Activity No.
2
Voltage Divider and Current Divider Circuit Design
Fe Shannen B. Cinco
Brgy. Canjulao, Lapu-Lapu, 6015 Cebu, Philippines
[email protected]
+
Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, University of San Carlos
Talamban Campus, Nasipit, Talamban, Cebu City, 6000 Philippines
Abstract— The activity intends to design a series-parallel resistive circuit is equal to 100 milli amperes. The voltage in each
circuit that can be use as voltage divider and current divider resistor is equal to 3 volts by subtracting the voltage drop
applications. The complete design process of the series-parallel or the node voltage across each resistor. Thus, they can
circuit to be use as voltage divider and current divider is compose now solve for the resistor values:
of two resistors connected in series and two resistors connected in
parallel. Moreover, it aims to verify the output voltage and current
𝑉 3𝑉 3𝑉
division values. Also, it is found that if one of the resistors in the 𝑅1 = = = = 30Ω
𝐼 100𝑚𝐴 0.1 𝐴
voltage divider is greater than the other, more voltage will be
dropped across it. The greater the resistor is, less current will pass
through. Experimental, measured and calculated results of the
𝑉 3𝑉 3𝑉
output voltage and current division values are found to be in good 𝑅2 = = = = 30Ω
𝐼 100𝑚𝐴 0.1 𝐴
agreement.
The students were able to determine the voltage at
Keywords— current divider, parallel, resistor, series, voltage node c since they know that each resistor holds up to 3 volts,
divider, hence, the resistor at node c is equal to 6 volts. The current
I. INTRODUCTION in each resistor is equal to 50 milli amperes. From this data,
they can already solve for the values of resistors 3 and 4.
In the activity, several combinations and techniques will be used
to gain experience and understand of laboratory practices and electric 𝑉 6𝑉 6𝑉
circuit methods. Analysis of any arbitrary arrangement of sources and 𝑅3 = = = = 120Ω
𝐼 50 𝑚𝐴 0.05 𝐴
resistors will require techniques from previous fundamental laws that
have been discussed.
Voltage divider and current divider are the most common 𝑉 6𝑉 6𝑉
𝑅4 = = = = 120Ω
arrangements in electronic circuits. There are two types of 𝐼 50 𝑚𝐴 0.05 𝐴
combinations in a circuit, they are series and parallel connections.
Parallel circuits are also known as current divider circuits because in
these circuits, the current is divided through each resistor. Whereas, B. Constructing the Circuit Design
series circuits are known as voltage divider circuits because here
voltage is divided across all the resistors. Voltage division rule and So as to get start, the students first identify the
current division rule are necessary to understand voltage and the appropriate color code of the resistors used to construct the
current flowing each resistor.
circuit. The 30Ω resistor that they used has the color code of
orange-black-black-gold and the 120Ω resistor has the color
code of brown-red-brown-gold.
II. METHODOLOGY
This experiment consisted of two major components:
Voltage Divider & Current Divider. It uses a basic method
when constructing the circuits on the breadboard and carries out
measurements at various points in the circuit.
A. Solving the Resistor Values
The students derived the Ohm’s law equation which
resulted to a working formula in finding the resistor value :
𝑉
𝑅 = . Provided the data already, it is stated that the
𝐼 Fig.1 30Ω resistors (left) and 120Ω resistors (right)
voltage source is equal to 12 volts and the current in the
Now, that they already have the result for the
Req. The students can now solve for the voltage in
The two 30Ω resistors were connected in series and the two resistors 1 and 2 using the voltage divider method.
120Ω resistors were connected parallel to each other, and in
series to resistor 2. 𝑅1
𝑉1 = ( )𝑉
𝑅1 + 𝑅2 + 𝑅3 𝑇
30𝛺
𝑉1 = ( ) 12𝑉 = 3𝑉
30𝛺 + 30𝛺 + 60𝛺
𝑅2
𝑉2 = ( )𝑉
𝑅1 + 𝑅2 + 𝑅3 𝑇
30𝛺
𝑉2 = ( ) 12𝑉 = 3𝑉
30𝛺 + 30𝛺 + 60𝛺
Also, in computing for the voltage in resistors 3
Fig.2 Set-up of the resistors for the series-parallel circuit and 4, the students used the voltage divider method.
𝑅3
The value of the voltage source was also given in 𝑉3,4 = ( )𝑉
𝑅1 + 𝑅2 + 𝑅3 𝑇
the guide provided for the activity. The students set the
indicated value of the voltage source. While, the current 60
displayed from the power supply was also limited to 100 𝑉3,4 = ( ) 12𝑉 = 6𝑉
milli amperes. 30𝛺 + 30𝛺 + 60𝛺
D. Solving for Current in R3 and R4
The students used the current divider method to solve
for the current in resistors 3 and 4. The resistor values
and total current were obtained from the previous
calculations. Thus, they can now solve for I3 and I4 .
𝑅3
𝐼3 = ( )𝐼
𝑅3 + 𝑅4 𝑇
120𝛺
𝐼3 = ( ) 0.1𝐴 = 0.05𝐴
120𝛺 + 120𝛺
Fig. 3 Voltage source and current values set in the power
supply 𝑅4
𝐼4 = ( )𝐼
𝑅3 + 𝑅4 𝑇
120𝛺
C. Solving for the Voltages 𝐼4 = ( ) 0.1𝐴 = 0.05
120𝛺 + 120𝛺
The students used the voltage divider method to
solve for the voltage in resistors 1 and 2. First, they calculate
the equivalent resistance of resistors 3 and 4. Resulting to: III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
A. Measuring voltage in each resistor
1 1 1 1 1
𝑅𝑒𝑞 = + = + = = 60𝛺
𝑅3 𝑅4 120 120 60 The students examine if the voltage flowing across
resistors 1 and 2 is equivalent to 3 volts. They used digital
multi-meter in acquiring for the result.
After, the students then proceeded in measuring the
voltage in resistors 3 and 4. The expected value of the
voltage in resistors 3 and 4 is to be near 6 volts.
Upon measuring the voltage of resistor 3 using the
digital multi-meter, the students acquired a result of exactly
6 volts. Thus, it has a 0 percentage error from its computed
value.
Fig. 4 Digital multi-meter
Upon measuring the voltage of resistor 1 using the
digital multi-meter, the students acquired a result of exactly
3 volts. Thus, it has a 0 percentage error from its computed
value.
Fig. 7 Measuring the voltage in resistor 3
Upon measuring the voltage of resistor 3 using the
digital multi-meter, the students acquired a result of exactly
6 volts. Thus, it has a 0 percentage error from its computed
value.
Fig. 5 Measuring the voltage in resistor 1
Upon measuring the voltage of resistor 2 using the
digital multi-meter, the students acquired a result of exactly
3 volts. Thus, it has a 0 percentage error from its computed
value.
Fig. 8 Measuring the voltage in Resistor 4
The values of the voltage measured in each resistor
were the same to the computed values done by the students
before testing the resistors. Thus, proving a point, that the
voltage divider method is effective and essential to the
completion of designing the series-parallel resistive circuit.
Fig 6. Measuring the voltage in resistor 2
B. Measuring current in each resistor
The students measured the current in each resisitor
by using the analog multi-meter. They set the range
multiplier of the analog meter to read current in a resistor or
circuit. Then, setting the range to 250 milli amperes to get
the current flowing across resistors 1 to 4.
Fig. 11 The analog multi-meter reading for the current across
resistors 1 and 2
Upon measuring the current flowing across resistor
3 and 4, the students acquired a result of 45 milli amperes.
Thus, it has a 1% percentage error from its computed value.
This error might be due to observational, environmental, or
instrumental factors.
Fig. 9 Analog multi-meter
Upon measuring the current flowing across resistor
1 and 2, the students acquired a result of 99 milli amperes.
Thus, it has a 1% percentage error from its computed value.
This error might be due to observational, environmental, or
instrumental factors.
Fig. 12 Measuring the current flowing across resistors 3 and 4
Fig. 10 Measuring the current flowing across resistors 1 and 2
Fig. 13 The analog multi-meter reading for the current across
resistors 1 and 2
The students also measured the voltage between node
1 to node 4, node 2 to node 4, and node 3 to node. The measured
values for the voltage between these nodes are as follows:
Node 1 – Node 4 = 11.91 V
Node 2 – Node 4 = 8.93 V
Node 3 – Node 4 = 5.95 V
IV. CONCLUSION
This activity provides an outcome on how to design a
series-parallel resistive circuit that can be use as voltage divider
and current divider, and being able to verify the output voltage
and current division values. It is important to really understand
voltage divider method and current divider method because it
serves as your basis upon constructing and designing the
required circuit design. Moreover, this activity also requires
techniques from previous fundamental laws that have been
tackled from the past discussions. Thus, being able to have an
in-depth understanding unto the basic theorems and equations
gives you the advantage of solving complex circuits and future
circuit-related problems.
REFERENCES
[1] Electro Schematics (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://www.electroschematics.com/voltage-and-current-divider/
[2] BOM Tool. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/textbook/direct-current/chpt-
6/current-divider-circuits/
