Experiment 1: introduction to electrical engineering
and lab equipment
1.1 Objectives
The objectives of this experiment include defining Engineering and Electrical engineering, circuit
theory and Electromagnetic Theory, direct and alternating current, drift velocity, Active and Passive
Devices, Voltage and Current, Breadboard, DMM and DC Power Supply.
1.2 Theoretical Background
Electrical Engineering Definition:
Engineering can be defined as a process that is used to make/design new systems or
providing solutions to make current systems more efficient. Electrical engineering is the study of
modern equipment that utilize circuits, involve electronics and electromagnetism principle.
Electrical engineering also involves principles that effect different computer engineering systems.
Moreover, more areas of Electrical engineering include power engineering, telecommunication
engineering, signal processing, instrumentation etc.
Circuit Theory & Electromagnetic Theory:
Electrical engineering can be sub-divided into 1) Circuit theory 2) electromagnetic theory.
Circuit theory is basically a set of techniques which demonstrate the flow of energy around an
electrical loop and tells us how to utilize the current. The theory comprises of different rules and
laws including Ohm’s law and Kirchhoff’s law. The basic purpose is to explain the relationship
between current, voltage, and resistance etc. An engineer can predict the performance of electrical
networks using Circuit theory. The electro-magnetic theory was established by James Clerk Maxwell
and demonstrates how we can produce current. The theory links electric field and magnetic field.
There are four important points in this theory, which also were elaborated using Maxwell’s theory.
1) The force of attraction or repulsion between electric charges is inversely proportional to the
square of the distance between them.
2) Magnetic poles come in pairs and can either attract or repel.
3) Direction of magnetic field caused by an electric current depends on the direction of
current.
4) Moving electric field produces a magnetic field and vice versa.’
Direct and Alternating Current:
DC stands for direct current. DC current is generated from chemical energy. In DC, electrons
flow steadily in a single direction. The problem with DC is that it’s voltage cannot be carried over
long distances as it starts to lose energy. DC is a current of constant magnitude.AC stands for
alternating current. AC is produced due to the change in magnetic flux. AC is safe to transfer over
long distances and can provide more power. AC current reverses its direction while flowing in a
circuit as electrons keep switching directions forward and backwards.
Drift Velocity:
The average velocity at which a charged particle (electrons in our case) drift when subjected
to electric field is called drift velocity. The SI unit of drift velocity is m/s. The direction of drift
velocity is in the direction of electric field, although random collisions do occur but the since the
direction of acceleration is the same as the electric field, causing the direction of the drift velocity
to stay in the direction of electric field. The formula to find the drift velocity is as follows:
I =nAqv
where I is the current flowing through conductor, n is number of electrons, A is the area of cross-
section of the conductor and q is the charge of electrons. v denotes the drift velocity of the
charged particle.
Active & Passive Devices:
Active device is any circuit component which can electrically control the flow of
charge(current). Active devices require an electrical source. Examples include control power
supplies, transistors, amplifiers, transmitters, LEDs. Passive devices do not require an electrical
source and cannot control the flow of charge (current) through them. Examples of passive devices
include resistors, capacitors, cables, wires etc.
Voltage & Current:
Voltage is defined as the difference in electric potential between two points. It can also be
defined as the electromotive force or energy per unit charge. The SI unit of voltage is Volts(V) and
1V= 1joule/coulomb. It is important to note that voltage is the cause of the current. Current is the
rate at which an electric charge flows in a circuit at a particular point. The SI unit of current is
Amperes(A) and 1A=1coulomb/second. It is important to note that current is the result of voltage
and current cannot flow without voltage. In a circuit voltage can be measured using a voltmeter
and current can be measured using an ammeter.
Breadboard:
The breadboard is a small white rectangular board with small holes embedded for inserting
electronic components. And can easily be re-used. A breadboard makes it easier for creating
temporary prototypes and allows us to experiment different circuit designs as the breadboard
allows detaching of the components.
Digital Multi Meter (DMM):
Digital multimeter is a tool used to measure two or more different electrical values. The
values are mostly current in amperes, resistance in ohms and voltages in Volts. Multimeter can be
used as an ammeter, voltmeter, and Ohmmeter all at the same time. Digital multimeters need a
power supply. Digital multimeters are far more accurate.
DC Power Supply:
DC power supply is connected to an AC source, but it acts as a rectifier and supplies us with
DC. The power supply has three stations, and the right most one supplies a constant voltage of 5
volts. It also has several warning lights such as the CC (constant current) and CV (constant voltage
light). The DC power supply has several knobs as well, which can help adjust the voltage required.
1.3 Lab Work
Details of Breadboard:
The breadboard is made up of plastic and has embedded dots. The lines on the breadboard
indicated with a ‘+’ or ‘- ‘and having continuous red and blue lines are called buses. These red and
blue lines tell us about the continuity. They are used to supply electrical power to the circuit if you
connect it to an external battery or source. the inside of the breadboard is made up of sets of five
metal clips. This means that each set of five holes forming a half-row (columns A–E or columns F–J)
is electrically connected. Unlike all the main breadboard rows, which are connected in sets of five
holes, the buses typically run the entire length of the breadboard.
Digital Multi Meter (DMM):
Multimeter is used to measure the current in Amps(A) or voltage in volts(V) or resistance in
ohms. The multimeter has ports of black and red color where the relevant probing wires can be
plugged in. It also has several function buttons out of which we used the DC volts, DC Amps and
Ohms button to measure the respective voltages, current and resistance.
The precautions of using a multimeter are as follows:
When not in use, keep the digital multimeter knob in OFF position or the highest voltage
position.
If you want to check presence of hazardous voltage in a circuit with a digital multimeter, it is
important to check for both AC and DC voltage.
check the multimeter for continuity. For this, connect its leads and confirm that it reads
zero. When performing continuity check for a circuit, switch off the power supply to the
circuit. If there is a capacitor in the circuit, you will hear a beep sound until the capacitor
drains. Always confirm the presence of capacitor to avoid any confusion.
• If you change the leads (between red and black), the readings should not change.
While measuring voltage, never touch the bare probe tips together as it will lead to a short
circuit.
For current measurement, the multimeter should be connected in series while it should be
connected in parallel for voltage measurements.
When the multimeter knob is set to current measuring mode and you forget to change it to
voltage measuring mode before taking voltage measurements, it may be a cause of
potential hazard.
For resistance measurement Power should be tuned off before taking any measurement.
If it’s needed to measure a connected resistor, ensure that any capacitors in circuit are
drained off.
For the working of the multimeter, the procedure is as follows:
1) Connect the probes in their relevant ports and turn the power supply on.
2) Press the relevant function button you must use out of the given options,
3) Take the readings and follow all the safety precautions.
DC Power Supply:
The procedure to get 25V output from the DC power supply Is follows:
1) Turn the AC power supply on
2) Slowly increase the voltage up till 25V.
3) Plug the crocodile leads into the relevant source
Following are the precautions:
Adjust the knobs slowly.
Connect to the load after adjusting voltage.
If you need to change the voltage in the process of use, then first disconnect the load and
then change the voltage.
In the process of use, when the load is short-circuited or overloaded, the load should be
disconnected first, then press the “Reset” button, or the power can be turned back on, the
voltage can be restored to normal operation, and then the fault is re-accessed.
The DC power supply has two lights stating the abbreviations CC (constant current) and CV
(constant voltage). There are 3 available power sources, out which the 3 rd one on the right has a
fixed voltage of 5V while the other two sources can provide the required Volts.
1.4 Quick Search
1. The main difference between PCB and breadboard is that the breadboard allows us to
detach the components and re-use the components. In breadboard, the circuit is designed
with the use of wire to make connection among the components while in PCB components
are linked or assembled at the copper wire tracings that are designed over the board.
2. The current flows with speed of light because there are many free electrons that are
colliding with one another and are moving with 0.1m/s, and since they are colliding with
each other, they push each other forward causing current to flow at the speed of light.
