly reading meter scales.

EQUIPMENT:

¯ 1 D.C. power supply (0-20, 0-30, or 0-40 volts)

¯ 1 Volt-ohm-milliammeter (VOM)

¯ 1 Circuit Board

¯ Resistors

BACKGROUND:

The D.C. power supply is a source of energy which is used to supply power to
electric circuits. Another source of D.C. energy is a battery.

The two common types of electric meters used in the laboratory are the
voltmeter and the ammeter. The ammeter is an instrument which measures the
flow of electric charge (which is, of course, the current). An ammeter should
always be connected directly in series with a resistor through which
current is to be measured. The voltmeter is an instrument which measures
potential difference (which is, of course, voltage). A voltmeter should always
be connected between two points whose potential difference is to be
determined.

IMPORTANT: THE FOLLOWING PRECAUTIONS MUST ALWAYS BE OBSERVED


WHEN WORKING IN THE LABORATORY:

1. NEVER TURN A D.C. POWER SUPPLY ON UNTIL THE INSTRUCTOR HAS


CHECKED YOUR CIRCUIT.
2. NEVER CONNECT AN AMMETER BETWEEN THE TERMINALS OF THE POWER
SUPPLY, AS SEVERE DAMAGE WILL OCCUR TO THE METER.

3. ALWAYS CONNECT AN AMMETER IN SERIES WITH A RESISTOR THROUGH


WHICH CURRENT IS TO BE MEASURED.

4. ALWAYS USE PROPER METER POLARITY. IF A METER READS DOWNSCALE,


TURN POWER OFF IMMEDIATELY, AND CHANGE METER POLARITY IN THE
CIRCUIT.

5. WHEN MAKING MEASUREMENT, ALWAYS INITIALLY SELECT THE HIGHEST


RANGE OF VOLTS OR AMPERES ON THE METER. AFTER POWER IS TURNED
ON, THE RANGE MAY BE LOWERED STEP BY STEP UNTIL AN ACCURATE
(MIDDLE OF THE SCALE) READING IS OBTAINED.

PROCEDURE:

A. EQUIPMENT TABLE

1. Obtain the “EQUIPMENT” listed on the first page.

2. Construct an equipment table, listing each instrument and its important


characteristics.

B. VOLTAGE MEASUREMENTS

1. Examine the D.C. power supply and determine the function of each switch
and knob (consult the operating manual and /or the instructor). Check that all
controls are set to zero positions.

2. The symbol for the D.C. power supply is given as:

3. Plug the D.C. power supply into the A.C. power line, but leave the power
supply switch in the OFF position.

4. Examine the volt-ohm-ammeter (VOM), and be sure that you have


discussed its operation with the instructor before proceeding. The symbol for a

voltmeter is given as:

5. Next, connect the VOM to the power supply terminals (use + and -
terminals of the power supply) as shown below. This connection will allow the
VOM to measure the voltage supplied by the D.C. power supply.
6. Select the highest D.C. voltage range on the VOM, and set the range
selector to this range. Now, have the instructor approve your circuit
connection before proceeding.

7. Next, turn on the power supply, and increase its voltage until the meter
on the supply indicates approximately 5 volts.

8. The VOM will not indicate a response at this time, since the range
selector is the set on the highest volt range. Move the range selector of
the VOM until an accurate reading of the voltage can be read on the VOM
scale.

9. Read and record this voltage reading and draw a sketch of the circuit
diagram.

10. Now, without changing the power supply voltage setting, turn the supply
off and disconnect the VOM. In its place, connect the D.C. voltmeter to
the power supply. Be sure to select a proper voltage range for the
voltmeter. Again, have your instructor check the circuit before proceeding.
(Digital VOM).

11. Then, turn on the D.C. power supply and read and record the voltage on
the D.C. voltmeter, and draw a sketch of the circuit diagram.

12. Repeat steps 5 through 11, except now adjust the power supply to
approximately 10 volts, read and record this first with the analog VOM and
next with the D.C. voltmeter of the digital VOM.

C. Current Measurements:

1. A DC power supply is to be used to supply energy to a resistor, with the


circuit connected as shown below. The resistor symbol is given as:
The schematic diagram for this circuit is as follow:

With the circuit connected in this way, current will flow through the
resistor, and a voltage will appear across the resistor.

It is desired to measure both the current and voltage. To do this, two meters
must be connected into the circuit:

Meter symbols:

VOLTMETER AMMETER

The DC milliammeter must be connected in series with the resistor, while


the DC voltmeter (use the VOM as a voltmeter) must be connected between
the two ends of the resistor. The actual and schematic diagrams for the
circuit, with meters inserted, are shown below:
2. Construct the circuit shown using resistor R2.

3. Do not proceed until your instructor approves the circuit which you have
set-up.

4. Draw the circuit diagram.

5. Set the power supply voltage control to zero, and switch the supply on.

6. Adjust the power supply control until the VOM reads 12 volts. Read the
current indicated on the DC milliammeter. Record these readings (voltage and
current) in the data table.

7. Next, readjust the power supply control until a voltage reading of 10 volts is
obtained on the VOM. Again, read the current and record both readings in the
table.

8. Readjust the power supply to obtain a voltage of 8 volts on the VOM.


Record this voltage and the corresponding current measurement on the
milliammeter.
9. Readjust the power supply to obtain a voltage of 6 volts on the VOM.
Record this voltage and the corresponding current measurement on the
milliammeter.

10. Turn the power supply off, remove the R2 ohm resistor, and replace it with a
R4 ohm resistor.

11. Now, repeat steps 4 through 9 above, constructing a table and inserting the
appropriate voltage and current measurements.

12. Turn the power supply off, remove the R4 resistor, and replace it with a R6
resistor.

13. Again, repeat steps 4 through 9 above, constructing a table and


recording the appropriate voltage and current measurements.

DATA TABLE

RESISTANCE VOLTAGE READING CURRENT READING

W V mA
ACTUAL COMPUTED

R2 12 V

R2 10 V

R2 8V

R2 6V

R4 12 V

R4 10 V

R4 8V

R4 6V

R6 12 V

R6 10 V

R6 8V

R6 6V
REPORT:

ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

1. What are the D.C. voltage scales on each meter used during this
experiment?

2. If the digital VOM or analog VOM shows a negative reading, what should
you do?

3. What is the maximum D.C. voltage which can be read with each meter?

4. What is the maximum D.C. current which can be measured with each
meter?

5. List the safety precautions which should be observed when using an


ammeter.

6. It is desired to use the VOM to measure the following D.C. voltages: 0.8
volts, 2.4 volts, 4.7 volts, 8.9 volts, 16.2 volts, 89 volts, 120 volts, and 180
volts. For the most accurate measurements, what ranges will you select on
the VOM for each voltage reading?

7. For the measurements made during part C of this experiment, how does
the current change as the voltage is decreasing in steps of 2 volts?

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