DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF A VARIABLE RESISTANCE BOX
ABSTRACT
In this project a resistance box has been constructed using locally available materials namely, 1/3 and plywood for the construction of the box, cupper wire, Ferro board, soldering iron, soldering lead, screw and resistors.
The resistance obtainable from the box ranges from 2-11W. The box is fitted with terminal s to allow easy use in physics laboratory practical. At the end of the experiment, the values obtained are very close to those obtainable using imported box.
TABLE OF CONTENT
Title page i
Certification ii
Dedication iii
Acknowledgment iv
Abstract v
Table of content vi
CHAPTER ONE
1.1 Introduction 1
1.2 Aim of the project 2
CHAPTER TWO
2.1 Resistor 3
2.2 Theory of operation 4
2.3 Classification of resistors 7
2.4 Factor affecting resistances 12
2.5 Reactivity and conductivity 13
2.6 Resistor colour codes 15
2.7 Symbols of resistor across battery 17
2.8 Uses of resistors in a circuit 19
CHAPTER THREE
3.1 Design and construction 20
3.2 Other components of the box 21
CHAPTER FOUR
4.1 Test and experiments 23
4.2 The box in a simple circuit 24
4.3 Discussions 26
CHAPTER FIVE
5.1 Summary 27
5.2 Conclusion 28
5.3 Recommendation 29
References 30
CHAPTER ONE
1.1 INTRODUCTION
In many electrical measurements, standard variable resistances are required. These standard resistances come in various forms and shapes. The resistance box is one of them.
These resistance boxes are imported and in most cases very expensive. Most schools can therefore not afford to buy enough for the use of there students. It is therefore important for technologists to be able to improvise using locally available materials.
Also, during the course of designing and construction, student technologists are really exposed to more practical works in order to acquired a lot of experience on how to make use and handle many laboratory tools, equipments and apparatus.
We have two different, types of resistance boxes which includes:
(a) Decade type
(b) Plug type
In decade type, the coil of each resistance are connected in series, and there is a rotary switch which also aids in contact with each other. The switching used are of high quality compared with the resistance of the coils which they are selected.
In plug type, no switches are required instead, their resistance is varied by means of plugs. The resistance coils are formed across gaps with a thick brass bar, and the gaps are formed in the holes being drilled to receive the short circuiting plugs.
1.2 AIM OF THE PROJECT
This project aim at presenting precisely the process of construction of a resistance box, which is an imported equipment in the physics laboratory.
Most practical work involve the use of resistors of fixed value that are fixed into and later removed from the circuit. The replacement of a particular resistor of a given value may lead to destruction of the resistor so an alternative way for guiding against this is by use of variable resistance box.
This resistance box is to provide a resistance range between two and eleven (2-11W), a range commonly used in many practical experiments.
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