1. What is a Resistor Voltage Divider?

Definition: A resistor voltage divider is a simple circuit that converts a higher input voltage to a lower output voltage using two resistors.

Purpose: It's commonly used in electronics for signal level shifting, voltage sensing, and creating reference voltages.

2. How Does the Voltage Divider Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: The output voltage is proportional to the ratio of R2 to the total resistance (R1 + R2).

3. Importance of Standard Resistor Values

Details: Using standard resistor values (E12, E24 series) ensures component availability and simplifies circuit design.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the input voltage and resistor values. Standard values are recommended (e.g., 1k, 4.7k, 10k, etc.). All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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

Q2: How do I choose appropriate resistor values?
A: Select values that won't draw excessive current but are small enough to avoid noise issues (typically 1k-100k ohms).

Q3: Does this consider load resistance?
A: No, this calculates the unloaded voltage. For accurate results, the load resistance should be much larger than R2.

Q4: What are common standard resistor series?
A: E12 (10% tolerance), E24 (5% tolerance), and E96 (1% tolerance) are common standard value series.

Q5: How does power rating affect the calculation?
A: The calculator doesn't consider power dissipation. Ensure resistors can handle P = V²/R power in your application.