Voltage Divider Equation Calculator

Voltage Divider Formula:

\[ V_{out} = V_{in} \times \frac{R2}{R1 + R2} \]

Output Voltage (V_out): volts

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1. What is a Voltage Divider Equation Calculator?

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

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

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

\[ V_{out} = V_{in} \times \frac{R2}{R1 + R2} \]

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 a fraction of the input voltage, determined by the ratio of R2 to the total resistance (R1 + R2).

3. Importance of Voltage Divider Calculation

Details: Voltage dividers are fundamental in electronics for creating reference voltages, signal level shifting, and sensor interfacing.

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 equals R2?
A: When R1 = R2, the output voltage will be exactly half of the input voltage.

Q2: How does resistor tolerance affect the calculation?
A: Real-world resistors have tolerances (typically 1-5%) that will cause the actual output voltage to vary slightly from the calculated value.

Q3: Can I use this for AC voltages?
A: Yes, but only for the amplitude calculation. Phase relationships are not considered in this simple calculation.

Q4: What's the maximum current through the resistors?
A: I = V_in/(R1 + R2). Ensure resistors are rated for this current.

Q5: How does load resistance affect the output?
A: Any load connected to V_out will effectively parallel R2, changing the divider ratio. For accurate results, load resistance should be much higher than R2.