Excerpt
Computer Simulated Experiments for Electric Circuits using Electronics Workbench Multisim ®, Third Edition, is a unique and innovative laboratory manual that uses Multisim to simulate actual laboratory experiments on a computer. Computer simulated experiments do not require extensive laboratory facilities, and a computer provides a safe and cost-effective laboratory environment. Circuits can be modified easily with on-screen editing, and analysis results provide faster and better feedback than does a series of lab experiments using hardwired circuits.
The experiments are designed to help reinforce the theory learned in a do and ac electric circuits course. By answering questions about the results of each experiment, students will develop a clearer understanding of the theory. Also, the interactive nature of these experiments encourages student participation in the learning process, which leads to more effective learning and a longer retention of the theoretical concepts. Experiments that involve a wide range of difficulty have been included so that experiments appropriate for a particular level of instruction can be selected. Experiments 8, 9, 17, 22, and 24-26 are more appropriate for more advanced students than most of the other experiments in this manual.
A series of troubleshooting problems is included at the end of many of the experiments to help students develop troubleshooting skills. In each troubleshooting problem, the parts bin has been removed to force the student to find a fault or a component value by making a series of circuit measurements using only the instruments provided. A solutions manual showing measured data, calculations, answers to the questions, and answers to the troubleshooting problems is available to instructors.
In the third edition, the circuits have been modified and some of the experiments have been changed for the Multisim 2001 circuit simulator. Also in the third edition, the "Preparation" section of each experiment has been renamed "Theory". This theory section has all of the technical information needed to do the calculations and answer the questions in the procedure section without referring to another textbook, and makes it possible to use this manual as a combination text and lab manual, if desired. Experiment 24 on series ac impedance from the previous edition has been combined with Experiment 21 in the new edition, and Experiment 25 on parallel ac admittance from the prior edition has been combined with Experiment 22 to eliminate the redundancy between these experiments. These modifications are an improvement over the second edition and will make these experiments work better with the new Multisim software.
Richard H. Berube