DC Fundamentals Unit 12 – Voltage and Current Divider Circuits
When a load is added to a voltage divider, it is connected in parallel with one or more of the
resistances in the series string. Adding a load to the output of a voltage divider reduces the
voltage of the divider.
The load resistor in parallel with R2 forms a current divider. The parallel circuit of R2 and
RLOAD can be called a resistive bank.
NEW TERMS AND WORDS
voltage divider - A string of resistors designed to produce various voltages less than the source
voltage.
current divider - A bank of resistors designed to provide various currents less than the main-line
current.
bank - A parallel circuit with two or more branch circuits.
EQUIPMENT REQUIRED
F.A.C.E.T. base unit
DC FUNDAMENTALS circuit board
Multimeter