Summary
This report was aimed to get a better grasp/understanding of multiple measuring devices that are ideal in measuring current, voltage, and resistance. For this lab in particular, we used the Digital Multimeter, Function Generator, and a Oscilloscope to measure the variations of the components we made on the given breadboard. So essentially, after we made the circuit as instructed, we tested the in’s and out’s to calculate the resistance, and currents across the board. Before the board was made, we had to measure the resistors that were giving to us to verify its resistance. After all calculations were done, we took note on actual and theoretical values implemented by the circuit.
Most of the lab consisted of measuring specific values with the various machines in the lab. After we calculated the resistance and currents that passed through the circuit we built, we moved forward with the lab, inevitably, giving us the chance to see how sinusoids can be formed, altered, and measured on the Oscilloscope.
While completing the lab, we realized the Oscilloscope was quite useful in verifying sinusoids and their measurements while playing with the voltage and etc. Honestly, all the equipment in the lab was quite useful when used correctly. After documenting the information, it was quite apparent the actual data is slightly different from the theoretical values. This is ideally so because there is human error in calculating current, resistances, and power delivered.

Results/Discussion

For the start of the lab, we played with the DC supply to get a better understanding of what the machine was actually capable of (tracking ratio control). After playing with the ratios, we then recorded the data, and continued the experiment

The tracking ratio is useful because once set, you can easily adjust the scale of your power supply voltage. For example, if you have already set up a circuit and then want to attach an arduino which might have an absolute maximum amperage or voltage, you can scale down the variable power supply by using the tracking knob and not affecting the ratio.

We then measured the resistors that were given to us and calculated the resistance and tolerance (actual and theoretical) with the Digital Multimeter. You can see in Table 1 that the actual wasn’t too far off from the theoretical, but differ nonetheless. The color codes were matched to the correct resistors using information found online. The Tolerance shows how much the actual resistors vary from their labeled values.

Table 1
Resistors Actual and Theoretical values

Labeled [Ohm]
Actual [Ohm]
Color Code
Tolerance [%]
100
100.17
Brown-Black-Black-Black-Brown
0.17
2000
1992.5
Red-Block-Black-Brown-Brown
0.38
5100
4964.8
Yellow-White-White-Brown-Brown
2.65
10000
9998.4
Brown-Red-Black-Black-Brown
0.02
100000
100770
Brown-Orange-Black-Black-Brown
0.77
1000000
1001000
Brown-Black-Green-Gold
0.10

After we calculated the resisters actual resistance, we made a circuit to measure the voltage across the given reisiters and power supply. You can see in the Table 2 and Figure 1 how the circuit was articulated and what values were documented after testing the voltage.

When we adjusted the DMM to change the resolution of our measurements, the display rounded the last digit of the displayed value.

Table 2
Voltages across the Resistors on the circuit

Set Vs Labeled to 9.99V
[V]
V1
8.3876
V2
1.6697
V3
1.665
V4
8.3926
VS
10.0588

Figure 1

(Taken from Intro to Mechatronics Lab Manual)

To measure the voltages, we connected the prongs to each side of the resistor being measured, and took the reading. To measure Vs, we simply connected the prongs to the top of resistor 1 and the bottom of resistor 2. You could also do the same with resistor 3 and 4.

Table 3
Current Measurements from the Digital Multimeter
[mA]
IA
0.8393
IB
1.6919
IS
2.5291

Table 3 shows the current values calculated from the Digital Multimeter. It was measured by disconnecting the circuit between resistors and attaching the prongs as to connect in series and not parallel, otherwise it would short out the circuit.

Table 4
Oscilloscope Measurements of Voltage Max, Min, Rms, pp, and Avg.
[V]
Vrms/DC
3.14
Vrms/AC
2.26
Vpp/DC
7.937
Vavg/DC
2.172
Vmax
6.125
Vmin
1.75

Table 4 shows the data taken from the oscilloscope while measuring the Voltage Max, Min, Rms, pp, and Avg of the Function Generator.

Table 5
AC Measurements

DMM [V]

Oscope [V]

AC Vrms
DC V

Vpp
Vrms
Vavg
V1
2.9195
1.104

8.25
4.45
3.443
V2
0.58137
0.657

1.75
1.041
1.161
V3
0.58032
0.655

1.81
1.032
1.155
V4
2.9234
3.31

8.25
4.49
3.45

AC Irms [mA]

IA
0

0.3307

IB
0

0.6655

*Using 50 Ohm termination function generator.
Table 5 shows the AC measurements that were calculated with the Digital Multimeter and the oscilloscope. For the last exercise, we had to set the voltage to 5V with the Function Generator and measure the peak to peak values and average value. The voltages and amperage in the circuit were measured across each resistor using the Digital Multimeter and the Oscilloscope.

Conclusions and Recommendations
This lab introduced us to using common tools and devices that we will be using throughout the semester. Understand the Power Supply, Digital Multimeter, Function Generator, and Oscilloscope well will help us become more efficient in the lab. We learned that you have to be careful when using the Function Generator as to note if it is set to HIGH Z or 50 Ohms because this makes a huge difference when measuring voltages in your circuit. We learned that the Function Generator along with the Oscilloscope make powerful tools, with the capability to create almost any type of AC current you can think of and then display it on the screen for easy reading. The Function Generator set to 50 Ohms, and the Oscilloscope have built in resistances which have to be taken into account when taking measurements.
My recommendations for this lab would be directed towards the pre reading. The lab could have been done a lot smoother, yet faster if we would have took notes before the lab to have a precise idea of what was needed from the gate. Another recommendation before the lab would have been to understand how the measuring devices in the lab work and operate so we wouldn't spend too much time on it.

Reference
1. Introduction