UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS MARINE CORPS COMMUNICATION-ELECTRONICS SCHOOL TRAINING COMMAND BOX 788251 TWENTYNINE PALMS, CALIFORNIA

92278

STUDENT HANDOUT
VOLTAGE & CURRENT DIVIDERS BE.01.12 BASIC ELECTRONICS COURSE M092721 REVISED 08/14/2008

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TERMINAL LEARNING OBJECTIVES: 1. Provided cables, connectors, Test Measurement and Diagnostic Equipment, tools and a unit under test; test ground electronics equipment, per the references. (2800ACT-1303) Given a faulty electronic device, Test Measurement and Diagnostic Equipment and tools, diagnose basic electronic circuits, per the references. (2800-ACT-1305)

2.

ENABLING LEARNING OBJECTIVES: 1. Without the aid of references, select the statement that identifies the characteristics of a voltage/current divider, per the references. (2800-ACT-1303m) Without the aid of references, given a voltage or current divider electronic circuit, TMDE, and references, connect the TMDE to the circuit to be tested, per the references. (2800-ACT-1303y) Without the aid of references, given a voltage or current divider test circuit, TMDE, and references, adjust the TMDE to display a recorded measurement, per the references. (2800-ACT-1303z) Without the aid of references, given a voltage or current divider test circuit, TMDE, and references, record specified circuit parameters, per the references. (2800ACT-1303aa)

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STUDENT INFORMATION: Have you ever wondered how the power supply in a computer can support all the demands of the different components? They don't all run on the same voltage. Does the computer have three or four different supplies inside? No, it has one power supply with multiple outputs. A voltage divider is used to provide multiple voltage levels from one power supply. In this lesson you are going to learn about voltage and current dividers. This will be accomplished by looking back at something you have already learned: series and parallel resistive circuits. This lesson is a different way of looking at series and parallel circuits. These principles will be used in some of the upcoming annexes in BEC, in your terminal course, as well as in the Marine Operating Forces.
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STUDENT HANDOUT PRESENTATION: I. Voltage Divider: A. Definition: A string of resistors designed to produce various individual voltages less than the source voltage. B. A typical voltage divider circuit is illustrated in Figure 12-01.

VA 12V

R1 2kohm

R2 4kohm

Figure 12-01.

Voltage Divider.

C. Series resistive circuit: The term "voltage divider" is often used to describe series resistive circuits because in series the voltage applied is divided among all the resistive elements in the circuit. D. The voltage drop across each resistor is directly proportional to the resistors value. In figure 12-01 R2 is two thirds of the total resistance, therefore, R2 will drop two thirds of the total voltage. The ratios are equal:
VR 2 R = 2 VA RT

From this relationship a formula is derived for use in voltage divider circuits. This is referred to as the voltage divider equation (multiply both sides by VA):
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VR 2 = V A

R2 RT

The voltage of R1 can be determined by using Kirchhoff's Voltage Law. E. Loads: A load is that part of the circuit that absorbs (uses) power. When a load is added to a voltage divider, it is connected in parallel with one or more of the resistive elements. Adding a load resistor (RL) in parallel with the circuit reduces the equivalent resistance. A lesser resistance will develop a lesser voltage, due to the ratio property described in paragraph I.D. F. Loading: Loading is the effect that a device has on the overall circuit. A larger load produces a larger equivalent resistance that develops a smaller current through the load device. A smaller load resistor produces a smaller equivalent resistance that will develop a larger current draw through the load. G. Refer to Figure 12-02. Adding a load (RL) in parallel with R2 makes the actual output resistance decrease. This decrease in resistance will force the voltage of R2, (and RL since they are in parallel with each other) to decrease. The voltage dropped across RL or any load, is typically called output voltage (VOUT or VO).

VA 12V

R1 2kohm

R2 4kohm

RL 40kohm

Figure 12-02.

A loaded voltage divider.

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H. 10:1 Loading: In the circuit in Figure 12-02, the Load Resistor is 10 times greater than R2. In this situation it is referred to as the 10:1 rule. In a configuration where the load resistor is at least ten times greater than R2, it helps to prevent unacceptable voltage loss. I. Current: The current through RL is called Load Current (IL). The current through R2 is called Bleeder Current. Bleeder Current is identified as any current that flows in the parallel branch to the load. II. Current Dividers: A. Definition: A current divider is a configuration where two or more resistors are in parallel with each other. This design provides various currents which are less than the total line current. B. A typical current divider circuit is illustrated in Figure 12-03.

VA 12V

R1 2kohm

R2 4kohm

Figure 12-03 C. The load resistor: By virtue of its placement in the circuit as depicted in Figure 12-03 a current divider has been created. D. Parallel resistive circuit: The term "current divider" is often used to describe parallel resistive circuits because in parallel the total current is divided among all the resistive branches in the circuit.

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E. The branch current through each resistor is indirectly proportional to the branch resistive value. In the circuit in figure 12-03, R1 is half the value of R2 and this causes R1 to have twice the current as that flowing through R2. Just like voltage dividers, current dividers have a formula based on this ratio called the current divider law. Unlike the relationship of voltage to resistance (directly proportional), current and resistance are inversely proportional:
I R1 RT = IT R1

A formula is derived for use in current divider circuits (multiply both sides by IT):
I R1 = I T RT R1

The current of R2 can be determined by using Kirchoffs Current Law.

Practice Problems:

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R1

VA
R2 RL

Figure 12-04.

Practice.

Student Instructions: Problems 1-4.

Solve for the missing parameters for

Problem #1: Given: VA = 10V R1 = 1K R2 = 2K RL = 20K VRL = _________ IRL = _________ IR2 = _________ IT = _________

Problem #2: Given: VA = 10V R1 = 1K R2 = 1K RL = 10K VRL = _________ IRL = _________ IR2 = _________ IT = _________

REFERENCES:

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1. 2. 3. 4.

Operator Manual: Fluke 77/BN Basic Electronics (9th Edition), Grob Introductory Electric Circuits, Robert T. Paynter WinFACET, Lab-Volt Systems Inc.

PREPARED BY: ____________________________________________ TITLE: __________________________________________________ SIGNATURE: ________________________ DATE: ______________ MODIFIED BY: _A.L.JOHNSON__________ DATE: _10/21/2008___ APPROVED BY: ____________________________________________ TITLE: __________________________________________________ SIGNATURE: ________________________ DATE: ______________

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NOTES:

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