INTRODUCTION

In this experiment AC circuit with both series and parallel connections are
considered and the comparison between the theoretical and the practical results are
obtained. The interpretation of these results gave a better understanding to the factors
affecting the operation of complex AC Networks. The complexity of AC circuit is
increased. Here both series and parallel connections are together in one circuit to give
a AC network. Also a new electrical component inductor is introduced. This lab
will be in order to study the properties of an inductor. The method to handle a parallel
AC circuit is also being considered in this experiment.
In AC networks, all the tools that are used in DC circuits can be used. Ohms law,
current and voltage divider rule etc. are all applicable here.
The equipments used are:
Digital Function Generator
Digital Storage Oscilloscope (DSO)
Bread Board
Digital Function Generator,
This also known as the Signal Generator. It generators Sine wave or other waves
graphically on the DSO. The frequencies are provided by the Digital Function
Generator. Voltages are also adjusted using this equipment.

Digital Storage Oscilloscope (DSO)

An electronic device that is capable of storing a digital copy of the measured wave
form and it represents it in a graphically form. The input voltages are converted to
digital data.

How the DSO is used to take measurements

Connect the probe to channel 1 and the other to probe comp

Repeat step 1 for channel 2 auto set mode automatically sets the default
setting/stable display.
Adjust the vertical, horizontal scale by using the function measure.
Record the necessary data.
Interchange the supplied current terminal and measure the voltage between R1.
Interchange the places of the resistor and capacitor. And measure the voltage across
the capacitor.
For the second network measure the reading as in the normal way.

Breadboard

A breadboard is the board on which Components such as resistors, capacitors and

inductors are fixed on. Each row has the same potential difference and there are
breaks between the columns. The columns are joined using jumpers for voltage to
flow.

DISCUSSION
1. Series Parallel RC Network

The Procedure:

Connect the Circuit on the bread board as in Figure 01.

Use the function generator to introduce a frequency of 2.0 kHz to a peak to peak
voltage of 13.44 V.
To measure the RMS Voltage, Phase difference and time difference between R2 and
C2, Place the Channel 1 black probe lead and the signal generator black lead at the
ground point and the Channel 2 probes vertically between R2 and C2.
The waveform which appears on the screen can be adjusted horizontally and vertically
or else by pressing the AUTO SET button
There is instability in the waveform which appears on the DSO, Wait until it becomes
stable before pressing the STOP button.
Using the Soft keys determine the waveforms RMS voltage, Phase difference and
Time difference.
Jot down the measured values obtained.

Change the circuit in Figure 1 into the circuit in Figure 2 as shown below,

Procedure:

Place the Channel 02s colored probe before R1 and black probe at the Ground
voltage to measure the voltage drop and Phase angle across R1.
Repeat the steps from 3 to 7 from the previous experiment.

Then again change the circuit in Figure 2 into the circuit in Figure 3 as shown below,

Procedure:

Place the Channel 02s colored probe before C1 and the black lead probe at the
ground voltage to measure the voltage drops and Phase angles across C1.
Repeat the steps from 3 to7 of the first experiment given above.

(The results of Figure1, Figure 2 and Figure 3 are given in the Table 1 in the Results Sheet)
Using the measured RMS voltage values and the Phase angles across each component, the
RMS current and currents phase angle can be calculated. The Total impedance and the total
current of the circuit is also calculated.
Even though we calculate and get the values of the circuits, there is a slight change in the
answer we get from the measured value. There are several factors which is responsible for
theses deviations between the measured and calculated values. Some of the reasons are,

The internal resistance of all equipments involved such as wires, jumpers, breadboard
and measuring devices.
Errors made by humans when taking the measurements and while setting up the
equipments.
When taking the measured values we dont consider all the decimal points, we simply
round it off and put the value.
There might be some fault in the equipments which we are using, which may cause a
change in our measurements.
During the measurement the temperature of the devices which we are using will
increase and this will indirectly revise the resistance and this may cause a change in
the values we are going to take.

2. Series RCL Circuit close to Resonance

Procedure:

Connect the Circuit as shown in Figure 04.

Adjust the function generator to supply a frequency 7.25 KHz for a peak to peak to
voltage of 13.44v (RMS voltage 4.75 v).
Fix the black probes of the channel 1 and function generator to the ground voltage.
Place the colored probe of channel 2 just before C and the black probe at the zero
reference voltage (ground) to measure the RMS voltage and phase angle across the
Capacitor (C).
Swap the inductor (L) and Resistor (R) positions to measure their RMS voltages and
phase angles, place the probes as done before for the Capacitor.
The measurements are recorded on the results sheet.

(The results for Figure 04 is given in the Table 2 in Results Sheet)

According to the measurements taken the RMS voltage and the phase angle across the
Inductor is zero. The inductor used in this experiment is 2mH, which means the

impendence of the Inductor is insignificant. To measure the resistance across the

inductor eliminate it from the circuit and use a Digital Multimeter (DMM).
Digital Multimeter (DMM) is an instrument which measures voltage, current and
resistance. This is mainly used in DC circuits than AC circuits. It is invalid for
frequencies above 100 KHz and cannot respond to complex waveform. There are
several reasons,

Measurements have larger uncertainty.

Cannot measure beyond three decimal places.
Digital Multimeter should be converted to AC mode to use in AC circuits.
DMM cannot measure frequencies beyond their narrow range, periods, peak to peak
values, phase differences and phase angles.

CONCLUSION
In this experiment the relationship between the currents, voltages and resistance of an
AC Circuit is clearly understood and shown. We learned the differences between the
measured and calculated values, the implications caused on the voltage measurement
when not connected to ground and the number of readings that can be taken when
connected to ground. And we also learned that changes in the circuit have to be made in
order to measure certain components that are not connected to the reference point. In this
session we also focused on arrangement of parallel and series AC circuits. The
voltages, phase angles and currents across each component which clearly obeys
Kirchhoffs law. During the investigation we had to take several safety precautions
such as switching off the DSO when not in used. This is done because the inner
temperature of the components and joints increase greatly it can burn our hands when
touched unintentionally. Also we learned that there is a deviation between the
measured and calculated values and we learned what the reasons for this change
clearly.
Finally, from this experiment we learned to handle these equipments properly while
considering the safety measurements in mind and we calculated the values for all the
circuits given to us.

Results Sheet
Table 01
Impedance/
Resistance ()

Calculated Values
Voltage (V)

Measured Values

Current (mA) Voltage (V)

Voltage
and Time
Phase
difference
difference
(s)

Current
(mA)

R1

820

1.61 49.8

1.96 49.8

1.5645

1.9045

R2

1000

1.68619.7

1.68619.7

1.6617

-40.0

1.6617

C1

14.21

2.78-40.2

1.9649.8

2.68-43.0

1.9045

1.68619.7

0.997109.7

1.6617

-40.0

0.98107

-90
C2

1693
-90

Table 02
Impedance/
Resistance ()

Calculated Values

Measured Values

Voltage (V)

Voltage (V)

Current
(mA)

Voltage and Time

Phase
difference
difference

Current
(mA)

(s)
R

120

1.4472.3

1272.3

1.3875

-10.0

11.575

91.1

1.093162.3

1272.3

00

00

5.61-17.7

1272.3

5.45-15.8

10.0

11.774.2

90
C

467.1
-90