The voltage divider (also known as the potential divider) is a basic but very important electric circuit used to convert a high voltage to a small value in electronics. Voltage dividers are often used to decrease the size of a voltage or provide a reference voltage. They may also be used as a signal attenuator at low frequencies. Let’s study this in more detail.
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Jetzt kostenlos anmeldenThe voltage divider (also known as the potential divider) is a basic but very important electric circuit used to convert a high voltage to a small value in electronics. Voltage dividers are often used to decrease the size of a voltage or provide a reference voltage. They may also be used as a signal attenuator at low frequencies. Let’s study this in more detail.
In electric circuits, the voltage divider rule is used to decrease or increase the voltage levels of a source. This is an important concept, especially when creating increasingly complicated circuits. Engineers use this rule to analyse resistance and optimise electronic equipment.
So, how is the voltage divider rule applied to electric circuits? Look at the diagram above: there is n number of resistors, and we want to take the voltage output from R1, so we want to calculate the voltage value of R1. The formula for finding the voltage value of R1 (VR1) is
\[V_{R1} = \frac{R_1}{R_1+R_2+...+R_N} \cdot V\]
Let’s break this down:
In the circuit below, the given values for the resistors are R1 = 3Ω, R2 = 7Ω, and R3 = 5Ω. Find the output voltage (Vo).
Solution
We take the output voltage (Vo) from the R3 resistor’s poles, which means it will be the same value as R3 resistance’s value voltage. To calculate the voltage value of R3, we can put the given values into the voltage divider equation:
\[V_0 = V_{R3} = \frac{R_3}{R_1+R_2+R_3} \cdot V\]
\[V_{R3} = \frac{5 \Omega }{3 \Omega+7 \Omega+5 \Omega} \cdot 30V\]
From this calculation, we can find the output voltage:
\[V_0 = V_{R3} = 10 V\]
In some sources, you may see that the voltage divider circuit is a little more simplistic. To help you feel comfortable with both voltage divider diagram types, let’s look at another example below.
In the circuit below, the given value for the input voltage (Vin) is 20 volts and the given values for the resistors are R1 = 5Ω and R2 = 5Ω. Find the value of the output voltage (Vo).
Solution
To solve a question in this diagram style, you must first understand what it represents. This is a complete loop circuit, and it is shown below.
The point shown as Vin in the first diagram shows the positive pole of the voltage source, and the ground resembles that the circuit is a loop connecting to the negative pole of the source Vin. Now let’s apply the voltage divider equation to find the output voltage (Vo), which is equal to the voltage value of R2.
\[V_0 = \frac{R_2}{R_2+R_1} \cdot V_{in}\]
Let’s put the values in their correct places in the equation:
\[V_0 = \frac{5 \Omega}{5 \Omega + 5\Omega} \cdot 20V\]
\[V_0 = 10V\]
Voltage dividers are used to control the level of a signal and to test voltages. They are also used for the bias of active components in amplifiers. Voltage dividers are found in multimeters as well.
Although there are many types of voltmeters for different levels of voltage measurement, if the voltage value to be measured is too big, it can’t be done with a voltmeter alone. This is where voltage dividers come into play: the voltage is applied across the voltage divider, and then the voltage output, which is the lowered amount of voltage, will be measured by a voltmeter. For the final step, the measured voltage is multiplied by the factor that the input voltage was lowered by.
A microcontroller can read the resistance value of a sensor using voltage dividers. A voltage divider is formed by wiring the sensor in series with a known resistance and applying a fixed voltage across the divider. The analogue-to-digital converter on the microcontroller is linked to the divider’s centre tap. This is so that it can read the tap voltage and calculate the sensor resistance using the observed voltage and determined resistance and voltage.
Voltage dividers are also used as logic level shifters. Logic level shifters connect two logic circuits in series to each other.
Some logic circuits operate at 5V, and others operate at 3.3V. Let’s say we are going to connect two circuits in series to each other:
If we connect these two circuits directly, the first circuit’s output of 5V can damage the second circuit over time because its input value is 3.3V. However, the problem will be solved if we connect a voltage divider circuit with an output ratio of 3.3/5 serial between these two circuits.
A voltage divider is used to scale up or scale down the voltage of a source for different purposes.
You can build a voltage divider using two resistors connected in series and an input voltage.
A voltage divider is a circuit that consists of a series of resistors. The divide-down ratio is set by two resistors, and the output voltage is a fixed proportion of the input voltage.
After you note down the variables, input voltage, the resistance of the resistor (which the output voltage is measured on), and the total series resistance, then the output voltage of a voltage divider can be found from the resistance value of the output component divided by the total series resistance and multiplied by the voltage value of the source.
After you note down the variables, input voltage, the resistance of the resistor (which the output voltage is measured on), and the total series resistance, then the output voltage of a voltage divider can be found from the resistance value of the output component divided by the total series resistance and multiplied by the voltage value of the source.
Which of the following is not one of the areas that voltage dividers are used in?
Current measurement.
Are voltage dividers used on multimeters?
Yes, voltage dividers are used on multimeters.
Which output ratio should be used to transform 10 volts into 2.5 volts?
2.5/10
Can voltage dividers be used to optimise electronic equipment?
Yes, voltage dividers can be used to optimise electronic equipment.
Considering Ohm’s law, if the current value is constant, what is the relation between the voltage and the resistance?
They are directly proportional.
Can voltage dividers be used as signal attenuators?
Yes, voltage dividers can be used as signal attenuators.
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