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CHITTAGONG UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING,
CHATTOGRAM-4349, BANGLADESH.
COURSE NO.: EEE 112
Experiment No. 2

Verification of Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law (KVL), Kirchhoff’s Current Law

(KCL), Voltage Divider Rule (VDR) and Current Divider Rule (CDR)

Instructions:
 Revise the lecture notes on the topic KVL, KCL, VDR and CDR (Course code: EEE
111).
 Read this laboratory manual carefully prior to start the laboratory class.
 DO NOT copy others.
 Submit your lab report before the roll call.
Objectives:
(a) Experimental Verification of Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law (KVL) and Voltage Divider
Rule (VDR).
(b) Experimental Verification of Kirchhoff’s Current Law (KCL) and Current Divider Rule
(CDR).
Required Instruments:
1) Variable DC Power Supply
2) Multi-meter/voltmeter
3) Ammeter
4) Resistors
5) Connecting Wires
6) Bread board
Objective – (a):
Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law: Kirchhoff's Voltage Law (KVL) states that the algebraic sum of
the voltage (V) drops across all the circuit elements in a loop is equal to the voltage supplied
by the source. Alternatively, the algebraic sum of all the voltages in any closed path or mesh is

Prepared by –
Dr. Joyprokash Chakrabartty
Mohammad Mahmudul Hasan Tareq
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equal to zero. In other words, the algebraic sum of the potential rises and drops around a closed
loop (or path) is zero which can be described by the Fig. 1 –

Figure – 1 Circuit diagram for KVL.

In the mathematical form,

∑ 𝑉𝑅𝑖𝑠𝑒 = ∑ 𝑉𝐷𝑟𝑜𝑝

That is, V4 = V1 + V2 + V3 or, V4 - V1 - V2 - V3 = 0.

Voltage Divider Rule: The voltage is divided among the resistors connected in series in direct
proportion to their resistance.

Figure – 2 Circuit diagram for VDR.

From the Fig. 2, the voltage drop across the resistor R2 can be determined by-
V2 = (R2/Rs)*E, where Rs = R1 + R2
The generalized mathematical expression can be expressed as follows-
𝑅𝑥
𝑉𝑥 = 𝐸
𝑅𝑠
Where, Vx represents the voltage drop across Rx, Rx denotes the selected resistor where the
voltage has to be measured, and Rs denotes the net resistance of the all the series connected
resistors.

Prepared by –
Dr. Joyprokash Chakrabartty
Mohammad Mahmudul Hasan Tareq
 Page No.: 03

Circuit Diagram:

Figure – 3 Circuit diagram for the verification of KVL and VDR.

Steps to follow:
1. Connect the three resistors R1, R2 and R3 (you can choose other known resistors as well
over the resistors shown in Fig. 2) in series with a variable DC power supply as shown
in Fig. 3.
2. Apply a constant DC voltage (preferably in the range of 0-15V) from the variable DC
power supply.
3. Take the readings of V1, V2 and V3 using a multi-meter or voltmeter and current (I)
using an ammeter. Record the data in the Table 1.
4. Repeat the steps 2 and 3 by varying the voltage from the DC power supply and record
the data in the Table 1.
5. Verify the KVL (E = V1 + V2 + V3) for each set of data.
6. Again verify the VDR (Vx = (Rx/RT) *E for each set of data.
Table 1 (experimental data).

E = V1 +
Rs =R1 +R2 Rs= E/I
E V2 + V3
No. of I V1 V2 V3 + R3 (ohms)
(volts) (volts)
Obs. (amps) (V) (V) (V) (ohms) (experime
(Given) (experime
(Theoretical) ntal)
ntal)

Prepared by –
Dr. Joyprokash Chakrabartty
Mohammad Mahmudul Hasan Tareq
 Page No.: 04

Objective – (b):
Kirchhoff’s Current Law: Kirchhoff’s current law (KCL) states that the algebraic sum of the
currents entering and leaving an area, system, or junction is equal to zero. In other words, the
sum of the currents flowing into a point in a circuit is equal to the sum of the currents flowing
out of the same point. Figure 4 describes the scenario.

Figure – 4 Circuit diagram of KCL.

The KCL can be expressed by the following mathematical expression,

∑ 𝐼𝐸𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 = ∑ 𝐼𝐿𝑒𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑔

Where, I1 + I4 = I2 + I3

Current Divider Rule: The electrical current entering into the node of a parallel circuit is
divided into the branches. The CDR is employed to calculate the magnitude of divided current
in the circuits.
Some conditions are,
(a) For two parallel elements of equal value, the current will divide equally.
(b) For parallel elements with different values, the smaller the resistance, the greater the
share of input current.
(c) For parallel elements of different values, the current will split with a ratio equal to the
inverse of their resistive values.

Prepared by –
Dr. Joyprokash Chakrabartty
Mohammad Mahmudul Hasan Tareq
 Page No.: 05

Or

Figure – 5 Circuit diagram of CDR.

Circuit Diagram:

Figure – 6 Circuit diagram for the verification of KCL and CDR.

Prepared by –
Dr. Joyprokash Chakrabartty
Mohammad Mahmudul Hasan Tareq
 Page No.: 06

Steps to follow:
1. Connect the three resistors R1, R2 and R3 in parallel with a variable DC power supply
as shown in Fig. 6.
2. Apply a constant DC voltage (preferably in the range of 0-15V) from the variable DC
power supply.
3. Take the readings of I, I1, I2 and I3 using ammeters. Record the data in the Table 2.
4. Repeat the steps 2 and 3 by varying the voltage from DC power supply and record the
data in the Table 2.
5. Verify the KCL (I = I1 + I2 + I3) for each set of data.
6. Verify the CDR (Ix = (Gx/GT)*I) for each set of data.

Table 2 (experimental data):

I = I1 + I2
RT=(R1-1 +R2-1 RT= E/I
No. of E(volts) I I1 I2 I3 + I3
+ R3-1)-1(ohm) (ohms)
Obs. (Given) (amps) (A) (A) (A) (amps)
(Theoretical) (Practical)
(Practical)

Reports:
1. Provide the results in tabular form.
2. Comment on the results and anomalies (if any).
Home Task:
Include the answers of the following questions in your lab report –
1. State the rules of connecting ammeter and voltmeter in the circuit.
2. If an ammeter is connected in parallel across an element, what could be the possible
danger?
3. “KVL is the restatement of the Law of the conservation of energy” – justify the
statement.
4. Why the rheostats have current ratings in addition to the resistance ratings?
5. “KVL is applicable for open circuit too” – justify the statement.
6. Show analytically that, for a parallel circuit –

Prepared by –
Dr. Joyprokash Chakrabartty
Mohammad Mahmudul Hasan Tareq
 Page No.: 07

𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
= + +
𝑹𝑻 𝑹𝟏 𝑹𝟐 𝑹𝟑
7. If a voltmeter is connected in series with an element, what scenario are you expecting
to?
8. “KCL is the restatement of the Law of the conservation of charge” – justify the
statement.
9. “KCL is applicable for close circuit too” – justify the statement.

Prepared by –
Dr. Joyprokash Chakrabartty
Mohammad Mahmudul Hasan Tareq