3. Circuits with resistors

Note

This is part of the LabsLand Electronics laboratory documentation for educators using the LabsLand Hive. If you want to use this lab in class, check Use this laboratory in class.

The analog electronic remote lab has a set of 4 resistors (2 resistor of 1kΩ and 2 resistor of 10kΩ) to build all the available configurations.

The election of these two values has not done under special criteria. The lab uses real components that are placed on the switching matrix, the instrument which is in charge of implementing the physical connections between the components and with the instruments, so it has a limited available space. Therefore, it is not possible to provide all the resistors’ values available on the market.

Even so, the learning outcome of these circuits is to experiment with different configurations (series, parallel) and experiment with the Ohm Law. Considerations to experiment with the Ohm Law:

  1. In these circuits, the only available power supply is +5VDC

  2. The circuit always must be connected to ground.

  3. Voltage measurements are available in all the nodes of the circuits.

  4. Current measurements: due to a limited space on the switching matrix and the nature of this measure, current measurements are only allowed at the beginning of each branch in the circuit and in front of the first component of this branch 1.

3.1. Experiments with resistance associations

As it is indicated above, the following considerations must be taken into account when we work with resistances:

  1. Only 2 resistances of 1k and 2 resistances of 10k can be used simultaneously

  2. Any possible combination can be made. The circuits given below are only a set of examples.

3.1.1. Series circuits

_images/resistors_series_1k_1k_circuit.png

Fig. 3.1.1 2 resistors of 1kΩ in series: circuit.

_images/resistors_series_1k_1k_breadboard_multimeter.png

Fig. 3.1.2 2 resistors of 1kΩ in series: implementation. | Download this circuit

_images/resistors_series_1k_10k_10k_circuit.png

Fig. 3.1.3 1 resistor of 1kΩ in series with 2 resistors of 10kΩ: circuit.

_images/resistors_series_1k_10k_10k_breadboard_multimeter.png

Fig. 3.1.4 1 resistor of 1kΩ in series with 2 resistors of 10kΩ: implementation. | Download this circuit

_images/resistors_series_1k_10k_1k_10k_circuit.png

Fig. 3.1.5 2 resistors of 1kΩ in series with 2 resistors of 10kΩ: circuit.

_images/resistors_series_1k_10k_1k_10k_breadboard_multimeter.png

Fig. 3.1.6 2 resistors of 1kΩ in series with 2 resistors of 10kΩ: implementation. | Download this circuit

Remember that the components are real, so their values, according to the manufacturer have some tolerance. That is why, for example, in the circuit described at Fig. 3.1.1, the measured value is not exactly 2kΩ but 1,974kΩ If the values of the available 1k resist resistors are measured, their values are approximately 986.5Ω and 988.2Ω hence the parallel equivalent is not exactly 2kΩ.

3.1.2. Parallel circuits

_images/resistors_parallel_1k_1k_circuit.png

Fig. 3.1.7 2 resistors of 1kΩ in parallel: circuit.

_images/resistors_parallel_1k_1k_breadboard_multimeter.png

Fig. 3.1.8 2 resistors of 1kΩ in parallel: implementation. | Download this circuit

_images/resistors_parallel_1k_10k_1k_circuit.png

Fig. 3.1.9 2 resistors of 1kΩ in parallel with one of 10kΩ: circuit.

_images/resistors_parallel_1k_10k_1k_breadboard_multimeter.png

Fig. 3.1.10 2 resistors of 1kΩ in parallel with one of 10kΩ: implementation. | Download this circuit

_images/resistors_parallel_1k_10k_1k_10k_circuit.png

Fig. 3.1.11 2 resistors of 1kΩ in parallel with 2 resistors of 10kΩ: circuit.

_images/resistors_parallel_1k_10k_1k_10k_breadboard_multimeter.png

Fig. 3.1.12 2 resistors of 1kΩ in parallel with 2 resistors of 10kΩ: implementation. | Download this circuit

As in the case of the series association of resistors, they can be connected in the desired order, remembering that a maximum of 2 resistances of 1kΩ and 2 resistors of 10kΩ can be used at the same time.

3.1.3. Series and parallel circuits

The remote analog electronics lab also allows you to create circuits combining serial and parallel associations. Here are some examples.

_images/resistors_series_parallel_1k_10k_10k_circuit.png
_images/resistors_series_parallel_1k_10k_10k_breadboard_multimeter.png

Fig. 3.1.13 Example of series and parallel | Download this circuit

_images/resistors_series_parallel_10k_10k_1k_1k_circuit.png
_images/resistors_series_parallel_10k_10k_1k_1k_breadboard_multimeter.png

Fig. 3.1.14 Example of series and parallel | Download this circuit

_images/resistors_series_parallel_10k_p10k_1k_1k_circuit.png
_images/resistors_series_parallel_10k_p10k_1k_1k_breadboard_multimeter.png

Fig. 3.1.15 Example of series and parallel | Download this circuit

_images/resistors_series_parallel_10k_1k_1k_10k_circuit.png
_images/resistors_series_parallel_10k_1k_1k_10k_breadboard_multimeter.png

Fig. 3.1.16 Example of series and parallel | Download this circuit

3.2. Experiments with the Ohm’s Law

In this set of experiments, we can use the same circuits built in the previous section, feeding them with a DC voltage and then, we can measure the voltage drop anywhere in the circuit. That is, you can create circuits with combinations up to 4 resistors (2 of 1kΩ and 2 of 10kΩ) as you want.

We will also be able to measure on the circuit the currents that flows by each branch. Remember that to perform this measurement the multimeter must be placed at the beginning of each branch to be measured, in front of the first branch component as shown by the example in Fig. 3.2.1.

_images/resistors_series_parallel_ohms_diagram.png

Fig. 3.2.1 Example for current measurement. See figures below.

_images/ohms_law_circuit_a_breadboard_multimeter.png

Fig. 3.2.2 Implementation of the measurements at point A | Download this circuit

_images/ohms_law_circuit_b_breadboard_multimeter.png

Fig. 3.2.3 Implementation of the measurements at point B | Download this circuit

_images/ohms_law_circuit_c_breadboard_multimeter.png

Fig. 3.2.4 Implementation of the measurements at point C | Download this circuit

That’s all in Circuits with Resistors. Continue in Circuits with diodes.