Tennessee State University College of Engineering, Technology, and Computer Science Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering ENGR

2001 CIRCUITS I LAB Section 02

Lab Experiment #5 The Principle of Superposition

Vance Willis Lab Partner: Tish Spalding Instructor: Dr. Carlotta A. Berry

Lab Performed: October 6, 2005 Report Submitted: October 13, 2005

ABSTRACT The purpose of this experiment was to build a resistor circuit with two voltage sources and measure the voltage and current across each resistor in each of three configurations: 1) with both voltage sources connected, 2) with only the first voltage source connected, and 3) with only the second voltage source connected. The results will then be combined to illustrate the principle of superposition. The principle of superposition states that the current through, or voltage across any resistive branch of a multi-source network is the algebraic sum of the contributions due to each source acting independently. An analysis of the circuits by means of hand calculations, and simulations using the PSpice circuit simulation software was compared to experimental results. The maximum error noted was 1.88%. To prove that superposition was upheld in the experimental results, the measured voltages (v and v) and currents (i and i) from the single-source circuits were added algebraically to find the voltages (v=v+v) and currents (i=i+i) for the two-source circuit. An error analysis between this calculated value and measured results for the two-source circuit proved that the principle of superposition was upheld for this circuit. The percent error ranged from 0.00% to 0.62%.

TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. Objective Theory Equipment Apparatus Circuits Procedure Results, Conclusions, and Recommendations Data Formulas and Sample Calculations References

Appendix A Appendix B Appendix C

I.

Objective: The purpose of this experiment was to build a resistor circuit with two voltage sources and measure the voltage and current across each resistor in each of three configurations: 1) with both voltage sources connected, 2) with only the first voltage source connected, and 3) with only the second voltage source connected. Finally, the results were analyzed by an error analysis comparing the experimental results to the calculated results.

II.

Theory: The principle of superposition can be used to analyze electric circuits which contain more than one voltage source. The principle of superposition states that the current through, or voltage across any resistive branch of a multi-source network is the algebraic sum of the contributions due to each source acting independently. It is important to note that superposition can only be used to analyze linear circuits. A linear circuit is one whose output is linearly related (or directly proportional) to its input. The following steps should be taken to analyze a circuit using the superposition principle: 1) Turn off all independent sources except one source. This is accomplished by replacing voltage sources with a short circuit, and replacing current sources by an open circuit. 2) Calculate the voltage and current across the resistive elements using a traditional technique such as nodal or mesh analysis. 3) Repeat steps 1 and 2 for each of the other independent sources in the circuit. 4) Find the total contribution by adding algebraically all the contributions due to the independent source.

III.

Equipment: Tektronix Digital Multimeter model # CDM250 Tektronix Power Supply model # CPS250 Resistors: 10 k, 15 k, and 22 k Leads (2 pair) Hook-up wires (1 pair) Alligator Clips Breadboard PSpice software program

IV.

Apparatus: Experiment Part 1: The apparatus used for part 1 of the experiment consisted of a Tektronix digital multimeter (used in both voltmeter and ammeter modes), a Tektronix power supply (using both sources A and B), 3 resistors (10 k, 15 k, and 22 k), a breadboard, and alligator clips attached to the leads on the resistors. Figure 1 illustrates the apparatus configuration. Experiment Part 2: The apparatus used for part 2 of the experiment consisted of a Tektronix digital multimeter (used in both voltmeter and ammeter modes), a Tektronix power supply (using source A only), 3 resistors (10 k, 15 k, and 22 k), a breadboard, and alligator clips attached to the leads on the resistors. Figure 2 illustrates the apparatus configuration. Experiment Part 3: The apparatus used for part 3 of the experiment consisted of a Tektronix digital multimeter (used in both voltmeter and ammeter modes), a Tektronix power supply (using source B only), 3 resistors (10 k, 15 k, and 22 k), a breadboard, and alligator clips attached to the leads on the resistors. Figure 3 illustrates the apparatus configuration.

Figure 1 (Lab Apparatus used for Experiment Part 1, 10V and 15V Sources Connected)

Figure 2 (Lab Apparatus used for Experiment Part 2, 10V Source Only Connected)

Figure 3 (Lab Apparatus used for Experiment Part 3, 15V Source Only Connected)

V.

Circuits Figures 4, 5, and 6 are the circuit diagrams for the circuits used for experiment parts 1, 2, and 3, respectively.

R1 10k V1 R2 10Vdc 15k

R3 22k V2 15Vdc
Vance Willis ENGR2001-02 10/13/2005 Lab #5 Report

Figure 4 (Circuit used for Experiment Part 1)

R1 10k V1 R2 10Vdc 15k

R3 22k
Vance Willis ENGR2001-02 10/13/2005 Lab #5 Report

Figure 5 (Circuit used for Experiment Part 2)

R1 10k

R3 22k V2 R2 15k 15Vdc

Vance Willis ENGR2001-02 10/13/2005 Lab #5 Report

Figure 6 (Circuit used for Experiment Part 3)

VI.

Procedure Experiment Part 1: 1. Build the resistor circuit shown in the Figure 4. 2. Connect the output A of the power supply as shown and adjust the voltage to 10 V. 3. Connect the output B of the power supply as shown and adjust the voltage to 15 V. 4. Connect a digital voltmeter across each resistor and record the voltage measured. 5. Connect a digital ammeter in series with each resistor and record the current measured. 6. Calculate the theoretical values for voltage across each resistor, current through each resistor, and power dissipated by each resistor using hand calculations (superposition principle), and the PSpice circuit simulation program. 7. Perform an error analysis for the measured versus theoretical voltage and current values.

Experiment Part 2: 1. Build the resistor circuit shown in the Figure 5. 2. Connect the output A of the power supply as shown and adjust the voltage to 10 V. 3. Connect a digital voltmeter across each resistor and record the voltage measured. 4. Connect a digital ammeter in series with each resistor and record the current measured. 5. Calculate the theoretical values for voltage across each resistor, current through each resistor, and power dissipated by each resistor using hand calculations, and the PSpice circuit simulation program. 6. Perform an error analysis for the measured versus theoretical voltage and current values.

Experiment Part 3: 1. Build the resistor circuit shown in the Figure 6. 2. Connect the output B of the power supply as shown and adjust the voltage to 15 V. 3. Connect a digital voltmeter across each resistor and record the voltage measured. 4. Connect a digital ammeter in series with each resistor and record the current measured. 5. Calculate the theoretical values for voltage across each resistor, current through each resistor, and power dissipated by each resistor using hand calculations , and the PSpice circuit simulation program. 6. Perform an error analysis for the measured versus theoretical voltage and current values.

VII.

Results, Conclusions and Recommendations Experiment Part 1: For part 1 of the experiment (both sources connected), the voltage and current measurements closely agreed with theoretical results. The maximum error noted was 1.88%. Table 1 shows a summary of the calculated voltages and currents, the experimental voltages and currents, calculated power levels for each resistor, and the percent error for each. Figure 7 shows the results of a bias point analysis performed on the circuit using the PSpice circuit simulation software. The results of the PSpice simulation matched the calculated results exactly (as expected).

Table 1 (Calculated Data, Experimental Data, and Error Analysis for Experiment Part 1)
Both 10V and 15V Sources Connected Ref. Des. Res. () Calculated Voltage (V) 2.071 7.929 7.071 Current (mA) 0.207 0.529 0.321 Power (mW) 0.429 4.191 2.273 Voltage (V) 2.110 7.910 7.090 Measured Current (mA) 0.210 0.533 0.323 Power (mW) 0.443 4.216 2.290 Voltage (%) 1.88% 0.24% 0.27% Error Analysis Current (%) 1.40% 0.83% 0.50% Power (%) 3.31% 0.59% 0.77%

R1 R2 R3

10000 15000 22000

7.929V 429.1uW 10.00V 207.1uA R1 10k V1 -2.071mW 10Vdc 0V 207.1uA 321.4uA R2 15k 4.191mW
Vance Willis ENGR2001-02 10/13/2005 Lab #5 Report

528.6uA 2.273mW R3 22k V2 -4.821mW 15Vdc 15.00V 321.4uA

Figure 7 (Results of PSpice Computer Simulation for Experiment Part 1)

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Experiment Part 2: For part 2 of the experiment (only the 10V source connected), the voltage and current measurements also closely agreed with theoretical results. The maximum error noted was 0.83%. Table 2 shows a summary of the calculated voltages and currents, the experimental voltages and currents, and the percent error for each. Figure 8 shows the results of a bias point analysis performed on the circuit using the PSpice circuit simulation software. The results of the PSpice simulation matched the calculated results exactly (as expected).

Table 2 (Calculated Data, Experimental Data, and Error Analysis for Experiment Part 2)
10V Source Only Connected Ref. Des. Res. () Calculated Voltage (V) 5.286 4.715 4.715 Current (mA) 0.529 0.314 0.214 Measured Voltage (V) 5.330 4.710 4.710 Current (mA) 0.531 0.317 0.214 Error Analysis Voltage (%) 0.83% 0.10% 0.10% Current (%) 0.45% 0.86% 0.14%

R1 R2 R3

10000 15000 22000

4.714V 10.00V 528.6uA R1 10k V1 R2 10Vdc 15k

Vance Willis ENGR2001-02 10/13/2005 Lab #5 Report

314.3uA R3 22k 0V 214.3uA

0V 528.6uA

Figure 8 (Results of PSpice Computer Simulation for Experiment Part 2)

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Experiment Part 3: For part 3 of the experiment (only the 15V source connected), the voltage and current measurements also closely agreed with theoretical results. The maximum error noted was 1.26%. Table 3 shows a summary of the calculated voltages and currents, the experimental voltages and currents, and the percent error for each. Figure 9 shows the results of a bias point analysis performed on the circuit using the PSpice circuit simulation software. The results of the PSpice simulation matched the calculated results exactly (as expected).

Table 3 (Calculated Data, Experimental Data, and Error Analysis for Experiment Part 3)
15V Source Only Connected Ref. Des. Res. () Calculated Voltage (V) 3.214 3.215 11.785 Current (mA) 0.321 0.214 0.536 Measured Voltage (V) 3.220 3.220 11.820 Current (mA) 0.321 0.217 0.539 Error Analysis Voltage (%) 0.19% 0.17% 0.29% Current (%) 0.12% 1.26% 0.62%

R1 R2 R3

10000 15000 22000

3.214V 214.3uA 0V R1 10k 321.4uA R3 22k V2 R2 15k 15Vdc

Vance Willis ENGR2001-02 10/13/2005 Lab #5 Report

15.00V 535.7uA

0V 535.7uA

Figure 9 (Results of PSpice Computer Simulation for Experiment Part 3)

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Experiment Parts 1, 2, and 3: Part of the goal of the experiments conducted here was to illustrate the principle of superposition. Experiment parts 1, 2, and 3 adequately illustrated that the superposition principle can be used to accurately analyze the voltages and currents in a multi-source resistor circuit. To further illustrate the superposition principle, the measured voltages and measured currents from experiment parts 2 and 3 were added algebraically, then compared to the measured voltages and currents from experiment part 1. Table 4 shows a compilation of the measured data from the circuit with each source connected individually (labeled as v, i, v, and i), and the algebraic sum of the measurements. This calculated value (based on measured data) is then compared to the measured value for the circuit with both sources connected simultaneously. The error analysis shows a maximum error of 0.62%, which is likely due to variations in lead attachments, and in the voltage level being supplied by the power supply from one experiment to the next. This very low error analysis proves that the principle of superposition was upheld in this experiment.

Table 4 (Experimental Data and Superposition Error Analysis)

Calculated Based on Separate Source Measurements Both Sources v = v' + v" Voltage (V) 2.110 7.930 7.110 i = i' + i" Current (mA) 0.210 0.534 0.325 Error Analysis, Measured Directly vs. Measured Separately Both Sources Voltage (%) 0.00% 0.25% 0.28% Current (%) 0.00% 0.19% 0.62%

Measured Ref. Des. Res. ()

Measured

10V Source Only v' Voltage (V) i' Current (mA) 0.531 0.317 -0.214

15V Source Only v" Voltage (V) -3.220 3.220 11.820 i" Current (mA) -0.321 0.217 0.539

Both Sources Voltage (V) 2.110 7.910 7.090 Current (mA) 0.210 0.533 0.323

R1 R2 R3

10000 15000 22000

5.330 4.710 -4.710

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APPENDIX A Data

Table 5 (Measured Data for Experiment Part 1)

Both 10V and 15V Sources Connected Measured Voltage (V) R1 R2 R3 10000 15000 22000 2.110 7.910 7.090 Current (mA) 0.210 0.533 0.323

Ref. Des.

Res. ()

Table 6 (Measured Data for Experiment Part 2)

10V Source Only Connected Ref. Des. Measured Voltage (V) R1 R2 R3 5.330 4.710 4.710 Current (mA) 0.531 0.317 0.214

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Table 7 (Measured Data for Experiment Part 3)

15V Source Only Connected Ref. Des. Measured Voltage (V) R1 R2 R3 3.220 3.220 11.820 Current (mA) 0.321 0.217 0.539

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APPENDIX B Formulas, Sample Calculations, and Error Analysis Formulas:

v = iR

i=

p = vi
i1 = iR2 R1 + R2

v R

R=

v i

(Ohms Law) (Power) (Current division) (Principle of superposition for voltage) (Principle of superposition for current)

v = v + v i = i + i

% error =

theoretical measured theoretical

*100

(Percent error)

Calculations: Example calculations shown here are for analysis of resistor 2.

(5.286 10 4 )(22000) i2 = = 0.3143 10 3 A 15000 + 22000

4 (5.357 10 )(10000) i2 = = 0.2143 10 3 A 10000 + 15000

(Current through resistor 2, 10V source)

(Current through resistor 2, 15V source)

i2 = 0.3143 10 3 + 0.2143 10 3 = 0.5286 10 3 A (Current through resistor 2, both sources) v 2 = (0.5286 10 3 )(15000) = 7.929 V p 2 = (7.929)(0.5286 10 3 ) = 4.191 10 3 W % error = 7.929 7.910 7.929 *100 = 0.24%
(Voltage across resistor 2, both sources) (Power dissipated by resistor 2) (Percent error, voltage across resistor 2)

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APPENDIX C References Alexander, Charles K. and Matthew Sadiku, Fundamentals of Electric Circuits, 2nd Edition, McGraw Hill, 2004. Berry, Dr. Carlotta A. Circuits I Lab Study Guide for ENGR2001. Tennessee State University

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