Capitol College

Spring Semester 2000







Circuit Theory EE - 159

Lab Experiment: #1

Trainer and Multimeter Fundamentals





Andy Buettner

Instructor: Mrs. Thomas, Phd.

Due: February 2nd, 2000


Received: ________________


The objective of this lab is to instill a familiarity with the various components associated with taking electronic measurements. Primarily the volt - ohm meter (VOM), and the digital multi - meter (DMM).







  1. Trainer


    1. Familiarize with the equipment: VOM, DMM, ET - 3600

    2. Zero all adjustors, disconnect all previous wiring, and ensure that the power switch is in the off position.

    3. Ensure that the lab kit is plugged in.

    4. Power the lab kit.

    5. Review proper use of multimiters.


  1. VOM Voltage measurements


    1. Zero and Calibrate the VOM.

    2. Connect test leads.

    3. Turn on the VOM; set to 50V range.

    4. Connect the VOM leads to the power source of the trainer.

    5. Turn on the Trainer and adjust voltage regulator to about 5vdc.

    6. Read value on VOM

    7. Change VOM range from 50vdc to 10vdc.

    8. Take voltage reading again.

    9. Adjust trainer voltage output to about 2vdc

    10. Change VOM range from 10vdc to 2.5vdc

    11. Record maximum voltage range of VOM

    12. Turn off all equipment.



  1. DMM Voltage measurements


    1. Connect leads to the DMM.

    2. Turn DMM to 400V range

    3. Turn trainer to 4V range

    4. Change DMM range from 400Vdc to 40Vdc and record result.

    5. Change DMM range from 40Vdc to 4Vdc and record result.

    6. Change DMM range from 4Vdc to 400mVdc and record result.

    7. Change DMM range from 400mVdc to 100Vdc and record result.


  1. VOM Resistance measurements


    1. Fixed resistors

      1. Randomly chose ten resistors

      2. Log them and record their estimated values.

      3. Zero and calibrate the VOM

      4. Record the actual resistance of each resistor

      5. Calculate actual error of each resistor.

    2. Variable resistors

      1. Use the 1k pot.

      2. Turn adjuster to the left.

      3. Take reading between thermals 1,2; 1,3; 2,3

      4. Turn pot ¼ toward the right.

      5. Repeat step 3.

      6. Turn the pot an additional ¼ turn right.

      7. Repeat step 3

      8. Turn the pot fully to the right

      9. Repeat step 3




Range

Set Voltage

Voltage Read

50V

4.0V

4.0V

10V

4.0V

4.05V

10V

2.0V

2.0V

2.5V

2.0V

1.82V



Range

Set Voltage

Voltage read

40V

4.0V

4.00V

4V

4.0V

O/L

400mV

4.0V

O/L

1000V

4.0V

.003KV



Color Code

Resistance

Measured Resistance

Error %

Brn, grn, red, gld

1.5K

1.45K

3.3%

Yel, pur, brn, gld

470

460

2.1%

Brn, blk, red, gld

1.0K

.99K

1.0%

Blu, gre, brn, gld

650

660

1.5%

Brn, blk, brn, gld

100

102

2.0%

Brn, gre, red, gld

1.8K

1.75K

2.8%

Red, pur, red, gld

2.7K

2.9K

7.4%

Org, org, red, gld

3.3K

3.0K

9.1%

Brn, blk, yel, gld

100K

97K

3.0%

Red, blk, org, gld

20K

20K

0.0%



Knob Position

1 - 2

1 - 3

2 - 3

Left

0

1.0K

1.0K

¼

200

1.0K

800

½

500

1.0K

500

Right

1.0K

1.0K

0



Color Code

Resistance

Tolerance %

Res. Min.

Res. Max.

Brn, grn, red, gld

1.5K

5

1425

1575

Yel, pur, red, gld

4.7K

5

4465

4935

Brn, blk, red, gld

1.0K

5

950

1050

Blu, gre, brn, gld

650

5

617.5

682.5

Brn, blk, brn, gld

100

5

95

105

Brn, gre, red, gld

1.8K

5

1710

1890

Red, pur, red, gld

2.7K

5

2565

2835

Org, org, red, gld

3.3K

5

3135

3465

Brn, blk, yel, gld

100K

5

95K

105K

Red, blk, org, gld

20K

5

19K

21K


Always, when you have an expected voltage, use the lowest range that includes the expected value: 0Vdc to 50Vdc


Again, use the lowest range that contains the expected level: 0Vdc to 400Vdc


The difference in voltage readings between the different ranges was attributed to the fact that each range has a different level of accuracy. When the level of accuracy was changed, the displayed value changed as a result.


If the result displayed is indicated that it is out of logical range or the result is not displayed with accuracy, the range setting is incorrect.


Very few resistors, (Only one of the tested ones) are exactly what their values read. Of the 10 tested, 2 were outside of the tolerance range, however, since the readings were taken with an analogue multimeter, the readings may not have been perfectly accurate.


The schematic and drawings are located on the attached sheets: section <1>



Through this lab I utilized my skills at using a multimeter to obtain critical values of electronic components. I preferred to use my own equipment for the last part of this experiment as I feel that it would be in better condition, and able to give adequate results. Additionally I would not have to reserve additional lab time. Otherwise I used the school-supplied equipment. Overall, I felt that this lab was quite simple. Additionally, I would like to comment that the VOM needs to be re - calibrated at the range that it is set to each time that the resistance range is changed to ensure accurate results. Tabled results were calculated with self - written TI - Basic program.


  1. Original Handout

  2. Original Data sheets

  3. Calculations worksheets

  4. Misc.


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