AC Troubleshooting

Air Washington Electronics ~ Alternating Current Lab

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Air Washington Electronics – Alternating Current Laboratory

AC Troubleshooting
Overview
In this lab, students will analyze a Multisim AC circuit for the identification of a failed component. The
student will support their hypothesis with an explanation of how and why the fault will create the
symptoms displayed.

Requirements
To meet all requirements for this lab, you must complete all activities, questions, critical thinking
activities and questions, and observations and conclusions.

Course Objectives
• Troubleshoot AC Circuit.

Module Objectives
• Analyze the output of an AC circuit to identify a faulty component.
• Create a hypothesis to explain the fault.
• Explain why the hypothesized fault would demonstrate the symptoms.

Activities
1. Analyze faulty circuit
2. Create and support a hypothesis.

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Air Washington Electronics – Alternating Current Laboratory

1: Analyze Faulty Circuit

Components & Equipment Needed

• Multisim File (located online)

Procedure
Step 1: Open the Multisim file:

XSC1

Tektronix

P 1 2 3 4 T
G

120V 60 Hz T1 Diode Bridge3N250

R1
C1 100Ω
470µF

Fig. 1 Faulty AC Circuit

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Air Washington Electronics – Alternating Current Laboratory

Step 2: The expected output of this circuit is shown in figure 2. Compare the actual output of
the circuit to the expected output.

Fig. 2 Expected Output

Step 3: Measure the output of the circuit and compare with figure 2.

Step 4: Answer the following question: What is the intended function of this circuit and in what
kind of equipment/device would we expect to see it?

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Air Washington Electronics – Alternating Current Laboratory

2: Create and Support a Hypothesis

For this section, you are asked to discuss what you think the problem is and then to support this
discussion using formulas or references. As an oversimplified example, if the voltage at the load on a
simple series circuit was 15 V rather than 10 V as expected, you may suspect that the problem is another
resistive element in the circuit. You would then discuss why this would cause the voltage to be higher
than expected. To support your hypothesis, you discuss the effect of a shorted resistor in terms of
Ohm’s Law.

Create a Hypothesis
1. Referring back to Figure 1 and the faulty output, create a hypothesis explaining the symptoms of
the faulty circuit. (Example: A shorted resistor in a series circuit can affect the voltage drops at
other resistive elements in the circuit.)
2. Explain why the fault of the hypothesis would create the output. (Example: In a series circuit,
Kirchhoff’s Voltage Laws state that … and as such, because of the failed resistor, the higher than
expected voltage is being dropped at the load.)

Support a Hypothesis
1. Support the hypothesis by discussing why this fault would create this output, including any
formulas or references. (Example: Discuss and use mathematical references, such as Kirchhoff’s
and Ohm’s Laws, to prove your hypothesis.)

2. Given the circuit/device that you answered in Step 4 above, how would this fault affect it?
(Example: If the circuit had been for a control circuit, it could be stated that the failed resistor
created a situation where the power rating of the load was exceeded, causing total failure of the
system.)

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