Electronics

Testing the Meter

by Deqing Sun

Testing the Meter

Before you get started, it's a good idea to make sure your meter is working. This is a particularly good idea if you're using a meter that lots of other people use, such as the ones at ITP.

1. Insert the two probes. Insert the Black the probe in “COM” jack. This is the COMmon, or ground, connection. The Red probe should be in the “V” jack. This connection is for measuring voltage. It can also be used to measure resistance in Ohms, or frequency in megaHertz, on the meter shown here.

Ready

2. Turn the function knob to Diode/Continuity Function and switch the meter on. If the word “Hold” on the screen, press the hold button once to disable the hold function. This function is used to hold a value onscreen after you remove the probes from a circuit. The “1.” on left picture means the value is out of range now.

Release the hold function

3. Touch the tips of the probes together. The meter will beep and the display value should be less than 0.01. If it works, congratulations! you have a usable meter. If not, try to push the plug of the probes to improve the contacts. In many cases the failure is caused by loose contact of the jacks.

(:table width=80% border=0:) (:cellnr:)

A working multimeter (:cell:)

If it's not working press the leads in and try again (:tableend:)

Continuity is simply whether or not there is a connection between two points. You just used this function to test your meter. Now you'll use it to test a conductor.

You can use the continuity check to find with connections on a switch or pushbutton are connected when you press the button. You can also use it to measure whether there's a break in a wire, or whether a given material conducts electricity. Set your meter as shown here, and try touching the leads together. The meter should beep.

Note how the long leg, or anode, od the LED goes to voltage, and the short leg, or cathode, goes to ground.

(:toggle question9 init=hide show='I give up, tell me' hide='Let me figure it out':)

If you measure the resistance of a diode (such as the LED shown here), you may see a number flash briefly on the meter, then disappear. This is because diodes ideally have little or no resistance once voltage is flowing through them, but have what's called a forward bias, a minimum voltage needed to get current flowing. Before you reach the forward bias voltage, the diode's resistance is ideally infinite. After you reach it, the resistance is ideally zero. There are no ideals in electronics, however, which is wny you see a resistance value flash briedly as the meter meets the diode's forward bias.

Did you get a negative voltage? Why would that happen?

(:toggle question6 init=hide show='I give up, why?' hide='Let me figure it out':)

Connect the board to your power supply and press the switch. It will illuminate the LED. Let go of the switch and it will turn the LED off again. By pressing the switch you are completing a circuit and allowing the resistor and LED to begin consuming electricity. The resistor is very important in this circuit as it protects the LED from being over-powered, which will eventually burn it out. A typical LED operates at a voltage of 2.0-2.6 volts (V) and consumes approximately 20 milliamps (mA). The resistor reduces the energy coming from your voltage regulator and reduces it to a level that is safer for the LED to consume. The higher the resistor value, the less electricity that will reach the LED. The lower the resistor value (with 0 ohms being no resistor at all), the more electricity that will reach the LED.

Now, while playing with the switch, measure the voltage across the switch as you did in the last step, both in the on position and the off position. Measure the voltage across the LED and the resistor as well. Does the total resistance across all the components add up to the voltage between power and ground on your board? Remember, in any circuit, all of the voltage must be used up.

(:toggle question7 init=hide show='Why did I get the result that I did?' hide='Let me figure it out':)

(:toggle question8 init=hide show='I give up, tell me' hide='Let me figure it out':)

(:toggle question8 init=hide show='I give up, tell me' hide='Let me figure it out':)

If you measure the resistance of a diode (not shown here), you may see a number flash briefly on the meter, then disappear. This is because diodes ideally have little or no resistance once voltage is flowing through them, but have what's called a forward bias, a minimum voltage needed to get current flowing. Before you reach the forward bias voltage, the diode's resistance is ideally infinite. After you reach it, the resistance is ideally zero. There are no ideals in electronics, however,so you will see a voltage drop across a diode when you measure it.

Did you get a negative voltage? why?

(:toggle question6 init=hide show='I give up, what should happen?' hide='Let me figure it out':)

The circuit shown is not complete. The resistor connecting the LED to voltage has been removed to measure its resistance. To measure resistance of a component, you must remove it from the circuit.

If you measure the resistance of a diode (not shown here), you may see a number flash briefly on the meter, then disappear. This is because diodes ideally have little or no resistance once voltage is flowing through them, but have what's called a forward bias, a minimum voltage needed to get current flowing. Before you reach the forward bias voltage, the diode's resistance is ideally infinite. After you reach it, the resistance is ideally zero. There are no ideals in electronics, however, which is why you saw a voltage drop across the diodes in the circuits above.

Attach:multimeter_resistance.png Δ Δ\\

Now add an LED and a 560-ohm resistor to the breadboard like so:

Connect a pushbutton, a 560-ohm resistor and two LEDs in series from power to ground like so (remember, long leg of the LED (anode) goes to voltage, short leg (cathode) goes to ground):

Solder hook-up wires to the pot leads as shown here. Then connect the pot to an LED and a 560-ohm resistor using the following circuit:

As you turn the potentiometer from one end to the other, measure the voltage at the center position. The pot is acting as a voltage divider, dividing the 5V into two parts. As the voltage feeding the LED goes up or down, the LED gets brighter or dimmer. The 560-ohm resistor in the circuit protects the LED from overvoltage when the resistance between the pot's 5V lead and its center lead is 0 ohms.

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/resistors.jpg | 220-ohm resistors (anything from 100 to 1-kilohm will do)

Try measuring the reistance across your hand. Set the meter really high, perhaps 20 Megaohms Do you get anything?

(:toggle question4 init=hide show='I give up, what should happen?' hide='Let me figure it out':)

Make your palm sweaty, or lick it, and try again. What happened?

(:toggle question5 init=hide show='I give up, what should happen?' hide='Let me figure it out':)

If you did get continuity, then your meter is broken, or you accidentally touched the two leads together somehow.

From here on out, diagrams will show the DC power supply and voltage regulator version, but feel free to use the Arduino version instead.

From here on out, diagrams will show the DC power supply and voltage regulator version, but feel free to use the Arduino version instead.

<<<<<<<

 From here on out, diagrams will show the DC power supply and voltage regulator version, but feel free to use the Arduino version instead.

=======

>>>>>>>

Next, check out this lab.

The Arduino version of the board is shown at left, below, and the DC power supply and regulator at right.

 From here on out, diagrams will show the voltage regulator setup, but feel free to use the Arduino version instead.

Here is the Arduino version:

Board setup

For the rest of this lab, you'll need a breadboard connected to a +5 volt power supply. You can use an Arduino as your power supply, if it's connected to a USB power supply or a DC power supply,or you can solder together a DC power jack as shown in the Soldering lab, and use a 9-12V DC power supply and a 7805 voltage regulator. The voltage regulator will take the DC power supply's voltage and convert it to 5 volts DC.

Here is the Arduino version an LED and 220-ohm resistor is shown on the breadboard as well:

Arduino used to supply 5 volts to the breadboard

Here is the version with a DC power jack and 7805 regulator:

DC power supply with 7805 voltage regulator used to supply 5 volts to the breadboard

(:toggle question1 init=hide show='I give up, what should happen?' hide='Let me figure it out':)

(:toggle question2 init=hide show='I give up, what should happen?' hide='Let me figure it out':)

(:toggle question3 init=hide show='I give up, what should happen?' hide='Let me figure it out':)

(:toggle question1 init=hide show='What should happen?' hide='Let me figure it out':)

(:toggle question2 init=hide show='What should happen?' hide='Let me figure it out':)

Try measuring the continuity across your hand. Do you get anything? Why or why not?

(:toggle question3 init=hide show='What should happen?' hide='Let me figure it out':)

(:toggle continuitybox init=hide show='What should happen?' hide='Let me figure it out':)

(:toggle continuitybox init=hide show='What should happen' hide='Let me figure it out':)

(:toggle box3 init=hide show='I give up' hide='Let me figure it out':)

(:toggle box3:)

(:toggle hide box1 button=1:) The text in this section can be hidden/shown

Measure the voltage across the resistor. Then measure the voltage across each LED. Does the total add up to the voltage from power to ground? If not, where does the missing voltage go?

measuring resistance. Note that this circuit is not complete.

The circuit shown is not complete. The resistor connecting the LED to ground has been removed to measure its resistance. To measure resistance of a component, you must remove it from the circuit.

measuring resistance. Note that this circuit is not complete. The resistor connecting the LED to ground has been removed to measure its resistance. To measure resistance of a component, you must remove it from the circuit

The first thing you should do when working with electronic circuits is to get comfortable checking voltages in the circuit. Wire a 7805 5-volt voltage regulator on a breadboard as shown in the breadboard lab and connect it to power.The NYU Computer store, Radio Shack, and just about every electronics store will carry the voltage regulator, but if you don't have one, you can use the 5V output from an Arduino as well.

made with Fritzing

made with Fritzing

made with Fritzing

made with Fritzing

made with Fritzing

COrey?

Next, check out this lab.

Next, check out this lab?.

Put a wire in one hole of a breadboard. Then put another wire in another hole, chosen at random. Measure continuity between the two wires. Did you get what you expected?

Measuring Continuity

Multimeter set to measure continuity

Continuity is simply whether or not there is a connection between two points. You can use it to find with connections on a switch or pushbutton are connected when you press the button. You can also use it to measure whether there's a break in a wire, or whether a given material conducts electricity. Set your meter as shown here, and try touching the leads together. The meter should beep.

Now try touching the leads to two ends of a wire. Again, the meter should beep. The wire conducts electricity. There is a continuous flow of electricity from one end of the wire to another.

Now try touching two points on a switch. Do you get a beep? What happens when you switch the switch? Beep or no beep?

Try measuring the continuity across your hand. Do you get anything? Why or why not? You probably don't because the resistance across your skin is so high that it doesn't register as a continuous conductor. It can conduct small amounts of current though. You don't want your body to carry high amounts of current or voltage though, because it can damage or kill you.

Resistance of a component

Resistance is a material property of a component, like a resistor or a wire. To measure the resistance of a component, you have to remove the component from the circuit. To measure resistance, turn your meter to the setting marked with the Greek letter Omega (Ω):

multimeter set to measure resistance

Ideally, you want the meter set to the approximate range, and slightly higher than, of the component's resistance. For example, to measure a 10Kilohm resistance, you'd choose 20K, because 10K and 20K are in the same order of magnitude. For a 50K resistance, you'd have to step up to 200K, and so forth. If you don't know the component's resistance, start with the meter set to a high reading, like 2M (2 Megaohms). If you get a reading of zero, turn the meter one step lower, and keep doing so until you get a good reading.

Attach:measuring_resistance.jpg Δ Δ
measuring resistance

Not all components will register resistance. For example, a wire will ideally register 0 ohms, because you want wires to have as little resistance as possible so they don't affect the circuit. The longer the wire, the greater the resistance, however. Likewise, switches have ideally zero resistance.

If you measure the resistance of a diode, you may see a number flash briefly on the meter, then disappear. This is because diodes ideally have little or no resistance once voltage is flowing through them, but have what's called a forward bias, a minimum voltage needed to get current flowing. Before you reach the forward bias voltage, the diode's resistance is ideally infinite. After you reach it, the resistance is ideally zero. There are no ideals in electronics, however, which is why you saw a voltage drop across the diodes in the circuits above.

Try measuring the reistance across your hand. Set the meter really high, perhaps 2Megaohms Do you get anything? Why or why not? Make your palm sweaty and try again. What happened?

Did you use two different color LEDs and get a different voltage drop across each one? That's normal. Because different color LEDs are made with different elements, and have slightly different voltage drops.

Attach:measuring_resistance.jpg Δ Δ
measuring resistance

Not all components will register resistance. For example, a wire will ideally register 0 ohms, because you want wires to have as little resistance as possible so they don't affect the circuit. The longer the wire, the greater the resistance, however. Likewise, switches have ideally zero resistance.

If you measure the resistance of a diode, you may see a number flash briefly on the meter, then disappear. This is because diodes ideally have little or no resistance once voltage is flowing through them, but have what's called a forward bias, a minimum voltage needed to get current flowing. Before you reach the forward bias voltage, the diode's resistance is ideally infinite. After you reach it, the resistance is ideally zero. There are no ideals in electronics, however, which is why you saw a voltage drop across the diodes in the circuits above.

Multimeter set to measure DC voltage

<<<<<<<

Attach:multimeter_.resistance.jpg Δ Δ
multimeter set to measure resistance

multimeter set to measure amperage up to 10A

Now you're going to read the amperage at various points in the circuit. Move your meter's red lead to the hole for measuring amperage. On many meters, there are three holes, one marked "Volts/Ohms/Hz", another marked "mA", and another marked "10A". The middle one can be used for measuring amperage when the expected amperage is less than 1A. The latter is for measuring high amperage, up to 10A. If you're not sure, it's best to use the hole for 10A. Then set your meter to measure DC amperage.

Resistance of a component

Resistance is a material property of a component, like a resistor or a wire. To measure the resistance of a component, you have to remove the component from the circuit. To measure resistance, turn your meter to the setting marked with the Greek letter Omega (Ω):

Attach:multimeter_.resistance.jpg Δ Δmultimeter set to measure resistance

Ideally, you want the meter set to the approximate range, and slightly higher than, of the component's resistance. For example, to measure a 10Kilohm resistance, you'd choose 20K, because 10K and 20K are in the same order of magnitude. For a 50K resistance, you'd have to step up to 200K, and so forth. If you don't know the component's resistance, start with the meter set to a high reading, like 2M (2 Megaohms). If you get a reading of zero, turn the meter one step lower, and keep doing so until you get a good reading.

Click any image to see the larger version.

(:cell:)

Did you get no reading when you measured? Did you remember to push the button before you took your reading?

Add a third LED in the series. Do they light? Why or why not?

Components in parallel; measuring amperage

Connect three LEDs in parallel like so (remember, long leg (anode) goes to voltage, short leg (cathode) goes to ground): (:table:) (:cellnr:)

(:cell:) (:cell:)

(:tableend:)

This lab will introduce you to a few basic electronic principles by trying them in action. You'll learn how to measure voltage, amperage, and resistance using a multimeter. Before you do this lab, you should familiarize yourself with the solderless breadboard and make yourself a power connector.

Connect a pushbutton, a 220-ohm resistor and two LEDs in series from power to ground like so (remember, long leg of the LED (anode) goes to voltage, short leg (cathode) goes to ground):

Did you get no reading when you measured? Did you remember to push the button before you took your reading?

Measure the resistance across the resistor. Then measure the voltage across each LED. Does the total add up to the voltage from power to ground? If not, where does the missing voltage go?

Connect a 220-ohm resistor and two LEDs in series from power to ground like so (remember, long leg of the LED (anode) goes to voltage, short leg (cathode) goes to ground):

Measure the resistance across the resistor. Then measure the voltage across each LED. Doe the total add up to the voltage from power to ground? If not, where does the missing voltage go?

%rframe margin=15 alt='measuring voltage of an LED'

%rframe margin=15 alt='measuring voltage of an LED' | Correct meter probe placement for measuring the voltage of an LED

Now add an LED and a 220-ohm resistor to the breadboard like so:

breadboard_LED_meter.png | Correct meter probe placement for measuring the voltage of an LED

<<<<<<< Attach:breadboard_5V_reg.png| =======

>>>>>>>

Attach:breadboard_5V_reg.png|

Attach:breadboard_5V.png| Δ

Now you're going to make your first working circuit. Disconnect the board from power and add an LED, a switch, and a resistor in series like so (remember, long leg (anode) goes to voltage, short leg (cathode) goes to ground):

Connect two LEDs in series from power to ground like so (remember, long leg (anode) goes to voltage, short leg (cathode) goes to ground):

Connect three LEDs in parallel like so (remember, long leg (anode) goes to voltage, short leg (cathode) goes to ground):

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/metering_amps_sch.png

You'll find that the amperage drawn by the LEDs is tiny, on the order of 10 or 20 milliamps at the most. That's normal for LEDs.

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/metering_amps_sch.png

%hspace=15 alt='LEDs in parallel with meter in the circuit'% http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/metering_amps_sch.png

%right hspace=15 alt='LEDs in parallel with meter in the circuit'% http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/metering_amps_sch.png

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/multimeter_amps.jpg

%rfloat alt='LEDs in parallel with meter in the circuit'% http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/metering_amps_sch.png

%rfloat margin=15 alt='LEDs in parallel with meter in the circuit'% http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/metering_amps_sch.png

%rfloat alt='LEDs in parallel with meter in the circuit'% http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/metering_amps_sch.png

You'll find that the amperage drawn by the LEDs is tiny, on the order of 10 or 20 milliamps at the most. That's normal for LEDs.

so there is no electrical connection with the second LED.
The meter completes the circuit-]

%rfloat alt='LEDs in parallel with meter in the circuit'%http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/metering_amps_sch.png

%lframe margin=15 alt='LEDs in parallel with meter in the circuit'%http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/metering_amps_sch.png

[-correct position for metering amperage. \\

(:cell:)

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/led_switch_resistor_photo.jpg

Set your multimeter to measure DC volts. The voltage regulator you're using can take an input voltage range of about 8 to 15 volts, and it outputs 5 volts, so you know that no voltage you'll read in this circuit is over about 15 volts. If your meter has a variety of ranges for DC volts, choose a range that matches this. For example, many meters have a setting for 20 volts, meaning that they can read up to 20V DC at that setting. Measure for voltage between the power and ground bus rows on the breadboard. You should have 5 volts, or very close to that.

Did you get a negative voltage? That means you placed the red lead on the point of lower voltage, and the black lead on the point of higher voltage. In other words, you reversed the polarity.

alt='measuring voltage of an LED' width=300% | Correct meter probe placement for measuring the voltage of an LED

lframe alt='measuring voltage of an LED' width=300% | Correct meter probe placement for measuring the voltage of an LED

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http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/power_connector.jpg | Soldered DC Power Jack

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/bboard_vreg_power_conn.jpg

Overview

Parts

Measuring Voltage

A Basic LED Circuit

Components in Series

Components in parallel; measuring amperage

Generating a Variable Voltage with a Potentiometer

(:toc Table of Contents:)

Parts

To do this, you'll need:

(:toc Table of Contents:)

Connect the board to your power supply and press the switch. It will illuminate the LED. Let go of the switch and it will turn the LED off again. By pressing the switch you are completing a circuit and allowing the resistor and LED to begin consuming electricity. The resistor is very important in this circuit as it protects the LED from being over-powered, which will eventually burn it out. A typical LED operates at a voltage of 2.0-2.6 volts (V) and consumes approximately 20 milliamps (mA). The resistor throttles the 5 volts coming from your voltage regulator and reduces the voltage to a level that is safer for the LED to consume. The higher the resistor value, the less electricity that will reach the LED. The lower the resistor value (with 0 ohms being no resistor at all), the more electricity that will reach the LED.

Connect the board to your power supply and press the switch. It will illuminate the LED. Let go of the switch and it will turn the LED off again. By pressing the switch you are completing a circuit and allowing the resistor and LED to begin consuming electricity. The resistor is very important in this circuit as it protects the LED from being over-powered, which will eventually burn it out. A typical LED operates at a voltage of 2.0-2.6 volts (V) and consumes approximately 20 milliamps (mA). The resistor throttles the 5 volts coming from your voltage regulator and reduces the voltage to a level that is safer for the LED to consume.

Now, while playing with the switch, measure the voltage across the switch as you did in the last step, both in the on position and the off position. Measure the voltage across the LED and the resistor as well. Does the total resistance across all the components add up to the voltage between power and ground on your board? Remember, in any circuit, all of the voltage must be used up. If the voltage across all the components doesn't add up, that indicates to you that some of the electrical energy is getting converted to light, heat, and other forms of energy. No component is 100% efficient, so there's always some loss.

Connect two LEDs in series from power to ground like so:

Overview

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/switch.jpg | switch

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/switch.jpg | switch

4. Components in parallel; measuring amperage

4. Components in parallel; Measuring Amperage

Connect the board to power and turn the switch on and off until you get bored. While you're doing so, measure the voltage across the switch as you did in the last step, both in the on position and the off position. Measure the voltage across the LED and the resistor as well. Does the total resistance across all the components add up to the voltage between power and ground on your board? Remember, in any circuit, all of the voltage must be used up. If the voltage across all the components doesn't add up, that indicates to you that some of the electrical energy is getting converted to light, heat, and other forms of energy. No component is 100% efficient, so there's always some loss.

1. Measuring Voltage

2. A Basic LED Circuit

3. Components in Series

4. Components in parallel

5. Generating a Variable Voltage with a Potentiometer

Did you get a negative voltage? That means you placed the red lead on the point of lower voltage, and the black lead on the point of higher voltage. In other words, you reversed the polarity.

Now you're going to make your first working circuit. Disconnect the board from power and add an LED, a switch, and a resistor in series like so:

Connect the board to power and turn the switch on and off until you get bored. While you're doing so, measure the voltage across the switch as you did in the last step, both in the on position and the off position. Measure the voltage across the LED and the resistor as well. Does the total resistance across all the components add up to the voltage between power and ground on your board?

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/multimeter_dc_volts.jpg

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/multimeter_amps.jpg

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/multimeter_dc_volts.jpg

Set your multimeter to measure DC volts. The voltage regulator you're using can take an input voltage range of about 8 to 15 volts, and it outputs 5 volts, so you know that no voltage you'll read in this circuit is over about 15 volts. If your meter has a variety of ranges for DC volts, choose a range that matches this. For example, many meters have a setting for 20 volts, meaning that they can read up to 20V DC at that setting. Measure for voltage between the power and ground bus rows on the breadboard. You should have 5 volts, or very close to that.

As you turn the potentiometer from one end to the other, measure the voltage at the center position. The pot is acting as a voltage divider, dividing the 5V into two parts. As the voltage feeding the LED goes up or down, the LED gets brighter or dimmer. The 220-ohm resistor in the circuit protects the LED from overvoltage when the resistance between the pot's 5V lead and its center lead is 0 ohms.

You'll learn more about voltage dividers and potentiometers in the analog input lab.

In this last step, you'll generate a changing voltage using a potentiometer. A potentiometer is a resistor that can change its resistance. A potentiometer (or pot) has three connections. The outer leads are the ends of a fixed value resistor. The center lead connects to a wiper which slides along the fixed resistor. The resistance between the center lead and either of the outside leads changes as the pot's knob is moved. (:cell:)

(:table:) (:cellnr:) http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/potentiometer.jpg (:cell:)

(:tableend:)

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/pot_soldering.jpg

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/potentiometer.jpg

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/pot_soldered.jpg

Solder hook-up wires to the pot leads as shown here. Then connect the pot to an LED and a 220-ohm resistor using the following circuit:

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/potentiometer.jpg

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/pot_solder.jpg

Generating a Variable Voltage with a Potentiometer

In this last step, you'll generate a changing voltage using a potentiometer. A potentiometer is a resistor that can change its resistance. A potentiometer (or pot) has three connections. The outer leads are the ends of a fixed value resistor. The center lead connects to a wiper which slides along the fixed resistor. The resistance between the center lead and either of the outside leads changes as the pot's knob is moved.

Generating a Variable Voltage with a Potentiometer

Measuring Voltage

A Basic LED Circuit

Components in Series

Note: this image does not match the schematic. Use only two LEDs

Measure the voltage across each LED. You should get the same voltage across both, and the total should add up to approximately the total between power and ground.

Even though there is no resistor in this circuit, the LEDs don't appear to be burning out. Why not?

Add a third LED in the series. Do they light? Why or why not?

Measure the voltage across each LED. It should be the same across each one.

Now you're going to read the amperage at various points in the circuit. Move your meter's red lead to the hole for measuring amperage. On many meters, there are three holes, one marked "Volts/Ohms/Hz", another marked "mA", and another marked "20A". The middle one can be used for measuring amperage when the expected amperage is less than 1A. The latter is for measuring high amperage, up to 20A. If you're not sure, it's best to use the hole for 20A. Then set your meter to measure DC amperage.

To measure the amperage through a given component, you need to place your meter in series with the component. When two components are in series, the amperage flowing through both of them is the same.

1. Measuring Voltage

The first thing you should do when working with electronic circuits is to get comfortable checking voltages in the circuit. Wire a 7805 5-volt voltage regulator on a breadboard as shown in the breadboard lab and connect it to power.

Set your multimeter to measure DC volts. The voltage regulator you're using can take an input voltage range of about 8 to 15 volts, and it outputs 5 volts, so you know that no voltage you'll read in this circuit is over about 15 volts. If your meter has a variety of ranges for DC volts, choose a range that matches this. For example, many meters have a setting for 20 volts, meaning that they can read up to 20V DC at that setting. Measure for voltage between the power and ground bus rows on the breadboard. You should have 5 volts, or very close to that.

Voltage is a measure of the difference in electrical energy between two points in a circuit. It's always measured between two points in a circuit. Measuring the voltage between the two sides of a component like an LED tells you how much voltage that component uses. This is known as measuring the voltage "across" the component. When you're measuring voltage across a component, you're putting the meter in parallel with the component. In that case, the voltage across both should be the same.

2. A Basic LED Circuit

3. Components in Series

Overview

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/breadboard.jpg | Solderless breadboard http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/hookup_wire.jpg | 22-AWG hookup wire http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/voltage_reg.jpg | Voltage regulator http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/power_connector.jpg | Soldered DC Power Jack

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/wire_strippers.jpg | Wire Strippers http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/leds.jpg | Light Emiting Diodes, LED http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/potentiometer.jpg | 10Kohm potentiometer http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/resistors.jpg | 220-ohm resistors http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/multimeter.jpg | Multimeter

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/potentiometer.jpg | 10Kohm potentiometer

ttp://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/potentiometer.jpg"potentiometer" | 10Kohm potentiometer http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/resistors.jpg | 220-ohm resistors http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/multimeter.jpg | Multimeter

Overview

Overview

This lab will introduce you to a few basic electronic principles by trying them in action. Before you do this lab, you should familiarize yourself with the solderless breadboard and make yourself a power connector.

To do this, you'll need:

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/breadboard.jpg | Solderless breadboard http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/hookup_wire.jpg | 22-AWG hookup wire http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/voltage_reg.jpg | Voltage regulator

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/power_connector.jpg | Soldered DC Power Jack http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/wire_strippers.jpg | Wire Strippers http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/leds.jpg | Light Emiting Diodes, LED

Measuring Voltage

Wire a 7805 5-volt voltage regulator on a breadboard as shown in the breadboard lab and connect it to power. (:table:)

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/5v_reg_sch.png

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/bboard_vreg_power_conn.jpg (:tableend:) Set your multimeter to measure DC volts. If your meter has a variety of ranges for DC volts, choose a range of avout 20 volts. Measure for voltage between the power and ground bus rows on the breadboard. You should have 5 volts, or very close to that.

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/multimeter_dc_volts.jpg

Disconnect the board from power and add an LED, a switch, and a resistor in series like so:

(:table:) (:cellnr:) http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/led_switch_sch.png

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/led_switch_resistor_photo.jpg (:tableend:)

Connect the board to power and turn the switch on and off until you get bored. While you're doing so, measure the voltage across the switch, both in the on position and the off position. Measure the voltage across the LED and the resistor as well. Does the total resistance across all the components add up to the voltage between power and ground on your board?

Voltage is a measure of the difference in electrical energy between two points in a circuit. It's always measured between two points in a circuit. Measuring the voltage between the two sides of a component like an LED tells you how much voltage that component uses. This is known as measuring the voltage "across" the component. When you're measuring voltage across a component, you're putting the meter in parallel with the component. In that case, the voltage across both should be the same. That's how the meter measures it.

Components in Series

Connect three LEDs in series from power to ground like so:

(:table:)

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/leds_series_sch.png

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/leds_serial.jpg (:tableend:)

Measure the voltage across each LED. Do they light? If not, remove one and see what happens. Measure the voltage across each LED again, and add up the total voltage.

Components in parallel

Connect three LEDs in parallel like so: (:table:) (:cellnr:) http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/leds_parallel_sch.png

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/leds_parallel.jpg (:tableend:)

Measure the voltage across each LED. It should be the same.

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/multimeter_amps.jpg

Now move your meter's red lead to the hole for measuring amperage. On many meters, there are two holes, one marked "Volts/Ohms/Hz", another marked "mA", and another marked "20A". The middle one can be used for measuring amperage when the expected amperage is less than 1A. The latter is for measuring high amperage, up to 20A. If you're not sure, it's best to use the 10A hole. Then set your meter to measure amperage.

To measure the amperage through a given component, you need to place your meter in series with the component. When two components are in series, the amperage flowing through both of them is the same.

To measure the amperage through any one of the leds in this circuit, you'll need to disconnect one of its ends from the circuit (disconnect power first!) and use the meter to complete the circuit, like so:

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/metering_amps_sch.png

You'll find that the amperage drawn by the LEDs is tiny, on the order of 10 or 20 milliamps at the most. That's normal for LEDs.

Make sure that you check which holes your leads are connected to when you're using a meter. Measuring amperage with the red lead in the voltage hole, or measuring voltage with it in the amperage holes is a good way to damage the meter.

Once you feel like you understand these circuit basics, get creative. See how many LEDs you can place in parallel. Make up multiple-switch circuits. Try adding a potentiometer like so:

(:table:)

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/led_pot_sch.png

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/led_w_pot.jpg

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/breadboard.jpg

height=50% align=top valign=center%http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/breadboard.jpg

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/breadboard.jpg

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/breadboard.jpg

As you turn the potentiometer from one end to the other, measure the voltage at the center position. The pot is acting as a voltage divider, which you'll learn more about in the analog input lab.

(:table:) (:cellnr:) http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/led_pot_sch.png (:cell:) http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/led_w_pot.jpg (:tableend:)

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/metering_amps_sch.png

You'll find that the amperage drawn by the LEDs is tiny, on the order of 10 or 20 milliamps at the most. That's normal for LEDs.

Make sure that you check which holes your leads are connected to when you're using a meter. Measuring amperage with the red lead in the voltage hole, or measuring voltage with it in the amperage holes is a good way to damage the meter.

Once you feel like you understand these circuit basics, get creative. See how many LEDs you can place in parallel. Make up multiple-switch circuits. Try adding a potentiometer like so:

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/metering_amps_sch.png

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/metering_amps_sch.png

You'll find that the amperage drawn by the LEDs is tiny, on the order of 10 or 20 milliamps at the most.

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/metering_amps_sch.png

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/metering_amps_sch.png

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/metering_amps_sch.png

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/metering_amps_sch.png

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/metering_amps_sch.png

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/metering_amps_sch.png

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/multimeter_amps.jpg

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/multimeter_amps.jpg

Now move your meter's red lead to the hole for measuring amperage. On many meters, there are two holes, one marked "Volts/Ohms/Hz", another marked "mA", and another marked "20A". The middle one can be used for measuring amperage when the expected amperage is less than 1A. The latter is for measuring high amperage, up to 20A. If you're not sure, it's best to use the 10A hole. Then set your meter to measure amperage.

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/multimeter_amps.jpg

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/leds_series_sch.png

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/leds_parallel_sch.png

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/led_switch_resistor_photo.jpg

(:table:) (:cellnr:) http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/led_series_sch.png (:cell:)

(:tableend:)

(:table:) (:cellnr:) http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/led_parallel_sch.png (:cell:)

(:tableend:)

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/led_switch_resistor_photo.jpg

(:table:) (:cellnr:) http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/led_switch_sch.png (:cell:) http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/led_switch_photo.jpg (:tableend:)

Connect the board to power and turn the switch on and off until you get bored. While you're doing so, measure the voltage across the switch, both in the on position and the off position. Measure the voltage across the LED and the resistor as well. Does the total resistance across all the components add up to the voltage between power and ground on your board?

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/multimeter_dc_volts.jpg

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/multimeter_dc_volts.jpg

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/multimeter_dc_volts.jpg

(:table:) (:cellnr:) http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/5v_reg_sch.png (:cell:) http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/bboard_vreg_power_conn.jpg (:tableend:)

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/5v_reg_sch.png %hspace=5 width=160 height=120 alt='5v regulator photo'%http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/bboard_vreg_power_conn.jpg

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/5v_reg_sch.png %hspace=5 width=320 height=240 alt='5v regulator photo'%http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/bboard_vreg_power_conn.jpg

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/bboard_vreg_power_conn.jpg

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/5v_reg_sch.png

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/bboard_vreg_power_conn.jpg

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/5v_reg_sch.png

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/bboard_vreg_power_conn.jpg

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/5v_reg_sch.png

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/5v_reg_sch.jpg

(:table border=0:)

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/power_connector.jpg

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/wire_strippers.jpg

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/leds.jpg

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/potentiometer.jpg

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/resistors.jpg

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/multimeter.jpg

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/flex_sensors.jpg

(:cellnr:)

(:cell:)

(:cell:)

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/breadboard.jpg

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/hookup_wire.jpg

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/voltage_reg.jpg

Soldered DC Power Jack

Wire Strippers

LEDs

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/power_connector.jpg

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/wire_strippers.jpg

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/leds.jpg

10Kohm potentiometer

220-ohm resistors

Multimeter

(:cellnr:) http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/potentiometer.jpg (:cell:) http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/resistors.jpg (:cell:)

(:table border=1:)

(:cellnr align=top valign=center:)

(:cell align=top valign=center:)

(:cell align=top valign=center:)

(:cellnr align=top valign=center:)

(:cell align=top valign=center:)

(:cell align=top valign=center:)

(:cellnr colspan=2:)

(:cellnr colspan=2:) http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/flex_sensors.jpg

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/flex_sensors.jpg

Variable resistor; either a flex sensor, photocell, force-sensing resistor (FSR), or another of your choosing.

(:cellnr:) http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/flex_sensor.jpg (:cell:) (:cell:)

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/multimeter.jpg

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/resistors.jpg

220-ohm resistors

Multimeter

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/potentiometer.jpg

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/breadboard.jpg

7805 voltage regulator

(:cellnr:) http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/breadboard.jpg (:cell:)

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/voltage_reg.jpg

(:cellnr:) Soldered DC Power Jack (:cell:)

LEDs

(:cellnr:) http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/power_connector.jpg (:cell:)

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/leds.jpg

10Kohm potentiometer

(:table:) (:cellnr:)

(:cell:)

(:cellnr:) http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/breadboard.jpg (:cell:)

(:cellnr:) Soldered DC Power Jack (:cell:)

(:cellnr:) (:cell:)

(:cell:)

(:cellnr:)

(:cell:)

(:cell:)

(:cellnr:) http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/voltage_reg.jpg (:cell:)

(:cell:)

(:cellnr:) (:cell:) (:cell:)

(:tableend:)

22-AWG hookup wire

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/hookup_wire.jpg

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/wire_strippers.jpg

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/voltage_reg.jpg

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/leds.jpg

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/potentiometer.jpg

Wire a 7805 5-volt voltage regulator on a breadboard as shown in the breadboard lab and connect it to power.

(:if loggedin true:) I'm still working on this one. Will finish tomorrow. tigoe (:if:)

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/leds_serial.jpg

(add schematic)

(add schematic)

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/leds_parallel.jpg

Now move your meter's red lead to the hole for measuring amperage. On many meters, there are two holes, one marked "Volts/Ohms/mA" and another marked "10A". The former can be used for measuring amperage when the expected amperage is less than 1A. The latter is for measuring high amperage, up to 10A. If you're not sure, it's best to use the 10A hole. Then set your meter to measure amperage.

(meter images here)

(add schematic)

Multimeter

Wire a 7805 5-volt voltage regulator on a breadboard as shown in the breadboard lab and connect it to power.

(add schematic and photo here)

Set your multimeter to measure DC volts. If your meter has a variety of ranges for DC volts, choose a range of avout 20 volts. Measure for voltage between the power and ground bus rows on the breadboard. You should have 5 volts, or very close to that.

Disconnect the board from power and add an LED, a switch, and a resistor in series like so:

(add LED/switch schematic and photo)

Connect the board to power and turn the switch on and off until you get bored. While you're doing so, measure the voltage across the switch. Measure the voltage across the LED as well.

Voltage is a measure of the difference in electrical energy between two points in a circuit. It's always measured between two points in a circuit. Measuring the voltage between the two sides of a component like an LED tells you how much voltage that component uses. This is known as measuring the voltage "across" the component. When you're measuring voltage across a component, you're putting the meter in parallel with the component. In that case, the voltage across both should be the same. That's how the meter measures it.

Components in Series

Connect three LEDs in series from power to ground like so:

Measure the voltage across each LED. Do they light? If not, remove one and see what happens. Measure the voltage across each LED again, and add up the total voltage.

Components in parallel

Connect three LEDs in parallel like so:

http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/images/labs/leds_serial.jpg

Measure the voltage across each LED. It should be the same.

Now move your meter's red lead to the hole for measuring amperage. On many meters, there are two holes, one marked "Volts/Ohms/mA" and another marked "10A". The former can be used for measuring amperage when the expected amperage is less than 1A. The latter is for measuring high amperage, up to 10A. If you're not sure, it's best to use the 10A hole.

To measure the amperage through a given component, you need to place your meter in series with the component. When two components are in series, the amperage flowing through both of them is the same.

To measure the amperage through any one of the leds in this circuit, you'll need to disconnect one of its ends from the circuit (disconnect power first!) and use the meter to complete the circuit, like so:

(add picture and schematic here)

This lab will introduce you to a few basic electronic principles by trying them in action. Before you do this lab, you should familiarize yourself with the solderless breadboard and make yourself a power connector.

To do this, you'll need:

Solderless breadboard

Soldered DC Power Jack

22-AWG jumper wires

Wire Strippers

7805 voltage regulator

LEDs

220-ohm resistors

10Kohm potentiometer

Variable resistor; either a flex sensor, photocell, force-sensing resistor (FSR), or another of your choosing.

Wire a 7805 5-volt voltage regulator on a breadboard as shown in the breadboard lab and connect it to power.