Lecture 4 Voltage and Current Dividers

ECE 205 Prof. Ali Keyhani

Voltage Division
Provides a simple way to find the voltage across an element in a series circuit without solving the circuit equations

KVL around the loop : v s = v1 + v 2 + v3

The elements are in series so the same current passes through each resistor:

v s = R1i + R2 i + R3 i = i ( R1 + R2 + R3 ) Therefore : i = vs R1 + R2 + R3
R2 v2 = R2i = R +R +R v s 2 3 1 R3 v3 = R3i = R +R +R v s 2 3 1

Using Ohms law the voltage across each resistor is found:

R1 v1 = R1i = R +R +R v s 2 3 1

Voltage Division
From the equations a pattern is derived for the series connected resistors:
The voltage across each resistor is equal to its resistance divided by the equivalent series resistance of the connection times the voltage across the series circuit.

The voltage across the kth resistor : R vk = k vTotal R EQ

Example 1
a) Find the voltage across the 560 resistor.
Solution : Applying the voltage division rule 560 vx = 24 = 11.107 V 100 + 560 + 330 + 220

b) Assume Ro is not known. Find the value of Ro so that the voltage across the Vo is 6 V

Ro vo = 6 = 100 + 560 + R + 220 24 o Solving for R o results in : R o = 293.33

Example 2
A) What is the voltage Vo when D1 and D0 are closed?

When both switches are closed the divider resistances are : R 1 = 3.5k || 21k = 3k R 2 = 1k Voltage devision : vO = R2 1 15 = 15 = 3.75V R1 + R2 4

B) What is the voltage value is D0 is open and D1 is closed?

R 1 = 3.5k || 21k = 3k R 2 = 3k Voltage devision : vO = R2 1 15 = 15 = 7.5V R1 + R2 2

Current Division
Provides a simple way to find the current through an element in a parallel circuit without solving the circuit equations

KCL at node A : i s = i1 + i2 + i3
The elements are in parallel so the same voltage appears across each conductance:

i s = vG1 + vG2 + vG3 = v(G1 + G 2 + G3 ) Therefore : v = is G1 + G2 + G3

Using Ohms law the current through each resistor is found:

G1 i1 = vG1 = G +G +G is 2 3 1 G2 i2 = vG2 = G +G +G is 2 3 1 G3 i3 = vG3 = G +G +G i s 2 3 1

Current Division
From the equations a pattern is derived for the resistors connected in parallel:
The source current divides among the parallel resistors in proportion to their conductances divided by the equivalent conductances in parallel connection.
The general expression for the current division rule G ik = k G EQ iTotal

Example 3
Find the current ix.
Solution: The circuit is divided into two paths. Then the current division rule is applied to the equivalent circuit.

G1 ix = G +G 1 2

R2 is = i s = 1 R +R 1 1 2 + R1 R 2

1 R1

i s

ix =

6.67 5 = 1.25 A 20 + 6.67