TP 1 ENG Corrected

Lab Work 1: Kirchhoff’s Law
Application to measure resistance values

I. Introduction
One of the most familiar laws of physics is Ohm's Law, which states that for a metallic
conductor at constant temperature, the ratio of the potential difference U between two points
on the conductor to the electric current I passing through it is constant. This constant is called
the electrical resistance R of the conductor between these two points: R=U/I. This linear law
was experimentally established in 1827 by the German physicist Georg Simon Ohm (1787-
1854).
Although the most modern and fastest way to measure resistance is by using a digital
millimeter in ohmmeter mode, this method has some limitations. Indeed, it is not always
suitable for measuring internal resistances of generators or when the resistance value depends
on the current intensity. Therefore, traditional methods of measuring resistance are still
relevant. For this reason, we propose four different measurement methods..
II. Measurement Method
II.1 Color Code

Resistors are characterized by their nominal value and tolerance. Tolerance represents the
relative error between an actual sample and an ideal sample with the nominal value. The
corresponding resistance value is indicated by colored bands around the body of the
component.
Standard resistors typically have three or four color bands. In the case of three bands, the first
two represent the first two digits of the resistance value, the third indicates the multiplier
(power of 10), and the fourth band represents the tolerance. For resistors with four bands, the
first three bands represent the first three digits of the value, while the fourth indicates both the
multiplier and the tolerance.
Each color represents a digit according to the code shown in the table below:
Ring 1 Ring 2 Ring 3 Ring 4
Value Value Multiplier Tolerance

Black 0 0 X 100
Brown 1 1 X 101 1%
Red 2 2 X 102 2%
Orange 3 3 X 103
Yellow 4 4 X 104
1
Green 5 5 X 105 0.5%
Blue 6 6 X 106 0.25%
Violet 7 7 X 107 0.1%
Grey 8 8 X 108 0.005%
White 9 9 X 109
Gold - - X 0.1 5%
Silver - - X 0.01 10%
Based on the table above, the value of a resistor with the code (red, orange, yellow, then
green) is 2 3 X 104 = 230000 Ω with a tolerance of 0.5%.
II.2 Voltage Divider / Current Divider

 Voltage Divider
To determine the value of an unknown resistor R, we can set up the voltage divider circuit
illustrated in Figure 1. This circuit consists of a voltage generator E in series with the
unknown resistor R and another resistor of known value R1.
In this setup, V represents the voltage across the resistor R

and V1 represents the voltage across the resistor R1.
By measuring the voltages E, V and V1, we can determine the

value of the unknown resistor R using one of these two
relations :
…………(1)
Figure 1. Voltage Divider Setup

…………(2)
 Current Divider
To determine the value of an unknown resistor R, , we can set

up the current divider circuit illustrated in Figure 2. This circuit
consists of a voltage generator E and an unknown resistor R, in
parallel with another resistor of known value R1.
In this setup, ie represents the total current supplied by the

generator, i is the current through the resistor R, and i1 is the
current through the resistor R1.
Figure 2. Current Divider Setup
By measuring the total current ig and the current i through the
resistor R, , we can determine the value of the unknown resistor R using the following
relation:
…………(3)
2
II.3 Wheatstone bridge Setup
1. To measure the value of a resistor R, we use the
Wheatstone bridge setup illustrated in Figure 3. In this
circuit, R1 and R2 are two known resistors, Rv is a variable
resistor, and R is the resistor to be determined.
The principle of the Wheatstone bridge is based on the Figure 3. Wheatstone Bridge Setup
balance of voltages in the circuit. When the bridge is
balanced, the current ig through the galvanometer is zero (ig = 0). In this condition, the
relationship between the resistances is given by the
following equation:
…………(4)
2. We replace the galvanometer with a voltmeter as shown
in Figure 4. If we set V=VD - VB, we can derive the
following equation :
( )
…………(5) Figure 4 Bridge with Voltmeter
II.4 Volt-Ammeter Setup

When measuring a resistance, a voltmeter is used to measure the voltage across the resistor,
while an ammeter placed in series with the resistor measures the current flowing through it.
Ohm's Law is then applied in the form R=V/I, where R is the resistance, V is the voltage, and
I is the current..
However, using both the voltmeter and the ammeter simultaneously can introduce systematic
errors. The voltmeter diverts some current, while the ammeter causes a voltage drop. These
effects distort the measurements, especially if the internal resistance of the voltmeter is not
high enough or if the ammeter's resistance is not negligible.
To minimize these errors, different setups are used depending on the ratio between the
internal resistance of the voltmeter and the measured resistance value. It is crucial to choose
the appropriate setup based on the equipment's characteristics to ensure precise
measurements..
 Short Shunt Setup
In the short shunt setup, a voltmeter is placed across the

resistor R being measured, and an ammeter is inserted in series
to measure the current. The measured resistance Rm is
calculated as Rm=Vm / Im, where Vm is the voltage and Im is
the current. Figure 5. Short Shunt Setup
However, errors occur because the voltmeter diverts part of the current, and the ammeter
3
causes a voltage drop. To correct these errors, the internal resistances of the measuring
instruments must be taken into account: Rv for the voltmeter and Ra for the ammeter. The
corrected expression for the resistance R is :
…………(6)
 Long Shunt Setup Figure 6. Long Shunt Setup
In the long shunt setup, an ammeter is inserted in series with the resistor R, being measured,
while a voltmeter is placed in parallel with the combined setup of the resistor R and the
ammeter. The measured resistance Rm is calculated as Rm=Vm / Im, where Vm is the voltage
measured by the voltmeter, and Im is the current measured by the ammeter.
However, errors also arise in this type of setup. The ammeter adds its own internal resistance
Ra, while the voltmeter measures a voltage that includes the voltage drop due to this
additional resistance.
To correct these errors and obtain the correct value of R, it is necessary to account for the
internal resistances of the measuring instruments: Rv for the voltmeter and Ra for the
ammeter. The corrected expression for the resistance R is given by :
…………(7)
II.5 Using an Ohmmeter

An ohmmeter is a measuring instrument used to determine the value of an electrical resistance
R. It operates by sending a low-intensity current through the resistor and measuring the
corresponding voltage drop. The ohmmeter then calculates the resistance value according to
Ohm's Law.
To use an ohmmeter correctly, the resistor must be disconnected from the circuit to avoid
interference from other components. The device should be calibrated if necessary, and the
user must ensure that the measurement range is appropriate for the expected resistance value.
Although the ohmmeter is simple and quick to use, it can introduce slight errors due to the
internal resistance of the device.
III. Theoretical Development (To be submitted at the beginning of the

session)
- Demonstrate the relationships 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7.

- In which cases is the long shunt setup better than the short shunt setup?
- In which cases is the short shunt setup better than the long shunt setup?
4
IV. Experimentation
 Color Code:
Using the color code, determine the values of all available resistors.
Color Code Measured

Band 1 Band 2 Band 3 Band 4
Value Value
R Green Blue Brown Silver
R1 Brown Black Red Gold
R2 Orange Grey Red Gold
R3 Red Black Red Gold
R4 Green Blue Brown Gold
R5 Brown Black Brown Gold
R6 Brown Black Brown Gold
 Voltage Divider :
- Realize the circuit of the figure1 ;
- Measure V et V1 ;
- Calculate R
 Wheatstone Bridge Circuit
1. Realize the circuit of the figure 3 by replacing galvanometer by an ammeter ;
- - Vary the potentiometer value in order to have the balance of the bridge;
- - Measure the value of the resistance Rv;
- - Find the value of R.
2. Realize the circuit of the figure 4 by replacing the variable resistance Rv by the
résistance R3 ;
- Measure V,
- Calculate the value of R.
 Ammeter Voltmeter Method
1. Realize the circuit of the figure 5,
- Measurer Vm and Im ;
- Calculate Rm
- Deduce the value of R
2. Realize the circuit of the figure 6,
- Measurer Vm and Im ;
- Calculate Rm
- Deduce the value of R
 Indirect Measure
Measure the value of R.
 Conclusion
Rank the different methods.

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Lab Work 1: Kirchhoff’s Law

Application to measure resistance values

II. Measurement Method

II.1 Color Code

Value Value Multiplier Tolerance

II.2 Voltage Divider / Current Divider

In this setup, V represents the voltage across the resistor R

By measuring the voltages E, V and V1, we can determine the

Figure 1. Voltage Divider Setup

To determine the value of an unknown resistor R, , we can set

In this setup, ie represents the total current supplied by the

II.4 Volt-Ammeter Setup

 Short Shunt Setup

In the short shunt setup, a voltmeter is placed across the

 Long Shunt Setup Figure 6. Long Shunt Setup

II.5 Using an Ohmmeter

III. Theoretical Development (To be submitted at the beginning of the

- Demonstrate the relationships 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7.

Color Code Measured

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