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Basic Idea:

• Practice connecting a simple circuit with one component (a light bulb).

• 6

What:	How Many:	Where:
DC bulbs	Leave box of bulbs on instructors' bench	non-Majors storeroom, shelf L2
AC bulbs	Leave box of bulbs on instructors' bench	non-Majors storeroom, shelf M3
Wire	5	104 Lab, and lying around
Digital multimeter	2 (Preferred; if 2 not available, use analog milliAmmeters below)	Majors storeroom, shelf A3
AC milliAmmeter	1 (only if two digital mulitmeters not available)	non-Majors storeroom, shelf L3
DC milliAmmeter (500 or 800mA)	1 (Only needed if a second digital multimeter is not available!)	Majors storeroom, shelf H4
Spade lugs	2 – One red, one black (Only needed if using analog DC milliammeter)	Majors storeroom, shelf B2
DC bulb sockets, mounted	1	non-Majors storeroom, shelf L2
AC bulb sockets, mounted, with banana plugs	2	non-Majors storeroom, shelf L2
Blue Variac	1	non-Majors storeroom, shelf L6
Widow maker	1	non-Majors storeroom, shelf L6
DC batteries	2 (size doesn't matter; use matched pairs)	non-Majors storeroom, shelf L3
Battery holder (small wooden "trough")	1	non-Majors storeroom, shelf L3
Alligator clips	2	Majors storeroom, shelf B2
The following components are shared; place on instructors' bench
AC ammeter	1 See note below	Majors storeroom, shelf H5
Black Variac	1 See note below	Majors storeroom, shelf E3
Widow maker	1	Majors storeroom, shelf E3
300W AC bulb	1	non-Majors storeroom, shelf M3
AC bulb sockets, mounted, with banana plugs	1	non-Majors storeroom, shelf L3

Computers Needed?

• No.

• All components are left for students to assemble.

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• Lab setup:

  

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• Two of the wires are used for the voltmeter; easier to connect to circuit than standard meter probes.

• If two digital multimeters are used, put a sticky note on each, assigning it as an ammeter or a voltmeter!

• If two digital multimeters are not available for each setup, and an analog DC milliammeter is used: Connect the spade lugs to the DC milliAmmeters (red goes on the right). Connect two alligator clips to the DC bulb holders.

• Attach two 'gators to the clips on the DC bulb base; makes connections easier.

• Check batteries before lab; recharge overnight if necessary.

• There are three different DC bulbs: round with brass base; round with aluminum base; and tapered with aluminum base.

• Boxes of assorted AC bulbs are left up front; students pick the bulb they wish to test.

• Shared Items Note: The 300 Watt bulb draws about 2.5 A, so the analog ammeter must be used if this bulb is to be tested (it has a stripe of red or orange tape to distinguish it from the milliammeters); don't use the digital multimeter for current. Also, use the Black variac (the small blue variac's don't draw enough current).

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©	St. Lawrence University	Department of Physics

Revised: 17 May 2004

Canton, NY 13617