APPLIED ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

Morehead State University

Shane Holbrook
ITEC 141: DIRECT CURRENT CIRCUITS
LAB EXPERIMENT 7
Series-Parallel Combination Circuits
INSTRUCTOR: MR. COMBS
GROUP MEMBERS:
Jordon Kurz
DATE: 10-22-2015

Objective:
The purpose of this experiment is to better familiarize us with the concepts of series-parallel circuits
in regards to formulating them into simpler circuits in which we can better understand and calculate. By
preforming this experiment we learn not only how Ohms law applies, but how to use the voltage divider
formula as well. This experiment also gives us the same ability as the previous labs, to be able to see how
computation of currents, resistance, and voltage applies in regards to real world measurements.

Materials and Equipment:

One 2.2k resistor

One 4.7k resistor
One 5.6k resistor
One 10k resistor
Photo-Board PB-503 trainer
Agilent U1241A Multi-Meter
Various sizes of wires

Procedures:
After obtaining all of the required equipment and materials and looking carefully over the lab
report, my lab partner and I began to determine the most efficient and productive way to finish the assigned

task. My lab partner first gathered all the required measurements for the resistors and they were recorded
under table one. After this I began determining the computations of table two for the voltage divider
formula, and for Ohms law. My lab partner simultaneously began taking down the measurements of each
of the resistances, currents, and voltages in table two. From this point in step three, and equivalent circuit
was drawn based on the circuit needed, by merging R2 and R3, we were able to make a simplified circuit.
From here again I took on the responsibility of computing the table three calculations, whilst my partner
took down the measurements. Again in step 10, the equivalent circuit was drawn based on simplification of
the circuit.

Findings:
Table 1
Component
R1
R2
R3
R4

Listed Value

Measured

2.2k
4.7k
5.7k
10.0k

Value
2.17k
4.63k
5.5k
9.82k

Table 2
Computed

Measured

Voltage
RT
IT

Divider
14.77k

Ohms Law
14.77k
812.46mA

14.52k

V1
V2,3
V4
I2
I3

1.79V
2.09V
8.12V

1.79V
2.09V
8.12V
812.46mA
812.46mA

1.8V
2.08V
8.15V

Table 3
R1,2
R3,4
RT
IT
I1,2
I3,4
V1
V2
V3
V4
Step 3

Step 10

Computed
6.9k
15.6k
4.8k
2.5mA
1.74mA
769.23A
3.83V
8.18V
4.4V
7.7V

Measured
6.8k
15.32k
4.7k

3.8V
8.19V
4.3V
7.7V

Conclusion:
Judging by the table two and table three charts we can clearly see that there is a close relation in
terms of voltage divider, and Ohms law. We can also take away that the calculations were spot on and
accurate as the measurements were very close. The step three and 10 equivalent circuits are a great way to
better understand how series-parallel circuits actually work, and this is a much easier way to calculate as a
whole. From the entire experiment I can say that the series-parallel circuits are simply this, finding the
parallel resistors, finding the resistance between them, then calculating the remaining resistors and
redrawing the circuit as a series. Then you simply can use Ohms law to take care of most any
calculation/numbers you want.

Further Investigation:

First you would need to combine R3llR4 as a parallel circuit. After this is done it should read around
3.59k. Now we can use the remainder of the resistors as a series circuit and add them up. So the RT would
be around 10.49k. Knowing that the voltage is 12V, we can find the voltage over each resistor using the

voltage divider formula. For R1 we simply take (

R1
Vs = 2.52V, so we know the voltage over R1 is
RT

2.52V. For R2 we simply use the same equation substituting the R1 for R2 and the resulting voltage over R2 =
5.38V. We can continue this same equation over the next two resistors. So the voltage over R3,4 = 4.11V. The
voltage over R3 = 2.2V, and the voltage over R4 = 1.92V. Now that we know the voltages across each

resistor, we can find the current across each. For R1 we simply use Ohms law of

I=

V
R

and we can find

each current. For the current across R1 = 1.14mA, R2 = 1.14mA, R3 = 392.86A, and R4 = 192A.

Evaluation and Review Questions:

1. A. By combining R2 and R3 as a parallel circuit it acts as a simpler series circuit as the parallel is
added together. Now once the voltage divider formula is ran across the circuit, it is as if it is being
done on a series circuit and not a series-parallel circuit.
B. It could, although it would be difficult. R1 and R2 are in series just as R3 and R4 are. So after
getting these put together, they are parallel. So then there is a series of parallel resistors, so then you
technically could run a voltage divider formula from this. Although you would have to substantiate
which resistor voltage is which.
2. Around the first circuit R1 and R2 the equation is 12V-3.83V-8.18V=0 and for the second circuit R3
and R4 the equation is 12v-4.4V-7.7V=0
3. There would be no resistor yet to block/divide anything so the answer would be 12V-12V=0

4. A. Either an open or a short.

B. By using an ampmeter across the circuit locations in replacement of the resistors.
5. It would be 8V, the reason is because it is on the parallel portion of the circuit, and in a parallel
circuit voltage is the same throughout.