Electrical Design Package

Prepared for:
XLIX Engineering Design Firm

Prepared by:
William J. Wiseman

Date Submitted: September 15, 2014

I have neither given nor received any unauthorized help on this assignment, nor witnessed any violation of the UNC
Charlotte Code of Academic Integrity. William Wiseman 9/16/14

Problem Statement
The Electrical Project was a very time consuming and repetitive process. First the value of
voltage drop had to be calculated. In a circuit the voltage always cancels itself due to the nature
of electrons. Change in voltage was calculated by subtracting the voltage of the first node from
the voltage of the second node, the voltage of the second node from the voltage of the third node,
and so on. By calculating the change in voltage across the resistors the voltage drop was also
calculated. Each person was assigned one breadboard, five 330 resistors, five 220 resistors,
five 3300 resistors, five 2200 resistors, and five 10,000 resistors. The major difficulty
however, was discovering the value and correct amount of resistors to produce a numerical
voltage drop. This was not expected. Many values had to be inserted repetitively with no
guidance to create the correct voltage drop. Furthermore, the voltage values had to be within a
tolerance value. This meant that values varied even though correct resistors were assigned.
The primary assumption of the class involving this project was similar resistance values were to
be delegated, thus allowing for collaboration; however, this was not the case due to the unique
voltage values.

Academic Discoveries
Certain material was discovered as this project was carried out. Most of it involved voltage
drops, current, Kirchhoffs voltage law, Kirchhoffs current law, and Ohms law.
Voltage
Voltage is the term describing the potential between electrons and each other. A piece of zinc
plating separates the anode (-) from the cathode (+) building up electric potential. The voltage
drops across resistors but current stays the same. Without voltage electrons do not repulse other
subatomic particles. Voltage is built up by containing electrons in a small enclosed space. The
repulsive force is what drives the movement of electrons through the wire.1
Current
Current is the movement of electrons through a medium (conductor). Copper is a primary
conductor of electrical current due to its abundance on earth. Current acts as a stream of water
flowing through a channel (conductor). The flow of electrons is using the fact that
. Electricity is a powerful energy alternative because the distance electrons
have to travel is extensive, thus increasing the work done significantly.4
Resistance
Electrical resistance is the compulsion of current through the use of semi-conductive materials.
Electrons flowing through semi-conductors cause a voltage drop. Resistance was discovered by
Georg Simon Ohm, and is the ratio of voltage to current. Resistance is measured in ohms.4

Kirchhoffs voltage law

Kirchhoffs voltage law states that the sum of voltages around a closed loop (circuit) is always
equal to zero. This concept is also known as conservation energy.3
Kirchhoffs current law
It is a common misconception that current is something that comes out of the positive terminal of
a battery and is used up by the time it reaches the negative terminal. In fact current is the same at
every single point on a circuit because energy cannot be created or destroyed. Current flows
depending on the strength of the voltage.3
Ohms Law
The famous Ohms law states
. This is possibly the most
important equation to circuit studies. If one knows the current and voltage, resistance can be
calculated. This is the primary tool for the project.3
Mathematical Calculations
Equation used:
(
Node
Voltage

0
18
volts
N/A

0-1
N1=17.853
volts
18v
-17.853v
=
.142 volts

1-2
N2=9.3957
Volts
17.852v
-9.3957v
=
8.4623 volts

Current
.0009
(I)
amps
Resistance R=0
ohms

.0009 amps

R=157.77
ohms

)
3-4
N4=6.0321
volts
6.9781v
-6.0321v
=
.946 volts

4-5
N5=0
volts
6.0321v
-0v
=
6.0321volts

.0009 amps

2-3
N3=6.9781
volts
9.3957v
-6.9781v
=
2.4176
volts
.0009 amps

.0009 amps

.0009 amps

R=9402.22
ohms

R=2686.22
ohms

R=1051.11
ohms

R=6702.37
ohms

Calculated Resistance values from Ground to Node

Check the computer generated schematic to view resistor values and configuration. The process
of determining the correct resistor values is a prolonged one. First, total resistance is calculated
using Ohms law. It follows:

This equation determined the values of resistance. Values were instituted through the result of
the 1st equation and by a guess-check method. The values of resistors in series (straight line) are
similar to adding numbers.

Resistors in parallel (side by side) are different. Since the current is divided in each separate
branch (mesh) the equation is changed. First the resistance values are placed under one and
added. The reciprocal of the value is then taken.
(

The steps made below found the resistor values of the circuit. Other values were not possible due
to the limitation of resistors and the low tolerance value of 5%.

Node

Resistor calculation

equals

Theoretical

Node 0-Node 1

157

157.77

Node 1-Node 2

9400

9402

Node 2-Node 3
Node 3-Node 4

2640
1045

2686
1051

Node 4-Node 5

6650

6702.37

Computer Generated Schematic

Sources:
1."Power System." How Do Batteries Work? Accessed September 15, 2014.
http://www.qrg.northwestern.edu/projects/vss/docs/power/2-how-do-batteries-work.html.
2.Sorby, Sheryl Ann, and William M. Bulleit. "Document Design." In An Engineer's
Guide to Technical Communication. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2006.
3.Young, Hugh, Roger Freedman, and A. Lewis. "Electromagnetism." In Sears and
Zemansky's University Physics with Modern Physics, 800-900. 13th ed. Vol. 1. Pearson, 2013.
4. O'Connor, Eleanor, and Johnson O'Connor. Johnson O'Connor Science Vocabulary
Builder. 1st ed. Vol. 1. Boston: Johnson O'Connor Research Foundation Incorporated, 1956.