Engineering How to Design a Voltage Divider Circuit for Multiple Voltages?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on designing a voltage divider circuit to achieve -12 V, 4 V, and 12 V outputs from a 24 V supply for memory components in a personal computer. Key insights include the necessity of center tapping the 24 V supply to create the negative voltage rail and the importance of understanding the power requirements for each voltage rail. The total power supplied to the divider circuit is 80 W, which must be considered when selecting resistor values. Participants emphasize the simplicity of creating positive voltage outputs while addressing the complexities of generating negative voltages.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of voltage divider principles
  • Familiarity with resistor calculations and power ratings
  • Knowledge of center tapping techniques for voltage generation
  • Basic concepts of switching regulators
NEXT STEPS
  • Research "center tapping in voltage dividers" for generating negative voltages
  • Study "resistor power ratings and calculations" to ensure safe designs
  • Explore "switching regulators for voltage conversion" for efficient power management
  • Learn about "voltage rail requirements in PC memory components" for better design insights
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Electronics engineers, hobbyists designing power supplies, and students studying circuit design will benefit from this discussion.

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Homework Statement



The memory components in a personal computer require voltages of -12 V, 4 V and 12 V all with respect to a common reference terminal (you can assume this to be the ground). Design a circuit to achieve this if the total power supplied to the divider circuit is 80 W and the supply voltage is 24 V.

The Attempt at a Solution



its simple to make the voltage divider for the positive terminal voltages, but I am not sure, mathematically, how to include a negative terminal.

Ive been placing a resistor between the negative terminal on the source and the ground but whatever resistor i put in there changes the rest.

i suppose my question is
How do you achieve negative voltages from a one sourced voltage divider?

thanks
 
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Is that really the entire question?

You would normally need to know the power required for each rail. It's trivial to make a 4V rail if you only need a few uA from it.

The problem doesn't appear to stop you making the +12 and -12 by "center tapping" the 24V ??
 

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