The Papua New Guinea University of Technology

Department of Electrical and Communications Engineering

EN123 Introduction to Circuit and Electronics

Laboratory Two: Getting Acquainted with Analog Circuit
Components Part 1 – Resistance, Capacitance & Diode

Section A - Student Details:

First Name: Surname: ID Number: Course:

Paul Jnr Balen 22302803 BECV-1

Section B - Instructor Check:

Date Performed: 08/08/22 Instructor Sign:

Introduction
Electronics circuits composed of interconnected components, connected in either series or parallel
configurations in order to perform tasks as needed by the system. An understanding of individual
components and their characteristics is an important aspect in electronics. The understanding
enables the designer to carefully select functional components, either passive or active, to
implement a functional solution.

There are two types of components, analog and digital. Analog components are used to measure
the real-world variables which are continuous and thus provide continuous signal. This continuous
signal can be converted into digital form and processed by digital components. Thus, an equal
understanding of digital components is valuable in a binary world. In modern days, the digital
technology has overcome most of what was known to be analog.

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Since the fundamental knowledge can be taught theoretically, mathematical modeling is also part
of the understanding in circuit theory. However, there are different structures involves in the
manufacturing of each of these components, that is why it is vital to know their configurations as
well as its functions.

Objectives
The objectives of this laboratory are to:

• Help students identify different types of analog components

• Enable students to physically have a hands on of those components
• Enable students to practically test the components and record their findings.
• Enable students to use instrument to measure the change in voltage levels

Task 1: Components Validations [8 Marks]

Complete the table by filling in the descriptions of each of these analog components along with their
functions.
Components Symbols Descriptions and functions
A resistor is a two-terminal electrical component that
provides electrical resistance. In electronic circuits,
resistors are predominantly used to lower the flow of
Resistor
current, divide voltages, block transmission signals, and bias
active elements.
Capacitors are devices which store electrical charge. They
are a basic component of electronics and have a host of
various applications. The most common use for capacitors is
Capacitor energy storage. Additional uses include power conditioning,
signal coupling or decoupling, electronic noise filtering, and
remote sensing.
A diode is a semiconductor device that essentially acts as a
one-way switch for current. It allows current to flow easily
Diode in one direction, but severely restricts current from flowing
in the opposite direction.
A transistor can act as a switch or gate for electronic
signals, opening and closing an electronic gate many times
per second. It ensures the circuit is on if the current is
Transistor flowing and switched off if it isn't. Transistors are used in
complex switching circuits that comprise all modern
telecommunications systems.
Table 1: Basic Analog Components

Task 2: Characteristics of Components

For task 2, you are required to find the basic characteristics of each of the given components a.

Resistors

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 i. Experiment 1: Determine the Resistance [3 Marks]
Find the resistance of the following three (3) resistors using both the color coding scheme
(provided on the chart available in the lab) and measurements through a multimeter.
Components Resistance
Color Codes Multimeter
Resistor 1 Brown, Black, Red and Gold 0.998kΩ

Resistor 2 Brown, Green, Yellow and Gold 150.7k Ω

Resistor 3 Green, Brown, Brown and Gold 0.504k Ω

Table 2: Resistance Validations

ii. Parallel and Series Configuration [3 Marks]

Measure the resistance of the following resistor configuration using formulas and
multimeter

Components Configurations Resistance Calculations Measurement

Resistor 1 & 2 Parallel 0.9914kΩ 0.991k Ω

Resistor 2 & 3 Series 151.209kΩ 150.9k Ω

Resistor 1, 2 & 3 Parallel 0.334k Ω 333.8Ω

Table 3: Resistor Configurations

iii. Questions
a) Are the resistance values of resistor 2 approximately relatable? If not, state your
reasons [2 Marks]

- It is not quite relatable to the other two resistors. Therefore, the current through it will be less
compared to the other resistors.

b) For resistors, which configurations will have a lesser resistance? Also state the
configuration that will have a greater resistance value. [2 Marks]

- The total resistance in the parallel conected circuit is always less than any of the branch
resistances. Adding more parallel resistances to the paths causes the total resistance in the
circuit to decrease. The one connected in Series combination of a set of resistors has always
more resistance than the Parallel Combination for the same set of resistors. In a series

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 combination of resistors the effective length of the cross-section of the conductor increases so
the resistance increases.

b. Capacitors

i. Experiment 2: Capacitance of a Capacitor [3 Marks]

Find the capacitance of the following three (3) capacitors using the multimeter
Components Capacitance

Capacitor 1 98.5nF

Capacitor 2 1.476nF

Capacitor 3 0.28nF

Table 4: Capacitance Validations

ii. Questions
a) What is the unit for capacitance? [1 Mark]
A farad (F) is the standard unit of capacitance (C) in the International System of
Units (SI). It indicates the ability of a substance to hold an electric charge. The value
of most electrical capacitors is expressed in farads, microfarads (µF) or nanofarads
(nF).

b) Give five application of a capacitor [2.5 Marks]

• Capacitors are used as sensors to measure a variety of things, including humidity, levels of fuel as well as
mechanical strain. The capacitance of a tool mainly depends on its structure. Changes in the structure can
be measured as a loss or gain of capacitance.
• When they are charged, capacitors would allow the AC signals to pass while blocking the DC signals. They
can effectively split these two signal types, cleaning the availability of power. This effect has been exploited
to separate or decouple different parts of electrical circuits to scale back noise which could lead on to
reduction of efficiency.
• Dynamic Random Access Memory known as DRAM devices use capacitors to store binary information as
bits. The device reads a single value when the capacitor is charged and another when discharged.

. Capacitors are useful to reduce voltage pulsation. When the high voltage is applied to the parallel circuit,
the capacitor is charged, and on the other hand, it is discharged with the low voltage. While electricity
flowing out is alternating current, most electronic circuits work with direct current.

.capacitors are widely used in electronic circuits for blocking direct current while allowing alternating
current to pass. In analog filter networks, they smooth the output of power supplies. In resonant circuits
they tune radios to particular frequencies

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 c) Why do we need capacitors in electronics? [1 Mark]

- Capacitors are useful to reduce voltage pulsation. When the high voltage is applied to the parallel
circuit, the capacitor is charged, and on the other hand, it is discharged with the low voltage. While
electricity flowing out is alternating current, most electronic circuits work with direct current.

c. Diode and its Properties

Find the biasing directions of the following diodes and state the required voltage for its
biasing. Also, you should be able to identity whether the diode is silicon or germanium using
the junction voltage.

Figure 1 Diode Symbol and Terminals

i. Experiment 3: Identifying Diodes Through Measurements [3 Marks]

Conduct the following experiment and identify the types of diode using their junction
voltages. Comment on the results observed.

Components Junction Voltages Types of diode Comment

(V)

Diode 1 0.506 Silicon Forward Biased

Diode 2 0.535 Silicon Forward Biased

Table 5: Diode Validations

Equation for Diode Current

I = Io (𝒆𝑽⁄ɳ𝑽𝑻 −𝟏)

I = current through a diode

Io = Reverse saturation diode

V= Voltage applied to diode

VT = volt- equivalent to temperature = k T/q= T/11,600 =26mV (at room temp) ɳ

= 1 (Ge) and 2 (Si)

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Student Assessment

1. Is the resistance of resistor 2 approximately relatable? If not, explain your reasons. [2

Marks]

- It is not quite relatable to the other two resistors. Therefor, the current through it will be less
compared to the other resistors.

2. What is resistance? How does resistance affect the flow of current? [2 Marks]

- Resistance is a measure of the opposition to current flow in an electrical circuit. Current is

inversely propotional to resistance, expressed as I α 1R I α 1R. This means that as the resistance
increases, current decreases, and if the resistance decreases, current increases.

3. What materials are used to build a resistor? Explain briefly about the manufacturing of
a resistor. [2 Marks]

- The alloys ,example manganin , constantanor, and nichrome are the materials used for making a
standard resistor.It is reason the alloys are used for this purpose for the reason that they posses
high resistivity and low temperature coefficient of resist.
- The manufacturing of it involves depositing a film of resistive material such as tin
oxide on a tiny ceramic chip. The edges of the resistor are then accurately ground, or
cut with a laser to give a precise resistance (which depends on the width of
the resistorfilm), across the ends of the device Serve with Quality Resistors LFong Ya
Enterprise Co., Ltd. was found in 1977,
and developed as one of the leading resistors manufacturer in Taiwan.
We are ISO-9002 certificated in 1994. Our products are: SMD Resistor, MELF Resistor,
Fusible Wirewound Resistors, Carbon Film Fixed, Metal Film Fixed,
Metal Oxide Film, Fusible Metal Film, Wirewound Nonflame,
Cement Type, and Power Wirewound Resistors.

4. State the main difference between silicon and germanium diode. [2 Marks]

- A Silicon Diode is a semiconductor that has both positive and negative charge polarity and can
allow an electrical current to flow in one direction whilst restricting another. A Germanium Diode
works in the same way but has a low forward voltage which results in it being a low power loss and
an efficient diode.

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