Bicol University Student Number:

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Yr./Blk.:
Electrical Engineering Department
Legazpi City

[EE221L] ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS LABORATORY

Activity #1

Sinusoids in Engineering: Measurement and Analysis of

Harmonic Signals
1. Laboratory Objective

The objective of this laboratory is to understand the basic properties of sinusoids and sinusoid
measurements.

2. Educational Objectives
After performing this experiment, students should be able to:

1. Understand the properties of sinusoids.

2. Understand sinusoidal addition.
3. Obtain measurements using an oscilloscope.

3. Background
Sinusoids are sine or cosine waveforms that can describe many engineering phenomena. Any
oscillatory motion can be described using sinusoids. Many types of electrical signals such as
square, triangle, and saw-tooth waves are modeled using sinusoids. Their manipulation incurs the
understanding of certain quantities that describe sinusoidal behavior. These quantities are
described below.

i. Sinusoid Characteristics

Amplitude The amplitude A of a sine wave describes the height of the hills and valleys of a
sinusoid. It carries the physical units of what the sinusoid is describing (volts, amps, meters, etc).

Frequency There are two types of frequencies that can describe a sinusoid. The normal frequency
f is how many times the sinusoid repeats per unit time. It has units of cycles per second or Hertz
(Hz). The angular frequency ω is how many radians pass per second. Consequently, ω has units of
radians per second.

Period The period T is the time it takes a sinusoid takes to complete one cycle. The period is
measured in seconds.

Phase The phase 𝜙 of a sinusoid causes a horizontal shift along the t-axis. The phase has units of
radians.

Time Shift The time shift ts of a sinusoid is a horizontal shift along the t-axis and is a time
measurement of the phase. The time shift has units of seconds.
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 Bicol University
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Electrical Engineering Department
Legazpi City

NOTE: A sine wave and cosine wave only differ by a phase shift of 90° or 𝝅 radians. In reality,
𝟐

they are the same waveform but with a different 𝜙.

ii. Sinusoidal Relationships

Figure 3.1: Sinusoid

The general equation of a sinusoid is given below and refers to Figure 3.1.

𝑥(𝑡) = 𝐴𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝜔𝑡 + 𝜙) (3.1)

The angular frequency is related to the normal frequency by Equation 3.2.

ω = 2πf (3.2)

The angular frequency is also related to the period by Equation 3.3.

2𝜋 (3.3)
𝜔=
𝑇

By inspection, the normal frequency is related to the period by Equation 3.4.

1
f= (3.4)
𝑇

The time shift is related to the phase (radians) and the frequency by Equation 3.5.

𝜙 (3.5)
𝑡𝑠 = −
𝜔

iii. Sinusoidal Measurements

1. Connect the output channel of the Function Generator to channel

one of the oscilloscope with a 50 Ω resistor bridging the positive
and negative connectors as seen in Figure 3.2.

Figure 3.2: Measuring Sinusoids

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 Bicol University
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Electrical Engineering Department
Legazpi City

2. Complete Table 3.1 using the given values for voltage and frequency.

3. Using an oscilloscope, make measurements across the two separate resistors and
complete Table 3.2. Use f = 2652.5 Hz.
a. Connect Channel 1 of the oscilloscope as shown in Fig. 3.3 and measure the
amplitude, period, and frequency of the resistor signal that is in series with the
capacitor. (NOTE: Polarity of the alligator clip connections is important. All the
negative alligator clips should be hooked together when making measurements.)
b. Move Channel 1 of the oscilloscope as shown in Fig. 3.3 and measure Vp-p for
each branch of the circuit.

Figure 3.3: Voltage Measurements

4. Using an oscilloscope, make measurements across the two separate resistors relative to the
function generator and complete Table 4.3.
a. Leaving Channel 1 connected, connect Channel 2 of the oscilloscope across the
voltage source (function generator) as shown in Fig. 3.4. Measure the time shift
(ts). Convert the time shift ts with the following equation:

𝜙 = 2𝜋𝑓𝑡𝑠 (3.5)

Figure 3.4: Signals Compared to the Function Generator

b. Leaving Channel 2 connected, move Channel 1 of the oscilloscope across the resistor
in series with the capacitor as shown in Fig. 3.4. Compare the two signals on the
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 Bicol University
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Electrical Engineering Department
Legazpi City

oscilloscope relative to the time scale and measure the time shift (ts).

4. Lab Requirements
1. Write an abstract for this lab and submit it to the Lab 3 folder in your lab section’s
abstract folder found in the Pilot Dropbox. (Required to pass course.)

2. Complete Tables 4.1, 4.2, and 4.3 (2 points each, 6 total)

Table 4.1 Sinusoid Measurements
Function Generator Oscilloscope (Measured) Calculated
Voltage (V) Frequency (Hz) Vp-p f (Hz) T (sec) 𝜔 (rad/sec) T (sec)
2.5 1000 9.962 1000 0.001 6283.19 0.001
5 5000 19.922 5000 0.0002 31415.93 0.0002

Table 4.1 Sinusoid Measurements

Signal Vp-p (Volts)
VS 6.69 mV
VC 9.45 mV

VL 9.46 mV

Table 4.3 Phase Angle Measurements

Signal ts (sec) 𝜙 (rad) 𝜙 (degrees)

VC 48.39 us 0.81 46.2
VL 47.01 us 0.78 44.97

3. Write out the equations of the sinusoids using Table 4.2 and 4.3. (2 points each, 4 total)
𝑉𝑐
𝑉 (𝑡) = cos(16666𝑡 + 𝜙 ) = 9.45
__________
x 10 ^-3 cos(16666𝑡 + 46.2 )
𝑐 𝑐 2
2
𝑉𝐿 cos(16666𝑡 + 44.97 )
𝑉 (𝑡 ) = cos(16666𝑡 + 𝜙 ) = 9.46x10^-3
__________
2
𝐿 𝐿
2

4. Through circuit analysis, 𝑉𝑠(𝑡) = 𝑉𝑐(𝑡) + 𝑉𝐿(𝑡). Verify this by adding sinusoid equations
together.𝑉Assume that 𝑉𝑐 = 𝑉𝐿 = √2, 𝜙𝐶 = 45°, 𝜙𝐿 = −45°, and
𝑠
𝑉 (𝑡) = 𝑝−𝑝 cos(𝜔𝑡 + 𝜙) = 1.0cos (16666𝑡 + 0 °) V. (4 points)

__ '
VC = √2 /45
VC = √2 ( cos 45' + j sin 45' ) V(t) = VC + VL
=1+j+1-j
VC = 1 + j = 2 + 0j
__
= 2/0'
VL = √2 /-45
__ ' V(t) = 2 cos (16666t + 0')

VL = √2 ( cos -45' + j sin -45' )

VL = 1 - j
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 Bicol University
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Electrical Engineering Department
Legazpi City

ABSTRACT:
This laboratory session is aimed at expanding our understanding of sinusoidal
waveforms through empirical measurement and calculation with both a function generator and
an oscilloscope. The primary goal is to understand the correlations between input signals from a
function generator and their corresponding measured and calculated parameters on an
oscilloscope, with a focus on voltage, frequency, and phase characteristics.
In the experimental setup, two sinusoidal voltages of varying amplitudes and frequencies
are formed. To ensure that the observed data is accurate, oscilloscope measurements were
compared to estimated values. Table 4.1 shows the oscilloscope readings and computations for
sinusoidal signals of 2.5V and 5V from a function generator set at 1000 Hz and 5000 Hz,
respectively. The results show peak-to-peak voltage, frequency, period, and angular frequency.
Voltage measurements across three separate signals (VS, VC, and VL) are also taken
and recorded in another instance of Table 4.1 to demonstrate the differences in peak-to-peak
voltage for different circuit components. Table 4.3 shows the phase angle measurements for
two of the signals, VC and VL, giving the phase shifts and degrees.
In addition, students are required to derive sinusoidal equations based on collected data
and test theoretical principles through actual experiments. For example, the sum of the voltages
across the capacitor and inductor is found to match the source voltage, demonstrating the
principles of superposition in AC circuits. This activity not only taught the theoretical foundations
of sinusoidal behavior in circuits, but also helped students improve their practical skills in
electronic measurement and data processing.
The practical application of this lab offers a solid framework for understanding the
dynamical features of sinusoids and highlighted the crucial relevance of precise measurement
and computation techniques in electronic circuit analysis.

Group Members:
ACOSTA, REY A.
GARCIA, ABIGAIL M.
IBAÑEZ, ARCENIO CZAR M.
INOCENCIO, CHLOE
MANIMTIM, JHON ANDRIE