Voltage Divider Circuit Calculator

Voltage Divider Equation:

\[ V_{out} = V_{in} \times \left( \frac{R2}{R1 + R2} \right) \]

Output Voltage (Vout):

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1. What is a Voltage Divider Circuit?

A voltage divider is a simple circuit that turns a large voltage into a smaller one. It consists of two resistors in series, with the output voltage taken from the connection between them.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the voltage divider equation:

\[ V_{out} = V_{in} \times \left( \frac{R2}{R1 + R2} \right) \]

Where:

\( V_{out} \) — Output voltage (volts)
\( V_{in} \) — Input voltage (volts)
\( R1 \) — First resistor (ohms)
\( R2 \) — Second resistor (ohms)

Explanation: The equation shows that the output voltage is a fraction of the input voltage, determined by the ratio of R2 to the total resistance.

3. Importance of Voltage Division

Details: Voltage dividers are fundamental in electronics for creating reference voltages, reducing signal levels, and biasing active devices like transistors.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter input voltage in volts and both resistor values in ohms. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What happens if R1 = R2?
A: When R1 equals R2, the output voltage will be exactly half of the input voltage.

Q2: Can I use this for AC voltages?
A: Yes, but only if the frequency is low enough that the resistors' parasitic capacitance can be ignored.

Q3: What's the maximum current through the divider?
A: The current is Vin/(R1+R2). Ensure resistors can handle this power (P=I²R).

Q4: Why does my measured Vout differ from calculation?
A: Real-world factors like resistor tolerance, temperature effects, and load impedance can affect the output.

Q5: How do I choose resistor values?
A: Select values that don't draw excessive current but are small enough to be less affected by load impedance.