1. What is a Voltage Divider Calculator?

Definition: This calculator determines the output voltage from a voltage divider circuit using E24 standard resistor values.

Purpose: It helps electronics engineers and hobbyists design voltage divider circuits for signal conditioning, biasing, and voltage reference applications.

2. How Does the Calculator 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 input voltage is divided proportionally according to the ratio of R2 to the total resistance (R1 + R2).

3. Importance of Voltage Divider Calculation

Details: Accurate voltage division is crucial for creating reference voltages, signal attenuation, and interfacing between different voltage level circuits.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the input voltage and resistor values (E24 standard preferred). All values must be > 0. The calculator will determine the divided output voltage.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are E24 resistor values?
A: E24 is a standard series of resistor values with 5% tolerance, providing 24 values per decade (1.0, 1.1, 1.2, ..., 8.2, 9.1).

Q2: Why use a voltage divider?
A: Voltage dividers are simple, cost-effective ways to create specific voltage levels from a higher voltage source.

Q3: What's the maximum current through the divider?
A: \( I = V_{in}/(R1 + R2) \). Choose resistor values that won't overheat at this current.

Q4: How does load affect the output?
A: Any load connected to V_out creates a parallel resistance with R2, affecting the division ratio. Keep load impedance >> R2.

Q5: When shouldn't I use a voltage divider?
A: When you need a stable voltage under varying loads - consider using a voltage regulator instead.