NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND

TECHNOLOGY

SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL & MANUFACTURING

ENGINEERING

ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING LAB

Circuit symbols. Resistors. Color coding and use of multimeter for resistance
measurement

Submitted By:
Mohammad Gulzaib
460917

Section:
ME – 15 (C)

Submitted To:
Engr. Sania Shaheen
Electrical Engineering Lab Report

Assessment Rubrics for EE-103 Electrical Engineering Lab

Excellent (9-10) Good (7-8) Fair (4-6) Poor (1-3)
Introduction and Complete and well Nearly complete, missing Some introductory Very little
Theory written; provides all some minor points information, but still background
necessary missing some major information
background principles points provided, or
for information is
the experiment incorrect
Experimental Well-written in Written in paragraph Written in paragraph Missing several
Procedure paragraph format, all format, important format, still missing important
experimental details experimental details some important experimental details
are covered are covered, some experimental details or not written in
minor details missing paragraph format
Results: data, �igures, All �igures, graphs, tables All �igures, graphs, Most �igures, graphs, Figures, graphs, tables
graphs, tables, etc. are correctly drawn, are tables are correctly tables OK, some still contain errors or are
numbered and contain drawn, but missing some poorly constructed, have
titles/captions. some have minor important or required missing titles, captions
problems or could features. or numbers, units
still be improved missing or incorrect, etc.
Discussion All-important trends and Almost all the Some of the results Very incomplete or
data comparisons have results have been have been correctly incorrect
been interpreted correctly interpreted and interpretation of
correctly and discussed, interpreted and discussed; partial but trends and
good understanding of discussed, only Incomplete comparison of data
results is conveyed. minor understanding of indicating a lack of
improvements are results is still evident. understanding of
needed. results.
Conclusion All-important All-important Conclusions regarding Conclusions missing or
conclusions have been conclusions have been major points are missing the important
clearly made, drawn, could be better drawn, but many are points
student shows good stated misstated, indicating a
understanding lack of understanding
Report Formatting, All sections in order, All sections in order, Sections in order, Sections out of order,
structure and well formatted, very formatting generally contains the minimum too much
referencing readable. References well, but could still be allowable amount of handwritten copy,
provided appropriately improved. References handwritten copy, sloppy formatting. No
provided, but not formatting is rough referencing at all.
entirely but
readable. Improper
References
Plagiarism in any case will result in zero mark in that session.

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Electrical Engineering Lab Report

Contents
Lab Objectives: .................................................................................................................................................. 4
Lab Equipment: ................................................................................................................................................. 4
Related Theory: ................................................................................................................................................. 4
Electric Symbols: .......................................................................................................................................... 4
Resistance:..................................................................................................................................................... 6
Resistor: ............................................................................................................................................................. 7
Symbol of Resistor: ....................................................................................................................................... 7
Types of Resistors: ........................................................................................................................................ 7
Color Coding of Resistors: ............................................................................................................................ 8
Tolerance: ...................................................................................................................................................... 9
Resistors in Series: ...................................................................................................................................... 10
Resistors in Parallel: .................................................................................................................................... 10
Applications of Resistor: ............................................................................................................................. 10
Ohm law and Resistors: ................................................................................................................................... 11
Ohm law: ..................................................................................................................................................... 11
Digital Multimeter: .......................................................................................................................................... 11
Lab Task: ......................................................................................................................................................... 12
Task: ............................................................................................................................................................ 12
Procedure: ........................................................................................................................................................ 12
Report task: ...................................................................................................................................................... 12
Results: ............................................................................................................................................................ 12
Discussion:....................................................................................................................................................... 13
Conclusion: ...................................................................................................................................................... 13
References ....................................................................................................................................................... 14

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Electrical Engineering Lab Report

Circuit symbols. Resistors. Color coding and use of multimeter for resistance
measurement

Lab Objectives:

• To be able to identify electrical components through their symbols.

• To be able to measure resistance of a resistor without measuring through color coding.
• To be able to use multimeter for measurement of resistance.

Lab Equipment:

1. Resistor
2. Digital Multimeter

Related Theory:

Electric Symbols:

Electrical symbols and electronic circuit symbols are used for drawing schematic diagram.
The most commonly used symbols in electrical components[1].
Symbol Component name Meaning
Wire Symbols
Electrical Wire Conductor of electrical current

Connected Wires Connected crossing

Not Connected Wires Wires are not connected

Switch Symbols
SPST Toggle Switch Disconnects current when open

SPDT Toggle Switch Selects between two connections

Pushbutton Switch (N.O) Momentary switch - normally open

Pushbutton Switch (N.C) Momentary switch - normally closed

Ground Symbols
Earth Ground Used for zero potential reference and electrical shock
protection.
Chassis Ground Connected to the chassis of the circuit

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Electrical Engineering Lab Report

Digital / Common Ground

Resistor Symbols
Resistor (IEEE) Resistor reduces the current flow.

Resistor (IEC)

Potentiometer (IEEE) Adjustable resistor - has 3 terminals.

Potentiometer (IEC)

Variable Resistor / Adjustable resistor - has 2 terminals.

Rheostat (IEEE)
Variable Resistor / Rheostat (IEC)

Thermistor Thermal resistor - change resistance when temperature

changes
Photoresistor / Light dependent Photo-resistor - change resistance with light intensity
resistor (LDR) change
Capacitor Symbols
Capacitor Capacitor is used to store electric charge. It acts as short
circuit with AC and open circuit with DC.
Capacitor

Polarized Capacitor Electrolytic capacitor

Polarized Capacitor Electrolytic capacitor

Variable Capacitor Adjustable capacitance

Inductor / Coil Symbols

Inductor Coil / solenoid that generates magnetic field

Iron Core Inductor Includes iron

Variable Inductor

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Electrical Engineering Lab Report

Power Supply Symbols

Voltage Source Generates constant voltage

Current Source Generates constant current.

AC Voltage Source AC voltage source

Generator Electrical voltage is generated by mechanical rotation of the

generator
Battery Cell Generates constant voltage

Battery Generates constant voltage

Controlled Voltage Source Generates voltage as a function of voltage or current of

other circuit element.
Controlled Current Source Generates current as a function of voltage or current of
other circuit element.
Meter Symbols
Voltmeter Measures voltage. Has very high resistance. Connected in
parallel.
Ammeter Measures electric current. Has near zero resistance.
Connected serially.
Ohmmeter Measures resistance

Wattmeter Measures electric power

Misc. Symbols
Motor Electric motor

Transformer Change AC voltage from high to low or low to high.

Direct current Direct current is generated from constant voltage level

Resistance:

Resistance is the opposition that a substance offers to the flow of electric current. It is represented by the
uppercase letter R. The standard unit of resistance is the ohm, sometimes written out as a word, and sometimes
symbolized by the uppercase Greek letter omega Ω.
When an electric current of one ampere passes through a component across which a potential difference
(voltage) of one volt exists, then the resistance of that component is one ohm.The SI unit of resistor is Ohm.

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Electrical Engineering Lab Report

Resistor:

A passive electrical component with two terminals that are used for either limiting or regulating the flow of
electric current in electrical circuits.
The main purpose of resistor is to reduce the current flow and to lower the voltage in any particular portion of
the circuit. It is made of copper wires which are coiled around a ceramic rod and the outer part of the resistor is
coated with an insulating paint [2].

Symbol of Resistor:

Each resistor has one connection and two terminals. The terminals of the resistor are each of the lines extending
from the squiggle (or rectangle). Those are what connect to the rest of the circuit. The resistor circuit symbols
are usually enhanced with both a resistance value and a name. The value, displayed in ohms, is obviously critical
for both evaluating and actually constructing the circuit [2].

Figure 1:https://byjus.com/physics/resistor/

Types of Resistors:

Resistors are available in different shapes and sizes. Common types that are available are through-hole and
surface mount. A resistor might be static, standard resistor, special, or a pack of variable resistors [2].
There are two basic types of resistors as follows:
• Linear resistor
• Non-linear resistor

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Electrical Engineering Lab Report

Linear resistors
The resistors whose values change with change in applied temperature and voltage are known as linear resistors.
There are two types of linear resistors:
Fixed resistors: These resistors have a specific value and these values cannot be changed. Following are the
different types of fixed resistors:
• Carbon composition resistors
• Wire wound resistors
• Thin film resistors
• Thick film resistors
Variable resistors: These resistors do not have a specific value and the values can be changed with the help of
dial, knob, and screw. These resistors find applications in radio receivers for controlling volume and tone.
Following are the different types of variable resistors:
• Potentiometers
• Rheostats
• Trimmers
Non-linear resistors
The resistor values change according to the temperature and voltage applied and is not dependent on Ohm’s law.
Following are the different types of non-linear resistors:
• Thermisters
• Varisters
• Photo resistors

Color Coding of Resistors:

Resistors may not display the value outside but their resistance can be calculated through their colour pattern
PTH (plated-through-hole) resistors use a color-coding system (which really adds some flair to circuits), and
SMD (surface-mount-device)resistors have their own value-marking system [2].

Figure 2: https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/textbook/reference/chpt-2/resistor-color-codes/

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Electrical Engineering Lab Report

Following is a table with color code of resistors:

Color Digit (1st Color) Digit (2nd Color) Multiplier (3rd Color)

Black 0 0 1

Brown 1 1 10

Red 2 2 100

Orange 3 3 1000

Yellow 4 4 10000

Green 5 5 100000

Blue 6 6 1000000

Violet 7 7 -

Grey 8 8 -

White 9 9 -

Tolerance:

Tolerance is the percentage of error in the resistor's resistance, or how much more or less you can expect a
resistor's actual measured resistance to be from its stated resistance [3].

Color Tolerance

Brown ±1%

Red ±2%

Gold ±5%

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Electrical Engineering Lab Report

Silver ±10%

Resistors in Series:

Resistors are said to be in series when the current flowing through all the resistors is the same. These resistors
are connected from head to tail in series. The overall resistance of the circuit is equal to the sum of individual
resistance values [2].
Rtotal = R1 + R2 + R3 +……+Rn
Where, Rtotal is the sum of reciprocal of all the individual resistances

Resistors in Parallel:

Resistors are said to be in parallel when the terminals of resistors are connected to the same two nodes. Resistors
in parallel share the same voltage at their terminals [2].
1 1 1 1
= + + ⋯..+
𝑅𝑅𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 𝑅𝑅1 𝑅𝑅2 𝑅𝑅𝑛𝑛
1
Where 𝑅𝑅 , is the sum of all individual resistance.
𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡

Applications of Resistor:

Following are the applications of resistors [2]:

• Wire wound resistors find applications where balanced current control, high sensitivity, and accurate
measurement are required like in shunt with ampere meter.
• Photoresistors find application in flame detectors, burglar alarms, in photographic devices, etc.
• Resistors are used for controlling temperature and voltmeter.
• Resistors are used in digital multi-meter, amplifiers, telecommunication, and oscillators.
• They are also used in modulators, demodulators, and transmitters.
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Electrical Engineering Lab Report

Ohm law and Resistors:

Ohm law:

One of the most basic and important laws of electric circuits is Ohm’s law.
“Ohm’s law states that the voltage across a conductor is directly proportional to the current flowing
through it, provided all physical conditions and temperatures remain constant.”

𝑉𝑉 = 𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼
𝑉𝑉
𝐼𝐼 =
𝑅𝑅
𝑉𝑉
𝑅𝑅 =
𝐼𝐼
Ohm’s law only holds true if the provided temperature and the other physical factors remain constant. In certain
components, increasing the current raises the temperature. An example of this is the filament of a light bulb, in
which the temperature rises as the current is increased. In this case, Ohm’s law cannot be applied. The lightbulb
filament violates Ohm’s Law [4].

Digital Multimeter:

A multimeter is a measuring instrument used to measure multiple electrical properties. A typical multimeter can
measure resistance, voltage and current. A digital multimeter is a combination of voltmeter, ohm meter and
ammeter. In digital multimeter, you can choose which value to measure. Some multimeter can also measure the
capacitance. Digital multimeter have numeric displays and are generally more accurate than analog multimeter.
A multimeter usually have probes which connects the meter to the device. To choose which quantity to measure
you just have to transfer the live probe from one to desired one.
Every multimeter has its own limitations, beyond which a meter does not work. A digital multimeter can also
measure AC and DC both type of voltages. The digital multimeter which we are going to use in coming lab in
given below.

Figure 3: Digital Multimeter in Lab

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Electrical Engineering Lab Report

Lab Task:

Task:

The task of this lab is to calculate resistance of the resistor by two means, one by colors coding and other is by
using multimeter. The color coded measurement will be considered as theoretical measurements and
measurements done by multimeter is considered as experimental measurements.
Then after calculating the final task is to calculate the percentage error in the experimental measurements using
the following formula:
𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 − 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸
𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝 𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒 (%) = × 100
𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴

Procedure:

• Calculate the color-coded resistance of the resistance using the table given above.
• Identify colors and find the corresponding value in the table.
• Then calculate the resistance using multimeter.
• Connect probes to multimeter, one to the ground and one probe to that terminal, where there is a symbol
of resistance.
• Connect the two probes of the multimeter to each side of the resistor and note the reading on the screen
of the multimeter.
• Repeat the above procedure three times with three different resistors.

Report task:

A comparison table of read resistance and measured resistance. Also, calculate the error (if any) between read
and measured values.

Results:

Resistors Colors Theoretical Experimental Percentage error

resistance resistance (%)
(kΩ) (kΩ)
1. Red 22 ± 5% 21.228 3.5
Red
Orange
Gold
2. Brown 15 ± 5% 14.88 0.8
Green
Orange
Gold

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Electrical Engineering Lab Report

3. Orange 0.33 ± 5% 327.6 0.7

Orange
Brown
Gold

Discussion:

In this experiment, we measured the resistance of resistors using both the color code system and a multimeter.
The color code method gave us theoretical resistance values, while the multimeter provided more accurate, direct
measurements. We then calculated the percentage error to compare the two methods.
The percentage errors were 3.5%, 0.8%, and 0.7%, indicating that the multimeter readings were generally close
to the theoretical values. The higher error in the first reading may be due to manufacturing tolerances or minor
mistakes in reading the color bands. This experiment shows that while the color code method is quick, using a
multimeter ensures greater accuracy in circuits requiring precise resistance values.

Conclusion:

In this lab, we successfully measured the resistance of resistors using both the color code method and a
multimeter. The experiment demonstrated the importance of understanding resistor values and accurately
measuring them before incorporating them into a circuit. While the color code system offers a quick estimate,
the multimeter provided more precise measurements, as reflected by the small percentage errors. This reinforced
the need for precision in circuit design, where even minor deviations can affect performance. Overall, the lab
equipped us with essential skills for working with resistors and using measurement tools effectively.

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Electrical Engineering Lab Report

References

[1] Electric Symbols:

https://www.rapidtables.com/electric/electrical_symbols.html

[2] Resistors:
https://byjus.com/physics/resistor/

[3] Tolerance:
Learn.Parrallax.com

[4] Ohm’s Law:

https://byjus.com/physics/ohms-law/

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