CIRCUITS 1: LAB EXPERIMENT #2 Page 1 of 5

LABORATORY EXPERIMENT #2:

BREADBOARD AND MULTIMETER
FAMILIARIZATION
OBJECTIVES:
At the end of the exercise, the students should be able to:
 identify the orientation of holes in a breadboard
 know the characteristics of a breadboard
 know the proper use and care of a multimeter
 properly connect circuit elements on a breadboard

MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT:

 1 breadboard
 1 multimeter (digital or analog)
 1 regulated power supply (0 -12V)
 1 LED
 1 bulb (10 V)
 1 bulb receptacle
 alligator clips
 connecting wires (2-gauge solid copper wire)

PRINCIPLES:

Breadboard
A breadboard is a set of connected holes. It is a device used for temporary construction of circuits,
where component terminals are inserted into holes on a plastic grid, metal spring clips underneath
each hole connecting certain holes to others. It is used to develop electronic prototypes. The secret
to successful use of a breadboard is knowing how the holes are connected. Figure 1 shows a typical
breadboard hole distribution.
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Multimeters
A multimeter is an electrical instrument designed to
measure electrical quantities such as voltage,
current, and resistance. There are two types: analog
and digital. Digital multimeters present the measured
value in a numerical display. Analog multimeters
present the measured value by means of a pointer
moving across a graduated scale. For novice
students, it is more beneficial and recommended to
learn how to use analog multimeters before moving
on to digital multimeters. Figure 3 shows typical
analog and digital multimeters.

Voltage is measured with a voltmeter (refer to Figure

4a) connected across the load or current path. The
positive side of the meter (red probe) must be
connected towards the positive terminal of voltage
source (refer to Figure 4b).

Current is measured with an ammeter (refer to Figure

5a) connected in series with the component whose
current is to be determined (refer to Figure 5b). With
a suitable ammeter, the resistance of a circuit
component can be determined using Ohm’ Law.

Ohmmeter (refer to Figure 6a) is

an electrical device that is used
to measure resistance. Just like
the voltmeter, in an ohmmeter,
resistance is measured across
the load (refer to Figure 6b).
The load must be removed from
the circuit, or the voltage
source/s must first be
disconnected.

Meters which are capable of measuring two or more electrical quantities are known as multimeters.
There are two types of multimeters, analog multimeter (VOM) and digital muitimeter (DMM). VOM
has more than one scale printed on the face of the meter. The VOM (multimeter) has four
functions: (DCV, ACV, Q, and DCMA) as indicated by the four circular brackets around the large
selector switch in the lower center of the meter. Within each function, a number of ranges are
available. Except for the ohm function, the range indicates the maximum amount of a quantity that
can be measured on a given range setting.
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For the ohm function, the range indicates the amount by which the ohm scale is to be multiplied.
The ohm scale on the meter is different from most voltage and current scales in three ways. First,
it is reverse-reading. Second, it is nonlinear. Third, the number of minor divisions between the
heavy lines and the numbered lines are not the same throughout the scale. Therefore, the value of
a minor division varies across the scale.

PROCEDURES:
NOTE: Please observe safety precautions and proper handling while conducting the laboratory experiment. This experiment
is to be performed under an instructor’s supervision.

I. Using a Breadboard
a. Set your multimeter to the highest resistance range available.
b. Touch the two test probes of your meter together.
c. When you do, the meter should register 0 ohms of resistance. If you are using an
analog meter, you will notice the needle deflect full-scale when the probes are
touched together, and return to its resting position when the probes are pulled apart.
d. Use small pieces of 22-gauge solid copper wire, inserted into the holes of the
breadboard, to connect the meter to these spring clips so that you can test for
continuity:

e. We could say, then, that points within a breadboard column (vertical in the
illustrations) are electrically common to each other, because there is electrical
continuity between them. Conversely, breadboard points within a row (horizontal in
the illustrations) are not electrically common, because there is no continuity between
them.
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II. Using an Analog Multimeter

a. The figure shows the basic components of an analog multimeter.

b. Prepare the analog multimeter for measurement. Turn the zero position adjuster so
that the pointer aligns right to the zero position. Select the proper range for the item
to be measured by setting the range selector knob accordingly.
c. Switch on the power supply and adjust to 0 V.
d. Set the multimeter to measure voltage. Start with the highest range when measuring
an unknown value.
e. Connect the multimeter directly to the power supply terminals. (Make sure the
polarity is correct).
f. Observe the effect while very slowly increasing the output voltage control.
g. Adjust the voltage to a value of 3 V.
h. Remove the meter and connect the bulb across the terminals of the power supply as
shown in Figure 7.
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i. Now connect the circuit as shown in Figure 8. Set the multimeter to measure
current. Start with the highest range when measuring an unknown value. (Once
again, ensure that polarity is correct before connecting).
j. The meter will now be reading the current flowing in the circuit. If the deflection is
too small, switch to smaller range - e.g. 1 mA to obtain a better reading. What is
the lowest range you may safely use without an over reading?

>_________________________________________________________________

k. Record the current (mA) in Table 1. Increase the voltage in 1 V steps and measure
the voltage reading of the power supply. For each value of voltage, measure and
record the current. Be careful in changing the voltage range of the power supply to
avoid the damage of the meter movements of the multimeter.
l. Remember, for every reading on the multimeter, record the multimeter reading
(voltage and current readings) on the multimeter scales provided (DATA AND
RESULTS).

DATA AND RESULT:

V 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

OBSERVATIONS:

CONCLUSION: