EMEE2093 - Electrical Circuits Simulation OCT
Weekly Task Number: 3
Task Name: Simulation of Analog Circuits
Basic DC Electric Circuits
CRN 3048
Summer Semester, Academic year 2024/2025
Lab Instructor: Muthanna Ahmed Aziz
Experiment Date:
03 / 06 / 2025
Submission Deadline: Submission Date
09 / 06 / 2025 09 / 06 / 2025
Grade
ID Students Names
(100%)
M00004111 Maythaa Al Ali
M00008852 Fatima Majed Aljaberi
M00008780 Fatima Fuad Al Naqbi
M00012280 Marwa Ali Alhammadi
Table of Contents
Objective .................................................................................................................................................. 3
Introduction.............................................................................................................................................. 3
Procedure ................................................................................................................................................. 4
Result and Discussion ............................................................................................................................ 11
Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................. 17
References.............................................................................................................................................. 18
Table of Figures
Figure 1: NI Elvis II design ..................................................................................................................... 4
Figure 2: Total Circuit Resistance Measurement Using Digital Multimeter ......................................... 11
Figure 3: Voltage Drop Measurement Across Individual Resistors Using Multisim ............................ 12
Figure 4: Total Circuit Current Measurement Using Digital Multimeter.............................................. 12
Figure 5: Measuring Branch and Total Currents in a Parallel Circuit Using Multisim ......................... 13
Figure 6: Circuit A ................................................................................................................................. 14
Figure 7: Circuit B ................................................................................................................................. 15
Figure 8: Circuit C ................................................................................................................................. 15
List of Tables
Table 1: Voltage measured for different resistance values .................................................................... 11
Table 2: Measured current at each circuit resistor ................................................................................. 13
Table 3: Calculated and measured voltage drop at R2 .......................................................................... 14
Objective
• Introduce students to the Multisim workspace, instruments, and component libraries.
• Construct and simulate basic DC circuits, including resistor networks and simple series-
parallel configurations.
• Analyze voltage, current, in DC circuits using Multisim’s simulation tools.
Introduction
The analysis of basic DC circuits is fundamental to understanding electrical engineering
concepts. In this simulation, essential principles such as Ohm’s Law, Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law
(KVL), Kirchhoff’s Current Law (KCL), and the Voltage Divider Rule (VDR) are explored
using Multisim—a powerful circuit simulation tool.
DC circuits typically consist of resistors connected in series, parallel, or a combination of both.
Understanding how current and voltage distribute in these configurations is key to analyzing
real-world electrical systems. In series circuits, current remains constant while voltage divides
across components; in parallel circuits, voltage remains constant while current divides.
KVL states that the total voltage around any closed loop in a circuit equals zero, while KCL
asserts that the total current entering a node equals the total current leaving it. The VDR helps
in quickly determining voltage drops across resistors in series circuits.
By simulating these circuits in Multisim, students can visualize voltage and current flow, verify
theoretical calculations, and gain hands-on experience in circuit design and analysis without
physical components. This simulation provides a foundational step for further circuit studies.
Procedure
Exercise 1: Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law
This law indicates that the algebraic sum of voltages in a closed circuit equals zero. Another
way to express this law is that the sum of voltage drops of components connected in series is
equal to the circuit's voltage supply.
1. Create a new NI Elvis II Design go to File New NI Elvis II design
Figure 1: NI Elvis II design
2. Setup the circuit below.
3. Locate the following NI ELVISmx Instrument, DMM (Digital multimeter), and VPS
(Variable Power Supply 0-12 V DC)
4. Calculate total resistance and the voltage value at each of the resistors, given a power
supply of 6 Volt. Use Kirchhoff's voltage law. Write the calculated values in Table 1
5. Total Circuit Resistance Measurement
Measure the total circuit resistance as shown below. Note that the multimeter terminals are
parallel to the variable power supply (VPS). The multimeter must be set to measure
resistance (Ω).
6. Total Circuit Voltage Measurement
• Set the value of the variable power supply to 6 V. Press the Run
button to start applying voltage.
• Use the multimeter to verify that the correct voltage is being
applied to the circuit.
7. Circuit Total Current Measurement
• Place the multimeter terminals as shown below. Remember that
current is measured in series, so the circuit must be open, and the
multimeter ends must be placed between the open circuit terminals.
The multimeter must be set to measure direct current.
• Write the total current value displayed in the multimeter in Table 1
8. Resistor Voltage Measurement
• Make sure that the variable power supply has been set to 6 V and is on.
• Place the multimeter terminals as shown below. Note that the multimeter terminals are
parallel to the resistor (R1). To ensure that the multimeter is properly connected, always
connect the positive and negative ends of the multimeter clockwise throughout the
resistors. The multimeter must be set to measure direct current voltage.
• Write the R1 voltage value displayed in the multimeter in Table 1
• Now, place the multimeter terminals parallel to R2 and write the value displayed in the
multimeter in Table 1.
• Repeat the previous step for R3, R4 and R5.
Exercise 2: Kirchhoff’s Current Law
This law indicates that the algebraic sum of currents in a node (a joining point for two or
more components) equals zero. Another version of this law indicates that the current flowing
into a node is equal to the sum of the currents exiting said node.
1. Set up the following circuit. Measure the current at each resistor and record the results
in Table 2
2. Use the following instruments:
• DMM (Digital multimeter)
• VPS (Variable Power Supply 0-12 V DC)
3. Set the positive variable power supply at approximately 12 V.
4. Measuring Total Current and Current at Parallel Resistors
• For the following circuit, measure the total circuit current and current at each
resistor. Remember that the multimeter must be connected to the tested element in
series in order to measure currents. Write the calculated values in Tables 2.
Exercise 3: Voltage Divider Circuit
A voltage divider is made up of at least two resistors in series with a voltage power supply. For
two resistors, the voltage is divided as follows:
Sometimes the voltage divider is used to supply a voltage other than that coming from the
battery or the power supply. When applied, the output voltage depends on the resistance of the
load it supplies. A rule of thumb is that a large R2 value in relation to R1will yield a larger
output voltage. However, if its load resistance RL is lower than R2, the output voltage will
decrease, and more current and total power will be needed from the power supply.
For circuit A, calculate the voltage of the 4 kΩ R2 resistor. Write the value in Table 3. Now,
recalculate the voltage value at the R2 resistor, after adding a parallel 2 kΩ resistor (circuit B).
Write the value in Table 3. Recalculate the voltage value at the R2 resistor, after adding an
additional parallel 3 kΩ resistor (circuit C). Write the value in Table 5-1.
1. Set up the circuit above, as shown in the illustration. use the following NI ELVISmx
Instrument:
• DMM (Digital multimeter)
• VPS (Variable Power Supply)
2. Set the positive variable power supply at approximately 12 V.
3. Using the multimeter, verify that the voltage equals that provided by the power supply.
4. Measure voltage at the 4 kΩ R2 resistor. Write the value in Table 3.
5. Now recalculate the voltage value at the R2 resistor, after adding a parallel 2 kΩ
resistor. Write the value in Table 3.
6. Recalculate the voltage value at the R2 resistor, after adding an additional parallel 3 kΩ
resistor. Write the value in Table 3.
Result and Discussion
Exercise 1: Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law
Total Resistance (Ω): 2.73 kΩ
R R R
R Voltage = R Voltage =
Total Current (mA) Voltage Voltage Voltage =
100 Ω 430 Ω
Vs (V) = 1 kΩ = 500 Ω 700 Ω
Meas I Meas V Meas V Meas V
Calc I (mA) Meas V (V) Meas V (V)
(mA) (V) (V) (V)
! #
I= = = 219.78 mV 945.055 mV 2.198 V 1.099 V 1.538 V
" $.&' )*
6 2.198 mA
2.198 𝑚𝐴
Table 1: Voltage measured for different resistance values
Figure 2: Total Circuit Resistance Measurement Using Digital Multimeter
Figure 3: Voltage Drop Measurement Across Individual Resistors Using Multisim
Figure 4: Total Circuit Current Measurement Using Digital Multimeter
Exercise 1 tested Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law using a series circuit with five resistors. The total
resistance was measured as 2.73 kΩ, and the current was both calculated and measured as
2.198 mA. Voltages across each resistor were measured and added up to approximately 6 V,
matching the supply voltage. This confirms that the total voltage drop in the circuit equals the
source voltage, as Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law states.
Exercise 2: Kirchhoff’s Current Law
R1 current = 3.3 kΩ R2 current = 3.3 kΩ R3 current = 3.3 kΩ
Meas I (mA) Meas I (mA) Meas I (mA)
3.636 mA 3.636 mA 3.636 mA
Table 2: Measured current at each circuit resistor
Figure 5: Measuring Branch and Total Currents in a Parallel Circuit Using Multisim
In this exercise, Kirchhoff’s Current Law (KCL) was tested using a parallel circuit with three
equal resistors of 3.3 kΩ each. The measured current through each resistor was 3.636 mA.
The total current from the power supply was measured as 10.909 mA. This matches the sum
of the three branch currents (3.636 × 3 = 10.908 mA), confirming that the total current
entering the node equals the total current leaving it. These results verify Kirchhoff’s Current
Law, which states that the total current at a junction is equal to the sum of the currents
through each branch. The simulation shows accurate current distribution in a parallel circuit.
Exercise 3: Voltage Divider Circuit
Voltage at R $
R+
Calc V (V) Meas V (V)
,
Circuit A 12 × ,-$ = 8 V 8V
.
R $ ∥ 2 kΩ = ! ! = 1.33 kΩ
-
" #
..''
V/$ = 12 × ..''-$ = 4.8 V 4.8 V
Circuit B
R $ ∥ 2 kΩ ∥ 3 kΩ = 923 Ω
Circuit C 0.1$' 4.5 V
V/$ = 12 × 0.1$'-$ = 4.5 V
Table 3: Calculated and measured voltage drop at R2
Figure 6: Circuit A
Figure 7: Circuit B
Figure 8: Circuit C
This experiment tested how a voltage divider behaves under load. In Circuit A (no load), the
output voltage was 8 V. When a 2 kΩ resistor was added in parallel in Circuit B, the voltage
dropped to 4.8 V. Adding another 3 kΩ resistor in Circuit C reduced it further to 4.5 V. These
results show that adding a load lowers the output voltage, especially when the load resistance
is small. The measured values closely matched the calculated ones, confirming the expected
behavior of voltage dividers.
Questions
1. What happens with the voltage divider when it is put under load, in contrast with an
open circuit?
When a voltage divider is put under load, the output voltage decreases compared to the
open-circuit condition. This happens because the load forms a parallel path with one of
the divider resistors, reducing the effective resistance and causing a drop in output
voltage.
2. What is the effect of the load resistance value on the divider's output voltage?
The lower the load resistance, the more the output voltage drops. A high-resistance load
has minimal effect, while a low-resistance load draws more current and significantly
reduces the output voltage.
3. Why does voltage change at the output terminals?
The voltage changes because adding a load alters the equivalent resistance in the circuit.
This changes how the total voltage is divided, resulting in a lower voltage across the
output resistor due to increased current draw.
Conclusion
This simulation successfully demonstrated the core principles of DC circuit analysis using
Multisim. Through Exercises 1–3, we applied and verified Ohm’s Law, Kirchhoff’s Voltage
and Current Laws, and the Voltage Divider Rule. In Exercise 1, voltage drops across resistors
in a series circuit matched the source voltage, confirming Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law. In
Exercise 2, currents through parallel branches added up accurately to the total circuit current,
validating Kirchhoff’s Current Law. In Exercise 3, we observed how adding load resistance
to a voltage divider reduced the output voltage, aligning with theoretical predictions. The
close agreement between measured and calculated values confirms the accuracy of simulation
tools in reinforcing theoretical concepts and enhancing practical circuit understanding.
References
[1] NI Multisim User Manual.
