what is a loaded voltage divider

A voltage divider is an electronic circuit used to divide a voltage into smaller values. It consists of two or more resistors connected in series. A loaded voltage divider is a special type of voltage divider in which the output voltage is affected by the current drawn from the output. In this article, we are going to explore the concept of a loaded voltage divider in detail.

Theory of voltage divider

Before we move on to the concept of a loaded voltage divider, let's briefly discuss the theory of a voltage divider. A voltage divider circuit is made up of two or more resistors in series. When a voltage is applied to the circuit, the resistors divide the voltage in proportion to their respective values. The amount of voltage dropped across each resistor is determined by Ohm's Law. The output voltage of a voltage divider circuit is calculated using the following formula:Vout = Vin * (R2 / (R1 R2))In this formula, Vin is the input voltage, R1 and R2 are the resistance values of the two resistors, and Vout is the output voltage.

Concept of loaded voltage divider

In a loaded voltage divider circuit, the output voltage is affected by the current drawn from the output. This is because the current flowing through the load resistor changes the overall resistance of the circuit, which in turn affects the voltage drop across the resistors. The voltage drop across the load resistor reduces the output voltage. This effect is more pronounced when the load resistance is very low compared to the resistance of the divider resistors. The following is the formula for calculating the output voltage of a loaded voltage divider:Vout = Vin * R2 / (R1 R2 RL)In this formula, RL is the resistance of the load resistor.

Effects of load on voltage divider

The load on a voltage divider circuit can have several effects on the output voltage. One of the most common effects is voltage drop. As the current flows through the load resistor, it causes a voltage drop across the resistor. This reduces the output voltage of the circuit. The voltage drop is proportional to the current flowing through the circuit, so it increases as the load resistance decreases. Another effect of load on a voltage divider circuit is the change in circuit impedance. When a load is added to the circuit, it changes the overall resistance of the circuit. This can affect the stability and accuracy of the output voltage.

Applications of loaded voltage divider

A loaded voltage divider has several applications in electronic circuits. One of the most common applications is in voltage regulation circuits. In these circuits, a voltage divider is used to create a reference voltage for a regulation circuit. The load resistor is used to simulate the output load on the voltage regulation circuit. The output voltage is regulated by adjusting the resistance of the regulation circuit to maintain the reference voltage. Another application of loaded voltage dividers is in audio circuits. In audio circuits, a loaded voltage divider is used to provide a voltage bias for the transistor amplifiers. The load resistor is used to simulate the input impedance of the amplifier.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a loaded voltage divider is an important concept in electronic circuits. It is used to divide a voltage into smaller values while taking into account the effect of the load resistor on the output voltage. The load resistor causes a voltage drop and changes the overall resistance of the circuit, which can affect the stability and accuracy of the output voltage. A loaded voltage divider has several applications in voltage regulation and audio circuits. Understanding the concept of loaded voltage dividers is important for anyone working with electronics.