EXPERIMENT 6 (CAPACITOR TIMING CIRCUIT)

MOTHA T

240626942

BPME18

18 JULY 2024

GROUP B1

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Contents
1. AIM OF THE EXPERIMENT:................................................................................................... 3
2. APPARATUS & COMPONENTS: ............................................................................................ 3
3. PRACTICAL CIRCUIT LAYOUT: ............................................................................................. 3
4. PROCEDURE: ..................................................................................................................... 4
5.RESULTS: ............................................................................................................................ 5
6.CALCULATIONS: ................................................................................................................. 6
7.DISCUSSION: ..................................................................................................................... 8
Realizations from Experiment 6: .......................................................................................... 8
New Skills Developed: ........................................................................................................ 8
Theoretical Principles Applied: ............................................................................................ 8
8.CONCLUSION: .................................................................................................................... 9
9.REFERENCES ...................................................................................................................... 9

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1. AIM OF THE EXPERIMENT:
To need to measure and analyse the charging and discharging of a capacitor in a DC circuit.
Additionally, we want to understand how to apply formulas to calculate the capacitor's voltage
and the time constant.

2. APPARATUS & COMPONENTS:

• 10V dc power supply

• Crocodile cables

• 2 Resistors (20KΩ,100Ω)

• Multi-meter

• Breadboard

• 1 Capacitor (1000µF)

3. PRACTICAL CIRCUIT LAYOUT:

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4. PROCEDURE:
1.Prepare the Circuit:

• Place the 20KΩ resistor in series with the positive terminal of the capacitor on the
breadboard. This ensures the resistor is connected in line with the flow of current from
the positive terminal of the capacitor.

2.Connect the Discharge Resistor:

• Connect the 100Ω resistor in series with the negative terminal of the capacitor. This
resistor will control the rate at which the capacitor discharges.

3.Setup DC Power Supply:

• Attach alligator clip test leads to the DC power supply. These clips will facilitate easy
and secure connections to the circuit components.

4.Power Connections:

• Connect the positive terminal of the DC power supply to the left side of the 20KΩ
resistor. This ensures the resistor is in the path of the positive voltage supply.

• Connect the negative terminal of the DC power supply to the side of the 100Ω resistor
that is connected to the capacitor. This completes the circuit, allowing current to flow
through the capacitor and the discharge resistor.

5.Adjust Power Supply Settings:

• Set the DC power supply to provide 10V and adjust the current output to 1A. These
settings will determine the voltage and current flowing through the circuit, ensuring safe
and effective operation.

6.Prepare Multimeter for Voltage Measurement:

• Use alligator clips to connect the positive leg of the capacitor to the positive test lead of
the multimeter, and connect the negative leg of the capacitor to the negative test lead of
the multimeter. This setup allows you to measure and monitor the voltage across the
capacitor.

7.Multimeter Settings:

• Set your multimeter to measure DC voltage up to 20V. This setting ensures you can
accurately read the voltage across the capacitor throughout the experiment.

8.Time Tracking:

• Use the timer on your phone or another device to keep track of time. This will help you
record voltage readings at specific intervals accurately.

9.Start the Experiment:

• Simultaneously switch on the DC power supply and start the timer. This action begins
the charging or discharging process of the capacitor, depending on the initial conditions.

10.Recording Data:

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 • Record the voltage reading displayed on the multimeter every 10 seconds for a total
duration of 1 minute and 40 seconds. This interval recording will capture how the voltage
across the capacitor changes over time, providing insights into its charging or
discharging characteristics.

5.RESULTS:
CALCULATE MEASURED CALCULATE

Time(s) Vc(V) Vc(V) Ic(mA)

0 0 0 0

10 3.92 3.86 0.392

20 6.3 5.94 0.33

30 7.75 7.12 0.26

40 8.63 7.95 0.22

50 9.17 8.52 0.18

60 9.94 8.91 0.16

70 9.69 9.18 0.14

80 9.81 9.37 0.12

90 9.89 9.51 0.11

100 9.93 9.62 0.099

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6.CALCULATIONS:

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7.DISCUSSION:
Realizations from Experiment 6:
1. Capacitor Functionality: I discovered that a capacitor can store electric charge
temporarily after being charged. This characteristic allows capacitors to store energy
and release it as needed, making them essential components in various electronic
circuits.

2. Comparison of Measured and Calculated Results: We observed that the voltages

measured across the capacitor closely matched the values calculated using theoretical
formulas. This similarity reinforced the accuracy and applicability of the theoretical
models in predicting capacitor behaviour under specific conditions.

New Skills Developed:

1. Understanding Capacitor Operation: Through this experiment, I gained a practical
understanding of how capacitors work within a DC circuit. This included their role in
storing and releasing electric charge, influencing the circuit's voltage characteristics.

2. Measurement Techniques: I learned how to measure current through a capacitor using

a multimeter. This skill is crucial for accurately assessing the electrical behaviour of
capacitors in circuits.

3. Application of Formulas: I became proficient in using formulas to calculate voltage and

current across a capacitor. Specifically, I applied equations related to voltage across a
capacitor, current flow, and the time constant. These calculations helped quantify how
the capacitor's voltage changes over time as it charges or discharges.

Theoretical Principles Applied:

1. Voltage Across a Capacitor: I applied the principle that the voltage across a capacitor
−𝑡
𝑉𝐶 (𝑡) varies with time according to 𝑉𝐶 (𝑡) = 𝑉(1 − 𝑒 𝜏 ), where 𝑉 is the applied voltage, 𝑅
is the resistor value, 𝐶 is the capacitance, and 𝑡 is time.

2. Current Flow: Understanding the current through a capacitor, particularly during

charging and discharging, was crucial. This was guided by principles that relate current 𝐼
to the rate of change of charge on the capacitor.

3. Time Constant (𝝉): The concept of the time constant (𝜏 = 𝑅𝐶) was essential in
predicting how quickly a capacitor charges or discharges. It provided a quantitative
measure of the exponential decay or growth of voltage across the capacitor.

By applying these theoretical principles and conducting Experiment 6, I deepened my

understanding of capacitors' fundamental operation, measurement techniques, and the
practical application of electrical formulas in circuit analysis.

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8.CONCLUSION:
A capacitor indeed possesses the ability to charge and discharge. It functions as an electrical
component capable of temporarily storing electric charge between two parallel conductor
plates separated by a non-conductive material (dielectric). When the plates of a charged
capacitor are connected by a conductor, the capacitor discharges, releasing its stored charge.
Conversely, when a resistor is connected in series with the capacitor to form an RC circuit and a
DC voltage source is applied, the capacitor charges gradually through the resistor. The time
required for the capacitor to reach full charge is approximately five times the value of the time
constant.

9.REFERENCES
Hughes, E. (2008). Hughes Electrical And Electronic Technology 10th Edition. London: Pearson
Prentice Hall