In electronics, a voltage divider (also known as a potential divider) is a

simple linear circuit that produces an output voltage (Vout) that is a fraction of
its input voltage (Vin). Voltage division refers to the partitioning of a voltage
among the components of the divider.
The formula governing a voltage divider is similar to that for a current
divider, but the ratio describing voltage division places the selected
impedance in the numerator, unlike current division where it is the
unselected components that enter the numerator.
Voltage division is a method used to change the voltage across a
particular circuit through the use of resistors as the only circuit component.
The voltage divider uses two resistors in series to decrease the voltage
through a parallel circuit, according to the second resistor. Figure 1(A) shows
the circuit diagram for a voltage divider in open circuit configuration. When
this second resistance is equal, the voltage through the circuit should be
halved. With the values of resistances different, the output voltage will differ.

Vin
The input voltage,

R1

Vout
, the output voltage,

R2

, and the two variable

resistances,
and
, are indicated. Figure 1(B) shows a voltage divider
with a potentiometer acting as two variable resistors. This particular open
circuit has many applications in which the voltage across another circuit
needs to be varied. As the variable lead on the potentiometer changes the
resistance of the two variable resistors change. In this manual, we will
investigate the influence of resistance on this voltage divider configuration,
in order to decrease potential with precision, and the relationship between
the output voltage as a function of the resistance ratio R2/R1.

Vin

R1
Vout

R2

Figure 1

(A) Voltage divider circuit without load potentiometer, but a signal wire; (B)

the voltage divider circuit with a potentiometer acting as both resistors.

The voltage divider is a cheap and easy solution to have different
voltages within a circuit with minimal components used. Therefore, it is a
very common way for polarizing for example transistors within an amplifier
circuit.
Nevertheless, a voltage divider can have some major drawbacks. First of
all, it is not stable. If the current drawn from R LOAD changes, the voltage
across RLOAD will also change.
Another drawback is the current limitation. There are usually not
resistors with the values required to achieve exactly the desired voltage
drop. Many times, higher values of resistors must be used in order to achieve
this voltage drop. Typical values are from 330 Ohms, and may go up to
22Kohms or even higher. This will dramatically decrease the maximum
current flow from the RLOAD. That is of course not a big deal when polarizing a
transistor. That is what makes the voltage divider ideal for such kind of
applications.

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multimeter or a multitester, also known as a VOM (Volt-Ohm meter or VoltOhm-milliammeter ), is an electronic measuring instrument that combines
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1. In the voltage divider circuit of Fig. 3.2(A), compute for the output voltage
if the values for the circuit parameters are as follows:
a.) Vin = 24 V , R1 = 50 ,

R2 = 100

b.) Vin = 24 V , R1 = 100 , R2 = 50

c.) Vin = 24 V , R1 = 100 , R2 = 100

2. 1. In the voltage divider circuit of Fig. 3.2(B), compute for the output
voltage if the values for the circuit parameters are as follows:
a.) Vin = 24 V , R1 = 2 ,

R2 = 50

b.) Vin = 24 V , R1 = 20 , R2 = 100

c.) Vin = 24 V , R1 = 20 , R2 = 200

1. What are the factors that affect the output voltage of a voltage divider
circuit ?
- A potential, (voltage), divider does exactly what it says, it divides the
input voltage to provide various output voltages. If the input voltage is
varied, then also is the output voltage varied proportionally. The output
voltage of a voltage divider will vary according to the electric current it is
supplying to its external electrical load. To obtain a sufficiently stable output
voltage, the output current must either be stable or limited to an
appropriately small percentage of the divider's input current. Load sensitivity
can be decreased by reducing the impedance of the divider, though this
increases the divider's quiescent input current and results in higher power
consumption (and wasted heat) in the divider. Voltage regulators are often
used in lieu of passive voltage dividers when it is necessary to accommodate
high or fluctuating load currents.
2. In the voltage divider circuit, is it possible to obtain an output voltage that
is greater than the input voltage? Explain.

- It is not possible to have an output voltage that is greater than the

input voltage because of KVL (Kirchoff's Voltage Law). The KVL equation is

obtained by traversing a circuit loop in either direction and writing down unchanged
the voltage of each element whose + terminal is entered first and writing down
the negative of every elements voltage where the minus sign is first met. The loop
must start and end at the same point. It does not matter where you start on the
loop.

3. A load with a resistance of 100 is connected in series with a rheostat

whose resistance can be varied from 0 to 100. If the combination is
connected to a 200 V DC source, compute for the range of the voltage that
can be applied to the load.

4. Cite some applications of a voltage divider circuit.

The voltage divider is useful in many situations. You can use the
voltage divider formula to simplify complex circuits as in Thevenins
Theorem. Thevenin's Theorem is any combination of batteries and
resistances with two terminals can be replaced by a single voltage
source e and a single series resistor r. The value of e is the open circuit
voltage at the terminals, and the value of r is e divided by the current
with the terminals short circuited. A more practical application
example of the voltage divider is measuring. Replace R2 with a
resistive sensor. For example a resistive photo cell. Then the output
voltage will vary according to the light in the room.

An experiment to verify the properties of voltage and current division was

presented. The voltage divider was created using two resistors connected in
series in a circuit. It was found that if one of the resistors in the voltage
divider was greater than the other, more voltage was dropped across it. It
was also found that the greater the resistor was, less current passed through.
Experimental, simulated and calculated results were found to be in good
agreement. Slight deviations were caused by experimental errors which
included taking somewhat wrong readings due to fluctuating values in the
ammeter and voltmeter.

- https://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?
qid=20130217104108AAeAzPL
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voltage_divider
- http://web.engr.oregonstate.edu/~traylor/ece112/lectures/kvl.pdf