1. What is a Voltage Divider?

A voltage divider is a simple circuit that produces an output voltage (V_out) that is a fraction of its input voltage (V_in). It consists of two resistors connected in series, with the output voltage taken from the connection between them.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the voltage divider formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: The formula calculates the voltage drop across R2, which becomes the output voltage of the divider circuit.

3. Applications of Voltage Dividers

Details: Voltage dividers are commonly used in electronic circuits for level shifting, sensor interfacing, bias voltage generation, and as reference voltages for analog-to-digital converters.

4. Using the Calculator

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

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What happens if R1 and R2 are equal?
A: If R1 = R2, the output voltage will be exactly half of the input voltage (V_out = V_in/2).

Q2: Can I use this for high-power applications?
A: No, voltage dividers are inefficient for high-power applications as the resistors dissipate power as heat. They're best suited for low-power signal applications.

Q3: How accurate is a voltage divider?
A: The accuracy depends on resistor tolerance and the input impedance of the load. For precise applications, use resistors with low tolerance (1% or better).

Q4: What if I need a specific output voltage?
A: You can rearrange the formula to calculate the required resistor values for a desired output voltage: R2 = R1 × (V_out/(V_in - V_out)).

Q5: Are there limitations to voltage dividers?
A: Yes, voltage dividers have high output impedance and are affected by load resistance. For stable output, the load resistance should be much larger than R2.