INTRODUCTION

Expanding on your knowledge, you will wire a parallel circuit with two light bulbs and measure voltage and current. This assignment allows you to see firsthand how Ohm’s Law applies in parallel circuits, reinforcing concepts critical to electrical system design and troubleshooting.

#

OBJECTIVE

Wire a parallel circuit, measure voltage and current, and compare results with Ohm’s Law.

#

MATERIAL + TROUBLESHOOTING REFERENCE PAGES

Basic Electrical Trainer
Lockout Tagout
2-Way Switch
Light Bulb
Single-pole Breaker
Wire
Wire Colors
Circuit Breaker Box
Light Socket

Tools:

Wire Strippers
4-in-1 Screwdriver
Multimeter
Extech Clamp Meter

Reference Pages:

AC Voltage
Current

#

LAB INSTRUCTIONS

Circuits can be wired in two different ways. They can be wired in Series or Parallel. In this lab we will be wiring up light bulbs in parallel and see how it affects voltage and current.

View the example lab video, and then perform the lab.

Wire up the AC Simple Light Circuit from Lab 1-2.

Remember!

The brass screw of the light socket is the black (hot) wire. (Use the black between the lights.)
The silver screw of the light socket is the white (neutral) wire (only for the last light in the series).
If wrong, wire it again.

Measure the voltage drop across the light bulb.

	Note
	A voltage drop is the amount of voltage that is dropped across a load. To check the voltage drop across the light, place one probe on one screw of the light and place the other probe on the other screw of the light. Read the voltage; this is the drop. Do this for all lights.

Measure the current through the light.
Add another light bulb in parallel.
Measure the voltage drop across both light bulbs.
Measure the current into the lights, between the lights and out of the lights.
Add another light bulb in parallel.
Measure the voltage drop across all three light bulbs.
Measure the current into the lights, between the lights and out of the lights.
Answer the quiz questions below.

#

SUBMISSION

After completing the lab, complete the quiz.