Chapter 2
Resistive Circuits

m2.3 Current and Voltage Dividers

Apply the concepts of voltage dividers, current dividers, and equivalent resistance to find the currents I₁ to I₃ and the voltages V ₁ to V ₃ in the circuit of Fig. m2.3. Use these component values: V _SRC = 12 V, R₁ = 1.0 kΩ, R₂ = 10 kΩ, R₃ = 1.5 kΩ, R₄ = 2.2 kΩ, R₅ = 4.7 kΩ, and R₆ = 3.3 kΩ.

NI Multisim Measurements

Enter the circuit of Figure m2.3 into NI Multisim. Use measurement probes to measure each current; use voltmeter indicators to measure each voltage.

• Place components from the “Virtual Components” palette.
• Place a ground symbol and attach it to the negative terminal of the voltage source.
• Place a Simulate → Instruments → Measurement Probe for each current.
• Place a voltmeter indicator to display each voltage (see video tutorial for details).

NI myDAQ Measurements

Build the circuit of Figure m2.3. Use the myDAQ DMM (digital multimeter) as a voltmeter to measure each of the three voltages; use the DMM as an ammeter to measure each of the three currents.

• Measure and record the resistance of each resistor individually; do this before you connect the resistors together.
• Place the resistors to match the resistor orientations shown in Figure m2.3.
• Implement the voltage source V _SRC according to the circuit diagram of Figure B.2 in Appendix B.
• Measure V _SRC with the myDAQ DMM voltmeter and adjust the potentiometer to set the voltage as close to 12.0 volts as possible.