EXPERIMENT NO.

4
DC POWER MEASUREMENTS
4.1. EXERCISE TITLE: Power in a Series Resistive Circuit
OBJECTIVES:
1. To determine the power dissipated in a series resistive circuit by using a power formula.
2. To verify the results using a multimeter.
EQUIPMENT REQUIRED:
1- F.A.C.E.T. Base Unit
1- DC FUNDAMENTALS Circuit Board
2- 15 Vdc Power Supply
1- Multimeter
THEORY:
The total power (PT) in series circuit is the sum of the power dissipated by each resistor in
the circuit. If the circuit has only one resistor then total circuit power is dissipated by that resistor.
When a circuit has two resistors, each resistor dissipates power, and the total circuit power is the
sum of the power dissipated by each resistor.
The power being used in the simple circuit in Figure 4.1-1 is dissipated by R1. This circuit
has a voltage source of 20 Vdc, which causes current to flow through resistor R1. Because power is
found by the formula P=EI, you should determine the circuit current so that you may find the
power.

Figure 4.1-1. Power in a simple circuit

Current through R1 is found by the formula I=E/R.
E
20V
I
40 mA
R 500
Once you know the current and the voltage, you can find the power.
P EI 20V 0.040 A 800mW
You do not always have to find the total circuit current in order to determine the power
dissipated. The circuit power can be found simply by the formula P=E2/R.
E 2 20 2 400
P

800 mW
R 500 500
When a circuit has more than one resistor in series, you can use several methods to find the
power dissipated by the circuit by the circuit resistors. In Figure 4.1-2, R2 has been added to the
circuit shown in Figure 4.1-1.

Figure 4.1-2 Power in a series resistive circuit.

To find the power used in this series circuit, first find the total resistance and the total
current. Then you can determine the total power dissipated by the resistive load and the power
dissipated by each resistor.
RT R1 R2
E
20
RT (500 1000 )
IT
A 13.30 mA
R 1500
RT 1500
PT EI 20V 0.0133 mA 266 mW

Total power can be found by the formula below.

PT

E2
20 2

( R1 R2 ) (500 1000 )

PT 266 mW
You can determine the power used by each resistor with the formula P=I2R.
PR1 I 2 R1 0.0133 2 500 89mW
PR 2 I 2 R2 0.0133 2 1000 177 mW

You may want to check your calculations to see if PR1+PR2 equals the total circuit power.
PR1 I 2 R1 0.0133 2 500 89mW
You can now find power in a series circuit by using one of three formulas: P=EI, P=E2/R, or
P=I2R. Notice that power is related to resistance by the square function (E2/R or I2R), meaning that
when the current or voltage is halved, the power decreases to 1/4 of its previous value.
PROCEDURES:
1.
Turn off the power sources. Insert the DC FUNDAMENTALS circuit board into the
base unit. Turn on the power sources.
2.
Locate the POWER circuit block, and connect the circuit shown in Figure 4.1-3. Place the
switch in position A.

Figure 4.1-3 Power in a series circuit

3.

Calculate and record the values of RT,IT,VR1, and VR2. Now measure and record those
same values. IT=5mA. ; RT=2.936 ohms ; VR1=5.10V ; VR2=9.97V.

4.
When you consider circuit tolerance, are the calculated values and the measured values nearly
the same or totally different? Nearly the same
5.
Using the formula P=EI, calculate the total circuit power. PT=75 mW
6.
Using the formula P=E2/R, calculate the power for R1,PR1=25 mW
7.
Using the formula P=I2R, calculate the power for R2, PR2=50 mW
8.
Are the values of power calculated in steps 6 and 7 equal to the circuit power dissipation you
calculated in step 5 (PR1+PR2=PT)? Yes
9.
Place the power switch in position B. Which resistor was removed from the circuit? Which
resistor was added and was it added in series with or parallel to the remaining resistor?R4 is added
in parallel with R2.
10.
Calculate and record the values of RT,IT,VR1, and VR4. Now measure and record those same
values. RT= 1.653k ohms ; IT= 9.03 mA ; VR1 = 9.06 V ; VR4= 6.00 V
11.
When you consider component tolerances, are the calculated values and the measured values
totally different or nearly the same?Nearly the same
12.
Calculate the power values of PR1,PR4, and PT.
PR1= 81 mW ; PR2= 18 mW ; PT= 135 mW
13.
The power values recorded in step 12 are higher than the values recorded in steps 5,6, and 7.
Is the difference due to the circuit in step 12 having a higher RT and a lower RT than the circuit used
previous, or is it due to the circuit in step 12 having a lower RT and a higher IT? Lower RT and
higher IT.
Do not turn off tbe power sources. The F.A.C.E.T. setup will be used for a review question.
CONCLUSIONS:
Write at least three(3) conclusions for this exercise.

REVIEW QUESTIONS:
Encircle the letter of the best answer.
1. The power dissipated in the form of heat by a resistor is supplied by the
a. resistor
b. Circuit components
c. Source voltage
d. Current through the resistor
2. The total power in a circuit with a voltage source of 20Vdc and a total current of 80 mA is
a. 1.6 mW
b. 16 mW
c.160 mW
d.1600 mW
3. Locate the POWER circuit block on the DC FUNDAMENTALS circuit board and
connect the circuit shown in Figure 4.1-4. Determine the total power dissipated by the circuit when
the switch is in the position A.
a. 69 mW
b. 75 mW
c. 89 mW
d. 93 mW

Figure 4.1-4 Power in a series circuit

4. Refer of Figure 4.1-4. If R1 changed to value 2k, how much power will it dissipate?
a. 28 mW
b. 56.25 mW c. 22 mW
d. 18.125mW
5. If two 10k resistors were connected in series across a power source of 20Vdc,each would
dissipate a power of
a. 1 mW
b. 5 mW
c. 10 mW
d. 20 mW
Turn off the power sources, and remove all circuit board connections.
INSERT 4.2 HERE, HEHEHEHE. :))
4.3 EXERCISE TITLE : Power in a Series - Parallel Resistive Circuit
OBJECTIVES:
1. To determine the power dissipated in a series-parallel resistive circuit by using a power
formula.
2. To verify the results with a multimeter.
EQUIPMENT REQUIRED:
1- F.A.C.E.T. Base Unit
1- DC FUNDAMENTALS Circuit Board
2- 15 Vdc Power Supply
1- Multimeter
THEORY:
Power in a series/parallel circuit is determined by the same power formulas used for
determining power in a series and a parallel circuit. You can calculate the total power by multiplying
the source voltage by the total circuit current (P=EI) after you determine the total circuit current.
The total power may also be determined by adding the power dissipated in the series branch
and the power dissipated in each parallel branch circuit.
Before you can determine the power in a series/parallel circuit, you must find the total
resistance, total current, and voltage distribution for the circuit, as you did in Unit 9, Series/Parallel
Resistive Circuits.
The circuit shown in Figure 4.3-1 has the same values as the circuit used in Unit 9. With
these values (VA=12Vdc and IT=4mA), you can calculate the total circuit power (P=EI).

Figure 4.3-1 Power in a series/parallel circuit.

The power dissipated by individual components can be determined for the series and parallel
branches. To find the power dissipated by R1, the only resistor in the series branch, apply the values
you determined in Unit 9(VR1=6Vdc and IR1=4mA) to the formula PR1=VR1IR1.
PR1 6V 0.004 A 24 mW
The total circuit power is 48mW. The series branch dissipates 24mW; therefore, the
remaining power 24mW must be the amount dissipated by the parallel branch. You may find the
amount of power dissipated by each resistor in the parallel branch by using one of the following
formulas.
PRN I RN RN
PRN VRN / RN
PRN VRN I RN
You can find the power dissipated by R2 with the first equation listed, PR2=IR22R2,where
R2=2,700 and IR2 = 2.2mA (V2/R2=6/2,700=0.0022)
PR 2 0.0022 2 (2700 )
2

PR 2 0.0000048 (2700 )
PR 2 0.01296W 13mW
You can now find the power dissipated by R3 with the second formula listed, PR3=VR32/R3,
where VR3=6Vdc and R3=3,300.
PR 3 6 2 / 3,300
PR 3 36 / 3,300
PR 3 10.9mW
To find the total circuit power dissipation, add the amounts of power dissipated by each
resistor.
PT PR1 PR 2 PR 3
PT (24 13 10.9)mW 48mW
You may also use the formula PT=VAIT to find the total circuit power. Either method will
work, but your choice depends upon the known circuit parameters.
In an electric circuit, the source delivers power to the load. As you have learned, the power
delivered is P=EI or P=I2R, where R is can be the resistance of the load (RL). Because current
increases when the load resistance decreases, you may think that the smaller the load resistance, the
larger the power would be. However, the source resistance (Rs), which is in series with the load
resistance , also affects the current and the power delivered to the load. The combined effect of the

load when and the source resistance is that maximum power is delivered to the load when two
resistances are equal. This effect is shown in Figure 4.3-2(a)
Rs 500

Rs 500

RL 750

RL 500

RT 1250

RT 1000

I T 8mA

I T 10 mA

PRL 48mW

PRL 50 mW

(a)

(b)
Rs 500
RL 250
RT 750
I T 13.3mA
PRL 44.4mW

(c)
Figure 4.3-2 Power transfer to a load

The 10 Vdc voltage source has a resistance (Rs) of 500 . With a 500 load resistor (RL), the
total current is 10 mA. Using the formula, PL=IRL2RL, you find the power delivered to the load (PL) is
at maximum 50mW. When power delivered to the load (PL) decreases to 48 mW. In Figure 4.3-2(b),
the power delivered to the load (PL) decreases to 48mW. In Figure 4.3-2(c), the load resistance is
reduced to 250, and PL is reduced to 44.4 mW.
When the load resistance does not match the source resistance, the transfer of power to the
load is less than when the two resistances are equal.
PROCEDURES:
1. Turn off the power sources. Insert the DC FUNDAMENTALS circuit board in to the
base unit. Turn on the power sources.
2. Locate the POWER circuit block, and connect the circuit shown in Figure 4.3-3. Place the
switch in position A.

Figure 4.3-3 Series/parallel resistive circuit

3. Measure and record the following circuit values.

VA=15.07 Vdc
; R1=0.99k
VE=7.47 Vdc
; R2=1.942k

VR1=7.60 Vdc
; R3=1.955k
IT=7.55 mA
; RT=1.970k
4. Calculate and record the values of IR1,IR2, and IR3.
IR1=7.67mA ; IR2=3.85mA ; IR3=3.83mA
5. Calculate and record the values of PT,PR1, PR2, and PR3.
PT=115.59mW ; PR1=58.33mW; PR2=28.8mW ; PR3=28.65mW
6. Place CM switch 16 in the ON position. Record the following values.
NOTE: To measure RE, make sure that the R2-R3 circuit is isolated from R1 and VA.
VA=15.07 Vdc
; R2=1.942k
VE=5.03 Vdc
; R3=1.955k
VR1=9.08 Vdc
; RE=555.80(calculated)
IT=9.05 mA
; RE=1.654k(calculated)
R1=0.99k
7. CM switch 16 added a 1000 resistor to the circuit. Was this resistor placed in parallel or
in series with R2 and R3? This additional resistor caused RE to equal what value?
RE=500
8. Calculate and record the values of IR1,IR2,IR3, and IRCM.
IR1=10.0mA
IR2=2.5mA
IR3=2.5mA
IRCM=5mA
9. Calculate and record the values of PR1,PR2,PR3, PRCM, and PT.
.
PR1=0.1W
; PR2=0.0125W
PR3=0.0125W ; PRCM=0.025W
10. CM switch 16 added a 1000 resistor in parallel with R2 and R3, which lowered RE to
500. Did this cause IT to increase or decrease? Did the change in IT cause total circuit power to
increase or to decrease? To what value? Increase from 7.5 mA to 30 mA ; IT = 0.03A/30mA
11. Turn off CM switch 16. To complete Table 4.3-1, you will evaluate the transfer of power
from the source to the load. Resistor R1 will act as the source resistor (Rs) at 1000. You will vary
the load resistance (RL) in three steps: 500, 1,000, and 2,000. Youll also measure the load
current (IL) between the source voltage and R1.
IL(500)=______
IL(1k)=______
IL(2k)=______
12.Verify that the switch is in position A. Using 2 two-post connectors, connect R2 and R3 as
RL. Place CM switch 16 in the ON position. With R2, R3, and RCM in parallel, measure and record the
value of RL, Figure 4.3-4 shows the circuit configuration and its equivalent with respect to Rs and RL.

Figure 4.3-4 Rs and RL equivalent circuit

13. Measure and record the values of Table 4.3-1 where RL is 500.
RL
IL
VL
PL
Ohms
mAdc
Vdc
mW
500
30
15
450
1000
15
15
225
2000
7.5
15
112.5
Table 4.3-1 Power transfer
14. Place CM switch 16 in the OFF position. With R2 and R3 in parallel, measure and record
RL.
RL=_______ohms
15. Measure and record the values of Table 4.3-1 where RL is 1000.
16. Remove R3 from the circuit. Measure and record RL. RL = ______.
17. Measure and record the values of Table 4.3-1 where RL is 2000.
18. Refer to Table 4.3-1. At what RL value did the voltage source transfer maximum power
Was the maximum power transferred at this value because RL is less than RS, equal to RS, or greater
than RS? ____________
19. When RL was 500 and 2000, was more power transferred or was less power
transferred? Was load current maximum when load resistance was maximum or minimum?
__________
20. When was the load voltage maximum - when load resistance was maximum or when
resistance was minimum? ______________
Do not turn off the power sources. The F.A.C.E.T. setup will be used for a review question.
CONCLUSIONS:
Write at least three(3) conclusions to this exercise.
REVIEW QUESTIONS:
Encircle the letter of the best answer.
1. The power in a series/parallel circuit is
a. Determined by the total circuit resistance
b. Determined by the resistors in each parallel branch.
c. Determined by the resistors in each series branch.
d. Equal to the sum of the power dissipated in each parallel branch
2. What is the total power in a series/parallel circuit with a voltage source of 30V, a current
of 20mA in the series branch and a current of 10 mA in two parallel branch circuits?
a. 1.5W
b. 1.2 W
c. 0.9W
d. 0.6W

3. To determine total power in a three-branch parallel circuit,

a. Use the product-over-sum method
b. Add individual branch power dissipations
c. Use the formula P=E/R
d. Find RE and multiply by VA.
4. Locate the POWER circuit block of the DC FUNDAMENTALS circuit board, and
connect the circuit shown in Figure 4.3-5. Place the switch in position B and CM switch 18 in the
ON position. The total circuit power is 91.05mW. You determine that a
a. 240 resistor is placed in series with R1
b. 240 resistor is placed in parallel with R1c. 240 resistor is placed in series with R4
d. 240 resistor is placed in parallel with R4

Figure 4.3-5 Circuit with CM switch 18 on

5. Maximum power is transferred to the load when \
a. VRL greater than VRS
b. VRL equals VRS
c. VRL is less than VRS
d. VRS is greater than VRL
Turn off CM switch 18 and the power sources. Remove all circuit board connections.