Question on measuring $I$-$V$ characteristic of a component

When measuring the I-V characteristic of a metal wire/diode/filament light bulb , what is generally the best circuit set up?

You can

1. Change the voltage across the component directly using a variable power supply

2. Use a variable resistor to change the voltage across the component.

3. Use a potential divider set up to vary the voltage.

In all three cases, you have the voltmeter in parallel with the component and an ammeter in series. You'd have to make adjustments depending on the circuit (e.g. adding extra resistors in series) but as far as I understand, that's the basic setup.

My question is, in 2 and 3 are you not changing the resistance of the whole circuit when you're adjusting the voltage so you're actually changing the current measured by the ammeter indirectly? Is the effect so insignificant that it is ignored? Does this affect the I-V characteristic obtained?

In my view, I think 1 is the best setup for getting the I-V characteristic of a component as you're changing one variable only (which is voltage). Though I'm not sure if I understand the topic correctly.

• If you are concerned about practical implementation (and not theory), you might get a better answer to this question at "electrical engineering SE". – user1583209 May 8 '18 at 21:07
• @user1583209 I’m asking for verification on what should theoretically happen when you use a variable resistor instead of changing the voltage of the voltage source. I have done this experiment in the lab at school many times and there’s nothing out of the ordinary with my results, but this is only occurring to me now and I can’t find a theoretical explanation as to why this should work in any of my textbooks. – s.xw May 8 '18 at 21:11
• Unless I misunderstand your question (circuit diagrams could help), I don't see any difference between your options. However you have basically two options to place amp meter and voltmeter in the circuit. In one case you will measure the correct voltage in the other the correct current over/through your wire/light bulb/... Errors will be due to nonzero resistance of the ampmeter or non-infinite resistance of the voltmeter. – user1583209 May 8 '18 at 21:30
• @user1583209 In the first circuit, the voltage across the entire circuit is being changed. In the second and third circuit, the voltage across the components are changed but the voltage across the entire circuit is kept constant. I am familiar with the concept that changing the resistance of a variable resistor alters the voltage across the other components in the circuit. But changing the resistance of a variable resistor also changes the resistance of the entire circuit, and hence the current. So is it still possible to obtain fair and accurate readings for I-V characteristic of component? – s.xw May 8 '18 at 21:37