Resistor Voltage Divider Calculator

Voltage Divider Equation:

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

Output Voltage (V_out):

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1. What is a Voltage Divider?

A voltage divider is a simple circuit that turns a large voltage into a smaller one. It uses two resistors in series to divide the input voltage proportionally according to the resistor values.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the voltage divider equation:

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

Where:

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

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

3. Importance of Voltage Dividers

Details: Voltage dividers are fundamental in electronics for creating reference voltages, level shifting, and sensor interfacing. They're used in everything from simple circuits to complex electronic devices.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter input voltage in volts and both resistor values in ohms. All values must be positive numbers. The calculator will compute the output voltage between the two resistors.

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: Can I use this for AC voltages?
A: Yes, but only if the frequency is low enough that capacitive effects can be ignored.

Q3: What's the maximum current through the divider?
A: I = V_in/(R1 + R2). Make sure your resistors can handle this current.

Q4: How accurate is this calculation?
A: It's theoretically perfect for ideal resistors. In practice, resistor tolerances and temperature effects will cause slight variations.

Q5: What if I need a specific output voltage?
A: You can rearrange the equation to solve for R2 given V_in, V_out, and R1.