LAB #0
Circuit Kits and Breadboard Basics
OBJECTIVES
1. Become familiar and organized Circuit Kit for the semester.
2. Become familiar with a breadboard with the lab power supply and review the measurement
of voltage, current, and resistance using a Digital Multimeter (DMM).
EQUIPMENT
Lab Kit and power supply
Part 1: Connection Pattern of the Breadboard
a. Set the DMM to OHMS and the range to lowest resistance. Use jumper wires to make
connections to the meter. Measure the continuity between different sets of pins to
determine which groups of pins are connected and which are not. Lack of continuity will
be read as an open circuit by the DMM.
b. Set the power supply to 10V and connect it to the breadboard posts. Use jumper cables
to transfer the power from the posts to the breadboard pins labeled “+” and “−” at the
top of the board. Measure the open-circuit voltages to confirm that the power was
transferred.
Part 2: Basic Series Measurements
Construct the circuit
a. Calculate the theoretical equivalent series resistance RS,thy using the measured resistor
values.
b. Measure the experimental equivalent series resistance RS,expt using a DMM. Use a percent
difference to compare the theoretical and experimental values. How do they compare?
c. Energize the circuit and measure the current using an ammeter.
d. Using the supply voltage and the ammeter reading, calculate the equivalent series
resistance RS,Ohm using Ohm’s law. Use a percent difference to compare the RS,Ohm with
RS,expt from part (2b). How do they compare?
e. Repeat parts (2a-2d) where the voltage has been increased to 30V.
Part 3: Basic Parallel Measurements
Construct the circuit
a. Calculate the theoretical equivalent parallel resistance RP,thy using the measured resistor
values.
b. Measure the experimental equivalent parallel resistance RP,expt using a DMM. Use a percent
difference to compare the theoretical and experimental values. How do they compare?
c. Energize the circuit and measure the current using an ammeter.
d. Using the supply voltage and the ammeter reading, calculate the equivalent parallel
resistance RP,Ohm using Ohm’s law. Use a percent difference to compare the RP,Ohm with
RP,expt from part (3b). How do they compare?
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