Resistance Measurement and Ohm's Law

Faculty of Engineering Technology Page No.
Department of Electrical Engineering Technology Revision No. 1
Title: Resistance Measurement and Ohm’s Law Effective Date 26/09/2017
1. EXPERIMENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the experiment, students should be able to:
i. Determine the value of resistors by using the color code.
ii. Use the multi-meter to measure resistance, voltage and current.
iii. Learn how to connect an electrical circuit on a breadboard.
iv. Verify Ohm’s Law and plot the voltage • current (I-V) graph.
2. INTRODUCTION / THEORY
2.1 Resistor
The resistor is a passive electrical component to create resistance in the flow of electric current. In
almost all electrical networks and electronic circuits they can be found. The resistance is measured in
ohms. An ohm is the resistance that occurs when a current of one ampere passes through a resistor
with a one volt drop across its terminals. The current is proportional to the voltage across the terminal
ends. This ratio is represented by Ohm’s law:
Resistors are used for many purposes. A few examples include delimit electric current, voltage
division, heat generation, matching and loading circuits, control gain, and fix time constants. They are
commercially available with resistance values over a range of more than nine orders of magnitude.
They can be used to as electric brakes to dissipate kinetic energy from trains, or be smaller than a
square millimeter for electronics.
Resistors resist or limit electric current in a circuit. Symbol:
The colour code for fixed resistors is given in Table 1. Four•band identification is the most
commonly used colour coding scheme on all resistors.
Faculty of Engineering Technology Page No. 3
Title: Resistance Measurement and Ohm’s Law Effective Date

26/09/2017
Table 1: Resistor colour code
Colour Significant Figures Multiplier Tolerance

Black 0 1 •
1
Brown 1 10 ± 1%
2
Red 2 10 ± 2%
3
Orange 3 10 ± 3%
4
Yellow 4 10 •
5
Green 5 10 ± 0.5%
6
Blue 6 10 ± 0.25%
Violet 7 107 ± 0.1%
8
Grey 8 10 ± 0.05
9
White 9 10 •
Silver • 10•2 ± 10%
Gold • 10•1 ± 5%
None • • ± 20%
Four band fixed resistor give resistance values with two significant figures. The first band is the one
nearest the end of the resistor. The colour code is read as follows:
• The first band indicates the first digit of the resistance value.
• The second band indicates the second digits of the resistance value.
• The third band indicates the multiplier.
• The fourth band indicates the percent tolerance.
In electronic circuits, resistors are very often connected in series or in parallel. A circuit designer
might for example combine several resistors with standard values (E-series) to reach a specific
resistance value. For series connection, the current through each resistor is the same and the
equivalent resistance is equal to the sum of the individual resistors. For parallel connection, the
voltage through each resistor is the same, and the inverse of the equivalent resistance is equal to the
sum of the inverse values for all parallel resistors. In the articles resistors in parallel and series a
detailed description of calculation examples is given. To solve even more complex networks,
Kirchhoff’s circuit laws may be used.
Dependent on the application, the engineer specifies different properties of the resistor. The primary
purpose is to limit the flow of electrical current; therefore the key parameter is the resistance value.
The manufacturing accuracy of this value is indicated with the resistor tolerance in percentage. Many
other parameters that affect the resistance value can be specified, such as long term stability or the
temperature coefficient. The temperature coefficient, usually specified in high precision applications,
is determined by the resistive material as well as the mechanical design.
2.2 Equivalent Resistance
Resistors can be connected in series or in parallel in electric circuits. When resistors are
connected in series, they share the same current and the voltages across to give the total voltage. In
parallel resistance circuits, the parallel components share the same voltage, and their currents add to
give the total current.
Figure 1
Figure 1 show resistors connected in series and in parallel. The equivalent resistances can be
calculated using the following formula:
For series connection : Req = R1 + R2 + R3 + R4
1 1 1 1 −1
For parallel connection : 𝑅𝑒𝑞 = [ + + + ]
𝑅1 𝑅2 𝑅3 𝑅4
Actual measurements (experimental results) usually do not completely agree with calculated values
(theoretical values). The following formula is used to determine the error percentage:
% error = Theoritical Value - Experimental Value x 100 %

Theoritical Value
In the lab experiments, an error of 10 % is acceptable.
2.3 Ohm’s Law
Ohm’s Law describes mathematically the relationship between voltage, current and resistance in an
electric circuit. Ohm’s Law states that voltage (V) across a resistor is directly proportional to
the current (I) flowing through the resistor. The constant of proportionality is the resistance, R. The
resistance, R of an element denotes its ability to resist the flow of electric current; it is
measured in ohms (Ω). The following formula describes Ohm’s Law:
V = IR
2.4 Resistors Power Dissipation
The power dissipated (in Watts) by a resistor can be expressed in terms of R:

𝑉2
P = IV = I2 R =
𝑅
The power dissipated in a resistor is a nonlinear function of either current or voltage. Since R are
positive quantities, the power dissipated in a resistor is always positive. Thus, a resistor always
absorbs power from the circuit. This confirms the idea that a resistor is a passive element, incapable
of generating energy.
3. EQUIPMENT
3.1 Resistors
3.2 DC Power Supply
3.3 Digital Multimeter
3.4 Wires
3.5 Breadboard
4. PROCEDURES
ACTIVITY 1 : RESISTANCE MEASUREMENTS
1. By using multimeter, all of the resistors listed in the equipment list were measured and its
resistance value was recorded in Table 2.
2. Table 2.Ω was completed
3. Each of the circuit shown in Figure 2 on the breadboard was constructed and by using multimeter,
its equivalent resistance, Req across terminal AB was measured. Answer in Table 3 was recorded.
Figure 2
ACTIVITY 2 : VERI FI CATI ON OF OHM’S LAW
Precaution: The ammeter (set to the maximum range) must be connected in series with the resistor
R1, and the voltmeter connected in parallel to R1.
Figure 3
1. Before connecting the circuit in Figure 3, the power supply is switched OFF.
2. The circuit shown by Figure 3 on the breadboard with R1 = 1 kΩ was constructed.
3. The circuit was re-checked with my partner.
4. The DC power supply was set to 0 V. The power supply was turned ON and was increased it to
6V (Vs)
5. The value of current, I1 and voltage, V1 was measured across resistor R1.
6. The answers in Table 4 were recorded.
7. The power supply was turned OFF.
8. Step 2 – 7 was repeated for different values of resistors given in Table 5.
9. With any value of R1, the circuit was constructed shown in Figure 3.
10. The DC power supply was set to 0 V. The power supply was turned ON and was increased it to
2V (Vs).
11. The value of current, I1 was measured.
12. The answer in Table 6 was recorded.
13. The supply voltage was incresed to 4 V.
14. Step 11 – 13 was repeated for different values of Vs given in Table 7.
5. RESULTS
ACTIVITY 1 : RESISTANCE MEASUREMENTS
Table 2
No. Colour Nominal Measured Measured Specified Comment

value (Ω) value (Ω) differences Tolerance (%)
(%)
1 Brown, red, 12000 11850.0 1.25 ± 5%
orange, gold
2 Green, blue, 560 551.0 1.61 ± 5%
brown, gold
3 Brown,green, 1500 1479.0 1.40 ± 5%
red, gold
4 Orange, white, 390 399.3 2.38 ± 5%
brown, gold
5 Yellow, violet, 470 464.2 1.23 ± 5%
brown, gold
6 Red, red, 220 218.3 0.77 ± 5%
brown, gold
7 Brown, black, 1000 994.0 0.60 ± 5%
red, gold
Table 3
Connection (a) (b) (c) (d)
Calculated 𝑅𝑒𝑞 , Ω 950.00 357.868 410.22 109.60
Measured 𝑅𝑒𝑞 , Ω 952.00 358.900 410.40 108.60
ACTIVITY 2 : VERIFICATION OF OHM’S LAW
Table 4
𝑅1 (Ω) 220 390 470 560 1k 1.5k 12k

𝑉1(V) 5.8 5.8 5.9 5.9 6.0 6.0 6.0
𝐼1 (mA) 26.78 14.89 12.79 10.83 6.08 4.11 0.54
𝑉1/ 𝐼1 216.58 389.52 461.30 544.78 986.84 1459.85 11111.11
(Ω)
Table 5
𝑉𝑠 (V) 2 4 6 8 10
𝐼1 (mA) 2.05 4.03 6.03 8.02 10.03
6. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
6.1 Discuss on the results obtained in:

(a) Table 2
Based on results activity 1 which is resistance measurements, Nominal Value (Ω) is a theoretical
value for the resistance. Each of the resistance has their own bands of colour which it is used to
represents the resistance value. The figure below shows how the band is located and represents the
colour.
The first and second bands represent the numerical value of the resistor, and the colour of the third
band specifies the power-of-ten multiplier. The colour bands are always read from left to right
starting with the side that has a band closer to the edge.
For carbon-composition and carbon film resistors, the common tolerances are 5%, 10%, and 20%,
indicating that the actual value of the resistor can vary from the nominal value by ±5%, ±10% and
±20%. If the band is gold, it specifies a 5% tolerance; silver specifies a 10% tolerance; if no band is
present, the tolerance is 20%.
Note that the colour-code system for capacitors is very similar to that of resistors except there is a
fifth band representing the temperature coefficient. This band is the first one closest to one end of the
capacitor. The other four fall into the same order as mentioned for resistors. In this case, the second,
third, and fourth bands are used to determine the capacitance. The fifth band represents the tolerance
of the capacitor.
For measured value (Ω), it shows that the value that had been obtained by using multimeter. From the
table, it shows that there are a little bit difference between nominal value and measured value. This
occurred due to some error during measure the value of measured value which is the millimetre and
human error. An actual measurement which is experimental results usually does not completely agree
with calculated values which are theoretical values.
Hence, measured difference need to be calculated by using the formula given. For measured
difference (%), it is calculated from the formula given. From the results, resistor which has bands of
colour of orange, white, brown, and gold showed the highest measured difference which is 2.38% and
the lowest measured difference is the resistor which has the bands of colour of brown, black, red and
gold which is 0.60%. So, for this experiment, all the value of measured difference is acceptable
because all value are below 10% since in the lab experiments, an error of 10% is acceptable.
Example of calculation of measured difference:

𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒−𝐸𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒
% error = | | × 100%
𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒
390−399.3
Resistor 4 : | | × 100% = 2.38 %
390
1000−994
Resistor 7 : | | × 100% = 0.60 %
1000
(b) Table 3
(a) SERIES CONNECTION
Resistors are said to be connected in “Series“, when they are daisy chained together in a single line.
Since all the current flowing through the first resistor has no other way to go it must also pass through
the second resistor and the third and so on. Then, resistors in series have a Common Current flowing
through them as the current that flows through one resistor must also flow through the others as it can
only take one path.
Then the amount of current that flows through a set of resistors in series will be the same at all points
in a series resistor network. For example:
In the following example the resistors R1, R2 and R3 are all connected together in series between
points A and B with a common current, I flowing through them.
Series Resistor Circuit
As the resistors are connected together in series the same current passes through each resistor in the
chain and the total resistance, RT of the circuit must be equal to the sum of all the individual resistors
added together. That is
and by taking the individual values of the resistors in our simple example above, the total equivalent
resistance, REQ is therefore given as:
REQ = R1 + R2 + R3 = 1kΩ + 2kΩ + 6kΩ = 9kΩ
Therefore, when calculating the equivalent resistance for the following circuit which was connected
in series, the calculation would be
𝑅𝑒𝑞 = 390 + 560 = 950 Ω
Then, the resistors were connected in the breadboard and the resistance was measured using
multimeter. The value that we obtained was 952 Ω which only differed a little (2 Ω) from the
calculated value and it was acceptable.
(b) PARALLEL CONNECTION
Unlike the previous series resistor circuit, in a parallel resistor network the circuit current can take
more than one path as there are multiple paths for the current. Then parallel circuits are classed as
current dividers.
Since there are multiple paths for the supply current to flow through, the current may not be the same
through all the branches in the parallel network. However, the voltage drop across all of the resistors
in a parallel resistive network IS the same. Then, Resistors in Parallel have a Common
Voltage across them and this is true for all parallel connected elements.
So we can define a parallel resistive circuit as one where the resistor are connected to the same two
points (or nodes) and is identified by the fact that it has more than one current path connected to a
common voltage source. Then in our parallel resistor example below the voltage across

resistor R1 equals the voltage across resistor R2 which equals the voltage across R3 and which equals
the supply voltage. Therefore, for a parallel resistor network this is given as:
In the following resistors in parallel circuit the resistors R1, R2 and R3 are all connected together in
parallel between the two points A and B as shown.
Parallel Resistor Circuit
In the previous series resistor network we saw that the total resistance, RT of the circuit was equal to
the sum of all the individual resistors added together. For resistors in parallel the equivalent circuit
resistance RT is calculated differently.
Here, the reciprocal ( 1/R ) value of the individual resistances are all added together instead of the
resistances themselves with the inverse of the algebraic sum giving the equivalent resistance as
shown.
Parallel Resistor Equation
Then the inverse of the equivalent (total) resistance of two or more resistors connected in parallel is
the algebraic sum of the inverses of the individual resistances.
1 1 1 1 −1
𝑅𝑒𝑞 = [ + + + ]
𝑅1 𝑅2 𝑅3 𝑅4
Therefore, when calculating the equivalent resistance for the following circuit which was connected
in parallel, the calculation would be
1 1 −1
𝑅𝑒𝑞 = [1500 + 470] = 357.868 Ω
multimeter. The value that we obtained was 358.9 Ω which only differed a little (1.032 Ω) from the
calculated value and it was acceptable
(c) SERIES-PARALLEL CONNECTION
Resistor circuits that combine series and parallel resistors networks together are generally known
as Resistor Combination or mixed resistor circuits. The method of calculating the circuit’s
equivalent resistance is the same as that for any individual series or parallel circuit.
For the circuit above, we can simplify it into:
From the picture circuit above, we can see that the 220 Ω and the 1 kΩ resistors are connected in
parallel and the 390 Ω and the 560 Ω are also connected in parallel. If we consider the parallel
resistors as two equivalent resistors respectively:
We can see that they are connected in series. Therefore, the calculation for the final equivalent
resistance would be:
1 1 −1 1 1 −1
𝑅𝑒𝑞 =([220 + 1000] + [390 + 560] ) = 410.22 Ω
multimeter. The value that we obtained was 410.4 Ω which only differed a little (0.18 Ω) from the
(d) PARALLEL CONNECTION
For the circuit above, we can simplify it into:
We can see that all resistors are connected in parallel. Therefore, the equivalent resistance calculation
would be:
1 1 1 1 −1
𝑅𝑒𝑞 = [220 + 1500 + 560 + 470] = 109.60 Ω..
multimeter. The value that we obtained was 108.6 Ω which only differed a little (1 Ω) from the
(c) Table 4
What we get from this lab is how to control the current flow using resistor. The current will flow
through the resistor and what will happen is the current value will change depends on what type of
resistor. Based on this formulae V=IR , the current will stay at the same value of voltage and the
resistor be the manipulated. Other than that, the voltage will increase if the current flow is decreased.
The voltage value flow through the circuit was setted at 6 V. With using apparatus, the value of the
voltage not same with the setted value on the power generator. What happened is, the voltage that
flow from the power generator tip connector that connect the wire is not properly attached.
(d) Table 5
Based on result Table 5, the value of the voltage, V1 (V) and resistor had been set up during the
experiment. In this case, we want to identify the value of current, I1 (mA) based on the value of
voltage and 1kΩ of the resistor. As the voltage increases, the value of current also increases. This is
when the value of voltage is increase, so it required the higher value of current to flow in the circuit.
But, in this experiment, there a little bit difference between the theoretical value and the experimental
value. As it had been recorded in the table 5, when the voltage is 2V, the value of experimental
current became 2.05(mA) while the value of theoretical is 2(mA). So there are some error occurred in
this experiment due to the length of wire used. When the length of wire used is longer, then there will
be some current lose during the flow. Therefore there is a little bit difference between the theoretical
and experimental value.
There are some reason and precaution step that you have to focus while running this lab. The value of
voltage that is checked using multimeter is not same with the voltage that was setted. Multimeter is
used to check the value of the current that flow trough the resistor. The value of the current changed
depends on what type of resistor used. The tip of the multimeter is moving and not properly attached
while using it. Also, the resistor leg is not attached into the bread board and the current not fully flow
through the wire back to the circuit. Other than that, the lengths of the wire have to cut shorter to
avoid the loss current flow in the wire. There are some parallax error in this lab season, some of it it
the multimeter reading have zero error.
Last but not least, the error mostly comes from the student. Missuse of equipment or wrong step of
using apparatus will affect the value of all reading.
7. QUESTIONS
7.1 If the voltage across a fixed resistor is cut in half, does the resistors current changes? Give
ONE reason to your answer.
Yes. If the voltage across a fixed resistor is halved, the current through the resistor will also be
halved. It is because current is directly proportional to voltage. This can be proven through the
formula V=IR.
V = IR
V
=I
R
1V 1
= I
2R 2
7.2 If the amount of resistance of a circuit is increased but the voltage is maintained constant,
does the resistors current changes? Give ONE reason to your answer.
Yes. If the voltage is kept constant, more resistance results in less current. This is because
current is inversely proportional to resistance. This can be proven through the formula V=IR.
V = IR
V
=I
R
V 1
= I
2R 2
8. CONCLUSION
As conclusion, we were able to determine the total current flowing and voltage through the series and
parallel circuit. We also understand how to determine the value of resistors by using the color code.
Each of the resistance has their own bands of color which it is used to represents the resistance value.
The voltage for table 4 is fixed which 6.0V is and for the voltage that have been measured we get are
in a range 5.8-6.0 V which is acceptable. That is because of the wire in the circuit are too long which
it affect the value of the voltage and value of the current. We also have successfully determine the
value of the current by using the Ohm’s law. From this experiment, we have known the relationship
between the voltage and current across each resistor in the circuit. We can say that when voltage is
increase, the current will increase. It is because the current flowing through circuit is directly
𝑉
proportional to the voltage and inversely proportional to the resistance, 𝐼 = 𝑅. By understanding the
Ohm’s law we are able to conduct the experiment with successfully.

Resistance Measurement and Ohm's Law

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Faculty of Engineering Technology Page No.

Department of Electrical Engineering Technology Revision No. 1

Title: Resistance Measurement and Ohm’s Law Effective Date 26/09/2017

1. EXPERIMENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

Resistors resist or limit electric current in a circuit. Symbol:

Department of Electrical Engineering Technology Revision No. 1

Title: Resistance Measurement and Ohm’s Law Effective Date

Table 1: Resistor colour code

Colour Significant Figures Multiplier Tolerance

Department of Electrical Engineering Technology Revision No. 1

Title: Resistance Measurement and Ohm’s Law Effective Date 26/09/2017

2.2 Equivalent Resistance

Department of Electrical Engineering Technology Revision No. 1

Title: Resistance Measurement and Ohm’s Law Effective Date 26/09/2017

For series connection : Req = R1 + R2 + R3 + R4

% error = Theoritical Value - Experimental Value x 100 %

In the lab experiments, an error of 10 % is acceptable.

2.3 Ohm’s Law

Department of Electrical Engineering Technology Revision No. 1

Title: Resistance Measurement and Ohm’s Law Effective Date 26/09/2017

2.4 Resistors Power Dissipation

The power dissipated (in Watts) by a resistor can be expressed in terms of R:

Department of Electrical Engineering Technology Revision No. 1

Title: Resistance Measurement and Ohm’s Law Effective Date 26/09/2017

ACTIVITY 1 : RESISTANCE MEASUREMENTS

Department of Electrical Engineering Technology Revision No. 1

Title: Resistance Measurement and Ohm’s Law Effective Date 26/09/2017

ACTIVITY 2 : VERI FI CATI ON OF OHM’S LAW

Department of Electrical Engineering Technology Revision No. 1

Title: Resistance Measurement and Ohm’s Law Effective Date 26/09/2017

ACTIVITY 1 : RESISTANCE MEASUREMENTS

No. Colour Nominal Measured Measured Specified Comment

Department of Electrical Engineering Technology Revision No. 1

Title: Resistance Measurement and Ohm’s Law Effective Date 26/09/2017

ACTIVITY 2 : VERIFICATION OF OHM’S LAW

𝑅1 (Ω) 220 390 470 560 1k 1.5k 12k

Department of Electrical Engineering Technology Revision No. 1

Title: Resistance Measurement and Ohm’s Law Effective Date 26/09/2017

6. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

6.1 Discuss on the results obtained in:

Department of Electrical Engineering Technology Revision No. 1

Title: Resistance Measurement and Ohm’s Law Effective Date 26/09/2017

Example of calculation of measured difference:

Department of Electrical Engineering Technology Revision No. 1

Title: Resistance Measurement and Ohm’s Law Effective Date 26/09/2017

(a) SERIES CONNECTION

Series Resistor Circuit

Department of Electrical Engineering Technology Revision No. 1

Title: Resistance Measurement and Ohm’s Law Effective Date 26/09/2017

𝑅𝑒𝑞 = 390 + 560 = 950 Ω

(b) PARALLEL CONNECTION

Department of Electrical Engineering Technology Revision No. 1

Title: Resistance Measurement and Ohm’s Law Effective Date 26/09/2017

Parallel Resistor Circuit

Parallel Resistor Equation

Department of Electrical Engineering Technology Revision No. 1

Title: Resistance Measurement and Ohm’s Law Effective Date 26/09/2017

(c) SERIES-PARALLEL CONNECTION

Department of Electrical Engineering Technology Revision No. 1

Title: Resistance Measurement and Ohm’s Law Effective Date 26/09/2017

For the circuit above, we can simplify it into:

Department of Electrical Engineering Technology Revision No. 1

Title: Resistance Measurement and Ohm’s Law Effective Date 26/09/2017