A voltage divider is a circuit that divides a voltage into smaller, proportional voltages. It is typically made up of two resistors in series, with the output voltage taken between the two resistors. The ratio of the two resistors determines the output voltage.
The output voltage of a voltage divider can be calculated using the formula Vout = Vin * (R2 / (R1 + R2)), where Vin is the input voltage and R1 and R2 are the resistances of the two resistors in the divider.
Yes, a voltage divider can be used to step down a voltage by using resistors with appropriate values. The output voltage will be a fraction of the input voltage, depending on the ratio of the resistors.
A voltage divider is used to reduce a voltage to a desired level, for example, to provide a lower voltage to a sensitive component or to measure a high voltage with a lower range voltmeter. It is also commonly used in electronic circuits to bias transistors or set reference voltages.
One limitation of using a voltage divider is that the output voltage is affected by changes in the input voltage. Additionally, the use of high-value resistors can introduce errors due to the tolerance of the resistors and the effects of leakage currents. It is important to carefully select resistor values and consider these factors when designing a voltage divider circuit.
