N2083 Lab Tools

Each student is encouraged to perform any adjustments or modifications (within reason) to the experimental setup with the supplied tools. The students should consult with the Lab instructor if confused about how to get the tool working properly. Remember to optimize your time by asking questions first and then if you cannot figure out how to get something to work, ask the Lab instructor's for further assistance.

1. Workstation

Each group will have their own permanent lab workstation. At the workstation you will do all your wiring and debugging for the course. Your workstation provides you with the power supply with ranges 5V, +12v, -12V and ground for your circuit. You will use the alligator cables to connect power and ground to your circuit.

2. Digital MultiMeter

You will use the digital multimeter in the labs mainly for two tasks, for resistance measurement and for continuity test.

Resistance Measurement

1. Turn off power to the resistance to be measured and discharge any capacitors. Any voltage present during a resistance measurement will cause inaccurate readings.
2. Set Function/ Range Switch to the resistance measurement position.
3. Connect test leads to resistance to be measured as seen in the figure.
4. Read resistance value on Digital Display.

Continuity Test

The Continuity test checks electrical continuity between two contact (wired) points in your circuit.

1. Turn off power to your circuit.
2. Set the Function/Range switch on DMM to .
3. Connect the black test lead tip to one of the contact points and the red test lead point to the other contact point.
5. The internal beeper emits a tone when resistance is between 0 and 400 Ohms.

3. Breadboard

You will use a breadboard (as seen in the figure below) to construct and test digital circuits.

Holes on the breadboard are connected electrically in rows, except for the 2 columns down the sides. These rows are separate from each other, and each row is connected internally. Most of the breadboard consists of parallel rows of 5 holes each, separated by a trough from similar sets of holes. Each set of 5 holes is internally connected. By placing an integrated circuit (IC for short or a chip) over the trough, each pin of the chip can be accessed by 4 holes. The 2 columns are not connected to each other, but each column is connected internally for its entire length. This makes the columns useful for connecting to 5V and ground, for instance, since you will usually have several things to connect to each of these.

4. Wire cutter and stripper

You are going to do a lot of wire cutting and wire stripping in PC/CP120. We will provide you with one wire cutter and stripper for each group.

If you prefer to bring your from home you are welcome to do so.

Rules for Wiring

- Cut wires to the length you need so they are nice and tidy on your board.
- Avoid poor connections! If you don't expose enough of the conductor (less than 3mm) you may have a poor connection, or none at all, when it is inserted in a hole.