Physical Computing

Using the Multimeter

PComp – Lab 3

To further impress basic electrical principles, we setup LEDs in series and parallel configurations on our breadboards and took measurements to understand how components share voltage.  Upon hooking up three LEDs in series, I found that they didn’t light, so I assume the minimum voltage required was more than 1.6V.  Another observation was that when they are in series, the 220K resistor isn’t needed since the second LED serves its purpose.  One other observation was that the power supply I used said 9V, but supplied 12.8V, so the importance of having a regulator in-line is apparent.  Don’t fry your components people!

The LEDs didn’t read the same voltage, but these voltages were fluctuating, so it was probably just my timing.  Also, I feel that there would be a slightly higher average to the component directly connected to ground.

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