1. What is a Voltage Divider Calculator?

Definition: This calculator determines the output voltage of a voltage divider circuit based on input voltage and resistor values.

Purpose: It helps electronics engineers, hobbyists, and students design and analyze voltage divider circuits.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the voltage divider formula:

Where:

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

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

3. Importance of Voltage Divider Calculation

Details: Proper voltage division is crucial for creating reference voltages, biasing transistors, and interfacing between different voltage level circuits.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the input voltage and both resistor values. All values must be positive numbers.

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 does resistor tolerance affect the calculation?
A: Real resistors have tolerance (e.g., ±5%), so actual output may vary from calculated value.

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

Q4: Can I use this for AC signals?
A: Yes, but only for instantaneous voltage calculations. For AC, consider impedance instead of resistance.

Q5: What if I need a specific output voltage?
A: Fix one resistor value and solve for the other using the rearranged formula: R2 = (V_out × R1)/(V_in - V_out).