ECE 201L Circuit Analysis Laboratory
Lab 1

This lab provides experience with resistors and an example of analog vs. digital measurements.

On later labs you will be expected to download any required documents from Isidore or the class web page. We will provide documents for this first lab (you can still download them from the attachment).

Attachment: lab1.zip.

Video Clips: lab1

1. You were given two resistors at the start of the lab. When you are finished with them, tape them to your report before submitting the report.

   For each resistor

   1. Describe the color code
   2. Report the nominal value corresponding to the color code
   3. Report the measured resistance.
   4. Calculate the percentage difference between the measured and nominal resistance.

2. Measure your resistors in series (end-to-end) and in parallel (side-by-side)

   Resistors in series
   Resistors in parallel

3. Draw a rectangular strip using the “charcoal” stick provided. Measure the resistance of the strip and mark the distance between the probes. Then measure the resistance over one-half the distance. Does the resistance reduce by a factor of two? Discuss possible explanations for any discrepancies.

4. Measure the weight of the provided sack with the mechanical spring scale.

5. Measure the weight of the sack with the electronic scale.

6. Measure the resistance of the four unknown resistors. Note the power of ten.

Maintained by John Loomis, last updated 17 January 2011