1. What is a Voltage Divider?

A voltage divider is a simple circuit that turns a large voltage into a smaller one. It consists of two resistors in series, with the output voltage taken from the connection between them.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the voltage divider formula:

Where:

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

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 simple but powerful tools in circuit design.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter input voltage in volts, and both resistor values in ohms. All values must be positive, and resistors must be greater than zero.

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 accuracy?
A: Resistor tolerance (e.g., 1%, 5%) directly affects the accuracy of the output voltage. Higher tolerance resistors will produce less precise results.

Q3: What about power ratings?
A: Ensure resistors can handle the power dissipation (P = V²/R). For high voltages or low resistances, power dissipation can be significant.

Q4: Can I use this for AC signals?
A: Yes, but only if the frequency is low enough that capacitive effects are negligible. At high frequencies, impedance must be considered.

Q5: What's the effect of adding a load?
A: Adding a load in parallel with R2 will change the effective resistance and thus the output voltage. The equation assumes no load (infinite impedance).