Voltage Divider Calculator 2 Resistors

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 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 equation:

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

Where:

\( V_{in} \) — Input voltage (V)
\( R1 \) — First resistor (Ω)
\( R2 \) — Second resistor (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.

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: 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 about power ratings?
A: This calculator doesn't account for power dissipation. Ensure resistors can handle the current (P = V²/R).

Q4: How accurate is this?
A: The calculation is theoretically perfect, but real-world factors like resistor tolerance and load effects will affect actual performance.

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