1. What is a Capacitive Voltage Divider?

Definition: A capacitive voltage divider is a circuit that produces an output voltage that is a fraction of its input voltage using capacitors.

Purpose: It's commonly used in AC circuits, signal processing, and power supply designs to reduce voltage levels without significant power loss.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( V_{out} \) — Output voltage (volts)
• \( V_{in} \) — Input voltage (volts)
• \( C1 \) — First capacitor value (farads)
• \( C2 \) — Second capacitor value (farads)

Explanation: The output voltage is determined by the ratio of C1 to the total capacitance (C1 + C2).

3. Importance of Capacitive Voltage Dividers

Details: Unlike resistive dividers, capacitive dividers don't dissipate power as heat and are more efficient for AC signals. They're essential in high-frequency applications.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the input voltage and both capacitor values. All values must be > 0. For small capacitors, use scientific notation (e.g., 10^-12 farads = 1 picofarad).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between resistive and capacitive dividers?
A: Resistive dividers work for DC/AC but waste power as heat. Capacitive dividers only work for AC but are more efficient.

Q2: Can I use this for DC circuits?
A: No, capacitors block DC current. This only works for AC signals or transient analysis.

Q3: What happens if C1 = C2?
A: The output voltage will be exactly half the input voltage (V_out = V_in/2).

Q4: How does frequency affect the divider?
A: The formula assumes ideal capacitors. In reality, capacitor impedance (1/ωC) affects performance at different frequencies.

Q5: What are typical capacitor values for dividers?
A: Values range from picofarads (10^-12F) to microfarads (10^-6F) depending on application frequency and voltage.